Expressionless, Soren looked at her. "As far as I can remember, our agreement doesn't cover improper means..."

"Mr. McNeil, are you trying to back out?" Chloe glared at him and huffed, "Yes, I exploited you twice, but our agreement doesn't forbid me from using my boss as the poster boy, does it? Sir, I thought you were a righteous man. Turns out I was wrong. According to you, you are a man of your words. In my view, you're nothing!"

She turned to leave.

"Wait!" No sooner had she taken a few steps than Soren's voice came from behind.

Chloe halted her steps and fumed. Did the man order her about like a pawn?

Soren came to her side, suddenly laid his gloomy eyes on her left cheek, and frowned slightly.

Chloe was daunted by his gaze and unsure of his intentions.

Soren suddenly snapped his gaze back and croaked, "Did I mention a word about closing the store? Given your short temper, I'm not optimistic about its future."

"You mean... you'll keep the store?" Chloe stared at him in confusion.

Soren curled his lips and nodded slightly.

Overjoyed with his confirmation, Chloe hurriedly expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, sir."

Soren stood up from behind his desk and looked at her indifferently, "Come here."

Since he was the boss, she had to bite the bullet and comply.

Soren stretched out his arm, picked up a rose gold badge from the desk, and handed it to her.

In confusion, she took it and recognized it as their store badge. An Empress logo was printed on it.

The characters 'Store Manager Chloe' were also engraved. In shock, she widened her eyes and looked at the man. Their eyes met in mid-air, and Chloe apologized with shame, "Sir, I'm sorry for blaming you unjustly."

Soren stared at her gloomily, bent over, and whispered in her ear, "Chloe, I am interested in you, but it doesn't mean you can challenge my bottom line again and again. If such a thing happens again, there will be consequences that you can't afford!"

As his warm breath assailed her ear, she panicked, blushed, dodged, and stuttered, "I... see, goodbye, Mr. McNeil!"

Actually, she didn't want to see him again!

He was the big boss of a conglomerate while she was just a minor employee of his periphery business. She hoped that their paths would not cross again.

Chloe came out of the building, still immersed in joy. In three weeks, she doubled the turnover and had a sense of accomplishment.

"Chloe!"

When she was about to call Ivory and share the news with everyone, someone suddenly called out from behind.

Chloe turned around, only to meet Esteban's aggressive eyes.

She had been busy with her work lately and almost forgot about this man.

Esteban came up and accused her, "No wonder you didn't return any of my messages and calls. Turns out you really hooked up with Soren!"

Chloe felt a bit guilty. Although it was not her intention, she did have a fling with Soren the other night. And they hadn't officially broken up. At that moment, she decided to make things clear with him.

"Esteban, I've thought about it these days. We're not meant for each other, so why don't we just shake hands and part friends?" Chloe said calmly.

Esteban fumed, "You want marriage and breakup as you like? Tell you what, I don't agree!"

As he played the rogue, her face fell, "So what? I won't be with you."

She turned to leave.

Esteban rushed up and blocked her way, "As long as you promise me one thing, I'll agree."

Chloe stared at him wonderingly, "What is it?"

His eyes were filled with aspiration, "The HR department is recruiting a director assistant, and I have two competitors. As long as you help me get the position, we'll break up peacefully. How about it?"

"I'm a mere shopping assistant, and this is beyond my capabilities!" Chloe froze for a while and replied.

"Don't patronize me since time has changed. As long as you have a pillow talk with Soren, he will agree for sure." Esteban smirked.

She looked at his despicable face, surprised by his loss to all sense of shame.

An exasperated Chloe laughed and commented coldly, "Esteban, I should look at you with new eyes."

"What do you mean? I'm warning you, if you refuse, I'll tell everyone at Empress how you got the position!" Esteban threatened viciously.

His speech turned her stomach, and she sneered, "Whatever!"

Unwilling to say another word with this man, she turned around and trotted away.