Chapter 656

Juniper dragged herself out of the car, Anthony striding ahead like he had somewhere better to be.

She wanted to spill the beans, but now wasn't the time, so she kept her mouth shut.

People around her were whispering like they had nothing better to do.

"Isn't she the one Mr. Woods is after?"

"Yeah, she's been here less than a week and only met him once."

"Meeting clients? Seriously? One meeting and he's already head over heels? Must be nice to be pretty; who needs actual skills?"

"I heard Terry hired her against the rules."

"Terry, the rule-stickler, swayed by her looks. Guess looks really do matter these days."

"Can't deny it. She's gorgeous, prettier than most celebs."

"Besides being pretty, she must know how to work her charm. Look at Mr. Woods, totally smitten."

"She turned him down yesterday, but now she's rolling up in his car. Playing hard to get, huh?"

"Smart move."

"But Mr. Woods is a player. Women line up for him, and it never lasts more than a week. She'll be the same."

"Just wait, she'll get dumped."

"I bet a cup of coffee."

"Let's up the stakes. If she gets dumped within a week, I'll treat everyone to a big meal."

"Deal."

These folks, despite their fat paychecks, were betting on this nonsense. How lame.

Juniper couldn't care less about their opinions; she was more worried if Anthony had heard them. 'What will he think? Does he also believe I'm involved with Ronnie? God, this is so unfair; I'm totally stuck in this mess.'

At work, the gossip followed her. Everywhere she went, people were whispering and pointing, making her feel like a zoo exhibit.

It was beyond annoying.

Around eleven, she made a cup of coffee and headed to Anthony's office.

"Mr. Eilish, your coffee," Juniper said.

Anthony took a sip, then set it down, his expression cold.

"Mr. Eilish, actually, Ronnie and I..." Juniper started.

"It's work hours. I'm not interested in anything outside of work," Anthony cut her off, ice-cold.

Juniper felt like she'd been slapped, totally embarrassed.

It seemed like she was just fooling herself.

But Anthony's attitude felt like he was sulking.

'Is he jealous? Or am I just being too hopeful?' Juniper couldn't tell.

She had so much to explain but didn't know how. It felt like there was an invisible wall between them.

"Then, I'll leave now..." Juniper said.

"Wait," Anthony stopped her.

"What is it?" Juniper turned around, hopeful.

But Anthony just said, "The coffee tastes terrible. Throw it away."

Juniper thought, 'Terrible? But I made it the same way I always do.'

"Should I make you another cup?" she asked.

"No need."

"Alright then." Juniper walked out with the coffee.

As soon as the door closed, Anthony shut his file.

'What's wrong with me today?' The scene of Ronnie holding her hand in the car kept replaying in his mind, making him restless. 'Jealous? No way. I don't even like Juniper that much yet. But why do I feel so unhappy?'

Anthony rubbed his temples, confused.

Juniper wasn't feeling any better either.

The phone on her desk rang.

"Hello, Eilish Group President's Office," Juniper answered.

"Miss me?" came that annoying voice. Miss him? She'd rather eat nails.

"Go to hell," Juniper snapped, ready to hang up.

Ronnie threatened, "Hang up, and I'll send you flowers. 1999 roses this time."

"Don't you dare," Juniper shouted, panicking. "If you do, I'll kill you."

Ronnie teased, "Come on, I'm in the Woods Group President's Office waiting for you to kill me."

"Ronnie, don't you have any real work to do? You just like flirting on the phone during work hours," Juniper grumbled. She could picture him lounging in his big office, feet up on the desk, looking all smug.

Ronnie replied, "If I, as the president, have to be busy all day, then what's the point of having employees?"

Juniper shot back, "Lazy and incompetent, just making excuses. You're just a spoiled brat who relies on your parents for success."

"Juniper, that's your bias. Check the Woods Group's performance; under my leadership, it has increased by 10% in just two years."

"Just luck," Juniper said coolly.

Ronnie retorted, "That's pure bias. You think Anthony is great because he works around the clock, but real smart people win with their brains, not time. It's the 21st century, you know? Working around the clock has no future."

Juniper laughed. "But the Eilish Group is still better than the Woods Group, isn't it?"

"That's just because of the Eilish Group's century-old foundation. If it were about personal ability, I wouldn't lose to Anthony."

"Alright, you can brag all you want over the phone." Juniper rolled her eyes.

Ronnie retorted, "You think I'm bragging because you don't know me. If you did, you'd find out I'm even better than I say."

Juniper said, "Enough. I'm not interested in how great you are. I just want to tell you, stop bothering me. You're affecting my work, you know?"

Ronnie teased, "How am I affecting it? I told you, don't think about me during work. Why can't you control yourself?"

"Ronnie! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll beat you up," Juniper said fiercely, "Stop harassing me. That's it."

She hung up the phone.

Anthony didn't call her into his office all day. Juniper tried hard to focus on her work, but it was futile. She scratched her head several times.

In the afternoon, she submitted a report to Terry.

"Wait," Terry stopped her.

Juniper asked, "What's wrong, Terry? Is there a problem with the report?"

Although she was a bit distracted, she was meticulous with her work, so there shouldn't be any issues.

"The report is fine, but there have been some rumors about you in the company lately." Terry paused. "I usually don't get involved in personal matters, but this has caused quite a stir, so..."

Juniper explained, "Terry, I promise there's nothing between Ronnie and me."

Terry said, "I'm not doubting you. But Ronnie is our former client, and you're the president's secretary, which makes your position special..."

"Terry, it's not that I want to be entangled with him. He's the one pestering me. I've scolded him and talked to him, but it's no use. He's like a piece of gum that I can't get rid of," Juniper said helplessly.

Terry said coldly, "I'm asking you to solve the problem, not pass it on to me. Handle it quickly, or your job might be affected."

Juniper bit her lip. "I understand." She cursed Ronnie several times in her heart.

Juniper thought Ronnie must be sent by God to ruin her life.