After overtime, my boyfriend drove me home. But his little assistant walked right past me and sat directly in the passenger seat. "Director Tessa, I adjusted this seat to my height. I was afraid you wouldn't be used to it." She apologized while buckling herself in. I didn't speak, just glanced lightly at the back seat, piled high with a young girl's bags and clothes. Sensing the atmosphere was off, Lucas tried to smooth things over. "She's a new intern, just a kid. Don't be petty with her." I nodded thoughtfully, a hint of realization in my tone. "How can a child come out to work? Go to HR tomorrow and process her resignation." Chapter 1 As soon as these words came out, both of them looked at me in unison. The little assistant huffed and got out of the passenger seat. "Director Tessa, I'm a Management Trainee officially hired this year. What right do you have to fire me just like that?" "It's just sitting in the passenger seat. Are you that petty?" Looking at her flustered appearance, I couldn't help but find it funny. "So you do know the passenger seat isn't where you should be. I thought you were really just a child who didn't know anything." Indeed, she had a child's temper. Blowing up after just two sentences, face flushing red, unable to squeeze out a word of rebuttal for a long time. Lucas finally reacted, smiling and putting his arm around my shoulder to mediate. "Mia is just my assistant, a kid fresh out of college. She can't understand when you're joking." When he hugged me, there was a smell of very cheap perfume on him. I guessed the owner of the perfume was Mia, who was currently clenching her hands tightly, staring at us through the rearview mirror. I leaned against Lucas with a smile, but my eyes scanned Mia up and down. "But I wasn't joking. Do you really need an assistant like this? No wonder you work overtime every day." Hearing this, Lucas's body stiffened for a moment, and his smile faltered. "Tessa, Mia is a bit rash, but if you fire her directly, people will say we treat new employees harshly. It doesn't sound good." Saying that, he signaled Mia with his eyes. Mia, who was still puffing up with anger, immediately softened her attitude and apologized to me pitifully. "Sorry Director Tessa, I've been with Brother Lucas for so long, I got too relaxed. I'll give the seat back to you, please don't mind." She even stuck out her tongue playfully. Director Tessa, Brother Lucas. Tsk. Seeing no reaction from me, Mia seemed possessed by a drama queen. "Director Tessa, I will definitely, definitely, definitely pay attention next time~" Every sentence addressed "Director Tessa," but her eyes only revolved around Lucas. I withdrew from Lucas's arm and looked at Mia. "Next time? What do you want to pay attention to next time? Tell me." Chapter 2 "Tessa, it's late. Let me take you home." Lucas spoke again. Every time he opened his mouth tonight, it was to defend Mia. This made me very unhappy. It's true we agreed to have our own fun in this arranged marriage, but who allowed you to dance in front of me with your little lover and use me as a shield? Mia didn't notice the undercurrent between us and spoke again. "Brother Lucas, I'll go with you to drop Director Tessa off. It's too late, I'm afraid you'll be tired driving at night. I can keep you company." "Keep him company? Miss Mia is such a thoughtful assistant. Brother Lucas, don't you think?" I smiled and pulled Lucas's tie. Caught off guard, he staggered towards me. He held my wrist pulling his tie, not too hard nor too light, with a hint of helplessness. "Mia, take a taxi back tonight, okay? Tessa and I have something to handle." Mia caught the gentleness in Lucas's tone and saw the seemingly intimate but actually confrontational posture between us. She bit her lip. "Is Director Tessa unhappy because of me? If so, I can apologize until she cools down." I interrupted her performance, pointing to the pile of personal items in the back seat. "Save the apology for HR tomorrow. Now, pick up all your stuff, or wait to find them in the trash tomorrow." "Hey! Aren't you deliberately making things difficult for me? How can I take all these things?" Angry now, not even calling me Director Tessa anymore. I ignored her, picking up those clothes with two fingers and throwing them out one by one. Mia couldn't pick them up in time and screamed in breakdown: "What do you want!" "I should be asking you that, right? Don't you have a closet at home? Need to keep everything in your boss's car?" "Don't overthink it! I just left them temporarily when I was out on field work with Brother Lucas and forgot to take them." She was a bit guilty, lacking confidence in her speech. I couldn't be bothered to expose