CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: WHY IS HE TAKING OFF HIS CLOTHES

The CEO office was large and bright.

As soon as Ava Sterling walked in, her gaze fell instantly on the floor-to-ceiling windows.

She didn’t know what floor this was; she hadn’t paid attention to the floors in the elevator, too preoccupied with the person beside her.

But now, standing in this vast room, filled with an aura of deep control, looking at the uneven buildings outside as if Aurelia were all under her control, her heartbeat was irregular again.

Shocked, fearful, an instinctive retreat.

Because the opponent was too powerful.

So powerful that it made you retreat without anyone even pushing you!

Poe Vaughn entered the CEO’s office, went to the desk, and stood still. He placed his phone on the desk, then unbuttoned his suit jacket, took it off, and hung it on the coat rack.

His movements were exactly like that day at Crestwood Manor, unhurried, each step steady.

Ava Sterling heard the sound and instinctively looked over, seeing the taut figure unfold with his movement, the muscles beneath flexing, revealing the sensual lines of his shoulders and back, subtly throbbing, undulating...

Ava swallowed subconsciously.

This scene of the well-built man undressing was a bit too much for her to handle.

She blinked, forcing herself to look away, not to be swayed by this tempting scene.

Ava, control, control.

Don’t be distracted by beauty and forget why you’re here.

An instant thought of a million dollars cleared her mind!

Her expression reset instantly, as she turned to look at Poe Vaughn.

But as soon as she did, she froze.

Poe Vaughn hung his suit jacket properly and turned around, his gaze falling on Ava Sterling.

At this moment, he was unbuttoning his shirt, his actions no different from before, unhurried.

Only now, his eyes were locked on Ava Sterling, facing her, not like before when he had his back to her.

Ava’s heart raced wildly.

Because, why is he suddenly staring at her?

And still unbuttoning his shirt, what’s his implication?

No, he’s first removing his jacket, now unbuttoning his shirt, he... what does he intend to do?

Poe Vaughn looked at Ava Sterling’s eyes, full of shock and some indescribable thoughts, then spoke: "Miss Sterling, you only have five minutes."

As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing his lean forearms, skin fair.

Ava’s face instantly darkened.

Ava, you idiot!

The man clearly has no interest, yet you thought he’d make a move on you, you’re so — unbelievably dumb!

The corner of Ava’s mouth twitched as she instantly regained her professional polite smile.

Poe Vaughn watched the smile on her face, as fake as could be.

After rolling up his sleeves, he sat on the sofa.

He lifted his wrist to check his watch, then his deep gaze landed on Ava Sterling.

Meaning, go on.

Ava laughed inside, maintaining her professional fake smile as she sat on the adjacent sofa, saying, "President Vaughn, about that night..."

Before she could finish, the door to the CEO office opened, and the secretary came in with coffee.

Quentin Quinn’s earlier words made the secretary incredibly nervous, so much that the coffee was brewed slower than usual.

Now, seeing the two sitting on the sofa, she hurriedly lowered her head, cautiously approaching them, placing the coffee first in front of Ava Sterling, then Poe Vaughn.

Justin Quinn said not to show any neglect.

She understood.

The woman beside President Vaughn, who had ’that night’ with him, naturally couldn’t be treated lightly.

The secretary carefully placed the coffee and then carefully left.

Before leaving, she closed the door and still took a careful look at the two inside.

What a pleasing sight...

Ava’s words were interrupted and naturally paused.

Poe Vaughn did not rush her either. When the coffee was placed in front of him, he took a sip.

Watching him drink coffee, Ava continued the earlier topic: "You had acknowledged MK’s phone that night; why now do you disagree?"

Poe Vaughn paused his coffee drinking.

Ava didn’t notice, all her attention was focused on Poe Vaughn’s face.

She wanted to discern from his face whether he really didn’t want to cooperate with MK, or if he did want to work with MK.

That way she’d have a sense of which angle to approach from.

"Or is it because of a minor error by their staff?"

"If that’s the case, I can explain it to you."

"That employee..."

Ava hadn’t finished when she saw Poe Vaughn set the coffee down.

She instinctively stopped talking, observing him as he looked at her after putting down the coffee.

His eyes deep, revealing no insights into his thoughts on the MK collaboration.

However, from those eyes, she sensed a bit of displeasure.

And perhaps, dissatisfaction?

This is...

Ava was uncertain, but instinct told her that the person before her seemed difficult to communicate with at the moment.

He was not as open as he was before.

Why is that?

She hadn’t done anything; why would he change so quickly?

Could she have been mistaken?

Various thoughts raced through her mind, but Poe Vaughn’s deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss Sterling, in what capacity are you discussing the MK collaboration with me?"

Ava frowned.

What capacity?

Of course, as the spokesperson! What other capacity could there be? The question seemed odd!

Ava critiqued internally but faced with someone whose emotions were hard to read, she dared not show it. She smiled, "I’m here as a spokesperson, as you know, I am the spokesperson for MK’s new machine, I..."

"In that case, Miss Sterling, you may leave."

"..."

Ava was at a loss for words.

She had only said a few words, and he was already dismissing her. How temperamental!

Doesn’t he have more patience than that?

Besides, he said five minutes; it hasn’t been five minutes yet. He obviously doesn’t want to talk to her!

Ava was about to erupt, but before she could speak, Poe Vaughn stood up.

Evidently, he had to get busy.

She could leave.

Fuming, Ava struggled to suppress her anger and followed Poe Vaughn, "President Vaughn, didn’t you say five minutes? It hasn’t been five minutes; could you let me finish?"

Regardless of whether the person in front agreed or not, Ava continued: "You surely understand MK’s situation, otherwise you wouldn’t have gone so far for the MK product launch."

"You must have the intention to cooperate with MK."

"Indeed, there was an issue with MK’s new machine this time, that’s undeniable, but you can’t blame MK for an employee’s mistake, right?"

"I know, you’ll say that an employee represents the company, and their mistake means the company is at fault, but everyone makes mistakes sometimes, it’s impossible to never err."

"Would you be willing to give MK another chance?"

"I believe if you give MK a chance, they will perform even better, just like the story of the old man who lost his horse but found a new fortune!"

Ava followed Poe Vaughn behind the desk, she spoke quickly and urgently, afraid he wouldn’t let her talk.

But when she said the word ’fortune’, the person walking ahead suddenly stopped in his tracks.