Ch. 1291..1295

 

Chapter 1291 Dinner went on quietly for a while until the phone in his pocket rang and broke the silence. When he picked up the call, his expression and tone turned serious. “What is it?”

It was Cliff who had called. “Sir, Secretary Ackerman can’t make it tomorrow. His wife is seriously ill, and he has to be by her side.”

“Let him stay with his family.”

“But it might take him months to return based on his wife’s condition, and there must be someone there to assist you.”

“Tell administration to find someone to take his place.”

Asecond of hesitation later, Cliff said, “Sir, | have someone that | would like to recommend. | wonder if she will be suitable.” “Who is it?”

)

“Shermaine Cole. She's proactive, motivated, diligent and professional about her work. And | believe she has a good personality. She’s been with us for two years now and has always been at the front desk, doing all kinds of chores without any complaints. She never told anyone that she helped Madam Carter before and didn’t use it to

brag in front of her colleagues. She didn't even ask for a reward for helping either, so | believe she is qualified to take Secretary Ackerman‘s place for a few months. What do you think?” 1

“You decide,” Odell said after he sipped a spoon of soup.

Since Cliff spoke highly of her, she must be a decent employee and would be suitable as long as she could do her work properly.

Cliff nodded and said, “Thank you, sir. I'll go inform her right away.” Odell hung up the phone.

Sylvia asked, “Is there anything urgent?”

“Nope.” She nodded and put a piece of rib on his plate.

Odell smiled and then started munching on the piece of

rib.

Back at Carter Tower, after the call with Odell, Cliff went downstairs to look for Shermaine. He beckoned Shermaine to the side and jokingly told her that she had been promoted to a secretary.

Shermaine was surprised and delighted, but her concerns followed. “I have no experience as a secretary, and as Master Carter's secretary, | must be super capable right?

Am | really suitable?”

Cliff joked. “Don't worry, you are as super capable as you are, and | believe you will do a great job. Master Carter might seem like a cold person, but he never gives his employees a hard time. Just do what you are supposed to do, and you'll be fine.” Shermaine sighed a breath of relief. “Alright. Thank you, Assistant Bogard! | owe you!”

Cliff smiled. “No need for courtesy. You got the position because of the hard work you've shown, and your own capability.” Shermaine smiled. “I still have to thank you for giving me the chance.”

Her smile was bright, and for an instance, it reminded Cliff of Slyvia during her younger days.

He was stunned by the dazzling smile for a moment, but he managed to regain his composure. “Stay back after work. I'll guide you around and let you know what you have to do, and you'll have to be ready by tomorrow.”

“l understand.”

Cliff glanced at her one last time before he went back upstairs.

Shermaine saw him off into the elevator before she retracted her gaze. She curled her lips into a grin. Unlike her usual bright and generous smile that could melt

hearts, the grin on her face screamed of uncontrollable delight and excitement.

She pulled her phone out and texted someone named ‘ Aunt Ruth’.

“Aunt Ruth, | just got promoted as Master Carter’s secretary! I'll be starting tomorrow!”

She had been waiting for this opportunity for two years, and finally, she got the chance to get close to the man of her dreams. She got a reply shortly after.

“Congratulations. But don’t rush things. Be patient. He is not just any man. If you want to get close to him and make him open up to you, it’s going to take a while. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Ahint of impatience flashed in her eyes, but she suppressed the emotions. “I understand. He’s fond of someone that resembles his wife, right? As long as | keep dressing up like her, he'll definitely fall for me.” 1

It was her youth that fueled her confidence in winning his heart.

Chapter 1292 After dinner with Odell, Sylvia took a ride back home. Everyone at home had eaten.

When she walked into the living room, Liam was reading a book to Flint while Isabel, Aunt Tonya, and Madam Carter were watching the latest drama series on television.

Everything felt harmonious and peaceful.

Her entrance caught everyone's attention.

“Mommy!” Flint abandoned his brother and wobbled his way to his mother. Sylvia smiled and carried the boy into her arms before she walked over to Madam Carter.

