Extinction Master

Claire returned to her workstation with a dark expression.

The round-faced girl at the neighboring desk leaned over, “Claire,stop taking so many days off. If this keeps up, the 'Extinction Master’ might really fire you.”

“Extinction Master" was the nickname everyone privately gave Holly. Her reputation was terrifying.

The original owner's dream had always been to marry into a wealthy family, so she had never taken work seriously. 

Even after finally becoming a regular employee, she was often late, left early, and frequently took time off.

In just the past month, she had taken leave four times for blind dates. 

She had taken half a day off yesterday, and another half day this morning. 

No wonder the “Extinction Master" was furious.

Claire suspected that after this month's salary arrived, there probably wouldn't be much left.

The round-faced girl was named Sandra Lewis.

“Claire,what did you do this morning? Another blind date?"

Claire sighed. 

The original owner had told Sandra about all those blind dates. “No. I had something to do."

Sandra looked confused. “You just graduated. Why are you in such a rush to go on blind dates?"

Claire felt awkward.

This was all the original owner's doing. It has nothing to do with me.

With an embarrassed laugh,she explained, “My mom forced me to!"

Sandra looked at her with sympathy.

Claire didn't want to continue the conversation. it felt too awkward.So she lowered her head and focused on work.

Although she had complained countless times about not wanting to work such a lousy job, the moment she sat at her desk, she instinctively became absorbed.

The work itself wasn't dlifficult.

By the afternoon, she had already figured out most of the tasks and even organized the customer service data, categorizing and archiving it for easier follow-up later.

At 5:30 p.m., it was time to get off work.

Claire packed her belongings and prepared to leave. But when she stood up, she noticed none of her colleagues had moved.

She glanced toward the office door. Holly hadn't left either

Then she looked over at Sandra.

A small window was open on Sandra's computer screen.

She was secretly reading a novel on Tomato.

Um...

Claire glanced around again and saw a male colleague playing Zuma.

She sighed inwardly.

Hidden overtime culture again.

She had no intention of wasting time here with everyone else. 

Picking up her bag, she walked out openly and confidently. A group of colleagues watched her from behind.

Claire pretended not to notice.

After leaving the industrial park, she found a shared bike and rode it toward the subway station.

She checked her phone to see which line would take her back to the apartment.

Line 4 went directly there.

Ethan's apartment was right beside the subway station which was much more convenient than the shared apartment she used to live in.

It was rush hour, and the subway was packed.

Claire was squeezed into a corner.

Half an hour later, she finally arrived at her stop.

She walked toward the apartment building but hesitated before going inside.

Going upstairs meant facing Ethan.

She felt a little nervous.

Maybe she should have just stayed at the company.

She lingered downstairs for ten minutes before slowly heading upstairs. 

Just as she was about to enter the door password, the door suddenly opened from inside.

Ethan's tall figure appeared in the doorway, his back framed by the warm yellow light.

Claire looked up and froze

So handsome!

She had to admit that Ethan, the male lead, was truly good-looking.

Almost as handsome as her idol.

Ethan took the cloth bag from her hand.

Then he bent down and placed a pair of white rabbit-fur slippers in front of her.

“Come in."

Claire stared at the slippers.

They were the same ones she had worn yesterday.

Ethan had clearly prepared them in advance for the original

owner.

How thoughtful…

She changed into the slippers and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

Ethan hung her bag on a hook and turned toward the kitchen.

The moment Claire smelled the aroma of food, she nearly drooled.

Leaning sideways against the kitchen doorway, she watched as Ethan carried out plate after plate and set them on the table.

The meal was surprisingly lavish as it was probably meant to celebrate their marriage.

Ethan was a man of few words, but he showed care through actions.

He glanced at her.

“Go wash your hands and eat"

Claire didn't hesitate. She quickly washed her hands and returned to the dining table.

Ethan served her a bowl of rice.

“Thank you," she said.

Then she asked, “Can I start eating?’

Ethan nodded.

“No need to be so formal. Eat whenever you're hungry!”

Claire smiled and immediately began devouring the food. She was truly starving.

All she had eaten today was a single bowl of noodles.

And at the company, Sandra had given her a small packet of cookies. 

Ethan watched her eating speed and was slightly startled.

“Slow down. No one's going to take it from you."

Claire's mouth was full as she mumbled, “I'm starving."

Ethan quietly placed fish and vegetables into her bowl.

After she had eaten her fill, Claire took a sip of water from the bowl Ethan handed her.

“Thank you.!"

Ethan frowned slightly.

She had already said “thank you’ to him many times.

After the meal, Claire offered to wash the dishes.

Ethan stopped her.

“I'Il do it.”

Claire realized this man was somewhat... traditional.

She didn't insist.

Instead, she prepared to grab her clothes and take a shower.

Only then did she notice the damp clothes hanging on the balcony.

Even the bedsheets she had changed earlier had been washed and clipped to dry, fluttering in the wind.

The apartment balcony wasn't enclosed; a sliding door separated it from the living room.

Without a doubt, Ethan had done all of this.

What a diligent male lead!

She couldn't help but think that the motherin-law she had never met must have been a gentle and virtuous woman to have raised someone as outstanding as Ethan.

Good at studying, capable, intelligent, hardworking...She had never seen such a perfect man.

Sure enough, men this perfect only existed in novels.

Then the next second-

Claire suddenly realized something.

Her mind went blank.

She rushed to the balcony and pulled the sliding door open.

Sure enough, several thin pieces of fabric were hanging there, swaying in the air.

Her bra.

Her panties.

Claire's face instantly flushed bright red, all the way to her ears.

The image of Ethan solemnly hanging her undergarments on the clothes rack flashed through her mind.

No! She was going insane!

She immediately began brainwashing herself.

These aren't mine. They belong to the original owner. Not mine... not mine...

"What are you doing on the balcony?'

Ethan's voice sounded behind her as he walked over,

Claire hurriedly jumped back inside and slammed the sliding door shut.

Ethan stopped walking, staring at her flushed face. Then he seemed to realize something.

He coughed awkwardly.

“I saw your clothes were wet, so I hung them outside to dry!" 

Claire didn't dare look at him and had no intention of discussing the matter further.

“I-I'm going to shower. Where's my suitcase?" she stammered.

“Under the bed”

Claire was about to crouch down to pull it out when Ethan grabbed her arm and lifted her up.

Looking at her blushing face, he said quietly, “Your clothes are in the closet."

“Oh..." 

Claire quickly shook off his hand, turned around, and opened the closet.

Her clothes were neatly hung inside.

No need to ask.

Ethan must have done it. Then a deep, magnetic voice sounded behind her.

“Your underwear is in the drawer."

Claire opened the drawer.

Her bras and panties were neatly folded inside. Bras on the inside, panties stacked on the outside.

Her vision darkened.

She wanted to cry.

Male lead... why are you being so virtuous?

She doesn't need this level of service!

Closing her eyes, she grabbed a bra at random, snatched a set of pajamas, and dashed straight into the bathroom.

The door slammed shut

Behind her, Ethan's lips curled slightly into a faint smile.

Why is she so easily embarrassed?