Chapter 4

Mason placed his smart tablet in his arm, his tone as calm as a still pond. "Ms. Langley, Mr. Chester is the chairman of the supervisory board, responsible for overseeing the group's compliance operations. But the personnel and daily management of the CEO's office are never within the authority of the supervisory board."

He paused. "This is also written in black and white in the charter. It's not up to me or Mr. Chester to decide."

Erin's gaze turned completely icy. "Mason," she called his name for the first time, no longer addressing him politely. "Do you know who you're talking to?"

"I do. Ms. Erin Langley, the new secretary of the CEO's office of Sheffield Group, and today is your first day on the job," Mason replied. His words were not heavy, but each one carried a sting.

She turned around and looked at me. Perhaps realizing she could not sway Mason, she decided to exert pressure elsewhere.

"Ms. Sheffield." She walked over, her voice very low. "I'll give you one last chance. If you cooperate with me today, I'll pretend nothing happened. You can continue to come to the CEO's office, and I won't stop you. We'll stay out of each other's way, but if you keep on doing this..."

She paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping over my face. "I don't mind having Mr. Chester handle this matter personally. It won't benefit anyone if it gets out of hand."

I pushed the plate of garlic cream bun that had already cooled down in front of me to the side and looked up at her, asking, "Ms. Langley, how long have you been in this lounge today?"

Erin frowned. "What does that have to do with this?"

I replied, "I'm just curious. You came in today, locked the door, told us about your backup, intercepted the chief secretary, and now, you want to negotiate terms with me."

I tilted my head. "Do you think you still have any leverage?"

The look in Erin's eyes suddenly changed. It was not anger but the kind of panic that came after being exposed. However, she quickly suppressed it, took a deep breath, and smiled again, but her gentle facade could no longer hold on. There was an obvious coldness in her smile. "Ms. Sheffield, you've got quite a sharp tongue."

"I've been like this since I was a kid, and my brothers are used to it."

"Brothers?" Erin repeated the word softly, with a hint of mockery in her tone. "Your brothers aren't here now. No matter how much they dote on you, they have no say in today's matter."

She took a step forward. "So, Ms. Sheffield, you'd better think clearly..." She raised her hand and pointed at the door. "Do you want to go by yourself, or should I have someone escort you out?"

Mason took a step forward. "Ms. Langley."

"Mason, if you stop me again..." Erin turned her head, her voice turning completely cold, "I'll call Mr. Chester right now and have him ask you what right a secretary has to repeatedly interfere with the CEO's Office's normal operations."

Mason stopped.

Erin looked at me again, extending her hand and gesturing outward. "Go on, Ms. Sheffield."

I looked down at her outstretched hand for about three seconds. Then, I looked up, past her shoulder, and toward the doorway.

Erin noticed my gaze, frowned slightly, and slowly turned around.

There were footsteps in the hallway.

Just then, the door opened. My eldest brother, Ian, stood in the doorway. He asked flatly, "What's going on here?"