Ch. 171..180

Chapter 171

After returning home, I felt extremely uneasy. All I could think about was the scene of Michael being together with that woman.

Aside from feeling restless, I was terrified too.

I remained seated in the living room until midnight, but Michael did not return for the entire night. Could it be that he's with that woman?

I felt an unprecedented sense of panic. In fact, I was even more flustered than when I caught Justin and Mabel sleeping together. It was at that moment that I realized I had fallen in love with Michael.

In the morning, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Filled with self-contempt, I smirked mockingly when I saw the dark circles under my eyes.

Anna, you think too highly of yourself. To Michael, you're nothing but a lover who cannot be known to the public. What right do you have to feel sad?

I did not like being in such a state, and I hated the feeling of being unable to control my feelings even more. Despite knowing that I would be hurt if I fell in love with Michael, I just could not control my heart at all.

I did not even eat breakfast. When I arrived at the office, the CEO's office was still closed. Usually, Michael would have already reached the office by now, but he was still nowhere to be seen. Could it be that he's still sleeping?

Sitting at my desk, I kept staring at Michael's office. I had no motivation to work at all.

Long after office hours had started, Michael finally appeared. His hair was slightly disheveled and he looked exhausted.

Despite knowing him for so long, I had never seen him so haggard. I could not help but wonder if he was too tired from sleeping with another woman the previous night.

My thoughts were not usually so vulgar, but I couldn't help but think of that. These possibilities were precisely those that I was terrified of.

Michael did not leave the office after that. When he walked past me in the morning, he did not even spare me another glance. I started to suspect if our relationship was going to end soon.

“What's wrong, Anna? You don't look well. Are you sick?”

Millie, who was sitting opposite me, discovered that something was wrong with me. Hence, she asked me softly with a worried look on her face. After returning home, I felt extremely uneasy. All I could think about was the scene of Michael being together with that woman.

Jolted back to my senses, I panicked and averted my eyes. “No, I just didn't have a good rest last night and am a little tired.”

“I heard about you being locked in the toilet a few days ago. Are you alright now?”

Millie brought up the incident that had happened earlier. She stared at me with a look of pity and there

was a hint of worry in her voice.

“I'm fine. Don't worry!” Feigning nonchalance, I forced out a smile and replied casually.

Although I pretended that I was not bothered by it, I wanted to find out who was the person targeting me and insisting on going against me.

Not only were the files in my folder deleted a few days back, the person even locked me in the toilet and turned the air conditioner to the lowest temperature. In fact, I almost died. If it were not for the cleaner who discovered me, I would not be sitting here anymore.

“Attention, please. Everyone in the design department, please head to the meeting room for a meeting.”

Just when Millie was about to say something, Michael's secretary walked out of the office, clapped her hands and made an announcement.

I'll have to meet Michael at the meeting. My heart skipped a beat. For some reason, I felt reluctant to do so. Is it because I'm terrified of something?

However, since I was at work now, I had to prioritize work regardless of how unwilling I was.

Joyful Success was such a large company, but Michael's office was located on the same floor as the design department coincidentally. Earlier, I was narcissistic enough to think that it was because of me. Yet, I now understood that I was nothing to him.

When I arrived at the meeting room, everyone was discussing what Michael was going to brief them

about.

Soon, the door opened and Michael appeared. He was wearing a black suit which accentuated his lean figure. His expression was as cold as always and there was a calm look in his eyes.

He scanned our faces briefly before sitting on the main seat.

Although he did not speak hastily, his silence and cold aura were so intimidating that no one dared to utter a single word.

“I'm sure that everyone has heard the news about an employee being locked up in the toilet for an entire night a few days ago, right?”

Michael finally spoke after a long time. The reason why he organized this meeting was to address the incident where I was locked up in the toilet two days ago. My heart skipped a beat as I looked at him with complex facial emotion.

Everyone started discussing softly after he finished speaking. I could not hear what they were whispering about, but they were probably surprised that Michael would hold a meeting just for such a minor incident.

“This is not an accident. Someone did it deliberately, and that person is from the design department! Can the culprit please reveal yourself?” instructed Michael coldly after glancing at everyone.

A commotion broke out immediately afterward. Everyone exchanged looks, wondering who was the one who did it.

I was looking around as well. When I saw Tiffany, who had deliberately targeted me in the toilet, I noticed that there was a panicked look on her face. However, she was still pretending to be calm.

Out of all of us present, she was the only one flustered. Hence, I was certain that she was the culprit. Despite the fury raging within me, I tried my best to stay calm.

Since I had no evidence now, I could not possibly accuse an innocent person. Since Michael held a meeting to address this issue, it meant that he had found out who the culprit was.

“Is no one going to come forward?” demanded Michael coldly, his gaze landing on Tiffany.

Everyone could sense the coldness in his stare.

Noticing Michael looking at her, Tiffany looked even more flustered. However, she did not stand up and admit to it.

“Tiffany Barker?”

His cold voice sounded as he called out her name directly. There was a hostile look in his eyes and his voice laced with rage.

Tiffany trembled before standing up in a panic. After shooting a glance at Michael, she lowered her head in a hurry. I could see her shivering all over.

“Mr. Shaw...”

“Why did you do that?”

Michael stared at her coldly, his tone was terrifyingly solemn.

“Mr. Shaw, I didn't do it. It was not me...”

Trembling, Tiffany waved her hands frantically and denied it.

Chapter 172

“Do you still want to deny it?”

Michael narrowed his eyes as he shot a cold glare at her. His voice was filled with an intimidating tone.

This caused Tiffany to tremble even more. Everyone in the meeting room stared at her and were beginning to suspect her.

“Mr. Shaw, I really didn't do it! I'm innocent! Please find out the truth.”

Tiffany gazed at Michael agitatedly, her eyes reddening.

“You won't give up till the very end, huh?” asked Michael coldly before beckoning his secretary, who immediately inserted a flash drive into the laptop.

Tiffany's figure appeared on the screen. The surveillance camera footage taken at the entrance of the toilet captured how she had deliberately locked the door after I entered.

The surveillance camera footage was so clear that it was impossible for Tiffany to deny it anymore.

