Chapter 4 You Have No Right to Order Me Around!

The next day at the Harrison Group, Stefan looked at the pile of files on his desk and couldn't help but think about what had happened in his study the night before.

He sent a message to Martha, asking her to deliver the files from the study to the office.

Over the years, Martha had been not only his wife but also his assistant.

But he hadn't given her that job out of kindness; it was a way for him to humiliate her.

Every time he cheated on her with some other woman, he'd call Martha to clean up the mess to upset her.

Now, Martha changed into her suit and took the files to the company.

Suppressing her emotions, she raised her hand and knocked on the door of the president's office and walked in. After putting down the files on the desk, she didn't spare a glance at Stefan, turning around to leave.

Stefan noticed a small cut on Martha's smooth skin.

She was always so gentle with him, but today she was cold to him.

Suppressing his grumpiness, Stefan gazed at her retreating figure and barked, "Did I allow you to leave?"

Martha stiffened but didn't turn back around. As his subordinate, all she could do was stand there obediently.

The next second, Stefan's icy voice sounded from behind her, "I can help you with the matter you mentioned last night."

Martha narrowed her eyes and said with sarcasm, "Oh yeah? You want my bone marrow or something?"

Stefan pressed his lips, annoyed by her attitude.

Repressing his displeasure, he stared coldly at her back.

"Hollie is too weak to have surgery now."

'So that's how it is.'

"Shall I thank you for keeping me alive for now?" Martha mocked.

Her mockery made Stefan look impatient and snort. "You used to do that kind of thing to hurt her. Now she only wants your bone marrow, not your life!"

'Just want my bone marrow, not my life?' His words were really hurtful.

Martha took a deep breath but couldn't hold back her anger any longer. She turned around and gazed at him firmly. "You always said I used to do that kind of thing. I really want to know what I once did to make you hate me so much?" she asked.

Stefan sneered, "You know damn well what you did."

His words hit Martha hard; no matter how much she protested, he wouldn't believe her anyway.

Stefan didn't want to continue talking about the past with her as he would feel disgusted to watch her deny her wrongdoing.

"You want to help your father's company. I have a request."

'Donate my bone arrow again?' Although Martha thought so, she could not resist asking, "What is it?"

"Go to see a client with me tonight. If you can get the client to sign the agreement, I'll finance your father's company."

Martha was taken aback as she didn't expect him to suddenly relent.

Although she didn't know if what he said was true, she had to give it a try for her father's sake.

"Okay," Martha replied.

After leaving the office, Martha returned to her seat feeling weak in her legs. She made up her mind to nail the partnership tonight.

But as soon as she sat down at her desk, a stack of files were thrown onto it.

Stefan's secretary, Constance, appeared in front of Martha in a tight dress and said arrogantly, "Sort out the files and give them to me in 30 minutes."

Martha furrowed her brows and said, "That's too much work. It'll take me at least two hours."

"That's your business. If I can't see the classified files in 30 minutes, you'll be held accountable for delaying Mr. Harrison's cooperation."

Constance looked at her with a straight face and a mocking look in her eyes.

Martha looked at the secretary in front of her who had had an affair with Stefan and dug her nails into her palm.

In the past three years, even though all the employees knew Martha was Stefan's wife and assistant, they all made things difficult for her because they knew Stefan didn't love her.

Martha had been fed up with receiving unfair treatment and didn't want to continue to tolerate them.

She stood up, picked up the files, and threw them onto the floor in Constance's presence.

"It's not my job. You don't have the right to order me."

Without checking Constance's shocked look, she turned away.

[The ladies' room]

Martha splashed the cold water onto her face, trying to keep sober.

As she stared at her reflection in the mirror, Martha could see the loneliness and helplessness etched on her face.

She wondered how much longer she could hang on.

Later that night, Stefan took Martha to a nightclub with a golden door decorated with colorful gems that reflected light onto the white marble floor.

