The room was dimly lit while the curtains were closed, seemingly out of concern of disturbing Stella’s
sleep.
She rubbed her eyes, shrugged off her blanket, and rose to her feet.
The instant she left the breakroom, someone promptly approached her. “Ah! You’re awake, Miss
Steele.”
Hearing Ben’s voice, Stella paused for a moment before looking at him. “How did I get here?”
“You fell asleep in the car, so Mr. Ford carried you up here.”
Stella was naturally acquainted with Ben, since he was the one who had taken care of matters when
she and Roger Sealey assumed new identities. It was obvious that Weston trusted him very much, or
he would not have left her with Ben. Taking a seat on a couch and having a drink, she asked, “Is
Weston having a meeting?” “Yes,” Ben replied. “However, he will probably be done soon, and he is
hoping to go home with you.”
With that, Ben passed her a tablet, obviously having arranged something for her to do in the meantime.
“You can ask me directly if you have any request. Everyone in the secretaries’ office outside are people
that Mr. Ford trusts, so you don’t have to feel constrained.” Stella nodded, but she still felt
uncomfortable since she did not expect Weston to take her to his office. Was he really not worried that
others would find out? However, Ben seemed to read her mind, and assured her, “You don’t have to
worry too much, Miss Steele–just leave it to Mr. Ford.”
Still, Ben found sympathy for the harshness of her situation even as he watched her.
On one hand, Weston kept closing in on her, while on the other, she was also struggling with herself. To
tell the truth, he had no idea why Weston was unwilling to let her go-he was willing to get her a new
identity and give her a fresh start, and everyone would be happy as long as he let her
1.
So, why was he refusing to do so? “I shall be going back to my work if there is nothing else for now.
Again, just tell me if you have anything you need, Miss Steele.” “Thank you, Mr. Sullivan.”
***
After Ben left, Stella felt a little freer, and decided to call Roger after a while.
However, that was when someone knocked on the door.
“Mr. Ford, there’s a report here…” Daisy spoke as she stepped through the door, and paused
when she found Stella inside.
“Excuse me, but you are…?” Stella quickly sprang to her feet, while Daisy straightened and said, “I’m
Daisy, Mr. Ford’s private secretary. Are you his guest?” Though Stella’s presence caught Daisy by
surprise, she soon regained her composure and shook her hand in greeting, before speaking politely,
“I’m sorry, but this is Mr. Ford’s private office. You should wait at the guest room up front if you have
business with him…” It was obvious she thought that Stella was your average intruder who had snuck
into Weston’s office, which was why she was asking Stella to leave. She had only seen too many
women who came to fawn over Weston using work as an excuse, and she was already being quite
restrained. In the end, even if Weston Ford, the most powerful man of Ahn City, was beyond everyone’s
reach, there were still those who hoped to seize that almost nonexistent chance to shoot for the skies.
Nonetheless, just as the air in the room turned awkward, Ben rushed into the room, “Why are you in
here, Daisy?” “I have a report…” Daisy was surprised to see Ben, and turned back toward Stella. “And
this lady…” Ben scowled right then. “You’re done here. Please step outside, and ask for permission the
next time you come in.”
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