“Mr. Shaw, I...”

She knew that it was useless to keep denying it. However, when she was about to say something, Michael interrupted.

“This is just a small part of it. There's more.” Not giving her a chance to reply, Michael stated coldly while staring at her sharply.

Soon, the image on the screen changed to that of Tiffany turning the temperature of the air conditioner to the lowest level.

Not only did she lock me inside the toilet, but she even turned the temperature to the lowest. It was really lucky of me to survive till the next morning. If I was discovered a bit later, I might have died freezing.

“Do you have anything else to say?” Michael asked Tiffany plainly after the secretary turned the screen off.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Shaw. I really am! After doing that, I felt very terrified too. I only wanted to play a prank on her and didn't expect the consequences to be so serious.”

As there was no way for her to rebuke him further, she admitted to her wrongdoings. However, she kept trying to defend herself.

“Well, you did it. Do you need a reason to justify your actions?”

Michael's expression was still cold despite hearing her explanations.

“Mr. Shaw...”

Michael never condoned preferential treatment. Regardless of what the reason was, what was right and wrong were clearly distinct. He would not forgive someone because of the reasons or justifications they gave.

“Do you still want to deny it?”

Michael narrowed his eyes as he shot a cold glare at her. His voice was filled with an intimidating tone.

“You're fired,” stated Michael in an icy tone.

After glancing at her nonchalantly, he looked at the rest. “If anyone else does something like that again, then you should just leave the company on your own!”

I was surprised when Michael fired Tiffany as I had expected him to simply punish her. After all, she did not actually want to harm me. To my surprise, Michael actually fired her.

Because of that, my heart started beating rapidly. Did Michael do that because of me?

“I'm really sorry, Mr. Shaw. I promise that this will never happen again. Can you please forgive me this time?”

Hoping to keep her job, Tiffany stared at Michael anxiously and apologized profusely. As it was a tough feat to work at Joyful Success, so there was nothing more important than safeguarding her job.

“Why are you still standing there in a daze? Chase her out now!” Frowning impatiently, Michael instructed the secretary coldly.

After receiving his orders, the secretary asked Tiffany to leave directly.

Soon, the meeting room was silent again, for no one dared to say a single word. I gazed into Michael's dark eyes, not knowing if he did all that for me.

“Meeting dismissed!”

Michael did not say anything else. After glancing at me emotionlessly and saying those two words, he left the meeting room.

Sitting at my desk, all that I could think of was how Michael had taught Tiffany a lesson in the meeting room. I wanted to know what he was thinking about and whether his punishment was so severe because of me.

“Anna, I think that Mr. Shaw treats you differently. Although Tiffany really crossed the line this time, firing her was an exceptionally harsh punishment. Employees who have been fired from Joyful Success could hardly find a good job anywhere else,” remarked Millie as she inched closer to me.

Now that even Millie thought that Michael was treating me differently, I felt even more unsure. However, it was not easy to read Michael's mind.

“Mr. Shaw's a fair person, so I expected him to make that decision. I don't think that it's because of me.”

I remembered how Michael was together with another woman last night, and how he did not come back for the entire night. Hence, it was impossible for a man like that to take those actions because of me. He probably did it for the sake of the company.

I shot a glance at the CEO's office. Actually, I wanted to go in, and confront him on what was his relationship with the woman from yesterday.

However, I was in no position to do that. Thus, I had no choice but to suppress all of my emotions and

thoughts.

I did not want to discuss anything about Michael, so I lowered my head and started to work. Suddenly, there was a commotion in the department and everyone was discussing amongst themselves.

I glanced over and spotted a fashionably dressed woman walking toward Michael's office. That was the woman with Michael yesterday.

Since she could come to the company and look for Michael so openly, it meant that they shared a special relationship.

After she entered his office, she did not come out for a long time. I had no idea what both of them were doing.

My colleagues in the department were discussing whether the woman was Michael's girlfriend and praising her for her beauty.

The more they said that, the more upset and uneasy I felt.

“Anne, do you think that the woman who just came is Mr. Shaw's girlfriend?” Millie moved closer to me again and asked curiously.

Since everyone was thinking that she was Michael's girlfriend, I was even more convinced about it. Averting my gaze and suppressing my sadness, I tried my best to sound calm. “I don't know.”

“The woman who went in just now is really pretty. It's so obvious that she's from a rich family too! She's a good match with Mr. Shaw.”

Millie did not notice anything wrong with me. Like the others, she kept praising that woman's beauty.

I knew for a fact that a woman who could catch Michael's eye would definitely be good-looking.

 

Chapter 173

The woman stayed in Michael's office for a long while before coming out. When she left, there was a happy grin on her face.

When she passed by me, she suddenly stopped in her tracks and stared at me in confusion. “Have we met before?”

Not expecting her to suddenly speak to me, I was stunned. After returning to my senses, I averted my gaze guiltily. “Really? I don't remember.”

I had to admit that this woman had a good memory. We only met each other briefly yesterday, but she still had an impression of me.

The only reason why I had a strong impression of her was solely because she was together with Michael yesterday.

“I remember that we met yesterday at the shopping mall. So, you're an employee of Michael's company!”

A look of revelation dawned upon her face before she exclaimed, sounding like she was hinting at something.

Although there was a smile on her face, I could already sense her hostility from yesterday.

“Really? I don't remember that.”

Laughing dryly, I feigned a look of nonchalance and tried my best the suppress the upset feeling within

me.

Just when she was about to say something, the door of the CEO's office opened and out came Michael. When he spotted her talking to me, he immediately strode toward us.

“Emma, what happened?” asked Michael calmly when he reached her side.

“I'm fine. When I was about to leave, I bumped into this lady. Since we met in the shopping mall yesterday, I could remember her.”

Emma flashed him a gentle smile before linking her arm with his intimately.

With their good looks, they looked like a match made in heaven when they stood together. However, I felt a little upset.

“Really?”

Michael glanced at me calmly before looking back at Emma with a small smile on his lips. I had never seen him look so gentle before.

“I asked you if you knew this lady yesterday, but you said no. Are you lying to me on purpose?”

Emma gazed at Michael in feigned anger. Although her tone seemed displeased, she sounded cute more than anything else.

