C19 The Pure Little White Lotus

Joan clutched her folder, watching the elevator numbers climb rapidly until they finally stopped at sixty-six. As the elevator dinged open, she felt her heart skip a beat.

Stepping out, Joan inexplicably found her steps a bit heavy. She was puzzled; she'd handled more daring situations before without a hint of fear, so why did she feel so nervous and flustered now?

Was it because their relationship had changed? Boss and subordinate... Joan felt an unexpected sense of tension.

The next moment, she gave herself a light smack on the forehead, muttering, "Joan, get your mind out of the gutter!"

She glanced down at the folder in her arms, finally calming herself, and walked confidently toward the Chairman's Office. She hadn't expected to be stopped at the door by Gao Yi. "Director Qiao, Mr. Mo is busy at the moment."

Joan couldn't help but admire him. Look at the boss, working diligently even after hours. As someone who earns a paycheck, she thought she should learn from his example.

Nodding, Joan was about to leave when the office door suddenly swung open, and a stunning woman in a flowing white dress stepped out.

Joan couldn't help but click her tongue in her mind: So pure.

The next second, she felt a pang of realization—was this what he was busy with?

As the woman in the white dress gracefully passed by Joan, she gave her a once-over with her beautiful eyes, then left with a smile on her lips.

Joan felt a bit annoyed by that smile. Women sometimes have an uncanny sense for other women, especially those with ulterior motives, almost like they have a radar for it.

In her eyes, Joan saw a flash of amazement, which quickly turned to hostility, and finally settled into disdain. She didn't quite understand the disdain, so she turned to Gao Yi and asked earnestly, "Do I look good?"

Gao Yi blushed and nodded.

"Gao Yi." A deep, rich voice sounded, and they both turned to see Mo Kai standing behind them, holding a woman's handbag.

Gao Yi straightened up and approached him.

Mo Kai said, "Take the bag to her."

Gao Yi swiftly took the bag and walked away as if he had wings on his feet.

Joan's gaze followed the bag in Gao Yi's hand, feeling a twinge of envy for the woman in the white dress who could casually leave behind a handbag worth tens of thousands of dollars. Pure and wealthy.

Joan glanced at her reflection in the glass, realizing that the most valuable thing on her was probably the earrings, a gift from Lan Xin. No wonder the woman in the white dress looked down on her.

Joan's introspection was interrupted by Mo Kai's voice.

"Come in."

She looked around, noticing that they were alone, and quickly followed him inside.

The office door opened, revealing a space bathed in warm light with black, white, and gray decor, as dignified and reserved as the man himself.

Joan visited his workplace for the first time, naturally curious and taking in the surroundings. Through the massive glass windows, she could see the dazzling lights of the office buildings and the interweaving traffic below, capturing the entire city's splendor in one view.

She couldn't help but imagine this incredibly sophisticated man holding a wine glass, standing by the window, looking down on the world. The thought was captivating.

However, men like him are often trouble. Just a while ago, he was flirting with her, and now he's moved on to another woman. No wonder he disappeared for nearly a month.

Joan felt a knot in her chest but maintained a polite, even slightly ingratiating smile. After all, he was her financial backer now.

As the saying goes, knowing how to adapt is a mark of intelligence. Being able to work here was a stroke of luck, and Joan wasn't one to be uptight.

"What is it?" Mo Kai asked, settling behind his expansive desk.

Remembering the proposal needed his signature, Joan promptly handed over the document.

The man across the desk took it, flipping through the pages leisurely, but his pen remained poised over one spot, refusing to sign.

"Mr. Mo, is there a problem?" Joan asked softly.

Mo Kai looked up. "Director Joan, please be mindful of your conduct at Huachen."

For a moment, Joan thought she misheard. It wasn't the proposal that was the issue, but her behavior? She genuinely felt that communicating with this man was challenging because he always seemed to switch topics unexpectedly.

Feeling helpless, she glanced again at her reflection in the window. Her burgundy blouse was tucked into a black, high-waisted pencil skirt, and her long legs were accentuated by black stiletto heels. Her makeup was perfectly professional, and she hadn't done anything inappropriate. So why had she upset him?

Mo Kai loosened his tie with one hand, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Don't get any ideas about the people around me."

The people around him? Gao Yi? When had she ever shown interest in Gao Yi?

Joan suddenly recalled a time when Lan Xin had teased her: "Joan, stop staring at people like that. Your eyes always look like you're trying to flirt."