Chapter 117

Early the next day, Caroline woke up. She hurriedly lifted the blanket, only to find her clothes intact. They hadn’t done anything last night.

“You’re awake?”

Caroline looked up and saw Kirk coming out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his hips.

Cold water fell from his hair, dripping down his well–defined muscles before getting absorbed by the towel.

The sight bewildered her. She answered, “Yeah.”

Kirk approached her and sat down on the bed, which dipped under his weight. His movements made Caroline’s heart pound, and her face turned crimson.

Kirk fiddled with Caroline’s earlobes, saying, “You fell asleep last night.”

“Huh?” Caroline remembered what had happened last night. Kirk had left the room to answer the phone, and… she’d fallen asleep.

Her face reddened even more as she apologized, saying, “I’m sorry!”

Kirk pulled her into his arms, asking, “How do you plan to make it up to me?”

Caroline quivered and said shyly, “C–close your eyes.”

Kirk listened to her and closed his eyes.

Mustering her courage, Caroline propped up her body and kissed Kirk on the cheek. Then, she quickly backed away.

Kirk pinched her waist just as she was about to cover her flushed face with the blanket. He tapped Caroline’s nose. “That’s it?”

Caroline buried half of her face in the blanket. Her eyes were watery, and she said meekly, “Kirk…”

Kirk gently pulled the blanket off her face and gave her a big kiss on the lips. “That’s more like it.”

His voice was uncomfortably hoarse.

Just when Caroline thought Kirk would take things further, he slowly stood up. “Go and have Only then did Caroline remember that she’d accepted a job offer at Thorne Corporation She had to handle the employment procedures today and would officially start work after returning from abroad Okay Caroline got out of bed to wash up After that, Kirk drove her to work On the way, Caroline asked him curiously, “Don’t you need a GPS?”

“Nope, Kirk replied. He’d picked the location of Thorne Corporation himself “You can take a stroll nearby after you’re done I’ll pick you up tonight”

“It’s fine. I can go home by myself Caroline refused his offer.

Thome Corporation’s new office was in a new district. Although it was far away from home, transportation was very convenient.

“Listen Kirk said, “I’ll pick you up for dinner tonight”

“Dinner?”

“Yeah”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out when I take you there.” Kirk didn’t say much.

Caroline was puzzled about why Kirk was so mysterious about where they were eating. Then, she nodded obediently, saying, “Okay.”

She would meet Kirk’s family in two days, so she could buy some gifts for them.

Seeing that Caroline didn’t ask any more questions, a smile appeared on Kirk’s face.

When they arrived at the entrance of Thorne Corp, Caroline got out of the car and waved goodbye to Kirk. Then, she walked into the building.

As expected of a company that had the means to buy out several makeup brands in one go, the new building was extravagant and magnificent. It wouldn’t be long before this building would become a landmark in Osbury.

Caroline reached Jules‘ office without any problems. Jules was in a meeting, but when he saw Welcome, Ms. Evans.”

Caroline looked at the elegant man in front of her with a smile. “Hello, Mr. Hawkins.”

“No need to be so formal. Please come in.”

When Jules closed his office door, the eavesdropping crowd finally started discussing among themselves. $1 “Does Mr. Hawkins need to be so polite? This woman is talented, but she has zero work experience. He doesn’t have to treat her like a VIP.”

“He even gave her a lifetime contract as the design director. Since he handed over the design department to a newcomer, it won’t be long before that department ruins this new company.”

“Do you guys think Mr. Hawkins values her so much because of her connection with the Morrisons?”

“Of course. Otherwise, Viv would have been the design director instead of her.”

Vivian Patterson, the person in question, happened to pass by just then. “What are you guys doing?

Don’t you have work to do?”

One of Vivian’s close companions quickly walked up to her and explained, “Viv, the design.

director is here. She’s in Mr. Hawkins‘ office.”

Vivian smiled disdainfully. “I see.”

“We’re just upset for you. You’ve been in charge of designing packaging for Venusta, and your designs always get rave reviews. You have much more experience in design than her.

“Why does she get to be design director the moment she joins the company, while you-”

“While I’m just the assistant director?” Vivian finished her colleague’s words with a smile.

“Viv, we’re not trying to discredit you. We just think that this decision was too hasty. You need at least ten years of experience to be the design director. It’s unreasonable for a rookie to become one.

Vivian said, “Don’t you know? God despises those without virtue. Caroline has neither work nor leadership experience. Just bide your time, and she’ll eventually make a fool of herself. What’s the rush?”

Everyone laughed.

At this time, Jules escorted Caroline out of his office. Seeing that Vivian was there, Jules called her over and said, “Vivian, you’re here. Let me introduce you two.”

There’s no need to do that, Mr. Hawkins. Isn’t she Caroline Evans, the distinguished competitor from the Novitius Contest? Everyone in Osbury knows her since she’s the person who only pursues Mr. Eddy.”

Jules looked embarrassed. “This is Vivian, the assistant director of the design department.”

Caroline didn’t take Vivian’s words to heart. She extended out her hand. “Hello. Let me introduce myself again. I’m Caroline.”

Vivian didn’t take Caroline seriously at all and shook Caroline’s hand condescendingly. “Vivian.

Vivian Patterson.”

Caroline looked back at Jules. “I’ll be leaving now. I’ll meet my colleagues at the design department on my first day.”

“All right.” Jules walked Caroline to the elevator.

After she left, he turned around and said to Vivian, “Vivian, I know you’re upset with Caroline, but let me give you some advice as a superior. In your career, the more friends you make, the more options you have.”

Vivian handed a design draft to Jules, saying sarcastically, “Thank you for your sweet reminder, Mr.

Hawkins. But you know that I let people’s abilities speak for themselves. Since Caroline wants to be the design director without having what it takes, she has to bear the consequences.”

Jules was about to lecture her some more, but she’d already gone into another elevator. Looking at the descending elevator, he shook his head helplessly.