Every action of theirs caused my heart to ache. However, I still pretended to be calm.

“There are so many employees in the company. How can I possibly remember all of them?” replied Michael nonchalantly as he stared at me without any emotion. The woman stayed in Michael's office for a long while before coming out. When she left, there was a happy grin on her face.

He was trying to tell Emma that even if I was his employee, he still did not know me.

Forcefully suppressing the bitter feeling rising within me, I feigned nonchalance. After glancing at Michael, I fell silent.

“I thought that you're close to this lady. Still, how can you not have an impression of such a beautiful woman? Are you lying to me, Michael?”

Emma's gaze flitted between me and Michael before glancing back at him suspiciously.

“Do you think that I'm lying to you?”

Instead of saying anything, he frowned impatiently. He was a man skilled at concealing his emotions. Even if he was lying, it was impossible to capture any traces of guilt from his expression.

“How is that possible? I trust that you'll never lie to me. Am I right?”

It was as if she had noticed Michael's displeasure, Emma leaned her large breasts against his body and spoke in a cutesy voice.

Michael scrutinized Emma calmly before saying, “It's getting late, so you should go back first. I still

have a lot of work to attend to here.”

After that, he spun around and entered the office without sparing a second glance at either of us.

The moment his office door closed, the woman's smile disappeared from her face. She shot me an arrogant glance before leaving.

I could not help but frown. A woman's instinct was always the most accurate and I could sense that she was extremely hostile toward me.

After she left, silence returned to the office. Everyone lowered their heads and started working. However, some people would shoot me a strange glance occasionally.

I had been feeling uneasy since yesterday. For some reason, I thought that I was about to be ditched. Michael would probably bring up the topic of breaking up with me soon.

After ending things with him, I could finally have my own life. However, even though our relationship had not ended yet, I felt sad just by the thought of it. I had no clue what I should do now.

It was a long wait before work ended. Since Michael was usually the last to leave, I deliberately sat at my desk and waited for him, my gaze constantly fixed on his office.

Everyone in the office had left except for me. Nevertheless, Michael still had not come out. I stood up, took in a deep breath, and strode toward the CEO's office.

When I entered the office, Michael was still reviewing his documents with his head lowered. Upon

hearing me entering the room, he raised his head and glanced at me calmly. Still, he did not say a single word.

I was displeased by his cold attitude. Even if he was about to end our relationship, he should still inform me. Why is he pretending that we are strangers?

“I have something to tell you, Mr. Shaw.”

Standing not far away from him, I said in a very cold tone. There was also a rare tone of solemnity in my voice.

“If there's anything, tell me after I'm done with work.”

Michael did not say anything else. After saying that calmly, he continued reading the documents and ignored me.

Although I was upset by his attitude, I was in no place to argue with him.

Hence, I just stood rooted to the spot and waited for a long time until he finally finished his work.

“What is it?” After tidying his documents, he raised his head and asked me nonchalantly.

There was no trace of emotions in his gaze. Staring into his eyes, I was at a loss for words for a brief moment.

“Is... Is Emma your girlfriend?”

After a long hesitation, I finally asked the question that had been occupying my mind.

I stared at him nervously, hoping that he would deny it. Although I had already guessed the answer, I still felt indignant and reluctant to give up.

“There's a clause in the agreement that states that you're not allowed to interfere with my private affairs, right?”

Michael did not answer my question. Instead, he frowned and gazed at me unhappily.

I was rendered speechless by his words. My expression changed slightly as I found myself at a loss for words.

“I just want to know if Emma's your girlfriend. I'm not interfering with your private life.”

I knew what Michael thought of me. Even if I knew about his relationship with Emma, there was nothing I could do. At the very most, I could only end our relationship.

Chapter 174

“So what are you going to do about it even if you knew?”

Michael frowned and directed his cold glare at me.

He had been acting indifferent towards me since yesterday. I assumed it was because he had a girlfriend. It looked like I needed to end this relationship even though it hurts me to do so.

“I think we should end our relationship. I assume you have no further need for me since you have a girlfriend now to help fulfill your desire.”

I suppressed my anger but couldn't keep out the indifference from my tone.

Why doesn't he tell me directly that he doesn't need me anymore since he has a girlfriend now? What's the point of keeping quiet and merely gave a brooding look?

“You came looking for me to tell me this?”

He stood up as his face turned darker and walked towards me.

He stopped in front of me and looked down at me.

The rage burning in his eyes pressured me to shift my gaze. Yet, I forced myself to maintain eye contact with him. I shouldn't feel guilty because I had done nothing wrong.

“Yes, that is why I came looking for you. I think you should be loyal to your girlfriend. You're disrespecting her by sleeping with me.”

I calmly stared Michael down.

“Loyal? Anna, are you joking?” Michael merely sneered.

His sardonic gaze made me feel disturbed. I had no idea what he was thinking.

“What do you want then? You already have a girlfriend now, so we should just end our relationship.”

My temper was spiking at that point. Does he plan to continue our relationship? Is he not worried about his girlfriend finding out at all?

“I don't intend to end our relationship because I think sex with you is better than sex with Emma.”

Anger rushed through me as I couldn't believe such shameful words would come out of his mouth. “So what are you going to do about it even if you knew?”

He still doesn't want to let me go despite having a girlfriend. What have I ever done to him for him to treat me this way?

“Michael, you're crossing the line. I agreed to be your lover on the condition of you being single. If you continue this relationship with me despite having a girlfriend, I would be the mistress.”

It was not something I could accept. I despised being the third person in a relationship.

“You're not considered a mistress if I'm not married. So our relationship will end the day I get married.”

He stated indifferently with a deadpan expression.

So our relationship will end on his wedding day? Is he expecting me to look at him as he gets married to another girl?

How could he so be heartless?

I was rooted in place with both of my hands balled into fists by my sides. My nails were digging into my palms, yet I didn't feel the pain because my hatred towards Michael had consumed me.

“Let's go. It has been two days since I slept with you.”

He didn't care about my feelings. He merely reached for my hand and approached me.

I struggled to release my hand from his grasp while glaring at him. I loathed his touch.

