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Chapter 8 - The Chief Architect

Eunice walked up in front of me. Now, I had a better view of her entire appearance.

I swallowed as my eyes sized her up, doing some math as I scanned her from the head down to her Louboutin stiletto adorned with genuine gemstones.

Then, my eyes traveled upward to her white dress, which perfectly hugged every curve of her body with a blue sapphire chain belt around her waist. She is wearing a pastel blazer, which still fails to hide her hourglass body.

After having enough of her clothes, I stare at the jewelry set made of blue sapphire. The sizes were just perfect—not large or small. They were just appropriate to her attire. But Leah is different. She loved to wear large stone jewelry in her daily outfit. I think it was why I wouldn't enjoy staring at her.

Yet, when it comes to Eunice, she exudes a unique charm and I think anything would look good on her. Even the purse she clutched was from a known brand and ornamented with gemstones.

Indeed, she doesn't look poor—not even close, but opposite to that.

She doesn't just look expensive. Her body exudes a pleasant fragrance that suits my sense of smell. It was like an addicting scent.

"You must keep an arm's length, Mr. Lopez!"

Eunice shouted at me. If she hadn't done that, I would not have returned to my senses and realized my inappropriate action.

I was actually leaning too close to her body and sniffing her neck.

I don't understand what is happening to me. But this isn't me. Absolutely. Perhaps she is an innate seductress who could easily bewitch anyone with her oozing charm.

"I'm sorry."

Pah!

I apologized already, but my left cheek received a heavy slap. That's right. It wasn't light, but I didn't feel any burning pain.

Instead, it tickled when her palm touched my skin, and I saw red lights flaring above my head.

It must be ridiculous to say this, but I just realized for the first time that I enjoy being beaten, not by anyone but only her. And this is not a good sign. Therefore, I should see a professional, as I have these wild thoughts.

All my life, I was trained to have self-control. Since my grandfather is an ex-soldier with the highest rank, he has disciplined me since a young age. But now I have doubts in myself.

I stared at Eunice, and I found it disturbing—how she stared at me with horror as if I were some monster.

I could tell how she became uncomfortable alone in the elevator. Her gaze sharpened as she frequently looked at the screen above us, which indicated which floor we had passed.

Meier Holdings rented out from the 29th floor to the 38th floor, whereas from the 39th to the 62nd floor, all belong to Lopez Group, where I am taking office.

Lopez Group, based in Claire City, is just one of countless subsidiaries of Lopez Corporation, and our headquarters are in Metro City, the capital of this country.

The door opened. Immediately, I heard a relieved sigh from Eunice before she trotted out, leaving me behind.

"Miss Tsui!"

It didn't escape from my sharp eyes how scared she looked, which caused her feet to get tangled. She would already stumble by her own steps if it weren't for my good reflex.

"Be careful!"

I hurried to her side, hooked my right arm around her waist, and pulled her toward me.

With this motion, our bodies brushed against each other, allowing me to feel her softness. Then, her scent filled my nostrils, putting me in a daze once more.

Subconsciously, I embraced her tightly, and I liked how her slender body was perfect inside my arms.

But the comfort I felt didn't last long. Suddenly, I felt a force lift me, and then my back touched the floor.

My eyes instantly widened as I stared at the ceiling and the blinding lights welcomed me after Eunice flipped me over.

It shocked me momentarily and tried to gather my thoughts.

Eunice Tsui appeared frail and delicate, but she managed to lift my body and throw me on the floor without sweating. It only means that she can fight.

'She is not just simply the woman rumored to be Christian's mistress!'

Eunice has become an intriguing person after being a mysterious one.

Having this thought, a wave of emotion lingered in my chest, and without realizing it, a smile appeared on my lips.

'What are you doing, Jullian Lopez?'

I heard a part of me reminding myself that I wasn't here to admire her. Yet, knowing more about her, I enjoyed every encounter we had.

"Pervert!"

I heard Eunice bellow at me before she spun her heels and took long strides, leaving me behind speechless.

'Eunice Tsui… What more can you do? I can't wait to get to know you better.'

She could drive a car like a pro-race driver, and now her moves were like those of a black belt holder. I have been digging for information about her for the last five years, but I only know a little about her after she disappeared all of a sudden.

"Aha! This is interesting. Did Director Lopez find the floor comfortable to lounge on when I have a luxurious resting room next to the conference hall?"

I looked up and didn't particularly appreciate how Christian grinned at me. I think he witnessed when Eunice threw me over her back.

