Chapter 16: His Admirers
The whimpering of the injured dog diverted Jane’s attention from the familiar woman. She rushed it to the veterinarian.
The dog’s front leg had been grazed by the car before Jane rescued it from harm.
Sitting in the waiting room, Jane noted the time and realized she was running late for work.
Contemplating for a moment, she decided to dial Patrick’s number.
“Hello?” Patrick’s voice, low and chilly, came from the other end.
“Uh, I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be running a bit late this morning,” Jane sought his permission for her tardiness. “I hope it’s not a problem.”
“Why should I care? You don’t need to inform me about such trivial matters!” Patrick grumbled, annoyed.
The call abruptly ended.
Jane pursed her lips, wondering why he was so distant yet irritated. Maybe he was still in a sour mood.
Nonetheless, she had done her part by informing him. The vet examined the dog and reassured Jane that it was just a minor injury that would heal quickly.
“That’s good to hear, but can I leave it here for further observation?” Jane remained slightly concerned.
“Of course,” replied the veterinarian with a smile.
Jane paid the two-thousand-dollar treatment bill and left the dog behind. She intended to find someone to adopt it once it had fully recovered. By the time Jane arrived at Pansy Group, it was almost eleven o’clock.
“Jane, do you have any idea what time it is? Why are you so late?” Monica approached Jane, her brow deeply furrowed, offering no time for pleasantries.
“Good morning, Monica. It wasn’t intentional. I had something to attend to this morning,” Jane explained politely.
“It wasn’t intentional?” Monica sneered. “Spare me your lame excuses, Jane. You’re just a newbie, and already you’re slacking off. Are you acting this way because you think you’re the boss’s wife already?”
Jane responded, unruffled by Monica’s aggression, “Let’s be clear: I’m late, not absent. I’ve already informed Mr. Pansy about my tardiness, so I’m not in the wrong.”
“Shut up! How dare you talk back to me? Do you think you can just waltz in here and defy me? I can’t tolerate your insolence any longer. You’re fired!” Monica pointed at Jane, her anger reaching new heights.
Sensing that the situation was spiraling out of control, Jane pushed Monica’s finger aside and spoke firmly, “I informed Mr. Pansy of my situation. You’re firing me because I was late. Does that mean you have more authority than the owner of this company?”
Monica was briefly taken aback by Jane’s response. Seeing the growing crowd, she stammered, “You’re talking nonsense. Let’s go to Mr. Pansy’s office and sort this out.”
“Alright, let’s go,” Jane agreed without hesitation. Her plan was to expose Monica for forcing her to work overtime the previous night.
Monica led Jane by the arm to the CEO’s office. She adjusted her appearance, checking herself in the nearby mirror before knocking on the door. Compared to Monica, Jane looked disheveled.
She had been through quite an ordeal earlier, saving the injured dog.
Her neatly pressed suit had become wrinkled, and there was a smudge of mud on her shirt from holding the dog so tightly.
Monica’s smile brightened as soon as she heard Patrick’s alluring voice. She gently opened the door.
However, her smile froze as she stepped into the office.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Jane followed. She peered over Monica’s shoulder and spotted a woman standing in close proximity to Patrick.
The woman was undeniably attractive, with long, curly chestnut hair cascading down her neck and grazing her cleavage. Her red miniskirt accentuated her curves and shapely legs.
Her familiar makeup caught Jane’s eye. She was the same woman who had nearly run over the stray dog and cursed Jane earlier that morning.
“Mr. Pansy, this is our featured product for the upcoming season,” the woman said, standing exceptionally close to Patrick. Her enchanting eyes glistened with infatuation.
Jane finally connected the dots. This woman must be a colleague here, which explained her familiarity. She seemed to be one of Patrick’s admirers, judging by the look on her face.
Incredible. How many women were captivated by this stoic man? Jane furrowed her brow, feeling dissatisfied as she cast a critical gaze at Patrick. He looked dashing in his handcrafted Armani suit, complete with a furrowed brow and thin lips beneath his high, aristocratic nose. His handsome appearance made him resemble a Greek god.
It was no wonder he attracted the attention of countless women with his looks and wealth. But his arrogance rendered him unappealing. Jane wasn’t among those vying for his attention, regardless of his wealth and attractiveness.
The engagement between them was due to be called off in three months, so the attraction and attention he received were of little consequence to her.