her, just smiling at her. "Perfect then. Today is the last day of 'temporary'." Mia's eyes turned red instantly. She glared at me fiercely, almost diving into the back seat, scrambling to hug those bags and clothes, stuffing them into her arms. Too many things, she couldn't hold them steady. A shiny hair clip fell to the ground. She squatted to pick it up, hair falling to cover her face, but I could see her shoulders trembling gently. After picking up her things, she left without looking back. Chapter 3 As Mia's figure faded into the distance, only the two of us remained in the car. Silence reigned for a long time until Lucas finally couldn't help but speak. "Mia is just a young girl after all, thin-skinned. You went a bit too far today." I was leaning back with my eyes closed, resting. Hearing this, I sneered. "Her face matters, but my rules don't?" Lucas tugged at his tie irritably. "Don't push your luck. You know we..." He didn't finish, but I knew what he meant. We were in a commercial marriage, the kind where we hadn't even met before the engagement. No feelings whatsoever. Both our families' companies had been declining in recent years and urgently needed transformation. Marriage meant we would prosper or decline together. We were the closest partners. The first time Lucas saw me, he said that for a commercial marriage, keeping up appearances was enough. I nodded lightly and stated my bottom line: "Since we're married, we must maximize the value of this engagement. I accept playing separately, but if you make outsiders laugh because of private affairs, don't blame me for turning hostile." Lucas laughed indifferently: "As long as you have this awareness. Don't worry, no matter how many flags flutter outside, they won't be an eyesore to you." Guessing he remembered his bold words back then, he spoke dryly after a long while. "I will make it clear to Mia." "Good." I closed my eyes again. "But my patience is like this passenger seat. There is only one. You'd better remember that." Chapter 4 Our communication wasn't pleasant, and coupled with busy work, we hadn't seen each other for over half a month. Tonight there was a meeting with Mr. Sterling, the Chairman. Lucas sent someone to deliver a gown matching his suit. Mr. Sterling was a key figure both our companies wanted to win over. Half of the commercial value of this marriage depended on this. Lucas and I stood side by side, exchanging pleasantries with Mr. Sterling. Just as the conversation cut to the main topic, a figure inserted itself abruptly. It was Mia. Perhaps it was her first time attending such a cocktail party. exquisite makeup couldn't hide the forced composure. The ill-fitting white dress made her look like a little girl stealing adult clothes. I narrowed my eyes slightly. In her glass, it seemed to be... juice? She trotted over in high heels, target clear: Mr. Sterling. "Hello Chairman Sterling! I'm Mia, a Management Trainee specially recruited this year. Just joined Mr. Lucas's team not long ago. Please guide me in the future!" Mia held the cup with both hands, squeezing out what she thought was the most decent and obedient smile. I could clearly feel she emphasized "Mr. Lucas" and "Specially Recruited," tone rising slightly, with undetectable showing off. In such an occasion, an intern introducing herself so abruptly and trying to chat was simply rude. The scene quieted for a second. Mia was oblivious, perhaps taking the silence as encouragement. She raised the orange juice in her hand, smile sweeter, voice crisp: "Chairman Sterling, I'm young and can't drink, so I'll toast you with this juice! Wishing you good health and prosperous business!" This time, even the surrounding conversations seemed to lower. The gazes of several nearby guests swept over subtly. I had no time to care about Lucas's expression. I was so angry I wanted to kick Mia myself. What is your status? What is Mr. Sterling's status? Toasting with juice? Do you deserve it? Lucas pulled Mia, who was still naively waiting for Mr. Sterling to clink glasses, behind him. He picked up a glass of champagne, squeezing out a near-fawning smile. "Sorry Chairman Sterling, I didn't discipline my subordinate well. I apologize on her behalf with this glass." He drank the champagne in one gulp, but Mr. Sterling didn't even lift his eyelids. "Let's talk about the cooperation another day. I have something to do." Mia simply slapped his face in front of everyone. Mr. Sterling left the venue with his subordinates without even saying goodbye, leaving only his back to us. Lucas's arm holding the glass froze in mid-air, face turning from green to white, then flushing with embarrassment.
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