Chapter 10 Help

It turned out that Finley and her colleagues were having a dinner party in a private room on the seventh floor. Finley, who had previously made a grand entrance with Berloff Reed, became the center of attention.

The original host, Patrick, was sulking in a corner, drinking alone, too embarrassed to join the group.

A bunch of female colleagues surrounded Finley, chattering away, showering her with compliments while trying to pry information out of her. However, Finley skillfully deflected their questions, and the atmosphere began to turn awkward.

Some of the female colleagues who were usually not fond of Finley started making snide remarks.

"Oh my, she's really proud, isn't she? She doesn't even want to introduce her boyfriend to us!"

"Of course, Finley's boyfriend is busy with big deals. Why would he want to hang out with us regular folks?"

"Finley, even if your boyfriend is busy, he shouldn't ignore you like this. Unless he just wants to have fun and isn't serious about you!"The comments grew increasingly harsh, even becoming a bit malicious. Two female colleagues, unable to stand it any longer but not wanting to offend the others, excused themselves to go to the restroom and slipped out of the room.

They had heard that the seafood buffet upstairs was excellent, so they decided to check it out.

Back in the private room, Patrick's ears perked up at the conversation.

They had a point!

In his mind, someone as wealthy as Berloff Reed would have a serious girlfriend who was either a top-tier actress or a popular model.

Although Finley was exceptionally beautiful among ordinary girls, she probably didn't mean much to Berloff Reed.

If Berloff, after becoming successful, just wanted to play around with the former campus queen to satisfy his old conquest desires, it would make sense!

Finley's face turned bright red with shame and anger from these nasty comments.

She knew exactly what her female colleagues were thinking.

They just wanted a chance to meet a young, super-rich guy like Berloff.In their minds, it would be best to push Finley aside and climb up to Berloff, securing their own future success.

But Finley ignored them completely, not giving them an inch.

Frustrated, they resorted to sneaky, sarcastic remarks. How dark-hearted!

If Berloff really was Finley's boyfriend, she would have called him over to shut them up and teach these women a lesson.

Unfortunately, Berloff was just an old classmate Finley had run into by chance.

She had a sudden idea to use Berloff as a shield.But now, she didn't even have his phone number, so she couldn't ask for his help!

Bang!

At that moment, the door to the private room was pushed open.

The two female colleagues who had just slipped out came back in, gossiping loudly.

"Hey everyone, guess who we ran into upstairs?"

"Haha, you won't believe it! It's Finley's boyfriend!"

"He was having dinner with his friends at the seafood buffet. We saw it all!"Swoosh!

All eyes from the dozen or so colleagues turned simultaneously towards Finley.

"Finley, didn't you say your boyfriend was at a business meeting?"

"Hmph, Finley, you're not being honest with us, are you?"

"Exactly! You made him hide upstairs to avoid us. Is he going to sneak you out later?"

"Come on, we're all friends here. Do you think we'd steal your boyfriend?"

"Ha, Finley, do you think we're not good enough to meet your boyfriend?"Their words were sharp and relentless, making Finley's face turn pale as she stood there, helpless.

"Let me explain, it's not what you think..."

She waved her hands weakly, feeling utterly desperate.

That Berloff Reed, he's so annoying!

Wasn't he supposed to have left the Four Seasons Hotel earlier?

Why did he come here for the seafood buffet with others?

Now everything's going to be exposed.

If Patrick, the rich kid, gets angry, she'll definitely lose her job.

Bang!

At that moment, Patrick slammed the table with a cold expression on his face.

"It's not what we think? Then what's the deal with this so-called boyfriend of yours?" Patrick stared coldly at Finley.

"Either you're hiding him from us, not letting us meet him, or he's just playing with you and doesn't care about you at all. You don't even know where he is!"

His words were sharp and resonated with the crowd, who nodded in agreement.

"Mr. Patrick is right!""Absolutely makes sense!"

Finley's face turned pale and then flushed, her brows furrowed as she struggled to find a way to defend herself.

"Unless you call him here right now and introduce him to everyone!" Patrick sneered, pressing on, "Otherwise, we'll have to assume you're just a rich man's plaything, with no basic dignity!"

The entire room fell silent. Everyone looked at Finley with serious expressions, the atmosphere thick with tension.

"I..."

Finley swallowed hard, unsure of what to do.

"Hey!"

At that moment, a round-faced female colleague sitting next to her stood up.

"Finley's just a bit shy, that's all. She's too nervous to bring her boyfriend here."

"Mr. Patrick, don't worry. Finley will go upstairs and get her boyfriend right now."

"Come on, Finley!"

She pulled Finley out of the private room and sent her into the elevator.

Finley, dazed and confused, went upstairs, unable to tell if her round-faced colleague was genuinely helping her out or setting her up for embarrassment.

A few minutes later, a waiter approached Berloff Reed.

"Sir, there's a lady at the restaurant entrance who says she urgently needs to see you."

"Someone's looking for me? Really?"

Berloff looked up in surprise and saw Finley, the university beauty, standing anxiously at the entrance of the seafood buffet, waving at him.

"Finley? What does she want with me?"

Bruno, sitting next to him, stared wide-eyed in shock.

"No way!"

"Not only did you strike it rich, but you've also got a romantic twist."

"Damn! Finley was my college goddess!"

"Come on, spill it. When did you start hooking up with the campus queen?"

Berloff put down his chopsticks and smacked his lips. "Don't talk nonsense! My relationship with her is as clear as day."

"She just kissed me once, that's all!"

Bruno was fuming. "She kissed you, and you still say there's nothing between you?"Berloff chuckled softly and got up to head to the restaurant entrance.

"Finley, you're looking for me?"

Finley forced a smile, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Berloff, I need your help with something."

She laid everything out, explaining her current predicament in detail.

After listening, Berloff Reed finally understood.

"So that's why you, who always seemed so reserved, suddenly kissed me. It was to escape Mr. Patrick's clutches."

Finley bit her lip, looking distressed."Berloff, my mother is being treated at Silk City General Hospital. I can't afford to lose this high-paying job. Could you please help me?"

Berloff chuckled, "You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend? I'd love to!"

"Honestly, I should thank Mr. Patrick."

"Otherwise, I would've never gotten a kiss from the school beauty in my lifetime!"

Finley's face turned crimson, and she lightly spat, "You rogue!"

"Haha..."

Berloff laughed heartily, wrapping his arm around Finley's shoulder as they headed toward the elevator.

"Bruno, let's go. We have important matters to attend to!"

Bruno, who was watching from inside the restaurant, stood there dumbfounded, gritting his teeth.

"My goddess from back then!"

"That damn Berloff Reed!"