CHAPTER 94: JOB OFFER

There probably wasn’t another soul in the world who dared speak to Lucas like that—and got away with it.

His expression remained icy and unreadable. If it had been anyone else, he might have flung his coffee in their face before they could even finish their sentence.

With a sidelong glance at his assistant, he said flatly, "Leave us.

And make sure no one disturbs us."

The moment those words left his lips, Beauty nearly collapsed, her legs turning to jelly.

Her playful smirk vanished instantly, replaced by a wide-eyed alarm.

Only when the office door slammed shut with a resounding *bang* did she stagger back a step, her voice trembling.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Lucas’s lips curled into a smirk as his piercing cold eyes raked over her professional attire.

The knee-hugging pencil skirt accentuated her curves perfectly, revealing a pair of slender, porcelain legs.

Not used to wearing high heels, she suddenly wobbled, her ankle twisting as she tumbled straight into a solid embrace.

The faint scent of his masculine cologne filled her nostrils.

"After all these years, you still haven’t learned how to walk in stilettos?"

His deep voice, laced with that intoxicating male musk, made Beauty’s head spin.

A pair of strong hands steadied her, but her legs trembled uncontrollably.

"T-This is the office!

Aren’t you afraid someone might—"

Her words slurred from panic, her body quivering with tension.

The cherry-pink gloss on her lips made them look irresistibly plump, like a ripe cherry begging to be bitten.

He arched a brow, rubbing his chin with amusement.

"Wearing this outfit today—wasn’t it just to tempt me?"

"Ugh!

In your dreams!

I dressed like this for the interview, not for you.

And by the way, it was you who submitted my resume!"

Lucas set her back on her feet, and Beauty had to grip the desk for a full minute before regaining her composure.

"Seems you’re not completely hopeless.

But don’t get it twisted—I only forwarded your resume.

Whether you land the job is up to you.

This company doesn’t tolerate slackers, and neither do I."

Beauty rolled her eyes so hard she might’ve seen her own brain, mentally cursing him a thousand times over.

It was clearly his idea to have her work at Marson Corporation, yet he had the nerve to put on that high-and-mighty CEO act.

What was wrong with him?

Resting her chin lightly on her hand, she cast him a leisurely glance.

"I never said I wanted to work here. I’m just here for the interview.

Otherwise, certain people would definitely mock me for not even having the guts to show up.

I want them to know—I passed the interview but chose not to join, not the other way around."

"Big talk," he scoffed, his voice dripping with derision.

"After all these years, that’s the only thing you’ve improved.

Come back and gloat after you actually pass the interview.

Don’t strain your back from all that bragging."

His words were laced with mockery, and with a cold snort, his eyes brimmed with disdain.

Not that she expected anything better from Lucas’s mouth.

Actions would have to speak louder than words—she’d prove she wasn’t as worthless as he made her out to be.

The afternoon interview went smoothly.

Beauty stepped out of the HR manager’s office with a smile, only to run into Sarah approaching from the other end of the hallway.

The sight of Sarah warmed her heart, and she immediately greeted her with a sweet, cheerful tone.

"Hi, Miss Sarah!"

Among Lucas’s inner circle, aside from Sarah and Drake, she addressed everyone else with formal titles—so much so that some of them found it downright unbearable.

But with Sarah, she always used that affectionate "miss Sarah," while Drake got the blunt treatment of his full name.

No matter how many times Lucas lectured her, she never changed.

"What brings you to the company?

And to HR, no less—are you planning to work at Marson Corporation?"

"Not really," she admitted with a shrug.

"Just here for the interview.

Who knows if I’ll even make the cut?

Everyone knows how strict Marson Group is with hiring—layer after layer of screening, jumping through hoops just for one or two spots.

I’m not exactly brimming with confidence."

Around Sarah, she could finally just be herself.

She couldn’t quite explain why either—perhaps it was that inexplicable chemistry between people.

Faced with Beauty’s candor and humility, Sarah smiled warmly.

Gently placing a hand on her shoulder, she said, "Lucas mentioned your achievements at school.

He even praised you for being exceptional.

You know our CEO isn’t one to give out compliments lightly."

Beauty’s dark eyes widened in surprise, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.

"If anyone else had said that, I wouldn’t have believed it.

That old man never has anything nice to say!

But coming from you, Sarah, I trust it.

So he must have been genuinely pleased with my performance."

Of course Lucas was pleased.

Ever since he separated her from Dyson, Beauty had thrown herself entirely into her studies.

Aside from Hannah, she had no other friends at school—let alone any male admirers.

The boys treated her like some kind of menace, practically fleeing at the sight of her.

As a result, she aced every semester, raking in scholarships left and right, hardly ever needing to ask him for pocket money.

"Why would I lie to you?"

Sarah chuckled.

"Lucas might seem cold and unapproachable on the surface, but deep down, he’s fiercely loyal—especially to those close to him.

He just has a sharp tongue masking a soft heart... with a slight tendency toward scheming."

Beauty immediately cut in, "Slight?

He’s not just a little scheming—he’s a full-blown master manipulator! His tactics are endless.

If he’s considered a good person, then there are no bad people left in this world."

The thought of all the years under Lucas’s oppressive rule filled her with bitterness.

Now she barely had any friends, much less suitors.

Even her best friend, Hannah, had cycled through several boyfriends, while she remained alone.

Not that she particularly wanted a relationship—but she resented Lucas’s dictatorship and was determined to rebel.