Chapter 23: Sit Next to Me
Ethaniel guessed that the balding middle-aged man in front of him was Kayla’s superior. Though his expression remained cold, his tone softened a bit. “No need, I’m here to find someone.”
“Oh… to find someone,” the chief said, embarrassed by his failed invitation. “May I ask, who you are looking for?”
“Her.” Ethaniel’s gaze shifted to the foolish girl beside him.
“…Kayla?” The chief was puzzled. “Wasn’t she always by Mr. Han’s side to protect you?”
Kayla, in a panic, rapidly blinked at Ethaniel, desperately signaling him not to mention her unauthorized return to the police station.
Ethaniel couldn’t help but grin at Kayla’s frantic signaling. “She was with me this morning…”
Kayla was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Ethaniel continued nonchalantly, “But then she disappeared without informing me.”
The chief immediately questioned, “Kayla, what does Mr. Han mean by he didn’t see you?”
“It means she left the venue without my knowledge.”
“…” The cunning villain!
The chief yelled at Kayla immediately, “Your primary task is to protect Mr. Han, to stay by his side at all times! If anything happens to him, I’ll have your police uniform and badge!”
Though the chief’s words were a threat, suggesting Kayla might lose her job, Ethaniel felt uncomfortable. No one had the right to threaten to take off his woman’s clothes.
His expression darkened, and he pulled the reprimanded Kayla along. “Let’s go.”
“Hey-don’t pull me! I can walk by myself!” Kayla felt awkward being dragged in front of others.
Ethaniel ignored her, tossed her into the passenger seat, and took the driver’s seat. His sharp, cold stare made the chief nervous. “Kayla! How can you let Mr. Han drive? Get out of the car!”
But the only response was the dust stirred up as Ethaniel sped out of the police station.
The chief’s hand was still raised in the air, watching the shabby police car disappear. Remembering the scene of Ethaniel pressing down on Kayla, he sighed.
Kayla, just consider this a sacrifice for duty. Winning over Ethaniel will bring glory to Seatowne!
…
It took a while before Kayla snapped out of it. “Ethaniel, this is my car!”
“Mm.” The aloof Mr. Han replied with a monosyllable.
“… This is a police car! It’s only to be used while on duty. Just because the chief treats you as a VIP doesn’t mean you can ignore the rules. Even if you’re an important CEO, if you break the law, I’ll arrest you.”
Ethaniel’s brow furrowed at the mention of the chief. “Stay away from him.”
Kayla was startled. “Why?”
“…Never mind, just sit tight. We have a meeting to attend this afternoon.”
With that, Ethaniel shifted gears and sped towards the venue. He would find another opportunity to warn the chief.
Take off Kayla’s police uniform?
Fine.
But only he could do that.
Ignoring Kayla’s protests, Ethaniel drove straight into the convention center and took her to his private lounge.
Linda frowned upon seeing Kayla. Ethaniel had disappeared from the luncheon; had he gone to find her?
Meeting Linda’s unfriendly gaze, Kayla responded with a defiant look, thinking to herself, “It’s not like I’m deliberately clinging to him. It’s your president who insisted on bringing me here. What are you glaring at me?”
Pretending not to notice Kayla’s defiance, Linda handed a stack of documents to Ethaniel. “Sir, these are the afternoon meeting’s agenda items. Please review them.”
Ethaniel glanced at the documents and then tossed them to Kayla, speaking without looking up. “Take these and follow me to the conference room.”
“…Why me?” Kayla protested. Aren’t documents supposed to be handled by the secretary?Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
Ethaniel’s tone was icy. “This afternoon, you’ll be my assistant. Sit with me.”
This way, he could keep an eye on her and prevent her from running off again.
“Are you kidding me!” Kayla exclaimed, on the verge of a meltdown. “I’m a police officer. Being your bodyguard is already beyond my duties!”
Not only did Kayla react explosively, but even the usually calm Linda looked shocked.
In the morning, Kayla had only been seated behind a screen, but now Ethaniel wanted her to sit beside him during the afternoon meeting!
A police officer in uniform sitting in the middle of the main conference? It was a joke!
“Sir, part of the afternoon meeting involves discussing financing. Having this police officer there might not be appropriate,” Linda gently reminded Ethaniel. A simple financing proposal from Goldenshore Group could easily exceed billions. Such an important occasion couldn’t involve an outsider who knew nothing about it!
“Exactly! I don’t understand financing. Find someone else.” Kayla’s thoughts were simpler. She didn’t want to sit through a boring meeting all afternoon.
Ethaniel looked at Kayla, his tone steady and final. “Come with me and sit beside me.”