Isabel tapped on the empty seat beside her and said, “ Mommy, have a seat. This new drama series is awesome! We are at the climax now!”

Sylvia turned to the television,

The male and female protagonists were having an argument in the rain, and it seemed to be a fierce debate because even Madam Carter and Aunt Tonya were deeply fascinated by the storyline.

Sylvia smiled and chose to sit down beside Liam.

The little guy had a white shirt coupled with denim overalls which complimented his neatly combed hair. His clean and delicate face was glowing. Although youthful, he already had the features of a handsome man. He always had a cold expression on, similar to his father.

Sylvia pinched his cheek.

Liam widened his eyes at her. “What is it, Mommy?” Sylvia smiled. “Can't | pinch you if there‘s nothing going on?”

Liam pouted, seemingly helpless. “Fine.”

It was then that Flint extended his arm forward and pinched his brother's cheek too.

Liam's expression turned frosty.

Flint's hands trembled and quickly retracted his arm. He quickly crawled behind Sylvia‘s back and then popped his head out with a silly chuckle.

Liam glared at him. “Flint, are you asking for a beating?”

Flint looked scared. He continued to hide behind his mother and argued, “Brother, Mommy pinched you too.” Liam‘s expression remained cold. “You are not the same as Mommy.”

Flint's eyes flickered. “Mommy and | are family. What's the difference?”

Liam pouted as he was rendered speechless.

Sylvia could not help but giggle at their brotherly interaction.

Flint might be a toddler but his mind was of an adult. He did not share Liam’s frosty attitude or Isabel's unruly behavior, but he was as smart as his siblings. Besides, he knew how to win people’s hearts, which made him the prized boy of the house.

“Hehe...” Flint chuckled along with his mother.

Sylvia slightly furrowed her brows at the toddler's mischievous chuckle. She carried him back to the front. Flint was obviously scared of Liam, so he tried to climb back into his mother’s embrace.

Sylvia tapped his backside and said, “Flint, Mommy and Brother are family, but | am older, and you are younger, so you must respect your brother, understand?”

Flint pouted. “Okay, Mommy.”

She added, “Now, turn around and apologize to your brother.”

Flint turned around obediently and looked at Liam with his big innocent eyes.

Liam crossed his arms coldly, waiting for the apology.

Flint smiled. “I am sorry, Brother. | won’t pinch you

anymore. Please don't be mad at me.”

Liam grunted and rolled his eyes at his brother, refusing to bring himself down to the same level as his mischievous brother. He picked up the book and

continued reading. Flint sighed a breath of relief. Sylvia watched their little interaction and smiled. “Flint, go read a book.”

“| don't want to. Books are boring,” he said as he buried himself in his mother's embrace.

Chapter 1293

Sylvia did not know what to do with the little guy. Just when she was about to leave Flint to his little quirks, Liam with the book turned around and sized Flint up from top to bottom.

Flint was being adorable when his brother stared at him. He quickly retracted his hands from his mother's neck and sat obediently like a doll. “Sit next to me,” Liam instructed.

Flint used his most adorable gaze at Sylvia, asking for help.

However, Sylvia averted his gaze and feigned ignorance. Flint then crawled out from Sylvia‘s arms to Liam’s side and sat upright like a little soldier. Liam stared at him coldly. “Bring the book over.”

Flint pouted. He reluctantly picked up the book and started reading it from the first page. Meanwhile , Liam finally retracted his cold gaze and continued reading his book.

Sylvia, who watched the little scene from start to end, was left speechless. She was almost certain that Flint had pinched Liam‘s cheek on purpose earlier. He must have lived under his brother‘s oppression for too long to the

point that he seized the opportunity to execute his

revenge.

The thought put a smile on her face.

She got up and headed upstairs to her studio to settle some of her own matters.

After Sylvia went up to the second floor, Liam put down his book and turned his attention to Isabel, who was watching television with Aunt Tonya and Madam Carter.

“Isabel Carters, it’s 8 o’clock. Time to do your homework.”

