Chapter 186

Chapter 186 The Elusive Opportunity

Ellie was visibly prepared as she forcefully pushed Chloe aside. “I told you to thoroughly inspect

everything before coming here. Why didn’t you listen?”

Chloe was bewildered. “I did inspect it…” Although she had carefully checked the contents of the plan,

there was clearly something stuck to the file with glue, which naturally should have been noticed.

‘Wait a minute…‘ Chloe suddenly noticed something and took another look at the folder. It was not a

paperclip, but a sharp- ended safety pin!

Ellie’s expression turned flustered and concerned. “Mr.

Joseph, this is due to her carelessness. I have a first aid kit in my office. Let me fetch it and help you

bandage the wound.”

Joseph nonchalantly wiped the blood off his finger with a tissue as if it was a minor inconvenience and

turned his gaze to Chloe. “Did it prick you?”

“No, I recall when Ms. Wendy handed me the folder, it didn’t have this item on it, and I hadn’t used any

safety pins. However, it’s still my mistake, and I’m sorry.”

“When you make a mistake, you should acknowledge it immediately instead of trying to make excuses

and shift the blame!” Ellie scolded Chloe.

After speaking, a trace of undisguised satisfaction appeared on Ellie’s face. She relished the thought of

reporting this incident to Ms. Wendy upon her return and getting Chloe fired. The marketing department

would then be hers to rule.

However, Joseph remained expressionless as he stared at Ellie. “And who are you?”

Ellie saw this as her chance to make a favorable impression. She approached him, attempting to win

his favor. “Mr. Joseph, I’m the team lead of Marketing. In lieu of Ms. Wendy’s absence, as she’s about

to go on maternity leave, I’m in charge and will be handling department responsibilities.”

“You’re in charge?” Joseph sneered, his penetrating black eyes seeing through her ulterior motives.

“Then why did you bring Chloe here?”

Ellie’s forced smile froze on her face, and she awkwardly replied, “Ms. Wendy asked me to take care of

her.”

“If that’s the case, you can leave. Chloe can stay here alone.”

“Mr. Joseph, she has only been here for a few months, and she lacks the necessary skills. It won’t work

—”

“I believe in Chloe.”

With just one sentence, Ellie’s words choked in her throat. She felt unwilling and resentful as she

begrudgingly walked out, her plans disrupted.

Chloe stayed behind to wrap up the discussion about the project and asked, “So, are there any areas

that need to be changed?”

“The theme’s meaning is too shallow and not directly related to finance. We can delve deeper into this

direction.”

“All right, anything else?”

“That’s all.”

“Okay then. I’ll be leaving now,” Chloe glanced at Joseph’s hand and paused. “I’ll go downstairs and

get you a Band–Aid.”

Joseph intertwined his fingers in front of his chest and put on a casual, faint smile. “Go ahead,” he said.

This opportunity had to be given since the dumbo wanted to show concern for

him.

Chloe nodded and headed downstairs to the convenience store, where she ran into Ellie. Noticing the

Band–Aids in Chloe’s hands, Ellie sarcastically remarked, “Don’t think that because Mr. Joseph didn’t

reprimand you that you can advance the ladder. Don’t blame me for not warning you, but that

extraordinary man is not someone you can get close to. It’s best to abandon such notions.”

Chloe felt uneasy hearing Ellie’s words and responded with a hint of impoliteness, “So you think I can

get close to him just by giving him Band–Aids? That sounds pretty easy.”

“I’m advising you out of kindness. Don’t overstep your boundaries.”

“Thanks but you can rest assured. I’m not interested in him.”

In the past, it might have been worth fighting for, but now, what’s the point of fighting? Even if she

wanted to escape, she

could not.

After paying at the front desk, Chloe turned around with the Band–Aids in hand and left. Her tall and

slender figure created a beautiful sight amid the bustling building, catching the eyes of 95% of the

opposite sex, or even higher.

Ellie stomped her foot in frustration. Ms. Wendy would start her vacation tomorrow, and Chloe’s good

days were about to

come to an end.

*

Chloe delicately applied the Band–Aid to Joseph’s injured finger as her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

They were so close that he could see the tiny fuzz on her cheeks.

“Better be careful not to get it wet. Infections can happen,” she advised earnestly.

Joseph found this somewhat amusing. It was just a minor injury that would heal by tomorrow.

Noticing his silence, Chloe grew suspicious. “Don’t tell me it’s hurting.”

“It does. Maybe a kiss from you will make it feel better,” Joseph teased.

Chloe scratched her ear in astonishment, her eyes widening. ” Are you serious?” Does the epitome of

masculinity actively seek to degrade himself and invite humiliation?

Joseph looked at her shocked expression, his smile brimming with playfulness. “Well, why don’t you

seize this hard–earned opportunity while you can?”

‘Hard–earned opportunity, my ass!‘ Chloe could not help but burst into laughter. Yet, as she looked at

the alluring and maddeningly handsome face before her, a thought crossed her mind. Maybe, just

maybe, she would not lose out if she gave him a kiss. In fact, she might even gain something. Why

pass up on a good deal?

After a brief internal struggle, Chloe set aside what she was holding and slowly approached Joseph.