CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85: WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT?

"What do you want to eat, I’ll serve it for you."

Laura Quincy eagerly wanted to break free from his embrace, but after taking just two steps, she was pulled back again.

"I want to eat... you."

Jason Hawthorne’s fingers gently caressed her waist through her clothes, his intense gaze wicked and captivating, holding Laura Quincy’s stare without a blink.

She swallowed hard, thinking quickly on her feet for a strategy.

In such a beautiful moment, she would rather go to the vineyard to pick grapes and enjoy the scenery than... be entangled with The Demon King here.

"I’m not food. It’s such a sunny day outside, why don’t we go for a walk? We didn’t really explore the last time we were here, what do you say?"

Laura Quincy deliberately changed the subject, her voice tender and gentle like flowing water.

At this point, she had to keep a soft tone...

Then she looked eagerly at a certain someone.

Jason Hawthorne looked into her clear eyes, feeling something gently brushing a part of his heart...

Laura Quincy, seeing him silent, thought he was unwilling to agree, so she put on a pitiful, innocent look, "I really like it here."

After a pause, Jason Hawthorne nodded, "Hmm, I’ll take you for a walk around the estate."

Upon hearing this, Laura Quincy was overjoyed, for this was the words she had been waiting for.

The two walked out of the restaurant and headed towards the small path in the field outside, looking at the endless green grapevines, feeling exceptionally at ease.

At least, they could temporarily forget some unpleasant things.

Jason Hawthorne held her hand dominantly, his large hand warm, making her heart ripple...

At that moment, Laura Quincy really had the illusion that they were a loving couple, fond of each other, with mutual attraction...

But a gust of cold wind blew, extinguishing all the romantic thoughts in her heart.

Would there really be a future for them?

This visit to the vineyard estate in Vinera was primarily to hand over some tasks, which were quite trivial and took just two days to complete.

Laura Quincy vaguely felt like she had been deceived into coming.

Because Young Master Thorne never showed up from start to finish, the person she was with the whole time was The Demon King...

Jason Hawthorne, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed these two days of solitary time together, Laura Quincy now seemingly in his grasp, and the process of being with her was also quite pleasant; she was indeed different from other women.

Returning to the office, Laura Quincy discovered one thing - everyone was talking about her and Young Master Thorne.

There were various versions: First, she was one of Young Master Thorne’s secret lovers, and the reason she could join the company was because of Young Master Thorne.

Second, she initially got into the company’s Translation Group Three by exploiting a misunderstanding by the CEO thinking she kidnapped the young master, attempting to seduce the cold-hearted CEO but failing, then turning her attention to the playboy Young Master Thorne...

Hearing these, Laura Quincy couldn’t help but laugh and cry, everyone’s imagination was truly rich!

Did she look like a seductress?

How could she not escape being tagged with the charmer label?

Crystal Langley and Quinn Chase saw her and had a look of "congratulations" in their eyes, as if saying: Wow! You’ve latched onto a big shot like Young Master Thorne, now you’ll be living the good life!

Laura Quincy felt quite helpless, "There’s nothing between Young Master Thorne and me!"

Crystal Langley laughed ambiguously, "We understand! Obviously, such things aren’t meant to be spoken out loud, we understand."

Laura Quincy responded irritably, "Understand what! There was nothing to begin with! Just because I went on two business trips with Young Master Thorne, everyone’s blowing things out of proportion, it’s so unreasonable!"

Quinn Chase chimed in, "Two trips aren’t enough? You should know, Young Master Thorne rarely takes translators on trips, he’s an outstanding translator himself, he used to always take Lemon."

Laura Quincy’s heart wailed: Alright! So that’s how it is!

"Whether you believe it or not, there’s really nothing between me and Young Master Thorne!"

With that, she walked away.

Leaving Crystal Langley and Quinn Chase staring at each other, Violet Whitman heard the commotion and came over, "What are you guys talking about?"

Quinn Chase then repeated what Laura Quincy had just said.

Violet Whitman smiled, "If something like this happened to me, I might not admit it either! Why take it seriously, it’s just rumors! Just listen and don’t stir the pot, be careful she whispers in his ear."

Crystal Langley immediately shrunk back, "Oh right! We better not provoke her! Even though Young Master Thorne changes women like clothes, he’s always generous, giving large sums as breakup fees, so we better not mess with her."

Quinn Chase scoffed, "I knew she was that kind of woman!"

No one else said a word, all silently understanding each other.

In the restroom.

Laura Quincy happened to encounter Violet Whitman, initially intending just to smile and greet, but the other party spoke first, "There are many rumors going around in the company recently, don’t take them to heart, the truth will prevail."

Laura Quincy gave her a look, gratefully saying, "Thank you."

Violet Whitman curved her lips, "It’s nothing."

Then she left.

Without extra words, it nevertheless brought Laura Quincy a touch of warmth.

At least, in the company full of gossip, a bit of genuine emotion could still be seen.