His forehead creased as he looked at me glumly. I guessed he had never encountered a woman who would deny him.

I was furious and anxious due to his penetrating gaze. I merely stared at him silently and left without a word.

I was planning to take the subway home, but he stopped his car at the entrance directly in front of me.

“Get in!”

He didn't sound angry anymore, but I knew he was still angry.

“Mr. Shaw, we're not in Birchwood right now. You said we're strangers once we left the house.”

I don't want to be alone with him right now, so I reiterated what he had said to me the other day. I feel sad every time I think about him having a girlfriend.

“Anna!”

Michael glowered at me with gritted teeth. His face turned even darker. It was a sign that he was about to blow up.

I avoided looking at him and instead took him as a stranger. Didn't he say he didn't know me in front of his girlfriend that day? So it makes sense for me not to know him now.

“Sorry, I need to take the subway.”

After a glimpse at Michael, I walked away, not giving him a chance to speak.

After a few steps, a loud and piercing honk sounded from behind.

He was hitting the honk forcefully, inciting a piercing sound, making me frown. I blatantly ignored him, unwilling to spare him another glance.

I don't want to return to Birchwood at this moment. But I don't have anywhere else to go.

I was pacing at the entrance of Birchwood, unwilling to enter. But as the day turned dark, I entered resignedly.

The first view that welcomed me as I opened the door was Michael sitting cross-legged, reading a book on the couch in the living room.

He said nothing when he saw me. His face was impassive.

I didn't want to talk to him either. I headed straight for the kitchen after I set my bag down.

I didn't know what got into me but I only prepared dinner for myself and nothing for him that night.

As I prepared to eat, he set his book down and walked towards me.

I ignored him. I have nothing to say to him. I wanted to leave this place so badly every time the thoughts of his girlfriend crossed my mind.

“Where's mine?”

He took a seat opposite of me with a frown on his face.

“What?”

I feigned ignorance and continued eating.

“My dinner. Do you expect me to look at you as you eat?”

Chapter 175

Michael fixed his gaze on my dinner.

“I forgot to prepare yours. It's not too late for you to dine out.”

I didn't lift my head as I spoke, unwilling to look at him.

“You're doing this on purpose!”

I couldn't hide my thoughts in front of him. He was staring at me coldly.

“No, you're overthinking,” I retorted indifferently.

I took a page from his book. He used that same tone on me when he told Emma he didn't know me.

“Anna, you better don't piss me off. There is a limit to my patience.”

His dark eyes glinted as though they could swallow me whole.

He is unexpectedly scary when he's furious. I try to keep myself in check whenever I challenge him.

“Have mine then. I'm tired I'm going to rest now.”

I have to keep my frustration in check, no matter how angry I am—the outcome of pissing him off is not something I can bear.

His rage dissipated from his face. He even managed a smile. Maybe he didn't expect me to offer him

my dinner.

When he smiled, he looked charming and attractive, but I wasn't in the mood to admire him at that moment. I stood and headed straight for the bedroom.

After a quick shower, I was lying on the bed, preparing to sleep. Alas, sleep evaded me.

Unsure of how long it had been before I heard the bedroom door opened. Knowing it was Michael, I quickly pretended to sleep.

I know I don't have the right to be angry, but I can't control my feelings. I don't know how to talk to him.

Once he got on the other side of the bed, he moved near me.

No one understands his intention better than I do, but I'm not in the mood to do it tonight. My mind is full of thoughts of him with another girl. My train of thoughts keeps leading towards whether he had already slept with Emma and whether he was with Emma when he didn't come back last night. Michael fixed his gaze on my dinner.

“I forgot to prepare yours. It's not too late for you to dine out.”

I was gradually getting more irritated at my thoughts, so I turned my back to him. I was determined not to have sex with him that night.

He was very patient in bed. He understood I was rejecting him from my body language, yet he didn't give up. His hands started to caress my body.

A hot tingle flowed through me. He knew my body too well. He knew where exactly to touch to get a response from me, but I didn't give in.

I smacked his hand away. “I'm tired. I need some rest.” I sounded impatient.

I didn't reject him outright but hinted to him.

“Since you're tired, just close your eyes and enjoy. Let me do the rest.”

I don't know if he didn't get my hint or he was acting. He had a seducing smile when he breathed those words into my ear. And his hands continued fondling me.

I knew he was the type who wouldn't give up until he got what he wanted.

“Michael, that's enough! I said I don't want to do it tonight.”

I turned abruptly and stared at him.

Why couldn't he be more understanding of my feelings? How could he be so self-centered?

He was baffled by my outburst. Next, I could see anger simmering in his eyes.

“Anna, watch your tone! You're pissing me off!”

Michael gritted his teeth and coldly threatened.

“I said I don't want to do it, and I am angry.”

There is no way I will give in tonight. He can do it with his girlfriend instead. I'm sure she won't reject him.

“Anna, now you've done it!”

Michael got on top of me, pinning me down like a boulder.

He was rough. The pain brought tears to my eyes. He is torturing me!

I wanted to remove his hand, but he seemed to know my intention, for he used his other hand to trap both of my hands. There was lust and rage in his eyes.

“Let me go! You're hurting me!”

I bit back a cry of pain because I didn't want to appear inferior in front of him.

“Listen to me, Anna. You're my lover, so it is your duty to please me. Do you hear me?”

He said in a low, deep voice. His dark eyes stared ruthlessly at me.

The way he talked had always been arrogant and overbearing. He didn't care how others felt. I was angry and wanted to resist, but I was well aware of his temper. The more I resisted, the more he would torture me.

“Why are you forcing me? You have a girlfriend and so many other women.”

There were tears in my eyes when I looked into his as I yelled.

“Forcing you? You think I'm forcing you right now?” His anger reached a boiling point.

“I'll show you what forcing you is like.”

His face looked so cold that it was scary. Next, he started kissing me on my neck.

However, he wasn't gentle as he used to be. There was a hint of madness in his actions as he bit me all over my neck like beast.

He bit so hard. My entire body was trembling from the pain in my neck. He is like a madman when he's angry.

I tried pushing him away and landed punches on his back with all my strength, yet it didn't deter him in the slightest. My resistance had only increased his madness.

