Edward lowered his head, deep in thought, trying to figure out a solution.
Sophia was even more bewildered.
[ What's wrong with this guy… I'm… I'm going crazy here!
He's trying to figure out how to help me?! How to cure my mother's illness?!
And how does he seem to know everything beforehand, like some kind of prophet?!
What is going on? Is he just overthinking things? ]
After thinking for a while, Edward decided to do nothing for now.
[ As long as I don't act, Davis, as the protagonist, should naturally have opportunities to get close to Sophia. Once they get to know each other, they'll inevitably talk about her mother's illness. ]
[ Yes! Yes, that's it! At that point, even if I don't do anything terrible to Sophia, Davis will still cure her mother's illness. When he comes to confront me, I'll simply let him take Sophia away. ]
[ I'm a damn genius! ]
With that thought, Edward let out a sigh of relief and smiled at Sophia.
"Sophia."
"Ah? Oh… Mr… Mr. Astor."
"Don't be nervous. Uh… I… Well, about before… Sigh, I'm honestly really embarrassed…"
Sophia thought to herself, What on earth? Why does he seem more nervous than me? This isn't like the eldest son of the Astor family at all! What's wrong with him today? Why is he so terrifying?
Edward, haunted by memories of "his" previous actions, felt both ashamed and guilty. His face turned red, and he started stammering.
Sophia quickly said, "Mr. Astor, did I do something wrong? If so, you can scold me."
"Huh? No, no, no…"
Edward waved his hands. "You're an excellent secretary. In every way, truly exceptional. It's just that I… Ugh, let me just say it straight."
Edward continued, "The old me was a scumbag. I treated you terribly. Please don't be angry—no, actually, you should be angry. That's probably better for everyone. I want to ask for your forgiveness… No, wait, you shouldn't forgive me. That'll ruin the storyline. It's hard to explain."
"Anyway, it's okay for you to hate me. You probably should hate me."
Sophia forced a smile. "Mr. Astor, you must be joking. How could I hate you? I'm very grateful for the job opportunity and your years of care."
[ Only an idiot would believe that. You're probably cursing me to get hit by a car. ]
Edward smiled bitterly. "In any case, I know you have your own struggles. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be working here…"
At this point, neither Sophia nor Edward believed each other's words.
Sophia quickly added, "Mr. Astor, I am completely loyal to you. I have no ulterior motives."
Edward felt utterly frustrated.
[ She's one of Davis' harem members. I can't offend her, nor can I get too close to her. ]
"Here's the deal: starting today, you're on vacation."
Sophia froze, then immediately said, "Mr. Astor, Mr. Astor, I'm sorry, Mr. Astor, please don't fire me! I… I really need this job."
Sophia was on the verge of tears. Edward quickly said, "Your salary will be doubled, but you won't have to do anything. Is that okay?"
"Mr. Astor, please, don't do this. I'll work even harder from now on…"
"No, did you even hear what I said? You won't need to work, you won't need to see me, and your salary will still double…"
Sophia fell to her knees, clutching Edward's clothes with trembling hands, tears streaming down her face. "Mr. Astor, my mother is very sick. I really can't lose this job. Please, Mr. Astor, I'll do my best…"
[ Why is this so difficult to explain?! ]
Edward hadn't expected things to escalate this way.
At that moment, Elizabeth walked in, and Jon stood awkwardly at the door, as if signaling that he couldn't stop her.
Edward and Elizabeth locked eyes.
Elizabeth took one look at the scene, and her expression turned ice cold.
As expected. A dog can't change its ways.
Edward was once again using workplace PUA tactics, bullying a beautiful female employee.
And he had driven her to this pitiful state.
"Edward, what a delightful scene."
Although Elizabeth was smiling, her signature sweet expression was now razor-sharp, her words like daggers.
At that moment, Edward's brain kicked into overdrive, formulating an extreme strategic plan.
[ Perfect timing! ]
[ Previously, I used you to dismiss Victoria. Now I'll use Sophia to dismiss you! ]
[ Yes! Yes, that's it! ]
[ Ideally, you'll get so angry that you'll redeem Sophia and take her away. Then, if Davis wants to save her, he'll have to confront you instead. And my legs will be safe! ]
Both women were stunned.
[ What the hell is he talking about?! ]
Elizabeth frowned deeply.
[ What nonsense is this lunatic thinking about now?
Wait, was he teasing me over the phone earlier because Victoria was with him?
Isn't he supposed to be pursuing Victoria? Aren't they supposed to have an engagement ceremony next month?
And now he wants to use me to "dismiss" Victoria, and then use this secretary to "dismiss" me? ]
Elizabeth felt that the mysteries in Edward's mind were piling up.
Sophia was equally confused.
Hearing her boss' inner thoughts was both bizarre and frightening.
But she couldn't understand—He actually wants to help me?
Why?
Edward took a deep breath, feeling immensely satisfied with himself.