Isabel was sitting with her back shown to her brother. When she heard her brother calling her, she covered her ears and feigned ignorance.

Liam continued with the same expression, “The key to the game room is with me. If you don’t finish your homework by 9 o’clock later, you won't get access to the game room for the whole week.”

He then continued reading his book.

Isabel bolted up right away and stared at Liam with a grumpy expression. “Stupid brother!”

Liam ignored her, not even sparing a glance.

Flint, on the other hand, hid his face behind the book and peeked at his sister sympathetically, seeming to feel bad for her.

Isabel caught her little brother's sneaky stare and decided to vent her emotions on him. “What are you looking at, another stupid brother?!”

Flint immediately concealed himself behind the book.

Isabel grunted and stomped her way upstairs. Hearing the little bickering from the second floor, Sylvia held her urge to laugh and went up to the third floor.

Odell came home at midnight.

Sylvia had already cleaned up and was ready for bed. A few minutes after she closed her eyes, she felt a mountain crash onto her body, followed by a pungent alcoholic stench. She opened her eyes and saw a pair of lustful and hungry eyes staring at her. Startled, she rolled her eyes at him.

As he ravaged her lips, the alcoholic breath invaded her mouth and even her nostrils. She pushed him away. “Go get a bath...” Her mouth was sealed shut before she could finish the sentence.

Both her hands were pinned above her head, leaving her defenseless . All she could do was swallow her grievance and call the man a monster inside her heart.

The drunk sex lasted until later that night.

When the room returned to silence, in a state of sleepiness and physical exhaustion , Sylvia punched the man‘s chest before she went to sleep.

The man grinned at her after getting his lust satisfied.

The next day, he finally woke up after his phone rang for the third time.

Chapter 1294

Sylvia only opened her eyes when Odell came out from the bathroom, clean and freshly dressed. He left the room before she could say goodbye.

She picked up her phone and found out that it was already 10 o'clock in the morning. It was no wonder Odell left in such a hurry.

She wondered when the busy days would come to an end because it had been a while since they had woken up together. Recently, even seeing each other started to become a luxury that they could not afford.

‘Sigh. | still have to go to the academy later...‘

Sylvia sighed and got out of bed.

When Odell came down to the living room, only Aunt Tonya and Madam Carter were around to take care of Flint. Isabel and Liam had gone to school.

Flint got up and ran over as soon as he saw his father come down, so Odell carried him up for a while and then put him in Aunt Tonya’s care.

He then said to Madam Carter, “Grandmother, | have to go to work now.”

Madam Carter nodded. “Be safe.”

Aunt Tonya reminded him, “Odell, you haven't eaten your breakfast.”

“I'm running late. I'll simply grab something along the way.” Odell then strode out of the house like an arrow let loose.

Watching his father's car leave the house, in Aunt Tonya‘s arms, Flint asked, “Granny Tonya, is Daddy going out for a few days again?*.

“Yeah. Daddy is busy, but he'll come back when he’s done with work,” Aunt Tonya answered.

The little boy pouted. “Daddy hasn't played with us for a long time.”

Aunt Tonya was silenced by the boy's little complaint.

“Flint, come here. Great-granny will play with you. Come over here.” Madam Carter waved at the boy from her wheelchair. Flint came down from Aunt Tonya‘s arms and went over to her.

Despite sitting in Madam Carter's lap, Flint‘s googly eyes were glued to the door. He really wanted his parents to stay home together for a little longer.

The black MPV shuttled across the busy traffic and finally arrived in front of Carter Tower.

When Odell got down and strode into the building , the two receptionists bolted up and bowed at him. Even the other employees who passed by the lobby paused and greeted him.

He nodded at everyone as he went into the elevator that sent him straight to the highest floor. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he strode towards his office.

In front of the office door was the secretary's desk where Shermaine had been waiting for him the whole morning. She bolted up and bowed respectfully with her hands in front of her lap. “Good morning, Master Carter.” Odell nodded but caught a glimpse of something that intrigued him.