I sat up and stood on my feet, dusting my bottom, smoothing my suit, and coughing to clear my lungs as I stretched my arm for a handshake.

"Good morning, President Meier. I'm sorry if I haven't sent out a notice that I will make a personal inspection today. I am particular about maintaining a safe and comfortable space for my tenants; thus, I want to ensure there won't be any mishap because of my negligence."

"Even the floor then?" Christian tease.

I know my explanation makes me look absolutely ridiculous, and I am tempted to rip the teasing grin off Christian's face. It was apparent he was taunting me.

"How grateful we are to have such a thoughtful landlord." He added, "However, you were never this concerned about doing the inspection personally, but you used to send out your men to do the job. Don't tell me it is because of Eunice. A piece of advice, Mr. Lopez. She is your soon-to-be wife's cousin. I think you must keep a distance from her."

I found it was not advice but a reminder. Christian gripped my hand, and I returned the strength he had exerted.

With our gazes locked on each other, neither of us could decipher what we were thinking at the moment.

Like me, he was so good at wearing a facade of friendliness to everyone, including me.

"Well, I have been too busy since I inherited the position from my father three years ago. It happens that I have a lot of free time now." I replied, and it was a lie.

"Hm, for someone who is supposed to organize his wedding..."

Christian nodded as he mumbled, which made me feel sore.

If it weren't for the elevator chiming and a woman I don't want to see emerging from it, Christian and I would remain wrestling gazes, and our hands would stay gripping each other.

"Jullian, there you are!"

Leah approaches me, and she immediately hooks her arm around my elbow. I glanced at her fake nails. My eyelashes fluttered with irritation.

I didn't hide my frown, but she didn't look at me to notice the displeasure on my face. Her attention was on Christian.

'She's really obvious.'

Even when I was beside her, she didn't hide her flirtatious nature for a good-looking and wealthy man. She would ensure that she sounded sweet, and I hated how she would laugh vulgarly.

Nonetheless, I don't care if she seduces another man. In fact, she would only give me a great favor. It can be an excuse to call off our engagement and then I can proceed in winning Eunice over.

'But it seems, it would not be easy.'

~

Eunice's POV

Jullian Lopez... He is such an asshole for groping my body!

I thought he was a decent man growing up in a military household. But it seems he wasn't taught to be a gentleman.

He is a pervert!

Just because of what I said yesterday, it doesn't mean I am open to being flirted with. I am so unlike Leah, a trying-hard serin, flirting with all the men she encounters!

Indeed, I made that comment, but it was intentional. I intend to provoke Leah and make Jullian perceive her true nature as a two-faced b*tch.

Is my word gone to his head, and now he believes he could hit on me?

Besides, I don't understand what he is saying—that he told Leah there was a job for me.

Do I look like I need one?

It must be Leah. It made me wonder what she told Jullian about me, and he is offering me a secretarial job.

Knock! Knock!

The knock snapped me out of my train of thought. I let in the person at the door, who was Kyline. She informed me that the meeting would begin in five minutes.

"Got it. Thank you, Kyle."

~

Christian's POV

In the conference room, representatives from different companies discuss in a lower voice. They wondered why Christian called for a meeting when they had just held one a few days ago.

"What happened?" asked a CEO from another company that invested in the Monterraz project.

"I do not know, Mrs. Sy," was the reply by another director.

Various speculations carry on. They just stopped murmuring to each other when Christian entered the conference room, followed by Jullian and Leah.

"Good morning, everyone."

Christian greeted them with a smile. He strode toward the main chair but didn't take the seat. He just simply stood in the center of the conference room.

The board members and other representatives notified of today's meeting had anticipated what this meeting would be about.

They presume there is good news to be announced regarding their recent projects. Therefore, they were keen to listen further.

"You must be wondering why I called for a board meeting on short notice. One of my bosses happens to be in the country for a visit. As you all know, Meier Holdings is only a subsidiary company under Muller & Meier International, and our HQ is in Zurich, Switzerland. Everyone can tour our main office for those who plan to visit the country."

Christian paused, sweeping his gaze to the entire room and reading the faces of those present at the meeting. He curled his thin lips, satisfied with how everyone became ecstatic.

"So it was the boss!"

"It is. I could not wait to meet him!"

"I have been wishing to meet him as well!"

Christian raised his hand to quiet down everyone and he went on.

"Now, I am honored to introduce the vice president of M&M International. At the same time, she is the chief architect in our Architectural Design Department. Around of applause, please... Mademoiselle Eunice Tsui!"