Chapter 8 Confrontation

• After Maia left, Halie stood there, trying to maintain her composure.
• Austin sat in a plush, swivelling chair. Austin's black shirt revealed his tanned skin with two buttons undone, and his sleeves rolled up halfway, adding a mysterious charm to his already striking appearance.
• She never imagined that after two years, they would meet again under such circumstances.
• Austin looked over the personnel file in front of him. His fingers casually flipped through it, his eyes not really focused, but he caught the photo and name on the top.
• "Halie Lane? Just return from Ereles." Austin's voice was calm as he raised his eyes, fixing his gaze on her.
• "Yes," Halie replied, forcing a confident smile. She was doing her best to stay calm, but inside, she was in turmoil.
• She regretted not researching Horizon Group's background thoroughly before joining.
• Halie never expected Austin to be the president.
• Austin's eyes narrowed slightly at Halie's confident demeanour.
• He said, "Impressive résumé."
• Halie frowned at his comment. What did he mean by that? What was so impressive about a résumé?
• "Skills are more important," she replied, her voice steady.
• Austin raised an eyebrow, a glimmer of interest flashing in his eyes.
• This is getting interesting.
• "So, Miss Lane, your skills must be quite exceptional."
• "If they weren't, you wouldn't have hired me," Halie responded, thinking about how much Austin's words had changed in the past two years.
• He was harder to read now; his emotions were well hidden.
• Austin observed her. She was different from other women he had met—she didn't flatter or fawn over him, nor did she display any hint of inferiority. She had her own opinions.
• Skills are important, but character matters even more, Austin remarked, looking at her.
• Halie frowned, sensing his words were a direct challenge.
• "Mr. Robson, I'm not sure what you're implying. Are you suggesting I was eavesdropping on purpose?" she asked, meeting his gaze.
• Austin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back lazily, and a glint of sharpness gleamed in his eyes.
• But the answer was clear.
• Halie faced him and smiled slightly. "Mr. Robson, let me clarify again. I wasn't eavesdropping. I was reporting in and happened to hear your conversation."
• "You should have knocked," Austin said, confidently assuming she had done it on purpose.
• "I had my reasons for not knocking. Given the current social atmosphere, knocking could upset the president, and walking away without knocking wouldn't solve anything. Just when I was hesitating, the door opened. Mr. Robson, where exactly did I go wrong?" Halie asked, her tone challenging.
• In two years, his flirtatious nature hadn't changed; he had only become more adept at making things difficult for others.
• Austin listened, feeling as if Halie was subtly insulting him.
• "Don't compare me to others!" he snapped.
• "I'm not comparing. If you're worried about that, perhaps you should restrain yourself a bit," Halie replied.
• "Are you lecturing me?" Austin asked, his brows furrowing in displeasure.
• "I wouldn't dare. I'm just stating the facts," Halie said calmly.