CHAPTER 823: CHAPTER 823: ROLE REVERSAL

Retaliation feels great in the moment, but the aftermath is a disaster.

Ann Vaughn rarely has the chance for a day off. She originally planned to stay home, binge-watch dramas and comics, and experiment with making desserts, spending her day off as a couch potato.

However, these plans were nipped in the bud by Cyrus Hawthorne before they even began.

Even as she lay on the sofa in the CEO’s office at Hawthorne Corp, Ann Vaughn gazed resentfully at the man handling official business.

"You didn’t have to personally bring me here to see it. I already know that Hawthorne Corp. hasn’t gone bankrupt."

Heaven knows she just casually remarked about it.

Upon hearing this, Cyrus didn’t even lift his head, his tone indifferent: "There are snacks and drinks in the cabinet. If you want to watch dramas, why not here?"

Though he said so...

How could Ann Vaughn possibly get into a love idol drama in this serious office setting??

One hour later.

Ann Vaughn: Unexpectedly delightful, and a bit thrilling, like sneaking food during class.

Meanwhile, the documents on the desk piled up like a mountain, three computers running simultaneously with financial reports, pending proposals, or quarterly earnings reports...

These chaotic and daunting documents were like simple math problems to Cyrus, easily managed.

Nonetheless, he furrowed his brows more often than he smoothed them out.

The coffee at his side had long cooled, yet he paid no mind, even forgetting to have his secretary bring a fresh one.

At that moment, a steaming cup of coffee appeared on his desk, replacing the cold one.

"Thank you," Cyrus said, without moving his eyes, his voice faint.

"You’re welcome, President Hawthorne." A soft, playful voice came from in front of him.

Cyrus paused his typing, lifting his gaze to Ann Vaughn.

He saw her holding the cup of coffee, with a beaming smile on her face.

For some reason, a corner of his heart softened, and his expression gentled, "The secretary should be doing these things."

"I know," Ann Vaughn replied seriously, "I’m your secretary now, aren’t I?"

After saying that, she winked at him.

Cyrus’s thin lips curved, his dark eyes filled with laughter, "Oh? Secretary Vaughn?"

The magnetic, teasing voice made Ann Vaughn feel weak at the knees. She barely held her composure, raising her chin to answer him, "You can assign me any work, and I’ll show you what I’m capable of!"

Seeing her eagerness, Cyrus didn’t refuse her.

Since he agreed, he naturally wouldn’t dismiss her efforts.

Secretary Vaughn was on the job as soon as she said it.

Organizing documents, translating overseas contracts, and copying materials... Most seemed simple but weren’t easy tasks, yet Ann Vaughn handled them well.

She didn’t look like a novice at all.

And her coffee...

Cyrus picked up the cup and took a sip; the rich, aromatic flavor spread from the taste buds, smooth with a hint of bitterness, just right.

A hint of amazement flashed in his deep eyes.

At least... no one in the secretary’s office could make coffee like her.

Cyrus’s gaze captured the petite figure by the filing cabinet, his distinguished face showing a trace of thought.

So, who taught her these things?

Ann Vaughn was classifying the documents at the file cabinet, placing the ones Cyrus needed aside. Unexpectedly, she pulled out a drawer.

Inside was a glass box, and its contents seemed familiar.

Just as Ann Vaughn was about to take a closer look, Mark Joyce’s voice sounded at the door, "President Hawthorne, the general manager of Apex Properties is in the reception room."

Ann Vaughn’s attention was diverted. She instinctively closed the drawer, then carried the documents to Cyrus’s desk.

"I’ll go make you some coffee."

She said that and then scurried off like a diligent little bee.

Cyrus’s eyes held a smile; the little one’s role-switching was rather quick.

If it were truly possible, he would want to keep her by his side every day, always within sight.

But... patience, let the fish bite the hook.

Standing at the office door, Mark Joyce was bewildered.

What’s going on?

The CEO’s wife became the CEO’s secretary?? You all play games so well...

Five minutes later, Ann Vaughn carried two cups of freshly made coffee into the reception room, her face holding a formal smile, truly looking like a professional secretary.

However, Ann Vaughn didn’t know that the smile she learned from the secretaries looked particularly alluring to the general manager of Apex Properties.

No wonder, she was just too beautiful, with a stunningly exquisite, rosy complexion, eyes like crescent moons, beauty emanating from within.

So when Ann Vaughn placed the coffee in front of Forrest Strong, he immediately reached out to take it, attempting to take advantage.

But Ann Vaughn swiftly withdrew her hand, not letting him even touch her nails.

Forrest felt a tinge of regret, his eyes trailing after Ann Vaughn’s figure inappropriately, though he dared not make it too obvious, as this was Hawthorne Corp.’s territory.

Whether it was Ann Vaughn’s imagination or not, she felt the man opposite Cyrus had been eyeing her maliciously.

When she handed the coffee over, if she hadn’t pulled back fast enough, his pig-like hand would have reached her already.

Thinking of this, Ann Vaughn frowned, refraining from speaking since he was Cyrus’s guest, only moving slightly behind him for a sense of security.

Yet this couldn’t block her entirely; Forrest’s gaze was blatantly disgusting, evoking an instinctive dislike.

"Mr. Strong finds my secretary attractive?" Cyrus rested an elbow on the couch arm, holding a document, his question sudden and unexpected.

Forrest, upon hearing this, cautiously observed Cyrus’s expression, perceiving calmness, and felt pleased.

"President Hawthorne, lucky you, having such a beautiful secretary... I wonder if you’re willing to part with her, Apex Properties is willing to make concessions in this collaboration."

Previously, Forrest wouldn’t have dared to ask Cyrus directly for someone.

But now, lust emboldened him, coupled with instances in the industry of using secretaries to facilitate partnerships between companies.

Forrest was clearly a repeat offender, speaking without reservation, unashamed.

Ann Vaughn felt a wave of nausea, though none of it showed on her face.

In the next second, a sound like a breaking wind suddenly rang out.

A pen whizzed past Forrest’s eyes, slicing a cut at his eye corner and temple, blood flowing continuously.

The pen impaled into the couch behind him, leaving a gaping hole.

Forrest’s eyes widened in shock, cold sweat drenching his forehead, his body as rigid as a statue, not daring to move an inch.

His secretary, Maisha, was so frightened that she let out a sharp scream, her legs giving way as she fell to the ground.

However, Forrest didn’t dare to cry out, finding it difficult to even move.