Chapter 3: She Seemed to Be Selling Herself for the Job

Isabella's legs were trembling; she dared not lift her head. She wished she could just disappear into a hole. Did Sebastian Whitmore recognize her? Nervousness overwhelmed her as her eyes fixed on Sebastian Whitmore's shiny leather shoes. As he stepped forward, she instinctively stepped back.

A faint scent of mint emanated from her, drawing Sebastian Whitmore closer involuntarily, triggering some memories from the previous night. Suddenly, Sebastian Whitmore's hand reached towards her chest. Isabella, frightened, abruptly looked up, her hands defensively covering her chest, her eyes wide with wariness, "Mr ... Mr. Whitmore."

Despite her stutter, Isabella now looked exactly like a bristled wildcat, her sharp claws ready for a fight. Sebastian Whitmore would bet that if he took one more step, the wildcat before him would bite.

Sebastian Whitmore surveyed Isabella from head to toe. Her skin was fair, hidden partly by thick bangs and black-framed glasses, making her face almost invisible. Her outfit was plain, only jeans and a shirt, completed with a simple hair tie around her wrist that cost mere cents.

To Sebastian Whitmore, Isabella's first impression was pure plainness. He did not realize she was the woman from last night; any familiarity vanished the moment he saw her face.

His expression cold, Sebastian Whitmore pointed at Isabella's work badge, "Isabella? Intern? Which school did you graduate from, and how long have you been with the company?"

Isabella, unsure of his intentions, instinctively replied, "Harborview University, been with the company for three months."

"Harborview University," Sebastian Whitmore murmured, then turned to Danny, "She's the one, have her report to the Secretary Office."

Danny replied respectfully, "Yes, Mr. Whitmore."

Isabella was totally confused.

"What the hell??" She thought inwardly.

Before she could ask anything, Sebastian Whitmore, with his long strides, was gone.

He wasn’t there to settle scores?

Isabella breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Danny, "Mr. Reed, what does Mr. Whitmore mean?"

Danny smiled, "Congratulations, you've been transferred to the Secretary Office, a promotion. That's great news; you're now officially an employee of Whitmore Corporation. You're the first to get promoted so quickly."

"Why me? Mr. Reed, give me some clarity, tell me the truth, or I'll be uneasy," Isabella was puzzled. Did Sebastian Whitmore recognize her and plan to torment her by keeping her close?

After all, being slept with by a woman he didn't even recognize wasn't something flattering to spread around.

Danny looked at Isabella and said, "Probably because you look plain, have a fiancé, safe and worry-free. Mr. Whitmore just needed a secretary and chose you."

After all, hiring a single, beautiful woman as a secretary might lead her to focus on seducing her boss.

Isabella was like, "…"

That truth was unnecessary.

Isabella was actually very attractive, the most beautiful girl in school during her school days. She deliberately dressed down and used her thick bangs and glasses to disguise her looks, significantly downplaying her beauty.

After all, she was just an intern, and there were so many people better than her in so many ways. Just in such a situation, being pretty was not really a good thing.

Seeing Isabella silent, Danny, thinking he had offended her, apologized, "Isabella, I didn't mean anything by it. Please go to the Secretary Office to report."

Isabella snapped out of her thoughts and smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Reed."

The unexpected promotion and transfer to the Secretary Office filled Isabella with unease. She dreaded encountering Sebastian Whitmore, and now, working in the Secretary Office meant seeing him daily.

Did he recognize her from last night?

In just a few minutes, Isabella felt as if she were being tortured. What would happen if they met daily?

Isabella finally made it to the end of the day. She hid in the Secretary Office like an ostrich, avoiding his office as much as possible to stay under the radar.

Leaving the company, Isabella breathed deeply; her shift felt like a punishment.

Now promoted and with a higher salary, Isabella couldn't help but feel she had traded her life for her job.

Today, not wanting to squeeze into a subway, she indulged in a taxi ride home.

On the way, Isabella texted Sophie: "Sophie, I got a promotion and a raise. Dinner’s on me tonight, let's go out. I'm almost home, get ready."

At Cedar Grove Apartments.

Sophie sat anxiously on the living room sofa, facing none other than Sebastian Whitmore himself.

Receiving Isabella's message, her heart sank. She glanced at her phone, then turned the screen off.