Chapter 227

Chapter 227 The Master of Time Management

When Lucas arrived at the marketing department, Chloe was organizing the data and marketing copy

for the afternoon meeting. Lucas took her to a secluded spot and whispered, “Ms. Chloe, did you run

into Icarus last night?”

She paused, “How did you know?”

“The whole neighborhood is talking about it.”

During the elevator ride, Lucas filled her in on everything that had transpired in the homeowners’ group,

emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “Mr. Joseph is extremely angry, so when you go in, it’s

important not to confront him directly. Speak softly, explain clearly, and try to soothe his anger with kind

words. I believe things can be resolved”

Nervously, Chloe fidgeted with her fingernails, took a deep breath, and mustered the courage to push

open the office door.

“Jojo, it’s not what you think. Icarus and I just happened to bump into each other. He has a friend who

lives in our neighborhood.”

Seated on the sofa, Joseph nonchalantly stretched out his long legs over the coffee table, his gaze

piercing and frigid. “Oh, what a remarkable coincidence. You seem to have a knack for stumbling upon

extraordinary situations.”

“I’m not lying to you. I really am–”

Her explanation was cut short by Joseph’s biting sarcasm.

“The master of time management, right?”

Who would have thought that a harmless joke would manifest into reality? Making time for flirtation

while taking the dogs for a stroll.

Chloe’s delicate face contorted with hurt as she bit her lip, struggling to find the words.

“Speak up!” Joseph’s impatience transformed into a stern reprimand. “Did you resort to hitting the dogs

because they interrupted your flirtatious encounter?”

“I didn’t cheat or harm the dogs. I was simply afraid that you’d misunderstand, so I didn’t mention it.

Toto and Oreo unexpectedly pulled me, and I lightly smacked them. Can you please refrain from

thinking of me in this way and have some trust in each other? Moreover, in the photo, there was no

inappropriate behavior between Icarus and me, right?”

Joseph stood up abruptly. His imposing figure advanced toward her, closing the distance with – each

deliberate step. With a sneer on his face, he assumed a dominant position and said, “There may be

nothing in the photos, but who knows what the surveillance cameras missed-the unseen angles nobody

would know.”

A surge of injustice washed over Chloe as she was backed into a corner. She mustered her courage

and asked, “Is this how you truly see me?”

“A person who thrives on lies is concerned about others’ opinions?”

“That’s enough!”

Lucas prepared a cup of coffee for Joseph and brought it inside. Just as he was about to leave, his

phone started beeping. Without thinking, he instinctively reached for his phone to check the notification.

Half of Joseph’s daily trivial matters were handled by Lucas, including tasks related to the homeowners’

group. The notification was from the property manager who had suddenly tagged him and later sent a

photo accompanied by a mischievous emoji.

[Mr. Joseph, may we print this photo for community promotion? Of course, we’d be happy to provide

you with the image rights compensation. I accidentally came across it while reviewing the surveillance

footage yesterday. The image of you and your wife standing together is so beautiful as if you were

destined for each other.]

The photo captured Chloe and Icarus, looking very happy together and two Border Collies obediently

by their side. It perfectly depicted the ideal life that most people had in mind-lovers, pets, sunset, and a

wonderful atmosphere.

Other homeowners began commenting.

[Both of them have such high levels of attractiveness. Can having a dog enhance marital relationships?

I want one too.]

[Now that’s good looks and talents. Utilizing them for promotion will definitely boost the sales of houses

here.]

[I saw this couple passing by yesterday. The dogs misbehaved, and the female owner smacked their

butts. Hahaha]

Lucas’ hand holding the phone trembled. It was true that Ms. Chloe was the female owner, but Icarus

was not the male owner.

Joseph lifted the cup of coffee and took a sip, glancing at the stunned Lucas who was just standing

there. “Anything else?”

Trembling, Lucas stammered, “There might be something else…”

“What do you mean ‘might be?”” Joseph’s tone turned to one of displeasure. “Be efficient in your work.”

“Yes, sir.”

Joseph pinched his brow, his voice turning icy. “Is there something or isn’t there?”

Lucas did not dare to beat around the bush and handed the phone to Joseph, placing it in front of his

eyes. “Sir, please take a look. Can we agree to use it for promotion?”

Joseph lowered his gaze, his eyes gradually turning cold as they fell on the photo. With a loud

bang, the phone shattered into pieces. The screen was completely ruined.

Lucas dared not speak. He simply thought, ‘Sir, that’s my phone!”

Joseph’s voice was chillingly sharp. “Summon Chloe here now.”

The Master of Time Management

When Lucas arrived at the marketing department, Chloe was organizing the data and marketing copy

for the afternoon meeting. Lucas took her to a secluded spot and whispered, “Ms. Chloe, did you run

into Icarus last night?”

She paused, “How did you know?”

“The whole neighborhood is talking about it.”

