Chapter 27 Kathleen’s True Purpose

Everyone left. Lily and Lyla were the only two people left in the meeting room. Lily held the documents tightly and turned to Lyla. “Sigh… Lyla, why did you agree to take the case?” “What about it?” Lyla herself could see that there was something odd about the case but she was not sure about the details. “The Riddleson company’s person-in-charge is known to be handsy! Anyone who meets him to discuss the contract will always end up being harassed! He’s had countless victims under his bel!” said Lily with a fit of hatred. Lyly frowned after listening. “Then just send the guys to do it!” “The guys? Oh please…” Lily laughed bitterly. “If the guys went for the meeting, the chance of success will be less than 1%. Any guy going up against the Riddleson will always end up rejected!” Lyla was speechless about that statement. “I was nudging you by the arm to tell you not to take the job!” Lily added, worried for her sake. Lyla knew that. She knew that Lily was worried for her. “I know you mean well but as you can see, Kathleen is intentionally going all out to make things bad for me!” If she had not accepted the task, Kathleen would still find a way to make her accept it. “If that’s the case… Even so… Even now, the Human Resource Department couldn’t do anything about it. If you go, you will definately be bullied,” said Lily worriedly. After listening to Lily, Lyla somewhat understood something. Kathleen had to truly hate her to force her into this. “Lyla, I urge you to just drop the case. How could Kathleen do such a thing to you! I mean, you’re literally new here!” Lily said worriedly. “Maybe, you could talk to President Pattinson! He might make things easier for you!” ‘Pattinson? Oh please. I’d give up on that.’ The moment she thought of Mark Pattinson, the way he looked, that cold, arrogant, and rotten-on-the-inside facade, made Lyla speechless. She thought about it. “I will think of something. For the time being, send me everything you have about the person in charge of Riddleson to my inbox.” “Don’t tell me you’re actually going through with this?!” “Do you think I can drop it?” Lily dropped her gaze down to her documents. She could see how Kathleen had been blatantly intentional. From that, she knew Lyla could not drop it even if she wanted to. “But…” “I’ll be fine. Relax!” Lyla rushed a smile. After that, she started to look through all of Riddleson’s documents. She wanted to try her best to know about everything. By knowing the enemy, she would emerge victorious. Lyla spent the entire afternoon looking hard into the computer screen, thinking. When it was about time to clock out, Kathleen Turner walked to Lyla’s desk, all smug and suave. “Miss Lowe, I have already set up an arrangement with the other side. 9pm, tonight. You’ll be going here,” said Kathleen as she handed over the address. “Very well. I will be on time.” Lyla nodded. “Good.” Kathleen glared at her before she left promptly. Lyla sat at her seat, feeling a little helpless. She took the slip of paper and looked at the address. From there on, she could only plan as she moved. When night came, after having dinner, Lyla packed her things, changed clothes, and prepared to go out. Hansel and Gretel looked at her when Hansel asked, “Mummy? It’s late, where are you going?” “Are you going out for a date?” Gretel asked, her eyebrows arched upwards. “I’m working!” Lyla said ,dragging her words. “What kind of work at this late hour?” “I have a project contract that I need to get it done! The appointment is at 9pm! I’ve got to go now,” she said. Her brother, Lyle Lowe got worried. “Lyla, a girl like you should be careful out there. Don’t come home too late.” “Thanks. I’ll be fine. Thanks, Lyle.” Lyla nodded. She then turned to her two little darlings and said, “Stay at home with uncle, okay? Be good.” Lyla had a good look at the two of them. Both Hansel and Gretel nodded obediently. When it was almost nine, Lyla arrived at the appointed location on time. She talked to the front desk girl and gathered that the person in charge of Riddelson was in Room 510. She came to the room’s door and knocked. The man that opened the door was a middle-aged man. “You’re Miss Lyla Lowe?” the man asked. Lyla looked at him and mechanically nodded her head. “I am. You are?” “I’m the person in charge of Riddleson. You may just call me Mr. Perkins,” said the man. His eyes were locked and fixed on her. That kind of look in his eyes was incredibly uncomfortable. “Greetings, Mr. Perkins.” Lyla spoke formally. “Come in, don’t just stand there.” The man reached out, wanting to grab her. Lyla, on the other hand, moved aside silently and followed him from behind. “Sit, Miss Lowe,” Perkins called out. Lyla looked at the man. She could only brave herself. She picked a seat not far, nor too close to Mr. Perkins, and maintained a good distance away from him. “Miss Lowe, you’re very beautiful. Did you know that?” Mr. Perkins started with praise. That made Lyla feel sick. That said, she retained her smile and said, “Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Perkins.” Sitting on the sofa, Lyla immediately went straight to business. “Mr. Perkins. This document here is about our company…” “What’s the hurry, Miss Lowe?” Mr. Perkins interrupted her. He pushed the papers away. He took the opportunity and reached out to touch Lyla’s hands. Instantly, she was disgusted. However, with all her might, she suppressed the disgust that was surging in her heart and quickly retracted her hands. “What’s the matter, Miss Lowe? Are you nervous?” Mr. Perkins’ eyes were swimming about, looking at all of Lyla’s body. ‘Shit! How could I not be nervous!’ She knew that the person she was going to meet was a world class pervert, yet she still could not calm herself! Still, even though it was painfully obvious that she was nervous, she still needed to force herself to be calm. “What are you saying, Mr. Perkins. I’m not.” She then looked at the time. Mr. Perkins was looking at Lyla, with a look that bespoke of ill-intent. He held up a bottle of liquor and said, “Come, Miss Lowe. Drink and then we’ll talk.” “My apologies, Mr. Perkins. I am not a drinker.” “How could you not drink when you’re out to talk about contracts? Are you not giving me face here?” Mr. Perkins was smiling and hiding his tenacity, something in between his words described him as a person that she could not wrong. Angered and filled with hatred, Lyla cursed him in her heart. The look of helplessness on Lyla’s face was still able to form a faint smile. “Very well then, Mr. Perkins. You’ve gotten me there. I’ll drink but after that, we’ll start talking about the contract.” Mr. Perkins did not answer. Quietly, he watched Lyla empty her cup.