Chapter 27 A Rose With Thorns
Calliope pursed her lips. The truth was, she had no intention of arguing with Melissa.
Just as she wanted to bypass Melissa, the latter blocked her path.
“Don’t you think I don’t know what you’ve been up to in secret!” Melissa was exuding an overbearing aura as she exclaimed, “Calliope, you should know better than anyone else how you managed to secure that business deal!”
Calliope stared at Melissa, her sparkly eyes blazing with fury.
Usually, Calliope wore a warm and bright smile and treated others with generosity. It was rare of her to show such a stony and solemn side of her.
Yet, at that very moment, it was as if Calliope had become a completely different person. Upon sensing that, Melissa instinctively staggered a few steps backward in fear.
Calliope enunciated every word clearly, “How I secured that deal? I secured it with my capabilities! I spent one whole week without sleep drafting up and editing the proposal. Mr. Sanders signed and stamped the contract because he was pleased with it! Your failure to clinch the deal even after three months shows your incompetency! Instead of finding fault in yourself, you’re blaming others for working harder than you?”
“Hah! You worked hard?” Melissa glared at her. “You worked so hard to climb into a man’s bed, huh? Do you think you can do as you please just because the supervisor is on your side?”
“Melissa, stop making wild accusations! What has this got to do with the supervisor? I barely talked to him before signing the contract for this business deal!”
“Who knows if what you said was true? Hmph! You may not have talked to him in the company, but perhaps you two have already had many in-depth interactions in private!”
“You-”
Calliope was só furious her face flushed bright red. The two ladies’ intense arguments soon garnered the others’ attention.
Some tried to be peacemakers and stopped them from quarreling. However, not only was Melissa unwilling to compromise, but Calliope was also reluctant to suffer such humiliation and insisted on looking for their supervisor for a confrontation.
Just as the fight entered a stalemate, Jonah rushed over.
“We’re in the office! What are you two doing?” Jonah thundered. “Go to the streets if you all want to fight! If you’re in the office, focus on doing your work!”
Melissa shot him a vicious glare before turning to leave.
In contrast, Calliope froze in her spot, with her lips pursed and her cheeks reddened slightly. After instructing the others to disperse, Jonah pulled Calliope to one side.
“Don’t get mad at Melissa.” His tone was much gentler than earlier. “She’s bad-tempered and very proud and entitled. She’s obviously bothered by how she couldn’t win you this time.”
“Well, that doesn’t mean she can insult others as she pleases, right?”
“Yes, yes. She’s the one to blame.” Jonah narrowed his eyes and lifted the corners of his lips into an insidious smile. “Cally, let me apologize to you on her behalf.”.
With that said, he lifted his hand and gently patted her shoulder. Snapping out of her reverie, Calliope quickly stumbled backward to avoid the man’s touch.
She could not help but feel a chill run down her spine as she lifted her gaze and met with those of Jonah’s.
“There’s no need…” she muttered. “I understand that Melissa is just upset after losing the business deal. I won’t take it to heart. But please let her know that I won’t let it go so easily if she ever humiliates me so blatantly again from now on.”
“Of course!”
Jonah fixed his upturned eyes on Calliope and scanned her from head to toe.
She’s usually quiet and reserved and looks like an easy target to bully. But given how she argues with Melissa just now, she’s, in fact, like a rose with thorns!
Jonah was enthralled by the novelty of such a stark contrast she exhibited and found it hard to contain his desire.
“It’s almost noon.” Jonah laughed. “Cally, let me treat you to a meal. Take it as a token of apology. Don’t you refuse me!”
“That won’t be necessary.” Calliope gave him an emotionless look. “I brought a lunchbox. Besides, I don’t feel like going out to cat.”
“You brought leftovers from dinner last night?” Jonah smirked and deliberately lowered his voice. “Cally, you’re such a pretty lady. You shouldn’t be eating leftovers…”
Calliope stared
return to you at him. “Mr. Frazer, I shall take my leave now if there’s nothing else. You should
return to your office too, lest Melissa sees us talking alone and stirs trouble again.”
“Cally are you really so reluctant to talk to me?”
Jonah shamelessly tried to pester Calliope. Figuring that his soft tactic was not working on her, he thought of another idea. “Actually, it’s not a meal with just me alone. I’m meeting a client!”
Calliope halted in her tracks, and a hint of hesitation crossed her eyes.
“The client’s from Ferropene. I’ve checked: you’re the only one in the company who took a minor in Ferropenian during university. Am I right about that?”
Calliope’s eyes flickered, but she did not answer the question.
“The client was supposed to arrive tomorrow but unexpectedly changed his flight at the last minute. The translator I hired isn’t free today, so… Calliope, can you do me a favor?”
Initially, Calliope intended to reject him, but on second thought, she figured that the company’s overseas client resource was limited, and it must be a superior enough client for Jonah to give
attention to.
If I don’t go, the company might lose a potential client. Moreover, Jonah is a narrow-minded man. Refusing to go with him is equivalent to defying his instructions. He might seek revenge on me because of this. Since we’re going to the hotel, and that is a public space, I doubt Jonah dares to make a move on me.
“Calliope,” Jonah quickly continued after seeing that she was starting to waver. If we can settle this deal, I promise you’ll receive a fair share of the commission. So, what do you think?”