Suddenly, I felt a piercing pain in my neck, making me yelp in pain. The tears flowed from the corners of my eyes as I grabbed the bed sheets tightly.

Chapter 176

“Michael, you psycho! Let go of me!”

I continued to hit him. Is he a dog? He bit down so hard. Now I've lost it too.

“Anna Garcia!”

He pushed himself up and hovered over me. The room temperature felt chilly from the coldness in his eyes.

There was a tinge of redness on his sexy lips, further enhancing his sensualness.

Despite his good looks, the wound on my neck occupied my thoughts. Is he a vampire? He broke my skin when he bit my neck hard. Does he need to be so harsh? Was he planning to suck my blood or what?

“Michael, don't make me hate you!”

I stared intently into his eyes. Never had I felt such hatred for a person. Humiliation and anger poured through me as I laid there trapped under him.

I could feel his body froze at my exclamation.

“Did you say you hate me?” he breathed. He spoke softly, but I felt chills running down my spine.

“I will hate you more than anyone else in this world if you continue to force yourself on me.”

I was a strong, independent woman. I could endure any challenges or insults thrown at me, but rape was something I couldn't bear. I couldn't tolerate him stomping on my pride and shattering it.

He stared at me for a long while. When I thought he wasn't going to let me go, he got off of me.

I glanced at him wryly. Because he usually wouldn't let me off so easily.

“Don't think I couldn't do anything to you. It's just that I don't like to force women.”

He glared at me as he spitted those words.

I was terrified that he was going to hurt me because I could never understand his moods.

He stood and got dressed quickly, then left without even giving me a glance.

Soon, I heard the door slammed shut.

It's so late in the night. Did he go looking for his girlfriend? He must've went to Anna's to slake his needs.

“Michael, you psycho! Let go of me!”

I continued to hit him. Is he a dog? He bit down so hard. Now I've lost it too. I got more irritated by my train of thoughts, so I pulled the blanket over myself, hoping it could stop me from thinking about Michael.

In the next few days, Michael didn't return to Birchwood nor did he go to the company. I wondered where he went.

I didn't see him since that day he left. Even though I was aware that he wasn't in his office, I couldn't help but sneak glances at the closed door.

I must be out of my mind!

“Millie, Mr. Shaw hasn't come in for two days. Do you know where he went?” I asked Millie, feeling restless.

“Mr. Shaw? Don't you know?” Millie cast me a puzzled gaze and replied, “He's on a business trip to Ustrana. I think he brought his girlfriend with him. Maybe they'll go on vacation while they're there,” answered Millie.

My heart sank, and anxiety started to consume me when I heard that Michael and Emma had gone overseas together.

Huh, they went overseas together. Well, They would have slept together since Michael has such a strong sex drive.

I couldn't help but feel disappointed when I heard they went on a trip together, even though Michael probably had slept with Emma even before this.

“Anna, are you okay? You don't look so well,” Millie worried.

“I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I need to use the washroom.”

I stood in a hurry and dashed towards the washroom, afraid that I couldn't mask my expression anymore.

Noticing the washroom was empty, I sat on the toilet with my eyes red around the rim. The thought of Michael being happy with Emma wrung my heart.

I hated the fact that I was so useless and that I had fallen for Michael.

The arrangement between us is nothing but an agreement. We agreed not to fall in love, so what am I going to do now?

I took out my phone and searched for Michael's number. I finally called him after hesitating for a long while.

After a long while, the call was picked up by a woman, instead of Michael. “Hello.”

“Hel...Hello, I'm looking for Mr. Shaw.”

The woman's voice belonged to Emma. I remembered her voice despite hearing it only twice.

“Michael is in the shower, so he can't come to the phone right now. Is there is a message I could take for you, Ms. Garcia?”

Emma's voice was sweet and polite, but I could hear there was an undertone of hostility.

Michael is in the shower. So what they're about to do next is...

I broke my train of thought because I couldn't handle thinking about him sleeping with another woman. I didn't want to be petty, but I just couldn't control myself.

“No. There's no need. I'll hang up now.”

I didn't want to listen to her voice any longer, so I was about to hang up when she stopped me.

“Ms. Garcia, let's meet when I get back.”

Emma's sweet voice was gone and replaced with a somber tone.

“Why do we need to meet? I would say we're not even acquaintances.”

I frowned at her request to meet. I had a bad feeling about it.

We're strangers, yet she wanted to meet me out of the blue. It can't be good news.

“I think you'll be interested if it's about Michael and me. I know both of you have a special relationship. Else, as an average employee of Joyful Success, you won't have his number.”

Emma's voice turned cold. So she still found out about my relationship with Michael despite me pretending not to know him.

Emma is Michael's girlfriend. Now that she has exposed my relationship with Michael. It felt like I was the intruder of their relationship, and I was rather ashamed of myself.

“Sorry. I have something to attend to. I'll be hanging up now.”

I believe every other mistress like me would feel inferior to the girlfriends.

 

Chapter 177

Without saying another word, I hung up the call in a panic.

As I clutched my phone tightly, the tears in my eyes finally trickled down my cheeks. In the past two days, I had even considered confessing my feelings to Michael so that we could be together.

But these were merely wishful thinking because I knew that he would never be with me due to the vast difference in our statuses.

I sat on the toilet bowl and cried for a long time before coming out. After splashing water onto my face, I stared at myself in the mirror. There was anger in my red-rimmed eyes. I was mad at myself for being so pathetic.

He was unworthy of my love, but I couldn't control my feelings. I thought I'd never fall in love again after Justin's betrayal. However, the fact that Michael was with another woman upset me. The feelings were more intense than when I caught Justin and Mabel in bed.

I've fallen in love with you, Michael. What should I do?

As I was constantly distracted, I failed to complete the tasks assigned to me by our supervisor, Harry. As a result, I was reprimanded for two days straight.

Since joining Joyful Success a few months ago, I submitted quality work every single time. But these two days, I was always absent-minded at work, so much so that Harry was slightly disappointed in me.

I was called into his office again that day.

In his office, I spoke first. “Mr. Doyle, you wanted to see me?”