Once inside, Martha realized she was out of place among all the glitz and glamour.

A faint smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she reminded herself that she was only there to establish a partnership with a client.

Not far from her, Rhys Williams was flirting with two celebrities. Seeing the woman next to Stefan, he narrowed his gaze.

Although Martha wore a plain business suit, her pretty face was eye-catching.

Rhys strode towards them and greeted Stefan, "Mr. Harrison, it's been a long time."

"Indeed. How's everything, Mr. Williams?"

Wearing a professional smile, Martha looked up at the man in front of her.

Dressed in a red shirt and black suit pants, he looked very Bohemian but elegant in his every gesture.

Noticing Rhys' gaze on Martha, Stefan showed a smile of triumph. "Mr. Williams, as to the City West land co-operation project, do you have time to discuss it now?"

"Mr. Harrison, I look forward to working with you, indeed. Unfortunately, someone else has offered me better terms," replied Rhys with a smile, raising an eyebrow.

As a businessman, he had no reason to reject high profits.

Stefan kept calm with a faint smile. "I didn't expect that. OK. Please excuse me."

He was about to turn away, and Martha hurriedly followed him. However, Stefan whispered to her without turning to her, "Sigh the agreement with him for my company. Then I'll agree to your request."

Martha looked up subconsciously at him and and saw determination in his eyes which made her heart skip a beat.

She turned around to check on Rhys who was staring back at her with an intense look as if she was his prey.

Feeling panicked by his gaze, Martha grabbed onto Stefan's arm tightly.

"If you fail me, I won't help your father," Stefan added icily.

Ignoring her imploring gaze, he pushed her hand away and left the nightclub without looking back.

Martha felt helpless as she watched his retreating figure disappear into the distance.

It was a trade. Did Stefan want her to trade her body for the partnership?

Arching a brow, Rhys walked up and looked at her with interest.

"Miss, may I know your name, please?"

Martha looked at the flirty man in a daze. Pressing her lips, she didn't answer.

Seeing her reluctance, Rhys lifted his eyebrow again. It was the first time he had seen a woman who ignored him. The smile was still on his lips as he said, "Since you are here, why not relax and have fun?"

As he spoke, he wrapped his arm around her waist and forced her closer to him.

Sensing his true intent, Martha reached out to push him away, but Rhys didn't budge.

The next second, she felt him tightening his grip on her waist.

Thinking of her father, Martha gritted her teeth to bear it.

She looked around at the pickup joint without struggling again. She didn't want to upset this man or ruin the chance to talk about cooperation.

Half an hour later.

Stefan returned to the Harrison Villa. Watching the clock on the wall, he became increasingly impatient.

'Tonight, will she come back?'

He tugged at his tie irritably. He had brought Martha there himself but whether or not she returned was none of his concern, he told himself.

Late into the night...

Martha patiently stayed with Rhys until the dinner was over.

Standing outside the nightclub in a daze, she wondered what would happen next.

Rhys seemed to read her mind. He flashed a wicked smile and asked, "You haven't finished your job yet. Want to go home?"

"Will you..."

"Come back to my room. Let's talk."

She could tell from his unfriendly smile that he had ulterior motives. Without waiting for her response, Rhys wrapped his arms around her and led her towards the room that had been checked in long ago.

After entering the room, Martha felt uneasy and kept a watchful eye on Rhys.

Rhys stopped mid-step. When he looked back, he saw her huddle in the corner with a tense look while pinching the hemline of her skirt.

Seeing how frightened she looked, Rhys' smile widened mischievously. "Do I look like a beast?"

"No... You don't."

Martha shook her head as she forced a smile. However, her stiff expression showed how uneasy she felt.

Rhys could tell the rejection in her eyes but didn't want to let go of the prey that had fallen into his lap.

He strode towards her, reached out, and cornered her against the wall.

"It's such a wonderful night," he said slyly. "Wouldn't it be a pity not to do something?"