The young lady wore a plain white dress with her hair neatly combed and tucked behind both her ears, complementing her delicate face with fair skin. She only wore light makeup, but it suited her pronounced facial features. Not only did her overall impression stand out, but it also reminded him of his woman back home.

Stunned, he paused his steps for a second. “Are you Shermaine?” Shermaine'‘s eyes gleamed. She maintained her respectful smile and said, “Yes, sir.” Odell then went into his office without saying anything else.

She had been working at the front desk for two years, and he had never even spared her a glance. Now that she was his secretary, he stared at her for a full five seconds on her first day.

Her eyes flickered in excitement. Awhile later, when the time was right, she left her station and brought a cup of tea into the office.

The man’s lonely figure sat on the leather chair behind the massive desk, working diligently in the huge and luxurious CEO's office. Focused and determined, he flipped through the pile of documents.

Chapter 1295 Shermaine quietly went in and put the cup of tea on his desk.

Odell was captivated by the documents in his hands and did not even notice her.

Therefore , she only stayed in the office for two seconds before wisely stepping out. Cliff had told her that the man hated being disturbed while working, and Aunt Ruth had also taught her to be patient in the art of seducing a man. 1

She finally got promoted to his secretary, so now would be the best time to practice the virtue of patience.

The thought put a grin on her face as she returned to her desk outside.

Several days later, which was a Friday, Sylvia finished class at the academy shortly after noon and went home. It had been days since she saw Odell, so she pulled her phone out and wanted to text him. Coincidentally , she received his call.

The man’s charming voice sounded as soon as she put the phone by her ear. “Sylvia, | have to go abroad to deal with an urgent matter. I’m on the way to the airport now. | suppose | can only make it back after a week.”

Sylvia’s bubble of excitement that arose from listening to his voice was instantly popped. “Oh, okay. | understand.”

He added in a small voice, “Tell Grandma and the kids for me. I'll leave them in your hands.” Sylvia smiled. “Don’t worry about them. You be careful out there. Don’t forget to get enough rest.” He chuckled. “Yeah. | got it.” Just when Sylvia wanted to hang up, she heard a woman’s voice. “Sir, I’ve contacted the representative at Hemingway. They will send someone to pick us up at the airport.”

Odell hummed a reply before the call ended. Sylvia raised a brow.

Odell usually only went on a business trip abroad with Cliff and Morris, his assistant and his secretary, so why would there be a woman's voice?

On top of that, her voice sounded familiar.

Sylvia tried recalling where she heard the woman’s voice before but could not think of it at the moment. She was “probably his. employee and must be one of the related

personnel for this particular trip abroad.

L

The black MPV soon drove into the drop-off lane at Westchester International Airport.

Shermaine went straight to the counter for the tickets and the boarding procedures while Cliff carried his briefcase and followed Odell to the business lounge.

After settling the boarding procedures, Shermaine rejoined the two at the lounge and waited for the boarding call together. As they boarded the plane and headed to the business class, Odell sat down in the window seat. The seat beside him was left idle, and Shermaine’s eyes gleamed for a moment. However, she recovered her composure and humbly took a step backward , offering the seat to Cliff.

She obediently sat down behind Odell and glued her eyes on the man’s back. After the plane went up in the air, Shermaine took some snacks out and tapped on Cliff's shoulder. She smiled and passed him the snacks she brought for the trip. “Cliff, | prepared some snacks for us to kill time. | got you and Master Carter a box each.”

Cliff looked at the delicate boxes of snacks and smiled.” Oh, thank you.” He took one for himself and passed the other one to Odell.

Shermaine even heard Odell asking Cliff what the box was.

“It’s some snacks that Shermaine prepared for us.”

“Mm-hmm. Put it there.”

Cliff helped him open the box and put it by his side.

Shermaine’s eyes never lest Odell.

The box had all kinds of snacks, like nuts, dried berries, and even handmade candies.

The sweet fragrance wasted out from the box as soon as the lid was removed, and it managed to attract Odell’s attention.