During the elevator ride, Lucas filled her in on everything that had transpired in the homeowners’ group,

emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “Mr. Joseph is extremely angry, so when you go in, it’s

important not to confront him directly. Speak softly, explain clearly, and try to soothe his anger with kind

words. I believe things can be resolved.”

Nervously, Chloe fidgeted with her fingernails, took a deep breath, and mustered the courage to push

open the office door.

“Jojo, it’s not what you think. Icarus and I just happened to bump into each other. He has a friend who

lives in our neighborhood.”

Seated on the sofa, Joseph nonchalantly stretched out his long legs over the coffee table, his gaze

piercing and frigid. “Oh, what a remarkable coincidence. You seem to have a knack for stumbling upon

extraordinary situations.”

“I’m not lying to you. I really am–”

Her explanation was cut short by Joseph’s biting sarcasm.

“The master of time management, right?”

Who would have thought that a harmless joke would manifest into reality? Making time for flirtation

while taking the dogs for a stroll

Chloe’s delicate face contorted with hurt as she bit her lip, struggling to find the words.

“Speak up!” Joseph’s impatience transformed into a stern reprimand. “Did you resort to hitting the dogs

because they interrupted your flirtatious encounter?”

“I didn’t cheat or harm the dogs. I was simply afraid that you’d misunderstand, so I didn’t mention- it.

Toto and Oreo unexpectedly pulled me, and I lightly smacked them. Can you please refrain from

thinking of me in this way and have some trust in each other? Moreover, in the photo, there was no

inappropriate behavior between Icarus and me, right?”

Joseph stood up abruptly. His imposing figure advanced toward her, closing the distance with each

deliberate step. With a sneer on his face, he assumed a dominant position and said, “There may be

nothing in the photos, but who knows what the surveillance cameras missed-the unseen angles nobody

would know.”

A surge of injustice washed over Chloe as she was backed into a corner. She mustered her courage

and asked, “Is this how you truly see me?”

“A person who thrives on lies is concerned about others’ opinions?”

“That’s enough!”

She could not bear the weight of Joseph’s baseless accusations any longer and pushed him away. He

took a step back, his waist colliding with the corner of a nearby cabinet, causing him to emit a stifled

groan of pain.

Filled with concern, Chloe hurried to his side, extending a hand to help. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize

there was a cabinet there. Are you okay?”

“Just leave me alone!” Joseph’s anger surged, and he impatiently pushed her away.

Chloe’s eyes dimmed with hurt, but she composed herself. “Very well, I’ll leave. I’ll call Lucas to come

and check the injury on your waist.”

“Come back!” Joseph forcefully grasped her wrist and questioned, “Feeling guilty now?”

His persistent attitude drained Chloe of both physical and mental strength. She had just managed to

regain her composure earlier in the day after learning about what happened to her mother. And now,

she felt herself sinking back into the depths of her emotions.

“You’re the one who asked me to leave, and now you’re the one who won’t let me go,” Chloe retorted,

her voice tinged with frustration. “I’ve already explained myself, and if you still don’t believe me, what

else can I do?”

Her voice trembled with a sense of powerlessness as she continued, “I haven’t finished organizing the

data for the afternoon meeting I’m going back to my desk.”

Joseph’s gaze remained fixated on the red mark on Chloe’s wrist, stark against her fair skin. A mixture

of irritation and restlessness stirred within him.

Lucas watched as Chloe left, cautiously entering the room. “Sir, there was indeed no evidence of any

inappropriate behavior between Ms. Chloe and Icarus in the photos. The angle of the shot may have

created a misleading impression. After all, don’t we often see celebrity scandals based on such

misunderstandings in the media?”

Joseph coldly lit a cigarette. “Are you trying to defend her?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Lucas, a complete sycophant, awkwardly smiled. “You’re my boss, Mr. Joseph, not

Ms. Chloe. I’m simply analyzing the situation from an outsider’s perspective.”

Joseph maintained a fixed gaze, his silence permeating the room.

Sensing the need to elaborate, Lucas continued, “Moreover, Chloe only learned the truth about her

mother’s death this morning It has undoubtedly impacted her emotionally, and thus her communication

with you may not be as composed as before.”

Joseph’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

Having said all that needed to be said, Lucas wisely refrained from further rambling. He quietly

exited the room, his mind set on purchasing a new phone at the mall.

As Joseph pondered the situation, he decided to make a video call to Nathan. On the other end of the

call, Nathan, amid dim lights and a bustling atmosphere, was holding on to a woman.

Joseph pressed his temple. “It’s too noisy.”

Nathan gently motioned for the woman in his arms to step back, signaling for silence. He turned on the

lights and inquired, “What happened? Did you have another argument with Chloe?”

Joseph succinctly recounted the day’s events, then posed the crucial question, “So, whose fault was

it?”