Chapter 21
As soon as I got out of the car, he magically produced a wheelchair out of nowhere. I stared at him in surprise. “Isn’t this a bit too much!”
He reached out to support me. The doctor said you need to reduce movement.
Ichuckled “Anyone who doesn’t know better would think 1 broke a bone.”
He clicked his tongue. “Don’t jinx it.”
1 grinned and sat in the wheelchair with his help. Just as I settled in, I spotted Harlan,
Tamara, who had just been discharged from the hospital, stood beside him. His gaze landed on me, cold and unreadable.
The smile on my lips disappeared instantly. Feeling uncomfortable, I turned the wheelchair, trying to get away from them as quickly as possible.
Harlan narrowed his eyes and strode toward me, pressing his hand down on the wheelchair to stop me. His gaze drifted to my neck.
He scoffed. “Charlene, what are you hiding under that bandage? Something indecent?”
I rolled my eyes internally but kept my expression indifferent. “Got bitten by a dog”
Though I couldn’t scold him, I could mock him.
Sure enough, his expression turned odd. He looked at me as if both irritated and–pleased?
I now completely believe that he was insane.
I couldn’t be bothered with him, but since he was holding onto my wheelchair, I couldn’t move. Helplessly, I turned to Ashton. “Ashton, help me out here:
Just as Ashton was about to step in. Harlan grabbed the wheelchair’s handles. He pushed me forward, his voice low. “What, you’d rather have an outsider help you when your colleagues are here? Charlene, do you enjoy throwing yourself at men that much?”
I had barely slept last night and was already in a terrible mood. Hearing him talk like this, I had no intention of tolerating it. “Harlan, if you can’t speak like a decent human being, then just shut up. Stop disgusting me like this.”
I didn’t want him pushing me, so I struggled to stand up. He seemed genuinely angered by my resistance–his movement stilled, his eyes darkening.
Seeing the situation, Tamara quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Charlene, don’t take it to heart. Harlan just has a sharp tongue, but he means well”
Isneered, “Oh, cut the act. When I gave you a few pointers while helping you with the proposal, you couldn’t take it and ran off to complain. And now, you’re suddenly so generous on his behulp?”
As I expected. Tamara’s eyes welled up with tears again
She looked at me like a pitiful little victim. “Charlene, it’s not what you think. I wasn’t complaining–I just felt so incompetent
Before she could finish, Ashton chuckled outright “If you feel incompetent, then focus on improving at work. The way you presented that proposal wasn’t even on par with my three–year–old niece
Tamara turned deathly pale at his remark and instinctively looked to Harlan for help. Hui Harlan’s attention wasn’t on her he was staring at me instead
Ferling uncomfortable under his gaze, I turned to Ashton. “Could you push me to my desk?”
At my words, Harlan snapped back to reality and walked forwand, pushing me himself. “Mr. Hopkins, the sales team is waiting for you in the meeting room. You should head over. I’ll take care of Charlene.”
Ashton glanced at himn sinplelously. “A few minutes won’t make a difference?
and my coat could
But Harlan stood his ground, unwilling to budge. I was getting fed up with the whole situation. The early spring air was freezing, and m no longer keep out the chill. “Enough. I don’t need either of you. I’ll go by myself”
I had barely taken a few steps when leard Harlan murmur to Ashton, “Mr. Hopkins, I assume your family wouldn’t want someone as money- hungry as Charlene marrying into it, would they”
Ashton responded coolly, “Charlene’s right–Mr. Shannon, you’re overstepping?
The wheelchair moved too slowly, and by the time I reached the elevator, I could still hear theu conversation.
7:10 PM
Chapter 21
Tamara said sadly, “Harlan, it’s already work hours. I should get back now. I’ll skip breakfau.”
As soon as she finished speaking. I felt someone step up behind me. Turning around, I saw Tamara amiling sweetly. “Charlene, let me push you.”
E