Harry looked at me intently, but the next second, he threw a document file in front of my feet and barked angrily, “Is this how you do your work, Anna? I put you in charge of writing the quarterly report, but look at what you wrote. It's full of mistakes!”

I bowed my head in response to his admonishment, then repeatedly apologized, “I'm sorry, Mr. Doyle. I'll redo it immediately.”

Bending down, I picked up the file and turned to leave.

However, Harry wasn't going to let me leave just yet. “Hold up!” he called out and walked toward me, looking disappointed.

“What's going on with you these two days, Anna? You've been making mistakes at work. You're an experienced employee, but the work you've submitted was not even up to the standard of an intern. The company hired you here to work, not to space out during working hours.” Without saying another word, I hung up the call in a panic.

I lowered my head guiltily at his words. I was also aware of how neglectful I had been for the past few days, leading to the sloppy work. However, I had no control over my mind whatsoever.

I knew that I couldn't let my personal life affect my work. Yet, I couldn't control my heart. Thus, I was caught in a bind.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Doyle. I'll make sure this won't happen again.”

Although Harry didn't say anything too harsh, I could clearly sense that his patience had run out. If I continued making mistakes like that, I could very well be fired.

Harry furrowed his brows in frustration. “Forget it. Get back to work, and remember not to let your emotions affect you when you're here.”

With that, he dismissed me with a wave of his hand.

“Thank you, Mr. Doyle.”

I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked out of his office. I have to get my act together and stop making mistakes.

After leaving the supervisor's office, I returned to my own desk. Millie immediately leaned over with a look of concern on her face. “Anna, are you okay? I heard Mr. Doyle scolding you just now.”

Millie was the only one in the office I could get along with. Even though we started off as colleagues, we already considered each other friends.

“It was nothing. Just some mistakes regarding work on my part.”

Being scolded by the supervisor was a very embarrassing matter, so I didn't want to reveal too much.

“Anna, I noticed how distracted you've been these couple of days. Is something bothering you? These minor tasks were never a problem for you in the past.”

Even Millie realizes that I've been acting strange. Is it really that obvious?

“No. It's probably because of PMS. That's why I'm having all these mood swings.”

I hastily averted my gaze and found a random excuse, then remained quiet after that.

Millie wisely stopped prying further and continued with her work.

To make up for my negligence, I had to work overtime that night. So I was probably the only one left in the entire office.

Harry was already very disappointed with me recently. To keep my job, I had to stay back to redo the quarterly summary.

Massaging my sore neck, I tidied up the documents on my desk, switched off the lights, and left the office.

It was very dark by the time I walked out of the office building. Glancing at the time, I heaved a sigh and hailed a taxi home, seeing as I wouldn't be able to make it in time for the last subway ride.

I was waiting by the roadside when the blinding glare of headlights abruptly came on a short distance away. I instinctively used my hand to block my eyes while cursing inwardly.

Who the hell is this idiot? Doesn't he know how rude it is to shine his car lights at someone this late at night?

If it were in the past, I would've stormed over to give the driver a tongue-lashing. But I was exhausted that day and couldn't be bothered.

Thus, I remained where I was and waited for a taxi. Just then, the car drove toward me. Only when it was close enough did I realize that it was Michael's car.

Knowing that the person inside was Michael, my heart skipped a beat. Is he back? Is he here to see me?

I watched as Michael alighted from the car and strode toward me. We hadn't seen each other for only a week, but it felt like an eternity to me.

Michael came to a halt in front of me. As he towered over me, I detected a hint of a smile in his obsidian eyes.

“Why? Aren't you happy to see me?”

When he didn't receive a response after a long time, his brows knitted together into a displeased frown.

Only then did I come back to my senses. Tears stung my eyes at the thought that we hadn't seen each other for a week, and my voice was slightly choked when I answered, “No. I was just surprised. I didn't expect you to come looking for me again.”

“Why do I get the feeling that you're upset about something, Anna?”

Michael raised his brows at me, and the smile in his eyes became more prominent.

Why do I feel like this guy seems to be very happy to see me sad?

“No. Why would I be?”

I sniffled, trying my best to stop my tears from falling. Then, I averted my gaze, refusing to look at him.

Without probing further, Michael said, “Come on. Let's go home.”

Then, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward his car.

 

Chapter 178

When I heard him utter the words “go home,” my chest tightened painfully. I looked up at him in surprise as conflicting emotions surged in my heart.

I was reluctant to get into Michael's car. The thought of him being with another woman in the past few days left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I was bone-tired right now and had no energy to put up a fight with him.

After sliding into his car, I remained silent in my seat because I truly didn't know what to talk about.

As the car sped along the road, Michael turned to look at me and asked casually, “Did you miss me?”

“Why do you even care whether or not your lover missed you? Seeing as you were having fun with a beautiful woman the past few days.”

The corners of my mouth arched into a mocking smile as bitterness crept into my heart. Just how greedy is this guy? He already has such an exquisite beauty by his side. Yet, he still wants me to miss him?

Why did he even ask me that? Does he miss me?

Surprisingly, my sarcastic tone didn't annoy Michael. His mouth curved into a charming smile as he inched closer to me and muttered, “Who told you I was having fun with a beautiful woman? Are you jealous, Anna?”

When his breath tickled my ear, I quickly moved away but maintained calm and expressionless. I really didn't know what to say to him.

“Why are you avoiding me, Anna? I've let you off the hook a few days ago but you're trying to piss me off again tonight?”

Michael straightened in his seat, the smile vanishing from his face. His gaze burned with barely restrained anger as he stared at me.

Instead of answering his question, I changed the topic. “Did you have fun overseas in the past few days?”

“You think I went overseas to have fun? I went there for work.”

Michael slowed the car and glanced at me with furrowed brows.

“You brought your girlfriend overseas. Obviously, it was to have fun.”

Anger surged in me when I recalled that Emma had picked up the call when Michael was in the shower. He said he went there for work? Yeah, right. More like a honeymoon.

“You're jealous, aren't you?” Michael asked. It would be impossible for him to not detect the jealousy in my tone. I wanted to keep a cool head, but I just couldn't ignore the discomfort in my heart.

