Free Web NovelChapter 824: Chapter 428: Who Gave You the Right to Come Looking for Me?
"Joshua Hughes, stop touching me randomly."
She turned her head with a playful pout, trying to struggle away. This man, under the guise of giving her a massage to relieve her soreness, was actually taking advantage of her and being handsy.
Joshua Hughes, with a serious face, told her, "It takes an even full-body massage to work best. It can improve a lot of little issues for girls."
He paid no attention to her protests, gently massaging her.
"This rose essential oil is said to be very relaxing. But is its effect really that good, or is it my massage skills?"
Evelyn watched as the elevator rose floor by floor, her heart filled with inexplicable excitement.
Outside the president’s office was a small secretarial room. From a distance, she saw a dignified woman walking over with her head held high, the wide brim of her hat covering her eyes.
The secretary nervously stepped up, wondering what was going on with security downstairs—how had someone gotten up? No one had an appointment at this time. Moreover, the president might be busy; he had personally gone to the elevator to receive that Miss Jane just now when she came up.
"Do you have an appointment?" the secretary dutifully asked, realizing that Joshua Hughes would never spare her a glance, not even for a fling, so she decided to be a diligent secretary and keep her well-paid job. After all, the Hughes Clan had plenty of suitable young people.
Evelyn knew she couldn’t enter Joshua Hughes’s office casually, or even get up by elevator, so she had the Hughes Family’s veteran driver bring her over.
The security at Hughes recognized this driver; he had delivered things for Joshua Hughes a few times. "I’m his fiancée," Evelyn said, raising her chin, speaking coldly.
Just a secretary—what’s the point of this hassle?
"I’m sorry, but President Hughes has a very important guest right now. He’s instructed that no one is to disturb him. If you could please wait a moment, I’ll inform him of your arrival," the secretary said carefully, observing the woman in front of her, seeing that her clothes and accessories were indeed costly. Could she really be who she claimed?
That Miss Jane was merely the president’s lover; this woman was the legitimate one. So what should she do? Letting her barge in would undoubtedly anger President Hughes, but if she wasn’t the real fiancée, then she’d be very displeased. So, she braced herself and went inside.
Although Evelyn appeared proud in front of others, she didn’t feel entirely confident and was afraid that going in casually might anger Joshua Hughes. So she sat down on the sofa.
"I know about his important guest today. Could you please tell him that I’m here?" Evelyn removed her hat, a proud and aloof expression on her delicate face.
No wonder the president favored that Miss Jane. To be honest, Miss Jane really was prettier than her. Her skin, features, and even her figure were more mesmerizing. Even her voice could make a man’s heart tremble.
"What time is it?" Her voice was soft; the massage was so relaxing that she was almost asleep.
"It’s almost three," Joshua Hughes murmured, unable to resist bending down and lightly kissing her back.
He had been massaging her for nearly an hour, but the little woman seemed to enjoy it, so he continued to gently knead her back.
"We can’t do this anymore," Avery Jane said, embarrassed, burying her face in the soft pillow. What was this? Sneaking up to the top floor during work hours to enjoy the boss’s massage.
"Like this? Or like this?"
"Really, that’s enough... I have to go back to work soon."
"I know," Joshua whispered, pressing against her.
Perhaps she was exhausted from yesterday; her breathing became slow and heavy, and she fell asleep. Despite his efforts, this woman actually fell asleep, and comfortably so, even making light, cat-like snores.
He pulled a blanket over her, and there was a gentle knock on the door, very faint and small.
Joshua Hughes stepped off the bed, opened the door, and walked out. He looked coldly at the cautious secretary—she wouldn’t dare disturb him unless it was something important. Fortunately, the little woman was already asleep.
"There’s a young lady outside, your fiancée, whom I’ve never met, so I didn’t dare let her in. Would you like to see her, President Hughes?" the secretary said cautiously. If the lady really was his fiancée, it would have been rude to keep her out. Fiancée? Joshua Hughes’s eyes turned cold and intimidating.
He left the office, the secretary following him. He locked the office door behind him. He would never let Avery Jane see anyone from the Yates Family again, not even hear their name. Anything that could trigger her memories would be controlled and kept away from her. Now, she was his Avery, not someone else’s Avery Jane.
Just as he expected, sitting elegantly on the exquisite sofa outside was indeed Evelyn Yates.
"What are you doing here?" His steps were slow, yet filled with a chilling resolve.
The white shirt highlighted his handsome features. It was the first time she had seen him in such a white shirt. With his movements, a faint rose scent wafted through the air; there were no roses here, yet this charming fragrance clearly emanated from him. He didn’t wear cologne, certainly not rose-scented.
So she could only conclude that this scent came from another woman. Evelyn instinctively glanced at the closed office door. Was he afraid she’d see the person inside?
Joshua Hughes’s gaze was as icy as his words: "Who gave you the right to seek me out here?"
Evelyn snapped back: "I... I..."
She struggled to stand, biting her lip, hurriedly explaining, "My father said Caleb Cooper would come to see you today about a document he wants you to sign."
His expression made her a bit scared; her face went pale. She quickly took out a sheet of paper from her bag: "Joshua, look, the baby is developing well. I thought you’d be pleased to see this." If she couldn’t capture his heart, this child, his own flesh and blood, would at least win his favor, she thought.
The office’s soundproofing was excellent, and she was already asleep, unlikely to wake up soon. Yet Joshua was slightly anxious that if she were to awaken, what if she found out? Some intangible fear gnawed at him, worrying that such a chance encounter would lead to heartache. He had stolen happiness from the hands of God, but he always feared losing it.
"Leave here and never step into Hughes again—not just you, but the entire Yates Family. If Arthur Yates wants money, the card I’ve given you is more than sufficient." His words dripped with disdain; he viewed her family, her father, everything related to her life as insignificant. Even the report she held, with its colorful image of the tiny developing fetus, failed to stir any warmth or affection in him.
Evelyn’s body suddenly went stiff; a hint of sorrow flickered across her pale face. She never imagined that despite coming this far, it still wasn’t enough. He humiliated her right in front of the secretary.
"But, Joshua, our family is marrying off a daughter, not selling one..." Evelyn’s voice broke slightly, reminiscent of the ups and downs of a rollercoaster over the past few months: from being chosen by him, to becoming his woman, to Avery Jane’s appearance snatching away all his affection, to her unexpected pregnancy.
