Bartlett gave her a nonchalant shrug and a chuckle while following her into the office. âIâm here on fieldwork to discuss business with you. Isnât my diligence as a Oss enough to be a good role model?â
Ellinor started walking towards her desk, feeling Bartlett closing in on her from behind.
Bartlett had this old habit of initiating some physical contact while talking.
After turning around, Ellinor pulled a chair for him quite naturally. âMr. Rex, please take a seat. If itâs business you want to discuss, then sit in the appropriate place. Donât stand too close; it blurs the line between professional and personal.â
Bartlett sat on the chair she had drawn out for him with a smirking smile. âThank you, Ellinor.â
After settling Bartlett down, Ellinor slowly walked to her side of the desk and sat down, looking at him calmly. âWhat business do you want to discuss? Speak up.â
Bartlett straightened up a little. âItâs about the Blue River Estates. Our companies are planning to co-
develop it, right? I have an idea to earmark a small area there for an art section. I wanted to know your opinion.â
Upon hearing this, Ellinor actually thought about it seriously. âWhich part do you want to earmark for this?â
âI canât explain it clearly just by talking. If you have time later, we can go to Blue River Estates together, and I can show you the exact location and elaborate on my ideas and creativity.â
Ellinor glanced at her wristwatch. âIâm busy all morning and have an important meeting later.â
Bartlett shrugged indifferently. âItâs alright. I donât have anything important today anyway. Iâll wait for you here. After your meeting, we can go to Blue River Estates together and grab some food on the way.â
After looking at his settled demeanor, Ellinor coldly said, âIf you insist, then wait. The meeting wonât be short, so feel free to leave if you get bored while waiting in the reception room.â
Bartlett crossed his arms. âWeâve known each other for so long. Why should I wait in the reception room? Canât I just have a few cups of coffee in your office?â
Ellinor frowned. âMr. Rex, youâre not young anymore. Itâs better to have some sense of boundaries. We may be partners, but we are also competitors. Our companies have many overlapping projects. Do you really think itâs appropriate for you, as the CEO of another company, to be alone in the Blanchet Corporationâs office? There are many confidential documents in my office; do you think I can trust you?â
Bartlett spread his hands in an aggrieved manner. âEllinor, weâve known each other for so long, and you still donât trust me? I wonât peek at your confidential documents.â
â
âEven if you peeked at my documents, I wouldnât mind. But this is the Blanchet Corporation, and these documents belong to the Blanchet Corporation. They concern the survival of our group, and I have a responsibility to the shareholders and employees of the entire company. As a fellow executive, I hope you understand. If you insist on waiting here, please move to the reception room. Otherwise, you should go back to Rex Enterprises.â
Bartlett sighed and stood up reluctantly. âOh, I feel so hurt! I didnât come to steal any trade secrets!â
âWhether you did or not, itâs best we keep our boundaries to avoid any suspicion.â
Bartlett had already stood up and was ready to go to the reception room. âOkay, Iâll go to the reception room, okay? Ellinor, youâve really hurt me today. My heart feels so cold.â
He had no choice but to go. This girl meant business. If he didnât leave, she would have security escort him out.
After watching Bartlett obediently head to the reception room, Ellinor raised her voice and gave out an order to her secretary. âMr. Rex is afraid of the cold. Make sure the heating is on in the reception room.â
Bartlett turned around in shock. âEllinor, in this hot weather, you want them to turn on the heating for me? Are you trying to drive me away?â
Ellinor smiled. âDidnât you just say you were feeling cold? Isnât it nice of me to have them turn on the heater for you?â