When I heard him utter the words “go home,” my chest tightened painfully. I looked up at him in surprise as conflicting emotions surged in my heart. “No, I'm not!” I denied without missing a beat.

I was already pathetic enough in front of Michael. The last thing I wanted was for my dignity to be stripped completely by exposing my true feelings in front of him.

But of course, Michael didn't believe me for one second. Even a fool could see that I was jealous that Michael had taken Emma overseas with him. “You're still denying? I can practically smell the jealousy in the air.”

However, there was no use in being jealous; neither did I have the right to be. Emma was his official girlfriend, while I was a nobody.

“When do you intend to marry her?”

I lowered my head and steered the topic away. My mind was overwhelmed with thoughts about Michael and his girlfriend. I clearly knew that asking these questions would only make me feel more miserable, but I just couldn't help myself.

Michael frowned impatiently because I kept asking stuff about his girlfriend. “I don't know,” he answered in a clipped tone, then ignored me completely.

We arrived at Birchwood very soon. After a whole day's work, I was completely worn out. All I wanted to do was curl up in bed. Even the thought of dinner didn't interest me.

Since it was already late, I assumed Michael had already eaten and would go to bed right after taking a shower.

To my chagrin, Michael had other ideas. Just when I lay down in bed, he came in and announced loudly, “Anna, I'm hungry.”

“It's almost eleven. Didn't you have dinner with your girlfriend before coming back?”

I opened my eyes and stared at Michael, irritated by the disturbance just when I was about to fall asleep.

“I went to see you as soon as I got off the plane. Do you think I had time to eat dinner?”

I noticed the dark look on Michael's face, probably because I kept mentioning his girlfriend. I could even see the simmering anger in his eyes.

But upon hearing his answer, my heart thumped violently in my chest. He came to see me right after getting off the plane? Does that mean he didn't even send his girlfriend home?

My heart soared, and my mood was instantly lifted.

“It's already so late. I didn't buy any groceries because you weren't home these few days. So there isn't much left in the refrigerator.”

As I was in a better mood, my body felt more invigorated as well. Sitting up in bed, I decided to make something for Michael, but I was lacking ingredients.

“Just make something simple,” Michael replied curtly, then walked to the bed and lay down directly.

The lights in the bedroom were very bright, so I could clearly discern the exhaustion lining his features. Perhaps he was indeed working overseas in the past few days.

I shot him a glance but left the bedroom without disturbing his rest.

In the kitchen, I opened the refrigerator and found it completely empty. Two days ago, I thought Michael wasn't coming anymore, so after finishing all the ingredients in the refrigerator, I didn't restock anything. There was only two cups of instant noodles left.

Left with no choice, I boiled some water, then cooked the two cups of instant noodles. I was tired after working the whole day. Hence, I made do with what I had on hand.

By the time I went back to the bedroom, Michael was already asleep. As I listened to his even breathing, I observed the way the lights accentuated his chiseled face.

“Michael,” I nudged him and called out softly.

Although Michael seemed sophisticated and glamorous as the CEO of a large corporation, no one knew all the blood, sweat, and tears he poured into achieving this success. People tend to forget that he was also a human who got tired and needed to work hard like everyone else.

“Mm,” Michael responded softly before opening his bleary eyes.

I felt slightly pained to see him this tired. I initially thought he took his girlfriend overseas for a vacation, but it seemed like he really went there for work.

We went to the dining room together. Upon seeing nothing on the table besides the two cups of instant noodles, Michael's brows drew together.

“Anna, is this the dinner you prepared for me? Junk food?”

Michael eyed me with suspicion, as though he couldn't believe that his dinner was a cup of instant noodles.

“There were only two cups of instant noodles left. And it's already past midnight now, so all the restaurants are closed.”

I looked at Michael awkwardly. Of course, I wanted to prepare a delicious meal to reward him for his hard work, but I had nothing to work with, so this was the best I could do.

 

Chapter 179

“There's nothing left in the refrigerator? Then what did you eat these two days?”

Michael frowned at me, and I caught a glimpse of the concern flashing in his eyes. Am I seeing things? Is he actually concerned for me?

“I—” These few days, I either ate instant noodles or skipped eating altogether. Being plagued with thoughts of another woman in his arms every day left me without much of an appetite. It was so bad I even dreamt of him getting intimate with her in bed.

I was physically and mentally drained these days. I was on the verge of falling apart at the seams.

Michael's scanned me from head to toe before remarking, “You've lost weight.”

My eyes widened slightly in surprise. Is this man that perceptive? He can even tell that I lost weight?

“Let's eat and go to bed. You look tired.”

I looked away in panic. Everything Michael said since showing up made me a flustered mess. I was afraid I would accidentally expose my emotions in front of him.

After pushing a cup of instant noodles toward him, I dug into my own cup. Michael's attitude toward me that night left me very confused. In the past, he never treated me so gently.

Instead of making things difficult for me like he usually did, he merely glanced at me before he started eating.

After eating, I followed Michael back to the bedroom. Probably because he was too exhausted, he slept almost as soon as his head hit the pillow instead of coming on to me like he usually did.

I was coincidently tired as well. Without Michael bothering me, I felt relaxed as I lay down beside him. With his arms loosely around me, I fell asleep very quickly.

“There's nothing left in the refrigerator? Then what did you eat these two days?” In my sleep, I felt my body tingle with electricity.

Opening my eyes in a daze, Michael's handsome face slowly came into focus.

My eyes flew wide open when my mind registered that I wasn't having a wet dream, but it was Michael teasing my body.

“What are you doing, Michael?”

I instantly became fully awake and eyed him warily.

“What else do you think I'm doing? I was too tired for this last night, but I can make it up now that it's morning.”

Michael's mouth curved into a flirtatious smirk. Then, he leaned down to kiss my lips.

I turned my head away and said to him with a smile, “I think you should get more rest. You looked really tired last night. There's still some time left before you have to go to work. Sleep a while longer.”

After he fell asleep without any action last night, I knew he wouldn't let me go so easily the next day, but I didn't expect that he'd be horny so early in the morning.

“Trust me, I've gotten enough rest. I need to vent now.”

