Shirley’s gaze repeatedly darted toward Cole, and her thoughts were in turmoil. Has Zacharias asked me to come early to engineer misunderstandings with Cole? She dismissed this notion, considering it all to be mere coincidence. She couldn’t understand why Zacharias would resort to such tactics, as she didn’t see herself as being so important to him.
Just then, the car door opened, and Zacharias elegantly stepped out of the car. He nodded to Cole and exchanged a few words with Ren.
As Ren’s motorcade began to depart, Cole cast a deep and affectionate look in Shirley’s direction. She acknowledged him with a nod. A certain man closely observed this entire scene.
After Ren’s convoy had departed, Zacharias’ motorcade slowly approached. She turned to Zacharias and said, “I drove here. I won’t be returning with the motorcade.”
“Hand the car keys to someone else and come with me,” he insisted. He didn’t want to grant her any more leave. She had to remain by his side at all times during the coming period. She was resolute. “I’ll drive back by myself.”
Zacharias lowered his head and said in a hushed tone, “Unless you want Imogen’s internship to be tarnished.”
This statement momentarily silenced Shirley, and he appeared pleased. “Come with me,” he ordered.
She turned to one of the team members and told him where her car was, asking him to drive it back for her. Zacharias’ car door remained open as he waited for her to get in. The convoy set off on its way back to Flintstone Residence.
Throughout the journey, they exchanged no words, mindful that the other bodyguards could still overhear their conversations within the car. Shirley was also aware that her private matters with Zacharias were not suitable for public discussion.
After entering the Flintstone Residence, the bodyguards took Zacharias’ luggage and documents inside and then left. The housekeeper was there to assist with his needs, such as sending his soiled clothes for dry cleaning. She accompanied him to the study with the documents.
Finally, alone in the study, she placed the documents on the desk and asked him, “There was nothing important, so why did you ask me to come to the hospital so early?”
Zacharias had clearly anticipated this question. He answered in a calm tone, “Isn’t it perfectly normal to have my subordinates return to my side?”
Shirley needed to clarify, “Do you know that my great-uncle would find you? Did you also know that Cole would be there?”
He smirked and said, “Do you think I deliberately wanted to make Cole misunderstand us?”
She couldn’t forget how he had deliberately held her hand. “Is it not?”
“I’m busy and don’t have the time to make other men jealous,” Zacharias denied, even though his actions suggested otherwise.
Shirley stared at him in silence, finding him mysterious beyond argument and calculation. I’ll explain everything to Cole,’ she said and wanted to leave.
“What will you explain? That I was the one you were taking care of in the hospital? That you were substituting for Imogen during her internship? Or why were we holding hands?” He suddenly fired a barrage of questions.
She stopped and turned to face him, “I’ll explain my substitution for Imogen to him. He will believe me.”
With a serious tone, Zacharias cautioned her, “Do you want to broadcast the news of your internship replacement to the whole world? You should know that you can escape unscathed, but if this information gets out, Imogen will never be able to work in a government position for the rest of her life.”
Shirley visibly paled at this threat. “So, you can’t explain all of this to Cole. You have to let him misunderstand. If you tell him, I’ll cancel Imogen’s government job qualification, and she’ll never be employed,” he threatened.
She shot him a glare, her frustration mounting. This man was exasperating; he wouldn’t even let her clarify.
“You’re ruthless,” she muttered before storming out of the room.
