CHAPTER 45

Chapter 45

Isabella and Rihanna were assigned to the design department. Their manager, Nigel Yost, was a slightly overweight middle–aged man in his forties. He wore a standard black suit and had a friendly smile.

He was exceptionally caring and would bring them along wherever he went, even during lunch at the canteen. He worried they weren’t familiar with the flow of things and would check in on them, which caused them to feel overwhelmed by his kindness.

Isabella and Rihanna felt mildly uneasy as there were rumors that Vaughn Corporation was incredibly strict with their employees. Yet, they managed to remain without breaking a sweat. They couldn’t determine whether it was due to sheer luck or their capabilities.

As such, they could only thread carefully in the workplace. Such a tense atmosphere unintentionally made them grow much closer to one another while working together.

Rihanna had a cold personality and initiated socializing even less than Isabella.

Intending to change herself, Isabella approached her colleagues automatically and asked courteously if there was anything she and Rihanna

needed to do.

Everyone was initially polite and refrained from delegating any jobs to them. Gradually, however, Isabella’s sincere smile and humility earned. her several duties, especially from the five main designers in the office. They were so swamped by work that they let the two interns handle

some trivial tasks.

The rest of the staff also eventually began ordering them about.

“Isabella, help me print this document and send it to the General Affairs Department!”

“Rihanna, please help me sort out the minutes.”

“Rihanna, can you finish this drawing according to the requirements in half an hour?”

isabella, are you familiar with this software? Come and help me.”

Thus, the two of them progressively immersed themselves in work, their initial nervousness dissipating with time.

While Rihanna appeared aloof and seldom spoke unless necessary, she was serious and meticulous during work. Her outstanding competence made her a reliable colleague.

a way with words. Her

Isabella was much more approachable than Rihanna. She had a genuine smile, clear eyes, polite manners, and a wa charisma won everyone over in no time.

Privately, however, Isabella and Rihanna were the closest to one another. Sometimes, they’d exchange glances before sneaking to the pantry to catch a break or head to the restroom together.

Rihanna was slightly more talkative to Isabella than others.

“Rihanna, have you noticed that although our department seems busy, only the five designers out of around a dozen staff are doing actual work? The rest are just fooling around.” Isabella sipped a mouthful of coffee at the bar counter and whispered in Rihanna’s ear. The walls have ears, especially since they were rookies in the workplace. Isabella was conscientious but still couldn’t resist the urge to gossip.

Rihanna drank some water expressionlessly and leaned closer to Isabella, muttering, “That’s because aside from our department’s five

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Chapter 45

designers, they are all relatives of Vaughn Corporation’s higher ups.”

“How do you know about that? Are you serious?” Isabella’s large eyes widened

Rihanna threw her an impassive look in silence and continued sipping her water. She never consumed any other beverage besides plain

Isabella glanced outside and whispered, “The other departments must be like that too.”

“Cronyism is a highlight of Vaughn Corporation right now,” Rihanna replied in a low voice.

Isabella abruptly realized then that Rihanna was far more complex than she thought.

“Hey, why are you both hiding here? There’s so much to do outsidel that she jumped out of her chair while Rihanna languidly rose.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind them. Isabella was so startled

It belonged to Louisa, the head of the design department. She was a beautiful woman in her thirties with heavy makeup that made her appear as if she was donning a mask. Her red dress was so tight that it squeezed the flesh on her lower abdomen, drawing attention to it. She was likely convinced she looked gorgeous and exuded exaggerated confidence more akin to pride.

“Let me remind you again that the design department doesn’t tolerate idle people. Go out and make yourselves useful!” Louisa chastised while making herself coffee.

Isabella looked back and lamented, “What arrogancel”

As usual, Rihanna remained quiet.

isabella felt a change within her while she stood at the entrance and gazed at the colleagues before her, likely due to Rihanna’s words.

However, Rihanna seemed unaffected by it and did everything her colleagues asked of her.

“I’m here for my internship. I’ll learn more by doing more. Anything else isn’t my problem!” Isabella exhaled.

She wasn’t a beneficiary of nepotism and thus wouldn’t poke her nose into it.

Isabella walked to the alley opposite e the central plaza after work where the familiar Bentley was parked per usual. She looked around to ensure no one she knew was around before swiftly getting in.

Clayton eyed her amusingly and helped fasten her seat belt. He flicked her forehead with his index finger. “Why are you so sneaky like a thief?”

“It hurts!” Isabella covered her forehead and protested while Clayton started the car.

“Clayton, shall we eat out? I’m too tired to cook.” Isabella leaned back in the chair and pouted subconsciously.

Clayton turned to face her. “Sure! What would you like?”

“What about cajun shrimp rice?” Isabella’s suggested lazily.

“Okay” Clayton reached out and ruddied her hair.

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Chapter 45

isabella was exhausted and famished. She’d fallen asleep by the time they arrived at the restaurant entrance. Clayton contemplated whether to let her sleep a little longer when she jerked awake by the car stopping, the seatbelt pulling her back to her seat, and uttered, “Okay, I’ll be

right there.”