Michael raised his brows at me, his gaze turning heated.

From the looks of it, I knew there was no way for me to escape his clutches. I really couldn't understand how this man could be so energetic. Just last night, he looked like a walking zombie, but he was so full of energy right then. He was even ready to get it on.

I heaved a helpless sigh. “But I'm still tired...”

After working overtime last night, I wanted nothing more than to sleep for the entire day. Unfortunately, I was roused from my beauty sleep.

“Just lie down and rest if you're tired.”

Michael had always been an overbearing man. Once he set his mind on something, no amount of persuasion would make a difference. Besides, his eyes were already brimming with lust, so it was close to impossible to make him calm down.

I wanted to say something, but Michael crashed his lips onto mine before I could.

After several days of not seeing him, the heat from his lips made my heart race. It was then that I realized how much I craved for his kiss and touch.

Before I realized I had fallen in love with him, I kept resisting his advances. But now that I was aware of my feelings for him, I stopped rejecting him. The only problem was that I felt despicable for sleeping with him when he already had a girlfriend.

...

Michael told me to just lie down and rest, but how was that possible when he was teasing me like that?

He was in no hurry at all, staying focused on my breasts for a long time before moving on to another sensitive part of my body.

“Michael...”

At first, my plan was to pretend to go back to sleep so that he'd eventually lose interest, but I couldn't control myself anymore as soft moans escaped my lips in response to his actions.

His lips curled into a sexy grin when he heard my needy moans. Bringing his lips beside my ear, he whispered in a husky voice, “So eager already? Didn't you say you were sleepy?”

His warm breath tickled my neck when he spoke, causing my skin to tingle and my heart to flutter in my chest.

I turned my face away shyly, unable to meet his intense gaze.

Michael chuckled upon seeing my reaction. Thankfully, he didn't say anything else and continued where he left off.

 

Chapter 180

After what seemed like an eternity, Michael rested on top of me while panting heavily.

I could feel his heart racing due to the vigorous exercise we had just done.

After a while, he propped himself up on his hands and looked down at me.

“Did it feel good?” Still flushed from our passionate entanglement earlier on, it made his question sound extra amorous.

A blush of embarrassment flashed across my cheeks immediately as I turned to face away from him. How was I supposed to answer such a straightforward question?

“Nope,” I answered.

That was the only answer I could give as I couldn't possibly have told him that I enjoyed it. That would be too embarrassing.

“Really? You were moaning in pleasure just now. Were you faking it?”

Michael was not upset with my answer. Instead, he cocked his brows as the corners of his lips curled into a sexy smile. In addition to his topless body, he looked extremely seductive.

After hearing what Michael said, my face turned as red as a ripe tomato and I was too shy to continue looking at him.

Was there anything that the man did not dare to say? Who would be able to fake those moans in the

middle of doing it?

“It's getting late. We should get up and get ready for work,” I said in a fluster. Michael's intent gaze was making me uncomfortable.

I wanted to push him away, but he did not budge at all.

“Why are you in such a hurry? I'm the boss, yet I'm still here. Why are you so eager to go to work?”

I glared at Michael after he said that, feeling a little angry. We had already finished doing the deed. What else did he want? Was he thinking of doing it again?

“We should hurry if you want to do it one more time.”

I opened my arms and closed my eyes, waiting for the man to take action. It must be because he was not satisfied. So, he did not want to let me go. After what seemed like an eternity, Michael rested on top of me while panting heavily.

Michael froze for a second before giving me a puzzled look. After he processed my words, he raised his brows and replied, “It seems like I did not satisfy you even after trying so hard just now. Well, I really can't tell that you have such a high drive. Does it mean that I need to work harder to satisfy you in the future?”

I resisted the urge to give him two tight slaps after hearing his reply. Did I say anything to imply that my sex drive is high? Indeed, he had a strange way of thinking.

“I just thought that you're not satisfied. Otherwise, why would you refuse to get off me? Do you know how heavy you are?”

Since he wasn't planning on doing it again, why was he still laying on top of me? Did he really not know that I could hardly bear his weight?

“If there is time, I can pleasure you again. But, I think we'll have to wait till tonight,” Michael said as he got out of bed.

I heaved a long sigh of relief after he left. I got dressed as well.

I intended to take the subway. However, since Michael insisted that he would fetch me to work, I gladly accepted the offer.

He was driving slowly towards the office. When the car stopped at a red light, he took out a jewelry box from his pocket.

“This is a present for you,” he said as he tossed it into my arms.

I noticed that Michael had an awkward expression on his face. He was looking straight at the red light, avoiding my gaze intentionally.

I looked at him in surprise and opened the jewelry box at once. What greeted my sight was an exquisite diamond necklace.

The piece of jewelry was stunning as it sparkled under the rays of the sun. More importantly, it was a gift from Michael. However, I could not accept such an expensive gift.

“Thanks for the present but it's too expensive. Please take it back as I can't accept it.”

The diamond necklace must have cost him at least tens of thousands. How could I accept it when I already owe him so much?

I closed the box and handed it back to Michael. Diamonds were a girl's best friend. However, I really should not accept any gifts from Michael anymore, let alone an expensive one.

“I won't take back what I have given. If you don't want it, I'll throw it out of the window right now.”

Michael's smile disappeared after I rejected his gift. Right then, he was about to throw the box out of the window.

“No! How can you throw this away!”

How could the man throw away a diamond necklace that cost tens of thousands without feeling anything at all?

“Since you've rejected it, there's no point in me keeping it. Do you expect me to wear it myself?” Michael replied with a cold expression.

Obviously, he was angry that I had rejected his present.

“You can give it to your girlfriend. You don't have to get rid of it. After all, it's such an expensive item.”

I lowered my head as I said the word “girlfriend” in dejection.

“Anna, from now onward, you're not allowed to mention the word 'girlfriend' in front of me!”

Michael's icy voice echoed in the air as he glared at me coldly, obviously upset.

How could his emotions change so quickly? Was I wrong to say that?

Emma was indeed his girlfriend. Why was I not allowed to mention it?

“So—”

Michael interrupted my speech, “You have only two choices now—accept the present, or I'll throw it away!”