Chapter 4 Impulsive Vow To An Enigmatic Husband

• Comelia was dumbfounded. Is this truly something they should be discussing? But then she thought of her boss's outraged expression. It was feasible. Comelia cast a peek toward Marcus, who beautifully swung his golf club and made a hole-in-one. However, the president of Digital Sports was not as slick, swinging multiple times without connecting. Following a few rounds, the president of Digital Sports motioned for someone to bring water. Comelia saw this and promptly brought Marcus a bottle of water and a towel. The president of Digital Sports stared at Cornelia, examining her figure. Comelia wore a white blouse and a knee-length skirt; her long hair was put in a bun that revealed her delicate neck.
• Her makeup was light and beautiful, and she appeared clean and professional standard office clothes. However, the chief executive of Digital Sports continued to stare at her chest, his look so vulgar that it appeared Cornelia was naked. "President Hartley, your new colleague is not only gorgeous and young, but her figure is top-notch as well." Marcus remarked indifferently, "Mr. Ducler, you flatter her." The head of Digital Sports laughed and asked Cornelia, "Miss, are you sure you understand what it takes to play golf?" Cornelia, as the president's assistant, knew a bit, but she wasn't a specialist, and it wasn't her role to participate in this circumstance. "Mr. Ducler, I don't." She despised the way he stared at her, but she chose to remain silent in order to avoid making everyone uncomfortable. She took Marcus' empty water bottle and prepared to stand aside.
• However, Mr. Ducler stretched out and immediately stroked her buttocks before wrapping his arm around her waist. "Miss, if you don't know, let me teach you." Cornelia instantly stamped on Mr. Ducler's foot, prompting him to let go of her in agony and gaze at her furiously. Cornelia took a step back and looked anxiously at Marcus after becoming free. In such an economic transaction, she upsets a partner and may be dismissed. Cornelia didn't anticipate Marcus to abruptly say, "Mr. Ducler, she's mine." He gazed at Dr. Ducler; his face was unmoved, but his eyes conveyed his contempt.
• Mr. Ducler looked to have a realization and promptly apologized, saying, "President Hartley, I'm sorry. I apologize to you." Mr. Ducler kept conversing with Marcus but never moved his gaze away from Cornelia. "I honestly believed President Hartley was, as the reports stated, having no interest in women. I'll wait a bit longer since you haven't had enough of this one yet." "Mr. Ducler, apologize to her immediately!" Marcus practiced using his golf club while wearing a thin smile, making it difficult to interpret his genuine feelings.
• Mr. Ducler paused and laughed: "President Hartley, we're partners; she's just your plaything." The phrase "plaything" was like a venomous needle piercing Cornelia's heart, evoking horrible memories. She had gotten her job and made money using her own capabilities. Why was she humiliated just because she was a woman who happened to be attractive? Cornelia did not wait for Johannes to say anything this time. She spoke out for herself: "Mr. Ducler, don't you have any ladies in your family? Didn't you also come from a lady after 10 months of pregnancy? Or do you believe you have to degrade a woman to demonstrate your strength?" She stood erect, neither meek nor haughty, and talked articulately. Ben showed up as well.
• "Mr. Ducler, the Hudson Group doesn't lack investors like you, but our business also cherishes and cares for every employee." Seeing both colleagues speak up, Mr. Ducler grasped the gravity of the issue. "President Hartley, I'm truly sorry; I shouldn't have treated your staff member like that." He paused. "Miss Cornelia, I'm very sorry!" Markus swung the golf club fiercely, and the white ball soared out, hitting a neighboring tree trunk before returning to them, almost hitting Mr. Ducler's head. Mr. Ducler's legs were weak, and he nearly fell to his knees.
• "President Hartley, it was my fault; please forgive me." Marcus did not answer, instead running his chilly look over Mr. Ducler's right hand and turning away. Catherine grabbed her personal computer bag and rushed to catch up. "President Hartley, thank you for helping me out!" Andrew rushed ahead of her, his 6'2" height imposing over her 5'6" body. Cornelia couldn't see his face but heard his deep, strong voice. "Not you, but those who harass and abuse you, are in the wrong. Stand up against workplace bullying, regardless of the scenario. You do not need to suffer in silence." The entire Hartley organization is behind you." Cornelia had never heard him talk this much before. His strong, forceful voice reassured her that the person who was harassing was wrong, not her. She said, "Thank you, President Hartley." I know what to do now." Marcus turned back and noticed her inflamed eyes.
• She hadn't shown any fear, even though she was being bullied, but now she felt mistreated. He was unable to help but soften his tone: "You're working at my side and representing me. You do not have to be terrified of anyone." "Yes." Cornelia nodded; her tone was nasal, not fearful, but grateful. When she was bullied, if someone like him had spoken up and said the abuser was wrong rather than her, the victim, she wouldn't have wound up homeless and with a poor reputation. Marcus continued, "You did a great job just now." Cornelia felt a pleasant glow in her heart. "Thank you!" At that point, Ben caught up and stated, "President Hartley, I've informed each department in question to cancel the agreement with Digital Sports."
• The Hargreaves Group had been developing chips for some years and had produced excellent results. However, since the patents had not yet been issued, the business had to work with established chip makers such as Digital Sports on certain of its products. The unexpected termination of the partnership would result in some losses for the company. Cornelia's regard for Marcus became even greater as she realized he did this not just to protect her, a staff member, but also to defend the company's dignity. In this cold and callous period, having the opportunity to work for such a corporation with a leader who defends his staff made her feel really fortunate. Because of the termination of the collaboration with Virtual Sports, the Hargreaves Group needed to locate an alternative semiconductor supplier. In the late afternoon, Cornelia and Marcus went to the capital on a business trip for negotiations with the new chip manufacturer.
• After two weeks of hard talks, they were eventually able to secure an arrangement with the new supplier. They'd fly back to the Riverton Project the next morning. After dinner, Cornelia realized she still had some spare cash and resolved to buy some local delicacies for Zack's daughter, Abigail. When Ben learned she was going shopping alone, he inquired, "Cornelia, do you require me to go along with you?" A gorgeous girl alone in a new place at night might be risky. He turned to his boss and asked, "President Hartley, do you have any plans to get a few presents for your wife?"
• Marcus scowled slightly when he remembered hearing the man's voice on his cell phone that night. Hearing a man's voice on a cellphone may not always mean anything; it might simply be a mistake. He nodded and said, "You guys decide." Cornelia also said, "President Hartley, selecting a gift from your wife individually would be more sincere." Cornelia quickly regretted it, though, because traveling together with her employer made her feel quite uncomfortable. Initially, the three of them arrived together, but because the mall's parking lot was crowded, Ben had to drive around seeking a place, leaving Cornelia and Marcus alone.