Astonishment overtook Clayton’s face as he looked at her.

Upon meeting his bottomless eyes, Isabella realized that she had talked in her sleep.

She rubbed her head embarrassedly and opened the door to exit the car.

“Slow down. Be careful of the fish bones.” Clayton observed Isabella as she wolfed down her food and reminded her.

Isabella nodded as she ate.

Just then, Clayton’s expression darkened. “Didn’t you have lunch?”

“yes, I only finished half of it before Ms. Luckett called me back to work,” Isabella answered with her mouth full

“Are you a laborer at Vaughn Corporation? How could you be so tired?” Clayton’s tone was harsh.

Isabella gulped a mouthful of orange juice and exclaimed, “it’s so spicy!”

She drank another mouthful before explaining, “I have been delivering documents across Vaughn Corporation’s multiple floors today. Rihanna had a headache and didn’t seem well, so I took over her workload and asked her to sit at her desk to do work that didn’t require moving around. How I wish I could wear flats! My feet hurt so bad!”

She stretched her legs out on the table, and Clayton looked down at her heels. Her feet had been tortured today.

“Why don’t you consider going to Rayson International? Johnny and the others are currently very short–handed.” Clayton took a sip of tea. He couldn’t bear to see Isabella so exhausted.

He didn’t object to her working since she would take over Sorenson Multimedia eventually. Thus, working at a company from the bottom up would only benefit her. Despite that, his heart still ached for how grueling it was for her.

He believed it’d be the same if she worked for him as he could look after her and teach her plenty.

Isabella smiled and shook her head. “It’s fine, I’m not that fragile. Besides, there are wild rumors about how your workplace is all men. Everyone would have to make special arrangements if I transferred there, so I’d rather save them the trouble.”

Her statement tickled Clayton. “Kayson would certainly be the happiest if you came. He’s always going on about how we’re preventing him from getting a girlfriend.”

The thought of the handsome young man with a bright personality made Isabella smile. “Is it because everyone assumes he bats for the other team?”

Clayton smiled and said nothing

“By the way, why are your assistants all men?” Isabella queried curiously.

“It’s because they fit the role. We’ve worked together since the early days and have a tacit understanding. They are not only my subordinates but close friends as well!” Clayton’s smile diminished slightly.

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Well it’s nothing unusual for men to emphasize brotherhood.” Isabella pondered and wasn’t bothered by it.

“saw Victor with two pretty female assistants last time. They are drop dead gorgeous,” Isabella gossiped.

“in that case, there are two more you haven’t seen. He has four female assistants in total.” Clayton grinned.

“Wow! Are they all equally attractive?” Isabella’s curiosity was piqued.

Clayton paused. “I didn’t pay much attention to their looks and can’t quite match their names to their person.”

At his response, Isabella eyed him dubiously. “Are all his assistants newly recruited?”

“No, they’ve worked under him since he took over the Maguire Group, around seven or eight years ago?” he recalled.

“And you still can’t tell who is who?” Isabella leaned forward,

“Why should 17 They’re Victor’s assistants.” Clayton was at a loss.

“But he’s your good friend! Wouldn’t it be inconvenient for you not to recognize his assistants?” Isabella stretched her neck even further.

The puzzled Clayton eyed Isabella. “Not at all! What does it have to do with me?

Isabella sighed and sat back. He was telling the truth and genuinely seemed blind to beautiful women.

“What an odd fellow, she thought.

“In that case, would you fail to recognize me in the crowd? I am not as beautiful as Victor’s assistants after all.” Isabella ventured tentatively.

Clayton smiled and caressed her hand. “You are my dear wife. Of course, I’d recognize you anywhere.”

“What if you had no clue what I wore to work in the morning? How long would it take you to find me if I stood at Vaughn Corporation’s entrance while hordes poured out from behind me?” Isabella quizzed.

“One glance is enough. I’d be able to find you regardless of what you wore, even stark naked.” Clayton’s gaze swept over her chest. Suggestively

Isabella couldn’t help covering her chest awkwardly where three lurid hickeys were located. “This scoundrel must be thinking dirty thoughts,” she groused internally.

Clayton reached out to hook his hand around her waist. “Mrs. Murray, would you like to try me?”

“Go away! Focus on your meal!” Isabella blushed and patted his hand away.

“I wonder whether Victor’s future girlfriend will be jealous?” Isabella deemed it safer to change the subject.

Clayton shook his head unknowingly. “That’s Victor’s business.”

Isabella muttered to herself, “But then, someone like him can’t possibly find a girlfriend.”

“Why?” Clayton was confounded. It was the first time he’d heard such a thing.

“Even someone as beautiful as Gwendolyn dislikes him and feels it is too much pressure to have a boyfriend prettier than her. Do you think

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any pal would have the courage to do so?” Isabella questioned thetorically,

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Clayton burst out laughing. “I’ve never heard of any woman disliking Victor before you two. The number of girls lining up to be his girlfriend would probably cir