C2 He Had Met Brother Thirteen

"Mr. Jenkins, please don't misunderstand. This young woman just graduated from college and isn't quite versed in our protocols. Let's focus on our business," Mr. Bayard said, a touch of awkwardness in his voice.

Aize watched Katie depart, habitually adjusting his glasses, and a smirk played on his lips. "Ms. Rowland is rather fetching..."

Mr. Bayard instantly grasped Aize's drift, his eyebrows arching suggestively. "Mr. Jenkins, after we clinch this deal, you're free to... well, you know."

The implication hung in the air, heavy and unspoken: Katie's wellbeing was inconsequential to him.

The tacit rules of the corporate jungle often ensnared naive newcomers like Katie.

"Consider it done," Aize replied with a low, mirthful laugh, finalizing the contract with Mr. Bayard as they shared a knowing glance.

Earlier, at the café, Aize had treated Katie with the decorum due to a blind date, not daring to overstep. But that evening, upon signing the contract, he realized Katie was an employee of the collaborating firm. Mr. Bayard's message was unmistakable: Aize, feeling snubbed by Katie earlier, was itching for retribution.

In the restroom:

"Isn't it just my luck to run into him here, the envoy from Company X?" Katie thought, her smile tinged with irony. She rinsed her face, dried it with a tissue, and left the restroom.

The long, dimly lit corridor stretched out before her, the distinct click of her 10cm heels on the floor resonating pleasantly in her ears.

"Ms. Rowland," Aize called from the side as Katie appeared. He stepped into the middle of the corridor, barring her path.

Katie looked up to find Aize in her way. She drew out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag, stepping closer to him.

"Mr. Jenkins, fancy meeting you here," Katie remarked, her smile subdued, as she observed Aize's clear intention not to move aside.

Aize's eyes swept over Katie, appreciating her well-proportioned figure. He extinguished his cigarette, stepped forward, and placed a hand on her shoulder, pushing her gently against the wall.

"What are you trying to do? Please, show some respect." Katie's glare bore into Aize, her contempt clear for his flippant and suggestive actions.

"Respect? You think I'm afraid to lay a hand on you? Thirteen times, right? Tonight, you're mine! The manager at the hotel across the way has already set up a room. So what'll it be? Are you leaving now, or would you prefer to stay here?" She should know all about the unwritten rules of the workplace, shouldn't she?

The choice was stark: be exploited or be fired.

"With you?" Katie suddenly realized that as soon as she had left the private room, the manager had effectively 'sold' her to Aize.

"It's got to be me," he stated confidently.

She sneered inwardly at his arrogance.

"Go to hell." Katie's knee shot up into his groin, and with a flick of her wrist, her purse flew at him, sending Aize stumbling backward in pain, crashing to the ground.

"Katie, you dare hit me?" Aize was stunned, never expecting her to retaliate.

Furious and nursing his pain, Aize gave chase.

Katie turned to see Aize hot on her trail. She glanced down the long corridor, considering slipping off her 10cm stilettos.

Suddenly, a tall young man stepped out from a nearby room, standing in front of her. The dim light only highlighted his sculpted, masculine features. His thin lips were pressed tightly, his deep black eyes slightly squinted, giving off an intense, frosty demeanor. His finely tailored suit accentuated his towering frame, emanating a sovereign presence.

Katie inhaled deeply, realizing there was no escaping in her high heels.

"Thirteenth Brother, what a coincidence," she purred, her voice dripping with allure. Under the dim lights, the man seemed dangerously untouchable, a sacred presence not to be violated, but she dismissed that thought, intent on dodging the immediate danger.

She stepped closer, rising on the balls of her feet, and looped her arms around the man's neck, turning her gaze to Aize as he approached.

"Thirteenth Brother? So you're that man?" Aize's voice, laden with frustration, echoed louder than he intended. The once-bustling room went quiet, the door left open. Every head turned, their attention riveted on the scene at the doorway, completely enthralled by the formidable Thirteenth Brother.

"Thirteenth Brother?" Jabe squinted slightly, looking down at the woman clinging to him as he repeated the phrase.

"Mr. Lu?" Aize stepped closer, her legs nearly giving out at the sight of Jabe, almost collapsing to the floor.

Jabe, at 28, was the CEO of the Russell Group, with a net worth that was incalculable. His business empire stretched across the globe, encompassing hotels, tourism, entertainment, electronics, fashion, construction, and more. His handsome features and extraordinary aura were coupled with a commanding yet detached air, all grounded by a calm and steady demeanor.

With a swift "whoosh," Aize raised her hand to her face and slipped away with the grace of a martial artist, even performing a somersault before darting into the elevator.

Katie, completely unaware of the drama, only felt the rush of Aize's escape and let out a breath of relief.

"Sorry, it was just an emergency," Katie said, taking a step back and neatly adjusting the man's shirt with her slender hands. She made a gesture, then bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle, her sincerity clear as she refrained from straightening up. Clutching her purse, she made a beeline for the stairwell, avoiding the elevator to prevent another run-in with Aize.

Jabe's eyes lingered on her tall, retreating figure, his mind turning over the mysterious 'Thirteenth Brother?'

Inside the VIP room, the decor was understatedly elegant with a hint of classical charm and soft lighting.

Jabe's attention remained fixed on the departing silhouette, even as the phone call on the other end had ended. He turned back into the room, took his seat, and leisurely sipped his wine.

"When did you become 'Thirteenth Brother,' Jabe? And how come none of us knew?" Sammie asked, swirling his red wine as he walked past Thos to sit beside Jabe, draping an arm around his shoulders with a devilish smirk.

"And Jabe, how on earth did you get involved with that woman?" Thos chimed in, not wanting to be left out of the juicy details, leaning in with anticipation.

Jabe was known for his charm with the ladies, but the title 'Thirteenth Brother' seemed a bit over the top, didn't it?

Thos and Sammie squinted at Jabe in tacit agreement, their expressions of disbelief clearly questioning their friend's alleged latest exploit.

"Default?" Thos leaned in closer to Jabe, trying to read his friend's unfathomable gaze. The absence of any discernible emotion only piqued his curiosity further.

Jabe was not one to casually play around; they had never heard him speak of that woman before.

The night's get-together was supposed to welcome Thos, but no one anticipated this complication.

With a furrowed brow, Jabe stared into his wine, then reached for a cigar, lighting it and inhaling deeply before issuing a stern command, "Both of you, shut up."

"Got under your skin, huh?" Thos noted his friend's grimace, stood up, and sat down opposite Jabe, keeping a safe distance. "Seems we need to find that woman and get to the bottom of this."

"Right, what was her name again?" Sammie added, fanning the flames of the conversation and pushing the atmosphere to a crescendo.