Freya genuinely wanted to hide somewhere if she could.
Gideon did not like her. He kept putting her on the spot at the villa time and time again. If he found out she was working at the Carter Croup, what would he do to her?
Just thinking about it made her tremble in fear.
If she knew Carol would react so strongly and look at Gideon so blatantly, she would have waited at her own desk in private.
Carol finally realized it was inappropriate of her, so she straightened her body and nodded to Gideon. "Hi, Mr. Carter."
Gideon ignored her and turned to look at Freya immediately.
Carol pulled Freya's arm slightly when the president started looking at her.
Freya knew there was no hiding from Gideon now, so she stood up and greeted the man politely. "Hello, Mr. Carter."
Gideon glanced at Carol and asked coldly, "Don't you have to work?"
The moment he opened his mouth, Carol was so startled that she forgot to answer and simply ran off altogether.
Freya looked at Gideon. She pointed at the manager's office and explained, "I… I have to see the manager."
Gideon narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her quizzically. He asked, "Do you work here?"
"Uh huh." Freya did her best to keep her voice down, so that she would sound nice and obedient.
"Humph."
Gideon scoffed. His voice was dripping in coldness and disdain.
Freya pursed her lips without speaking.
The man sneered. "You people are certainly scheming."
Freya did not know what he meant by people, but now was not the time to think deeply about it. She wished he would leave quickly and spare her for once.
Gideon did not even bother glancing at her. He could already envision the powerless look on her face.
Gideon finally spoke and systematically told Freya his demands in a firm tone. "Do not talk to me while you are in the office. Do not tell anyone about our relationship. From now on, you are to avoid me if we cross paths in the office. If you ever show up within my line of sight, I can't promise what I might do to you."
Freya said nothing.
"Are you dumb or deaf?"
Freya covered her mouth and shook her head.
The man frowned. Now, he suddenly felt even angrier. "Do you understand? Answer me!"
"Yes, I got it."
Gideon inexplicably felt annoyed. He said coldly, "Leave."
Freya was very angry inside and she really wanted to pummel Gideon like he was a sandbag.
What was with his lousy attitude and bad temper?
What had she done to make him angry?
It was impossible to even have a proper conversation with him. Charles was a kind, genial elderly man. She found it unfathomable how he could raise a son like Gideon.
Freya turned to enter the manager's office after she was done letting off steam inside.
After knocking on the door, she entered the room. She spoke hesitantly. "I… I have some family problems to handle. Can you give me an advance for my salary this month?"
The manager was stunned. "Did you have to tell me only today?"
Freya did not understand why the manager reacted this way.
The manager was powerless but patiently explained to Freya. "Mr. Carter just came by to inform me all employees unable to hit their fortnightly targets are not allowed to enjoy company financial perks. If you really need it, you have to get his approval."
She immediately asked, "Why?"
"I recall you haven't made any sales all month, right? Also, you just came back from leave."
Freya was unable to defend herself. She had taken leave to get married. Since her father was on trial, she was in no mood to work, so she had no sales for over a month.
Freya left the manager's office dejectedly. She looked absolutely miserable.
Was she really going to have to ask Gideon to approve the advance?