Chapter 1591: Chapter 1591

Chapter 1591:

“Your brother is a distinguished military officer—sharp, perceptive. Mr. Stevenson fears he might piece together the truth about your identity despite your disguise, so…”

The secretary faltered, wary of testing Harlee’s patience. If she rambled too much, she might invite a frostier reaction. This was the best explanation she could muster in such a short time. She could only hope Harlee would let it slide—flattered by the praise toward Kareem and appeased enough to forgive Barry. If all went well, she could defuse the tension, if only a little.

A faint smirk ghosted across Barry’s lips. He was clearly pleased with the secretary’s words. Without another glance at her, he shifted his thoughts toward a more pressing matter—ensuring she remained in his employment. Keeping one’s composure under intense pressure was a rare skill, and he wasn’t about to let such talent slip through his fingers.

The secretary had initially been an assistant under Barry’s right-hand man, the one who had taken a bullet for him. When the dust settled, the secretary had seamlessly stepped into the role, proving far more capable than Barry had anticipated.

Harlee, perched comfortably in her seat, cast a slow, unreadable glance in the secretary’s direction. Then, with an air of lazy amusement, she rose to her feet. Each step she took was deliberate, the soft click of her heels against the marble floor marking time like a pendulum before an execution.

The secretary’s thoughts scrambled. Her breath hitched. She stood frozen, lips parted slightly, her wide eyes locked onto Harlee’s. Cold. That was the only word she could think of to describe Harlee’s gaze. Cold and piercing, as though it could peel away the layers of a person’s soul. And yet—Harlee was breathtaking.

𝕄ØЯE 𝕌PĐΛTΞŞ IИ GΛŁИØVΞŁŞ.ᑕØᗰ

Fear should have been the natural response, but the secretary found herself entranced by Harlee’s beauty instead.

Harlee stopped inches away from the secretary, slipping her hands into her pockets, her voice a slow, measured drawl.

“You’re sharp. Quick on your feet. Ever thought about working for someone else?”

“Huh?” The secretary stood rooted to the spot, her expression frozen as if she had just seen a ghost tap-dancing on her desk. She blinked rapidly, her gaze locked onto Harlee, searching her face for any sign that she was joking.

But deep down, a different storm raged within the secretary. Seriously? Harlee appreciated her performance? She might as well jump at the opportunity.

Barry’s expression soured like curdled milk. The sheer audacity! Harlee had just tried to poach his subordinate right under his nose—without the slightest concern for his feelings. She had gone too far this time. Only then did Harlee seem to register Barry’s presence. Tilting her head slightly, she dragged out the final syllable of her words, her slow, deliberate drawl.

“What? You got a problem with that?”

Barry’s face darkened further, yet he forced himself to maintain composure. His voice was as cool as the steel edge of a blade.

“No.”

But even a fool could hear the fury simmering beneath his words.

The secretary, who had momentarily drifted into a daze, mesmerized by Harlee’s beauty, was abruptly yanked back to reality. Gorgeous women were undeniably captivating, and working with one would be pleasant, no doubt. But if she defected to Harlee’s side, Barry would make sure she regretted it before the sunset on her first day.

Clearing her throat, the secretary swiftly reaffirmed her loyalty, her face assuming an air of sincerity.

“I appreciate your offer, Ms. Sanderson, truly, but I am very satisfied with my current position. Serving Mr. Stevenson is an honor and a privilege.”

The moment these words left her lips, Barry’s anger dissipated like morning mist before the sun. He turned to his secretary, a flicker of approval gleaming in his eyes. She was a sharp one. Worth keeping around.

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