Someone joked loudly, “But we get it… I mean, with a secretary like that, why would you even look at anyone else?”

The others burst into raucous laughter, not bothering to hide it even in front of Aspen’s increasingly dark expression.

“Exactly!” another chimed in. “Mr. Lloyd is living the dream. Damn, I look at my office girl and suddenly feel dead inside!”

“Mr. Lloyd’s not just talented–he’s got the best of both worlds. That little secretary of his is a top-tier beauty!”

A bespectacled executive chuckled crudely and added, “Mr. Lloyd, let me give you a piece of advice: when there’s work, let the secretary handle it; when there’s no work, handle the secretary! That line fits you perfectly!”

The entire room erupted in laughter as Aspen’s face flushed deep red, her cheeks burning. Furious, she shot Andrew a murderous glare, then stormed out of the room in her heels without a word.

Andrew, looking utterly unbothered, leisurely followed behind. He even muttered to himself, “Handle the secretary, huh? Not a bad idea.”

The two of them walked out of Phoenixdream Enterprises one after the other.

Aspen stopped suddenly, spun around, and sneered, “You seemed to enjoy all that flattery from those disgusting pigs.”

Andrew just shrugged and said calmly, “Come on, it’s all just part of the negotiation. You didn’t seriously take any of that to heart, did you?”

Aspen was seething inside. Of course, she did not believe them, but that did not mean she was not furious. They had treated her like Andrew’s property, like some cheap plaything he could use whenever he pleased.

The thought left a bitter, nasty feeling burning in her chest.

Andrew strolled toward the car, speaking lazily over his shoulder. “Don’t go sulking over nothing. You’re not that important.”

“And besides,” he said without a hint of mercy, “if I ever decided to take you, to claim your body, you’d have no choice but to accept it.”

“Y–You bastard!” Aspen stuttered, her shame and anger boiling over.

Andrew opened the car door and said coldly, “Get in.”

One look at his expression, and Aspen knew the devil was getting impatient. Reluctantly, she lifted her skirt with both hands, carefully backing herself into the car, her curves outlined perfectly.

Every time she did this, she could practically feel Andrew’s predatory gaze devouring her. It made her want to sink through the floor in embarrassment.

The door slammed shut.

Andrew slid into the driver’s seat beside her. Before Aspen could even react, he grabbed her and pulled her over with one hand, so effortlessly it was like picking up a feather.

Aspen’s body, soft and pliant, landed directly on Andrew’s lap. More precisely, right across his thighs.

She knelt there, straddling him, her hands braced against his chest. Her cherry lips were barely an inch away from Andrew’s mouth.

“W–What are you doing?” Aspen stammered, panic rising fast. “Andrew, I’m warning you… Don’t you dare… I–I mean it…”

Her mind spun wildly. What the hell was this devil trying to do now?

Was he really planning to do it right here, in the car?