Ashley looked at Leonard in a daze. The icy vibe the man gave off made she feel that the surrounding temperature instantly dropped by several degrees.

"No one sent me here, and I didn't approach you with a purpose. I joined the Bryant Group through the standard recruitment process," Ashley spoke in a calm tone of voice.

Leonard approached Ashley step by step and then stood in front of her, looking at her in a condescending posture. "Ashley, I advise you to tell me the truth. Otherwise, when I find it out, I'll give you a problem."

Ashley sighed heavily and looked at Leonard intently. "President Bryant, do you think your life is a spy movie? What is the purpose for me to approach you? If you really want me to give you an answer, I can only tell you that I have adored you for a long time, and you are my idol in terms of career."

With his brows furrowed, Leonard looked into Ashley's big, innocent eyes. "Are you playing the badger game? It seems that to realize your purpose, you can do anything."

Ashley replied with a smile, "You're very imaginative. I know you won't buy my explanation, but I have to repeat it. No one sent me here to approach you with a purpose. I've joined the Bryant Group through my own efforts, and I want to realize my dream here."

Leonard and Ashley were so close to each other that the man could clearly feel her breathing and smell the familiar scent on her body. On seeing the marks on her neck that he created last night, there was an impulse surging up in his heart.

Ashley sensed the scorching heat in Leonard's eyes and hurried to take a step back in fright. However, Leonard moved closer to the woman step by step until her back was pressed against the office door.

Leonard put his hands on the door and imprisoned Ashley in his arms.

"We're in your office." Ashley tilted her head to not look at Leonard.

Leonard leaned in close to Ashley's ear, and his hot breathing spread all over her face.

"Isn't it in your nature to seduce me?" Leonard's cold voice was deadly seductive. "Ashley, why are you pretending to be shy? If you want to stay in the Bryant Group, you have to flatter your boss."

Ashley closed her eyes and sighed heavily. As much as she liked Leonard, he had always been an idol in her life. Hearing his comments and misunderstandings about her, she suddenly felt distressed and lost.

Leonard kissed Ashley's ear and neck, moving his mouth slowly downwards.

"Please don't." Ashley bit her bottom lip and then said, "I apologize if my previous behavior has given you a wrong impression of me. I promise to keep a distance from you from now on."

Ashley initially thought that being with Leonard was a gift and a reward from God and that she would cherish it. At present, however, she realized that she was nothing but a cheap woman in his eyes. If that were the case, she would rather get rid of this relationship.

Ashley had worked very, very hard all four years in college. She wanted to become an architect as excellent as Leonard and a person as great as him. He was her idol and prince charming in her dreams.

But if love made one so humble, it must not be good love. And if in Leonard's eyes, Ashley was nothing but a false, desperate woman, she would rather give him up even if it hurt.

Leonard did not stop his movements as Ashley was the first woman in his life, and the only woman he had the desire to approach. Even though he doubted her, he could not resist her body.

"Weren't you quite enthusiastic last night?" Leonard whispered in Ashley's ear and then bit hard on her earlobe. "Stop pretending."

Ashley closed her eyes in pain and put her hands against Leonard's chest. "Do you have to do this?"

Leonard was startled as he slowly released his grip on Ashley's shoulders. The woman's eyes were crystal-clear and tinged with a trace of grievance.

Leonard took a step back, then turned around, walked over to the couch, and sat down. For some reason, sensing the distress in her eyes, he actually felt somewhat sad and agitated inside.

Standing against the door, Ashley closed her eyes to adjust her emotions, then slowly walked to Leonard, asking, "President Bryant, you just called me over. What's the matter?"

Leonard replied without looking at Ashley, "Ask Assistant Dawson to come here."

Ashley paused for a second and then said, "If you have any instruction, you can just..."

"What can a newcomer do?" Leonard furrowed his brows slightly and said in an icy tone, "Get out."

Ashley glanced at Leonard's cold face and stepped out of the president's office.

Just as she walked out of the office, she saw a young man holding a pile of documents in his hands. On seeing the woman's gloomy expression, the stranger stopped her.

"Are you new here?" The man was in a white shirt and a black suit. He sized Ashley up and down and gave off a youthful, energetic vibe. "Did President Bryant scold you?"

Ashley nodded and then shook her head. She had no idea who the man in front of her was, but she knew that those who could come to the president's office were not ordinary employees.

"President Bryant is inflammable. Don't take it personally." Trevor Russell smiled. "I've just returned from a business trip abroad and brought some chocolates and cookies back. They're now in the pantry of the president's secretariat. Go there and have some. Sweet food will make you feel better."

"Thank you." Ashley watched blankly as the man knocked on the door and entered the president's office. She returned to the senior assistants' office and saw Jacob come in with a pile of files.

"Assistant Dawson, President Bryant wants to see you in his office." Ashley looked a little pale. "But a young man has just entered his office."

Jacob thought for a second and then nodded. "I see. You look pale. What happened? Did President Bryant yell at you?"

Ashley shook her head. "No."

Jacob laughed. "Don't worry about that. Frida and I got yelled at by him every day when we started working with President Bryant. Now we're used to it. It's normal."

Ashley let out an awkward smile. "Would you like anything to drink? I'm going to the pantry and can bring it back for you."

"Espresso, double shot, please." Jacob replied with a smile, "Thanks! I haven't slept well for over a week. I need coffee to keep me going."

"That's tough," Ashley said sympathetically, then went to the pantry to prepare the coffee.

The president's office had an exclusive pantry, which was spacious. There were all kinds of coffee, juice, milk tea, and all sorts of fruits and snacks. Besides, there was ice cream in the refrigerator. It looked just like a high-end mini cafe.