In the presidential suite, Eunice was halfway through sketching on her drawing tablet when her phone rang relentlessly. She glanced at her phone, but only a string of unfamiliar numbers flashed on the screen.
"Who could it be?" She wanted to ignore it, but it wouldn't stop ringing.
Only a few people knew her contact information since she was using a phone that Christian had provided; thus, she answered the call calmly, as she thought it was crucial and the caller was one of Christian's trusted subordinates.
"Hello? Who's this?"
"Miss Tsui, it is me, Jullian Lopez."
Eunice was surprised upon recognizing the voice. 'Where did he get my number? It's impossible that Christian would give him my contact information. Have they hacked my phone?'
"Mr. Lopez, what can I do for you? How did you get my number?" She asked lazily; then, with honesty, she said, "No one has it but my family and those who work close to me."
That was true. Her phone number is only known to a few people, such as her aunt Lhyn, Christian, and best friend, Wanda. Also, Paul, Jay, and Kyline have only added to her contacts since they started working with her.
"I have my ways, Miss Tsui." Jullian chuckled while replying, causing Eunice's heart to race uncontrollably. That laugh has an inexplicable effect on her.
Eunice clenched her jaw. She felt ironic toward his unwavering confidence. Anyhow, she has to calm down.
Yet her voice failed to conceal her coldness. She dispassionately asked Jullian, "What do you want, and you'd call me, Mr. Lopez, that you trouble yourself from hiring a capable hacker?"
Indeed, if the person who hacked her information was mediocre, then Jullian would not have her contact information.
Jullian detects the displeasing tone in her voice. Regardless, he disregards that to pursue his true intention of contacting her.
'She's sharp. I must be extra careful to get close to her.'
"Well, I wonder if your family has invited you to a banquet tonight," he said.
Eunice snapped, then raised a brow, saying, "Whose family are you talking about, Mr. Lopez? Since the last time I checked, your future in-laws have been imprisoning the people who consider me to be family. Hence, the family you spoke of is not related to me. I'm hanging up now if nothing else is important that you'll say to me."
She's straightforward and doesn't want to beat around the bush. Thus, Jullian hurried to stop her.
"Hold on, Eunice! I'm not finished yet…"
"Tsk. But I'm done talking to you, Mr. Lopez." She cut him halfway, adding, "Please... Since we are not friends or close colleagues, we should refrain from using each other's first names."
The other line became silent momentarily. Then a hoarse voice sounded, which caused Eunice's heart to go wild.
"What if I wanted to get close to you, and I plan to start tonight?" he said. "In correction, we are now subordinates, and Lopez Group worked closely with the Monterraz architect team. Now that I learned you are the senior chief of this project, we have regular meetings each day to discuss the project."
"What did you say?" The beating of her heart was deafening, leaving her speechless. She fell into deep thought, processing Jullian's words. Then she scolded herself. 'Come on, Eunice Tsui! He is not the man you loved in the past, and so stop having illusions.'
She's actually grateful that Jullian reminded her how they were working on the same project. Therefore, she must compose herself.
"Well, as you mentioned, we are subordinates; hence, you must address me correctly." Eunice coughed and responded with irritation, concealing her current emotions. She added, "Therefore, stop flirting with your fiancee's cousin. Know your boundaries, Mr. Lopez."
"Hm. Speaking of relationships, as you can see, Leah and I were just engaged. We are not husband and wife yet. Therefore, we can decide whether to get married or annul the engagement and go our separate ways."
"What are you saying, Mr. Lopez?" Eunice felt ironic about the way Jullian explained things.
It was as if he were making a reasonable fact that he could pursue someone else, even though he was in a relationship with Leah. Although she hates Leah, she disapproves of an unfaithful man.
'Men are men! What to expect from them?' Except for loyal ones.
"I am familiar with my cousin, Mr. Lopez. She exhibits possessive behavior and becomes fixated on achieving her goals. She will go to great lengths to win over anyone who is fond of me. Once she discovers you are pursuing me, I foresee the actions she will take to humiliate me publicly."
She had a meaningful smile on her lips as she said that. It's a pity that Jullian won't be able to see it.
"Hmm, is that so? Now, it makes me wonder. Perhaps it was the reason she set her eyes on Mr. Meier. As you've mentioned, Leah becomes obsessed with things that you have; she must be aiming for Christian. And when the time comes, she succeeds in stealing your boyfriend. Please, you don't have to worry. I am willing to lend you my shoulder to cry on. I can also accompany you if you want to drown your sorrow with alcohol."
Listening to Jullian, Eunice didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She understood Jullian was a straightforward person. Therefore, she couldn't believe that he was actually shameless! According to the information she gathers about him, he is a stern and earnest type of man.
At that moment, she confirmed he was a two-faced man and had only revealed himself to particular individuals.
Unfortunately, she's one of them. Now, she isn't sure how to destroy his overconfident demeanor. Now, she could feel a chill on her spine from repulsion.
'He's so full of himself!'
Eunice snorted and said, "I never imagined Mr. Lopez to be such a charismatic person."
Her tone is full of sarcasm. Then she went on, "No wonder my cousin fell for you. You were so thoughtful. Anyway, I don't think she would succeed in seducing Christian."
"How certain are you?" If only they were chatting face-to-face. She would see how his brow lifted upward while his eyes exhibited amusement. "Miss Tsui, here's a piece of advice from a man. If you haven't known yet, men are vulnerable to flirty women. Therefore, you should not believe in them."
"Hm. That's what I am doing at the moment, Mr. Lopez. I actually don't believe you."
Her straightforwardness rendered him speechless.
Sensing him out of words, Eunice curled her red lips, amused that she had hit the head on the nails, and now she was sure that Jullian planned to counter her statement.
'How could you save face, Jullian Lopez?'
"Miss Tsui, I implore you not to associate me with those disloyal men. I assure you, I am devoted and trustworthy."
"Are you joking with me, Mr. Lopez? Define loyalty and faithfulness," she snorted.
"I am one woman man, Vice President Tsui."
"Is that so? Then why are you flirting with me? If you weren't, should a faithful man send hints that he is pursuing someone? And what's absurd in your statement is that you are targeting your future wife's relative."
'He has a thick face, spouting nonsense to me!'
She was disappointed in Jullian for a reason she wasn't sure of. She didn't want him to marry Leah, as her cousin wasn't a good person. Regardless, she doesn't like the idea of seducing Jullian so that he will change his mind about Leah.
Despite his interest in her, she is not impressed. She would demand instead that he leave her alone and stay away from her.
"What would you do if I told you I lost interest in your cousin because she doesn't behave like wife material?" said Jullian meaningfully.
Eunice was abruptly jolted back to the present moment.
Frowning, she replied, "So what if you lose interest in Leah? This has nothing to do with me. Besides, I don't care who she flirts with or the man she would seduce and sleep around."
'This is ridiculous!' She felt the irony of his jokes, as she would not buy them.
Jullian inquired, "Even Mr. Meier?"
His seductive laughter then filled her ears, as she was donning an AirPod.
Eunice fell silent, knowing she could not give Jullian a satisfying answer, but she had to dodge it.
Through gritted teeth, she hissed unhappily, "What do you want from me, Mr. Lopez?"