Chapter 4

I took Silas's supplementary card, but I didn’t go downstairs and splurge with it.

I simply ordered the restaurant’s standard business dinner set and wrote a detailed report covering the food, atmosphere, and service.

Early the next morning, I placed both the report and the card on his desk. He glanced over the report, his brows twitching slightly.

[She only ordered the dinner set? Why is she so stingy with money? Does she think I’d feel bad about spending it? Does she seriously think I’m cheap? No way. I need her to understand that my money is her money.]

He pushed the card back toward me. "Keep it. Use it for client entertainment going forward."

"Alright." I obediently accepted it.

The next few days passed peacefully.

My daily routine consisted of making that ridiculous special blend of coffee, handling paperwork, and occasionally dealing with Linda’s passive-aggressive comments.

As for Silas, he continued wearing his untouchable ice-king expression every day while his inner monologue became more dramatic by the hour.

[She chose a white dress today. She looks stunning. Absolutely angelic.]

[She smiled at me just now! Even if it only lasted a fraction of a second, it was definitely for me. She must have feelings for me!]

[It's nearly lunch. I wonder what she's having? I’d give anything to join her... but no, that’s too transparent. I can’t break character.]

Every day, I nearly laughed myself to death. Honestly, this job wasn’t nearly as unbearable as I’d expected.

Everything changed that afternoon when Silas received an unexpected call from his grandfather, Edward Vance—my supposed future father-in-law—and decided to take it on speakerphone.

"You little brat! I heard Jade started working at your company. You haven't been bullying that poor girl, have you?" an energetic voice boomed through the phone.

Silas rubbed his forehead. "No."

[As if I would bully her! I spoil her if anything!]

"Good! I'm warning you right now. Jade's a wonderful girl. If you scare her away, I'll break your legs myself! So when are you bringing her home for dinner?"

"I'm busy," Silas replied coldly.

[Grandpa, nicely done! Keep helping me out! Dinner! I want to bring her home right now!]

"Busy, busy, busy. That's all you ever say! I don't care. This weekend, you are bringing her home!"

With that, Edward hung up, and silence filled the office.

Pretending I hadn’t heard anything, I lowered my head and organized the documents in my hands.

Silas glanced at me and cleared his throat.

[What’s going through her head? Is she annoyed? Does she think my family is pressuring her into marriage? How do I even bring this up without sounding weird?]

After agonizing over it for ages, he finally forced out a sentence. "The company team-building event is this weekend. Attendance is mandatory."

I blinked. Since when did the Vance Group even have team-building events?

[Perfect! I'll bring her home under the excuse of team-building. It won't be awkward, and Grandpa gets what he wants, too. God, I'm a genius.]

I nearly burst out laughing. "Got it, Mr. Vance."

When the weekend arrived, I traveled to the suburban address he provided, only to find that this team-building was actually a private barbecue in his own backyard.

Furthermore, the "team" turned out to be a grand total of two people: Silas and me.

Wearing casual clothes, Silas was struggling visibly as he hovered over the grill.

[Why is grilling this hard? It's almost burnt. Is she going to think I'm useless? I should've hired a pro for this.]

I walked over naturally and took the tongs from his hand. "Allow me."

"Mm." He stepped aside obediently, though his eyes never left me.

[She's so perfect. She even looks so good grilling skewers. Once we're married, will she cook for me too?]

As I expertly turned the skewers over the flames, I casually said, "Mr. Vance, I think my grandfather once mentioned arranging a marriage for me."

Silas instantly stiffened.

[It's happening! She's finally mentioning it! Is she about to say yes or no? Dammit, why am I this anxious? My heart is racing!]

I continued calmly, "I heard the man is very impressive, but I've never met him. Honestly... I'm not really a fan of arranged marriages."

I said it on purpose, eager to see his response.

He stayed silent for a very long time. So long that I thought his thoughts had stopped completely.

[She isn't a fan... well, that shouldn't surprise me. It makes sense. Nobody actually likes arranged marriages anymore. She's incredible and probably has men lining up for her.]

His internal monologue was heavy with letdown.

Feeling a sudden wave of sympathy, I nearly confessed everything right then and there.

At that moment, the villa door swung open.

A glamorous woman strutted inside, swaying her hips as she walked straight over and wrapped herself around Silas's arm intimately.

"Silas, I'm back. Did you miss me?" As she spoke, she shot me a provocative look.

Silas scowled and tried pulling his arm away, but failed.

Immediately, I recognized her as a rising actress who'd recently skyrocketed to fame. Her name was Eve Turner.

[Why is she here? Who let her in? Crap, crap, crap. Jade is definitely going to misunderstand!]

Silas's inner world had descended into total chaos.

Meanwhile, Eve's smile only grew more smug. She turned to me sweetly and said, "You must be the new assistant. I'm Silas's girlfriend. Looking forward to working with you."

Before I could react, my mind suddenly went blank.

A sharp pain exploded through my head. My vision blacked out, and then I lost consciousness.