[ Edward, it's time to test your acting skills. If you play this right, you can solve two problems at once—let Elizabeth take Sophia away. ]
[ Not only do I need to act convincingly, but I also have to secure at least a six-figure monthly salary for Sophia. Her mother's treatment depends on it. ]
[ Now, let me show you what it truly means to be a villain!]
With his plan set, Edward leaned back arrogantly in his chair, crossed his legs, and used the tip of his high-end Italian Oxford shoe to lift Sophia's chin. Tilting his head, he said playfully:
"To me, women are nothing more than playthings."
He then shot a confident glance at Elizabeth. "If you want to work under me, you have to meet all my demands."
"Oh, is that so?" Elizabeth, as if she were Edward's destined nemesis, smirked.
Now that she knew Edward's true intentions, she wasn't about to follow his script obediently.
Instead, she was intrigued, eager to see how this villain would force her to act as the savior for this poor girl.
You want to bully her and force me to play the good guy?
Heh, if this were yesterday, the story might have gone exactly as you planned.
I'd have believed you were the scummiest of scumbags, the absolute worst. But today… sorry, I've seen right through your act.
Elizabeth said, "Wow, Edward, how imposing! I like it!"
Edward's brain froze.
[ What the hell is wrong with the female leads in this novel?!
What kind of game are you playing? Why aren't you following the script?! ]
Stiffening his resolve, Edward leaned closer to Sophia, who was still kneeling on the floor in confusion. With an evil grin, he pinched her chin and said,
"Tonight, come to my private villa. We have a lot… a lot of work to discuss. Hehe. And… we need to have completely open, honest, and… unrestrained communication. Hehehe. You understand what I mean, right?"
Sophia's brain short-circuited. Against her will, she nodded.
Elizabeth chuckled. "Well, Edward, good luck then!"
Edward turned to her, glaring. "I'll have my way with her tonight."
"Mm-hmm, sounds about right." Elizabeth nodded in agreement.
[ Damn! Why you say right ? ]
[Lady? aren't you supposed to have some sense of justice? Shouldn't you scold me, then offer to pay her way out of this mess?! ]
[ How am I supposed to end this scene now? Do I keep acting or stop?! ]
Elizabeth was barely holding back her laughter.
[ Keep going, I'm enjoying the show. ]
Sophia was trying her best to clear her mind.
[ What is he trying to do? Force Elizabeth to buy me out of this situation? ]
Edward stood up and pointed at Elizabeth proudly.
"Do you know why she endures everything I put her through? Why she begs me to let her keep her job despite all my abuse?"
Elizabeth replied, "No idea."
"It's because her mother is sick. Her annual medical expenses are around a million. So, no matter how I treat her, she has to endure it, she has to obey me. She wouldn't dare defy me, and she certainly wouldn't dare to make me angry. She can't resist me!"
Elizabeth nodded earnestly. "Oh, I see. Very impressive."
Edward swallowed his frustration and continued. "This is human weakness. And I am a master at exploiting those weaknesses. Isn't that right?"
Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, absolutely!"
Edward's face twitched.
"But!" Edward raised a finger dramatically. "If someone were to offer her the same salary I'm paying her—around ten or twelve thousand a month—it would free her from this nightmare."
Elizabeth tilted her head. "Oh, is that so?"
Edward smirked. "Now, tell me, where is that person, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth blinked innocently. "I don't know."
[ Are you doing this on purpose?! ]
"Could it be… you are that person?" Edward pointed at Elizabeth, his voice rising with urgency. "It's you! If you pay her twelve thousand a month, you could free her from this misery. She could escape this terrible boss and live a normal, happy life with her mother!"
Elizabeth pointed at herself. "Me?"
Then she shook her head. "Not interested."
Edward felt like coughing up blood.
[ Edward feels that the heroine of this book is really the ... least good person to do good deeds and smooth favours are not done?
You guys like this how to be a heroine ah? How to conquer readers ah?
You this big female lead is toxic, right! ]
"Look at her! Isn't she pitiful?" Edward gestured at Sophia.
"Yes, very pitiful."
"Isn't her situation tragic?"
"Absolutely tragic."
"Then will you save her?"
"No interest."
Edward was about to lose his mind. "Elizabeth! How can you not want to save her? You are Dr. Elizabeth, the compassionate healer! When a patient has a headache or fever, you feel their pain as if it were your own. You wanted to save the world and make it a better place—that was your original intention in studying medicine! Now there's someone suffering right in front of you. How can you not want to save her?! Give me an answer!"
Edward was practically shouting.
This female lead is infuriating!
"I want a perfect explanation!"
Elizabeth tapped her chin thoughtfully. "It's too expensive. Spending millions on an annual salary and year-end bonuses just to look at thighs and pinch bottoms—that's the kind of thing you would do, not me."
Edward froze, utterly shocked.
It's about the money?!