Chapter 651

199 red roses made up this massive bouquet, a bright red that screamed for attention in the office.

"Whoa, that's a ton of roses. Talk about extra."

"Being hot sure has its perks. We can't even get nine roses, and she's been here like, what, a few days and already got 199?"

"She must have a ton of admirers. Wonder which dude sent them."

"Maybe it's someone else's fiancé."

"Totally. Probably sent them to say sorry for some drama."

"Guys are the worst."

"Preach."

Mira wasn't into gossip, but she couldn't help glancing at the CEO's office. This wasn't Mr. Eilish's style, so it probably wasn't him.

Juniper rushed over to grab the flowers, curious about the sender. She saw the signature: Ronnie. His phone number was on it too.

Anger flared up. That jerk still had the nerve to send her flowers.

Juniper almost chucked them out the window but knew that'd just fuel more gossip. She headed to the stairwell and dumped the flowers in the trash.

"Young lady, what are you doing? Such a big bouquet, what a waste," the janitor tried to stop her.

Juniper didn't say a word and went back to the office. Dozens of eyes were on her, none friendly. She ignored them and got back to work.

Her phone rang, an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Do you like the flowers I sent?"

"Ronnie-" Juniper gritted her teeth, holding back a curse, "If you bother me again, I'll call the cops."

"Cops? You think they can touch me? I drank too much yesterday and acted impulsively. Sorry about that. How about dinner tonight to make it up to you?"

The apology was fake, just a cover for his real intentions.

Did he really think she was that dumb?

That scumbag was asking for it. If it weren't for their work connection, she'd have torn him apart by now.

"No thanks, you can eat alone," Juniper shot back coldly.

"I know last night was my bad. I'm really sorry. Can't you forgive me?"

"If I burned your house down and apologized, would you forgive me?" Juniper retorted with a cold laugh.

"Sure, which one do you want to burn? As long as it makes you feel better."

Juniper rolled her eyes hard. She hated guys who thought money made them untouchable. Her family, the Coopers, was also loaded; she didn't need his money.

"Can we start over?" Ronnie asked.

"No, I'm not interested in knowing you. That's it. If you call again, I won't be nice."

"What are you gonna do..."

Before he could finish, Juniper hung up.

On the other end, Ronnie sat in his office with an intrigued smile.

No one had ever dared to hang up on him before.

Juniper was getting more interesting.

Juniper's mood was shot. Since there wasn't much to do today, she left the office as soon as work ended.

As she walked out of the building, Ronnie honked at her twice.

He was like glue, impossible to shake off.

Juniper frowned, ignoring him.

"Where are you going?" Ronnie stepped out of the car with another bouquet.

"Isn't that Mr. Woods?"

"Is he chasing Juniper?"

"Mr. Woods is such a player, chasing every girl he sees."

But even so, these gossiping women were still jealous. Who wouldn't want a hot and rich guy?

"He must've sent today's flowers. I heard she trashed them."

"Such a show-off move, classic."

"You threw my flowers in the trash?" Ronnie grabbed Juniper's arm.

"Yep, sure did," Juniper admitted.

She wanted to shove Ronnie away, but he got all excited, "No one's ever trashed my flowers before. You're so unique, interesting."

Juniper frowned. Her face screamed, "Crazy much?" But she got it-rich guys loved the chase. Used to women who fawned over them, they craved rejection.

This wasn't love; it was a game. The whole "male pride" thing was a joke.

She really wanted to tell him to buzz off.

"I'm going home, let go," Juniper said.

"Let's grab dinner, I'll take you," Ronnie insisted.

"No thanks, let go of my hand."

"It's no big deal."

"Can you stop being so clingy? It's embarrassing. Don't you care about your rep?"

"I don't care, I just want you."

Juniper found Ronnie's persistence super embarrassing, but others were jealous. Who wouldn't want a rich guy chasing them?

"You-"

Just as Juniper was about to lose it, a strong hand suddenly pulled her away.

Anthony.

Juniper's heart skipped a beat.

"Isn't this Mr. Eilish, who just cut all business ties with the Woods Group? Do the shareholders know you did this for a little secretary? Canceling business with the Woods Group just for a woman, impressive," Ronnie mocked.

Everyone looked shocked. Such a big loss, for Juniper? Could it be...

Juniper quickly said, "Don't talk nonsense. Mr. Eilish cut ties with the Woods Group for business reasons. I'm just a nobody."

"If you're not just a secretary but Mr. Eilish's woman, that's different," Ronnie provoked, "Mr. Eilish, I'm very interested in Juniper and want to make her my girlfriend. But I have basic morals; I won't chase another man's woman. If you admit she's yours, I won't bother her again."

Anthony's eyes darkened, "Juniper is my..."

"I'm just Mr. Eilish's secretary. Mr. Woods, why are you so bitter and slandering Mr. Eilish? Everyone knows Mr. Eilish's character; he wouldn't jeopardize company interests for personal reasons. You just want a date, right? I'll go."

"Juniper," Anthony frowned.

Juniper pleaded with her eyes for him not to act impulsively, or he'd fall into Ronnie's trap.

"I'll handle it, don't worry," Juniper whispered, then got into Ronnie's car.

Ronnie gave Anthony a smug smile.

Watching the car speed away, Anthony's face grew colder.

In the car.

"Anthony didn't dare to admit your status for the company's sake. Aren't you disappointed?"

Juniper smiled, "Mr. Eilish did the smart thing. Otherwise, he'd fall into your trap. Besides, I'm just his secretary, not what you said."

"Doesn't it make him look more useless if even you don't dare to admit your relationship? A man who can't even protect his woman shouldn't be a CEO, he should stay home."

Juniper frowned, "You're so uncultured. Not everyone is like you, uneducated and thinking only about playing with women."

She almost directly called him a scumbag who thinks with his lower half.

Ronnie smirked and whistled at her, "Exactly, and right now, I just want to play with you."