Gaining President's interest

She had binge read the whole novel, and never in his any interaction with his secretary or any other employee, he offered them to sit with them.

Not to mention this close to him.

After the initial surprise, the happiness took over. The feeling of making progress.

She was going in the tight direction with her relationship with the male lead.

However, she kept an impassive face and politely thanked Luiss before sitting with a straight back, facing him and awaiting his words.

"You did well," Luiss started with his words while his keen eyes actively took note of each and every ripple of emotion on Ariel's face.

But there was not much he could pick out from her face.

"I have President Luiss to thank to give me a chance to prove myself."

"And you have proven yourself. Expect more responsibilities on you from now onwards." Luiss said with a smile.

Was that a bait?

Promise you a reward and squeeze out the secrets from you.

Just after exchanging a few words with the male lead, Ariel realized that he wasn't a simple person. Of course, she knew this beforehand. She had read the novel. Luiss was a dangerous, calculative, and cunning person. Akin to the blade of a cold dagger.

He respected her, but she wasn't someone he cared for. She needed to gain his admiration as soon as possible.

Taking such a person as an opponent would land you in a coffin sooner than system elimination.

"I won't disappoint President Luiss," Ariana replied at once. Eyes full of determination to perform her best. "Neither would I betray him."

"I expect none the less," Luiss remarked and leaned back on the sofa and took a sip of wine. With a smile, he continued. "I also expect total loyalty from my employees. And total loyalty demands certain things Ms. Grey, do you understand that?"

'Here it comes,' Ariel thought to herself. Het guts told her where he was taking this.

"I understand, President Luiss," Arian replied in a low, respectful tone.

Once he had her assent, he leaned back towards her. Placing his elbows on his knees, he interlaced his fingers. He looked squarely into her eyes as if wanting to dig out her soul.

"So I'm going to ask you some questions. Ms. Grey. I expect honest responses." He stated and waited for her.

"Yes, President Luiss."

"Did you know it beforehand that President Gerald had suffered a recent loss in their business?"

"No, I didn't know it beforehand."

"When did you learn of it?"

"One day ago, before we arrived here."

"Why did you not inform me?"

"I was busy at the task of perfecting the presentation, and we were short on time. President Luiss was on his way here on the flight. I couldn't contact you either."

Right until this point, none of the things Ariana said could be regarded as a lie. It was just a different way of presenting the truth.

"Alright, I'll trust you, and I'm gonna ask you one last question." He said and hardened his face. "Where did you learn of this information?"

Ariana could lie and tell that Rosaline told her. But none of them were stupid enough to believe this. While coming her way here, she had thought of a thousand excuses, but none of them was devoid of any loopholes.

Luiss was gonna investigate. She was sure of it. And once her lie got caught, she would be in deeper troubles.

So she had thought of a perfect answer for his inquiry.

Silence.

As Luiss awaited her response and none came from her side, he realized she had no intention to divulge her secret.

"Do you know in your contract there was a term that you must not keep secrets from me?"

"Yes, I know." Ariana didn't break eye contact with him no matter how domineering he became.

"And yet you refuse to divulge who was your informant,"

Silence.

President Luiss waited for her and tapped his fingers on the armrest. Yet no inclination to answer came from her side. The tap of fingers was like pulling the strings of her nerves. Yet she maintained the impassive face, devoid of any emotion.

"Fine," Luiss reallzed he could not push her to divulge the secret. Yet he admired her confidence. She was like an unbreakable stone. "Since you helped us a lot in today's meeting, I'll let you off on this.

Ariana shoulders relaxed slightly, and she quickly replied, "I assure President Luiss of my ultimate loyalty." Indirectly, she hinted she was loyal to him, and the company ans had other reasons for hiding the truth.

"Of course you do," Luiss said with a smirk, now looking at the girl in question in a new light. She wasn't as simple as he assumed her to be. He needed to keep her closer for assessment. This woman has piqued his interest.. "The consequences of betraying me if not something you would be able to endure."

"I understand," Ariana replied at once, hearing multiple 'tings' from the system.