Chapter 82

Jeremy's phone buzzed, and his secretary's voice came through, "Mr.Wright, there's a document from Design Department Two that needs your signature."

"Who's it from?" Jeremy asked, barely interested.

"She registered as Isabella, but she's using a card named Bronte. She said she doesn't have clearance to come up, so she's using another employee's card," the secretary explained.

Jeremy grinned at Michael, who was lounging in his chair, and said into the phone, "If it's Isabella, let her come up. I'll sign it."

Michael shot out of the chair at the mention of her name.

"Jeremy, have you lost your mind?" Michael snapped, glaring at him like he wanted to strangle him.

Jeremy just smirked, enjoying the rare sight of Michael freaking out. It wasn't every day he saw Michael this rattled.

There was a knock on the door.

"Hold on a sec," Jeremy called out. Then he turned to Michael with a grin,"Mr. Johnson, maybe you should hide. But the only place to hide in my office is under the desk."

Jeremy figured someone as proud as Michael would never stoop to hiding,especially under a desk.

Michael was kicking himself now. When Wesley had them pick offices, he chose the biggest, fanciest one with all the perks. By the time it was Jeremy's turn, only a plain room without even a bathroom was left. If he'd known he'd be spending so much time in Jeremy's office, he would've given the

big one to Jeremy.

He glanced around Jeremy's spartan office. True to his expectation, there was indeed nowhere else to hide but the unceremonious space beneath the desk.

"If you let her know I'm here, you'll regret it," Michael growled, then squeezed his tall frame under the desk.

Jeremy just shook his head and sighed. He'd known Michael since they were kids, but lately, Michael was getting more and more unpredictable.

Jeremy opened the door and let Isabella in.

Isabella walked in and handed the document to Jeremy, saying, "Mr.Wright, here's a document that needs your signature."

Something felt off today. Jeremy's expression was weird1,and he wasn't sitting in his chair but leaning against the desk.

Jeremy glanced at the document and frowned. "I remember signing this yesterday afternoon. Why is it here again?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wright. It's my fault. I missed something, and there was a small mistake in yesterday's document," Isabella quickly explained.

"You're new here, right?" Jeremy asked, tossing the document on the desk.He'd guessed yesterday that Isabella was in a rush to get his signature because she was being pushed around in her department. Life at headquarters wasn't easy.

He continued, "You might not know my rule: I never sign the same document twice."

"But today's document is different from yesterday's. The clauses have been revised, and the basic data has been changed. On the surface, this

document is more rigorous and competitive than yesterday's," Isabella pointed out.

Jeremy was a bit surprised. He didn't expect Isabella to have such a sharp eye for business, able to spot the changes in the data at a glance.

Still, he said firmly, "You're just making excuses. I still won't sign the same document twice."

Isabella closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then boldly asked, "Mr.Wright, what would it take for you to sign it?"

Jeremy had a sudden idea. He glanced at the desk and then at Isabella,who was stubbornly staring at him. He walked up to her, and Isabella,frightened by his approach, kept backing away.

She backed into a corner, where Jeremy knew Michael would be watching everything unfold from his hiding spot.

With a malicious smile tugging at his lips, Jeremy raised his hand as if to gently grasp her chin.

Isabella immediately turned her head away and said seriously, "Mr. Wright,please behave. I'm married."

Jeremy was stunned. He had only heard that Michael and Isabella were together, not that they were married.

Seeing Jeremy not moving,Isabella thought her reminder had worked. But just as she was about to relax, Jeremy continued, "It doesn't matter to me.I don't need you to get a divorce. Just spend some time with me. Of course,if you want to divorce and be with me,that's fine too."

Isabella couldn't believe it. Yesterday, she thought Jeremy was a gentleman,but today he showed his true colors. He was just a scoundrel.

"Mr. Wright, I care! I love my husband. I won't betray him or divorce him.I'm not the kind of person you think I am," Isabella said firmly.

"With my status and position, being with me is no loss. And if we don't say anything, no one will know," Jeremy continued to tempt her.

"Mr. Wright, if you want to sign, I'll be grateful. If not, I'll leave," Isabella said and tried to push Jeremy away.

"What if I say I want you? Whether I sign or not, you can't escape,"Jeremy said determinedly.

"Mr. Wright, my husband's last name is Johnson," Isabella had to bring up Michael.

Jeremy sneered, "Are you trying to scare me? Just a last name isn't enough to make me give up a beauty."

Isabella said, "Mr. Wright, I'm just reminding you that although my husband isn't in the Johnson Group, he's still part of the Johnson Family.As the vice president of the Johnson Group, you wouldn't want to offend the Johnson Family over an isignificant woman,would you?"

"A member of the Johnson Family who isn't even in the Johnson Group would care about you enough to confront me? You can call your husband and see if he's willing to offend me for you," Jeremy sneered, looking unconcerned.

As he spoke, he leaned in as if to kiss her.

Isabella lifted her foot and stomped hard on Jeremy's foot.

She was wearing a pair of mid-heeled stilettos. Though not as damaging as higher heels, they still felt like an iron rod, causing Jeremy pain.

Jeremy jumped back in pain. Seizing the moment, Isabella darted toward

the door, her hand clasping the doorknob with a sense of urgency. She turned back to face Jeremy, saying seriously, "Mr. Wright, do you have a personal grudge against Michael? Is that why you're humiliating him this way? If so, I'll resign immediately and tell him everything that happened today so he can be on guard against you. If not, please apologize for your inappropriate behavior, and I won't pursue it further."

The situation was going completely differently from what Jeremy had expected. He didn't expect Isabella would be this kind of girl. Seeing things getting out of hand, he quickly changed his approach.

He explained, "It's amisunderstanding. I have no grudge against Michael.We're... friends, actually. I was just joking with you. Don't take it seriously.Here, I'll sign the document for you right now. Take it back and submit it.If they give you any more trouble, you can come to me and I can handle it for you. Call me if you need to. Here's my card. Don't worry.I have someone I like. I don't have that kind of interest in you."

Isabella was stunned. It was the first time she had seen someone change their attitude so quickly.

She couldn't figure out Jeremy's true intentions, so she took the document and left in a hurry.