"You—bastard!" Qin Yucen was infuriated by his words, and, losing all reason, raised her hand to slap his enticingly handsome face.
Huo Jingtang quickly captured her delicate white wrist, twisting it behind her back, "Can't you see? Your boss at Guanshan was willing to turn a blind eye to me getting you in exchange for the Tanghuang contract. This is the deal—he gets the contract and I get you. Do you really think you're that important to him? You're not his wife, just a public relations manager with no real power. Basically, you're someone to sleep with the clients. You're angry at the wrong person."
Huo Jingtang's words were like a knife, stabbing directly into her most vulnerable spot, causing her breath to catch from the pain.
The color drained from Qin Yucen's face, leaving it as pale as death. Her mind went blank, numb to all sensation. She stared fixedly at Huo Jingtang, feeling a harsh contraction in her heart.
Given her relationship with Guan Haoyang, it was impossible for him to be this cruel and heartless towards her!
Maybe he would behave like this with others, but never with her... absolutely not! She believed in him! Because she was the most important person to him!
It took her a while to regain her voice, feigning composure, "Mr. Huo, are you trying to stir up trouble in our relationship?"
"As cruel as it sounds, it's the truth. As smart as you are, you must see through it," Huo Jingtang said with his handsome, thin lips, the cold words flowing out, "Since you've thrown yourself into my arms, I have no reason to refuse."
"It seems, Mr. Huo, that there have been so many women throwing themselves at you that you can't see when one is actually keeping her distance!" Qin Yucen's hands pressed against his shoulders, repelling his nearness.
"Look at yourself now, in my arms. Saying such things only makes you a laughingstock," Huo Jingtang replied with raised brows, his hand tightening on her waist, the heat from his palm burning through her clothes onto her tender skin, "Miss Qin, a woman who appears as prim and proper as you on the surface..."
"Mr. Huo, please show some self-respect!" Qin Yucen found herself unable to clarify, because in the eyes of Huo Jingtang, she was a woman willing to sell herself for a contract.
"Isn't all of this just so you can climb into my bed? Now that I'm offering you the chance, you're refusing it?" Huo Jingtang's cool fingertips lifted her pointed chin, "Miss Qin, there's only one opportunity, and for you, I'm making an exception."
"Mr. Huo, I won't deny that you're the kind to attract women throwing themselves at you, but I am not so infatuated. And when it comes to work, I'll give it my all. If it doesn't work out, I'll have no regrets." Qin Yucen lifted her long lashes, bravely meeting his piercing gaze.
Perhaps it was the directness of Qin Yucen's words, or her unwillingness to submit, that caused Huo Jingtang's handsome face to turn slightly sullen.
He pursed his lips, remaining silent, as if waiting for her to continue.
She took a deep breath to steady her voice, "Mr. Huo, you stand at an untouchable pinnacle in life today. Your excellence, your refinement, they absolutely don't allow for you to bully a woman. So, Mr. Huo, let's just consider today's incident a misunderstanding and forget it ever happened, shall we?"
Qin Yucen's beauty—with her clear, big eyes that cast a soul-ensnaring enchantment, and her youthful body exuding the aroma of an mature woman—made every glance, every smile deadly seductive. One look was enough to drown a soul.
"Not likely," Huo Jingtang knew he shouldn't get entangled with her, but to his own surprise, the words that came out contradicted his thoughts, "Because you've provoked me, you should pay a price."
Qin Yucen didn't receive the release she anticipated but instead was met with his scorching lips pressing firmly against hers, crushing her lips and teeth, stealing her fragrance while she gasped.
Her head was held tightly in place by his large hand, leaving her powerless to resist his wanton advances as he overwhelmed her with a suffocating intensity.
While it was Huo Jingtang who initiated the kiss, his eyes stayed open, clear and calm, and yet her heart was disarrayed by him.
With this kiss, Huo Jingtang didn't delve deep and let go of her lips at the same time as he released his hold on her waist, giving her freedom. But his sharp gaze never left her face.
She stood up composedly, clutching her belongings tightly in her hand behind her back, "Mr. Huo, I hope you'll take a good look at the proposal."
Having already been kissed by him, she couldn't afford a loss. She had to take back what was hers with interest!
"As a female employee, is it worth it to slog away for Guanshan like this?" Huo Jingtang posed another question.
Huo Jingtang's question also sparked a tinge of confusion in Qin Yucen, who had fought tirelessly for Guanshan Group for five years.
She stood there, her expression somewhat lost in memories. She remembered the day, five years ago, when she and Guan Haoyang obtained their marriage license. That night, their wedding night, he didn't offer her the warmth of a new marriage, but instead slid a diamond ring onto her ring finger.
"Cencen, I will be going abroad to study and improve myself tomorrow. Take care of Guanshan and grandfather for me. It'll be hard on you when I'm gone," his gaze was so sincere, softening her heart, "Five years will pass quickly."
"Go without worry, I will wait here for your return," Qin Yucen felt that bearing hardships for him was a sweet burden back then.
Over those five years, she lived a lonely life, maintaining the company for Guanshan Group and his trust, navigating between alcohol and men, propping up the company.
Five years later, he returned in glory, shining like a bright star as the youngest and most promising president of Guanshan Group, and she was the public relations manager of Guanshan Group, as well as his secret wife of five years.
He was very busy as soon as he returned, getting accustomed to the company's operations and socializing with many of the old clients.
They were so close, yet why did it feel as if they were still separated by the vast Pacific Ocean?
Qin Yucen's eyes were misted with tears, yet she forced them not to fall and lifted her smile to mask her sadness, "Mr. Huo, it might not be worth it to you, but to me, it is."
Huo Jingtang's harsh gaze met a gentle stream of softness, causing his heart to inexplicably stir, his expression softening, "Leave the proposal, I'll look at it."
Having navigated the treacherous business world for many years, Huo Jingtang was never kind or tender, but facing the unfamiliar woman before him, who clearly wanted to cry yet stubbornly held back her tears, he felt an involuntary softening within himself.