At this moment—

In the office on the fifty-ninth floor, Asher Thorne sat on the couch, legs crossed, sipping tea with an air of leisure, "Jason, my sacrifice is considerable, isn’t it? For you, I’ve become the center of all the company gossip, and your woman has also become my rumored girlfriend..."

Jason Hawthorne glanced at him sideways, "Aren’t you always full of ideas?"

Asher Thorne shrugged, "I think the only way is to let the rumors die out naturally and not to care about them."

Jason Hawthorne frowned, "Die out naturally?"

Asher Thorne nodded, "Yes! Otherwise, it would only become worse. Even if I step out now and say Laura Quincy isn’t my woman, I believe many wouldn’t believe it."

Jason Hawthorne lightly tapped the table with his fingers, seeming to ponder.

Asher Thorne continued, "Unless you announce publicly that she’s your woman, but that’s unnecessary since your big brother, second brother, and third sister are all eyeing from that side, and Jasper Hawthorne has also joined the company. Everyone is watching your position, ready to push you hard if you slip up even slightly."

Jason Hawthorne’s thin lips tightened; he certainly understood this, otherwise, Asher wouldn’t have suggested it...

"Yeah."

"We can appropriately exert pressure on the company employees, after all, spreading unfounded rumors within the company is inappropriate, and it will impact Laura Quincy. I’m not bothered."

"Understood."

Asher Thorne stood up to leave, suddenly recalling something, "Donnie called for a card game tonight."

Jason Hawthorne nodded, "Okay."

The four of them hadn’t gathered in a long time; each was busy with their own things, so it was rare for them all to have time.

Laura Quincy originally thought she would receive a text or call from The Demon King amidst such rumors, but none came.

This inevitably left her feeling a bit down...

Near the end of the workday, her phone suddenly rang, startling her into hurried action, initially thinking it was The Demon King, but it turned out to be Jonah Xavier, a classmate she hadn’t heard from in a long time.

"Hello?"

"Laura Quincy?"

"Yes, it’s me. What’s up?"

"I just took on an international litigation case, and there’s some French documentation I can’t understand, so I thought of you. Do you have time tonight?"

Jonah Xavier’s voice was gentle and refined, conveying the sense of him being a gentleman.

Laura Quincy murmured, "Tonight?"

Jonah Xavier nodded, "Yeah, if you’re free, we could go out for dinner, and I can talk to you about the documents. How do you feel about that?"

Laura Quincy thought for a moment; she didn’t have any plans for the evening, and helping a classmate out was a normal thing.

"Sure."

"Shall we meet at the music restaurant on Quinton South Road?"

"Okay."

After hanging up, until the end of the work day, The Demon King hadn’t sent a single word her way. Laura Quincy sighed, clutching her phone; women are emotional creatures, once infatuated, they hope the man will constantly reach out...

This feeling was truly awful!

She didn’t like her moods being affected by someone else, The Demon King’s thoughts were too hard to guess. He claimed she was his woman, yet when rumors spread about her with another man, he made no move...

Was she merely a woman of shadows?

Suddenly, she remembered Jasper Hawthorne’s words...

Sighing, she packed her bag to leave work.

The elevator doors opened, revealing Stella Jennings inside. Upon seeing her, Stella merely smirked slightly. Laura Quincy didn’t bother to look at her expression; those solitary ten or so seconds felt like an eternity.

As the elevator doors opened, Stella Jennings abruptly said, "Laura Quincy, I know you’ve always been conscientious. Whether the rumors are true or not, I hope you’ll prioritize your work. A position like Young Master Thorne’s isn’t one you can climb to; at most, it’s just for fun, impossible to have a future."

After a pause, "One should still be aware of their place."

Laura Quincy’s face turned pale, as if slapped, not waiting for her to respond, Stella Jennings left with her head held high.

Though Laura Quincy wasn’t chasing her man, giving her a reminder was prudent; don’t think because you’ve gotten close to Young Master Thorne you can act wildly!

No way!

The third group is still under my control!

Music restaurant.

When Laura Quincy arrived, Jonah Xavier was already there. She apologized lightly, "Sorry! I’m a few minutes late."

Jonah Xavier gently curled his lips, "It’s peak time after work, a few minutes late is normal."

Laura Quincy sat opposite him, fond of his consideration.

Jonah Xavier called the waiter over and handed Laura Quincy the menu, "What would you like to eat?"

Laura Quincy wasn’t pretentious, taking the menu gracefully and ordering a steak and a fruit salad, "I’m done."

Jonah Xavier flipped through the menu, "Do you want any snacks?"

Laura Quincy glanced, "Fries then!"

Jonah Xavier rapidly finished ordering and handed it to the waiter. Casually looking up, he saw Laura Quincy’s heavy expression, couldn’t help but ask, "Work not going well?"

Laura Quincy abruptly raised her head, meeting Jonah Xavier’s inquisitive gaze, realizing her expression had betrayed her, then touched her face, "Is it that obvious?"