Chapter 35

"No matter who he is, he's my lifelong archenemy. Especially since he dared to acquire Ava's painting. This kind of man is greedy and lecherous, aiding and abetting the wicked. Don't be fooled by his appearance. His heart is as crooked as a pirate." Winnie walked up to the bookshelf, repeatedly flipping through the man's photos while fanning herself.

Olivia nervously whispered, "Isn't it inappropriate to curse, and snoop on him, in his office?"

"Do you think he has surveillance cameras in his own office?" Winnie glanced around with disdain. She observed a full-length mirror facing inward, likely from another office. Not far away, a tall man stood with his hands folded, while his assistant sweating profusely, hearing Winnie's scolding.

However, the CEO's lips curled into a profound smile, seemingly interpreting the scene as a man appreciating his little cat's spirited display of affection and finding it incredibly adorable.

"No chance, Olivia! With a man like this, even if Ava squeezed her chest at him, he'd still be hooked. What's the point of me participating?" Winnie slumped onto her chair, filled with resentment. Gazing at this majestic office, Winnie put her legs up on the desk, unwilling to accept this reality. "If only I could have defeated him in the past, this grand office would be mine. This desk would be mine and this chair would be mine too."

"And am I also yours, Ms. Winnie?" Suddenly, a low, captivating male voice sounded from the door, accompanied by a lazy smile.

Winnie's chair turned around, but she froze and quickly turned back. Olivia had disappeared without her realizing. At the door stood a breathtaking man, a sight to behold with his hands in his pockets and ink-black eyes fixed on her.

The room fell into silence for a few seconds and Winnie had never experienced such a socially awkward moment. As a debutante known for her eloquence and refined manners, she was unaccustomed to such discomfort. Despite facing her archenemy, she couldn't remember where she had put her restless feet. Winnie stiffened and stood up immediately.

"Stay put." The man raised an intrigued eyebrow as he drew near, his long legs halting beside Winnie's chair. With one hand, he took hold of her foot, raising it and cradling it in his warm palm. His expression remained unchanged, but mischief sparkled in his eyes. "This desk cost three million, perfectly complementing your feet."

Before Winnie could react, he lightly tickled the sole of her foot. Her face turned bright red and she tried to react quickly, but he forcefully held onto her foot. The man gazed deeply at her curves and continued. "The chair cost six million. It was imported and made from expensive wood. It also matches your bottom."

Winnie's face felt like it was on fire, quickly realizing her mistake, but he held onto her foot firmly. "You... You eavesdropped! Let go of me!" She struggled, but her foot and leg were firmly gripped by him, using only three fingers to render her unable to move.

"No." He lowered his head, his eyes filled with a smile. "As a man who loves money, it's easy for me to give some of the contestants a chance. Can't you do the same?" His muscular arms rested on the chair, his shirt and tie were impeccable, but his gaze was mischievous as he leaned closer, and blew a breath toward her. "It's also easy to win first prize, Ms. Winnie."

"Are you, the esteemed CEO of Imperial Jewelry, trying to take advantage of a female designer?" Winnie pulled her foot out, a shiver coursing through her pale skin. She hastily slipped away from the man's embrace, resembling a small cat evading a man's grip. The man remained poised, his posture elegant, casting a glance in her direction.

Winnie, who had moved a few meters away, was angrily exclaiming, "You're shameless and despicable! Lawrence Rodriguez, it seems you hold a grudge against me. I will make a comeback and defeat you."

"I may have the advantage over you, but I'm willing to lie down and welcome you." The man narrowed his eyes and smiled.

What a refined scoundrel. Winnie finally paid attention to the deeper meaning in his words. Her face reddened as she grabbed her shoes and ran out. "Don't think about pursuing me. Let me tell you, I have a husband who I love dearly. I will never be with you. You're not as handsome as him, and you can't compare to him in any way."

He laughed. "How would you know if you don't try?" Winnie couldn't help but think that the CEO and the masked man at home, were quite similar. 'What was going on?'

She angrily walked away. At the same time, the assistant came in carrying two lunch boxes. "Mr. Rodriguez, has Mrs. Rodriguez left?"

"She got upset and left. Arrange for a car to send her home." The man raised an eyebrow and sat down on the large chair, looking down at the desk. There was a piece of discarded paper with several drawings of turtles on the back.

A lingering sweet fragrance filled the chair. She had just referred to him as a turtle. A hint of pleasure flashed in the man's eyes. She dared to curse him and imply that he was lacking in that aspect.

The assistant thought to himself that Lawrence intentionally kept Winnie behind just to tease her. He really had a strange sense of humor. Both were playing a game of cat and mouse, the pleasures of being a rich couple.

Winnie left the company in a fit of anger and got into Olivia's car. Olivia brought good news. "Victoria just invited us to have a little gathering with the girls this afternoon."

Winnie was surprised and packed up her computer. She smiled and said, "Sounds good."

They arrived at the club just as Victoria arrived. She was wearing a duckbill cap and a mask, tightly wrapped up.

"Victoria, how did you escape from the set?" Olivia rushed over to hug her.

"I had just finished filming for the new drama. Winnie..." Victoria said, looking at Winnie up and down, her eyes slightly red. "I heard about what happened. Are you doing okay?"

"I'm fine." Winnie blinked her eyes.

The three of them embraced each other and entered the private room. Victoria took off her hat, revealing her long, curly, rose-colored hair. She possessed the standard physique for the lively and alluring style of the entertainment industry.

"Victoria, you're getting more beautiful. Honestly, have you found a boyfriend?" Olivia asked, being nosy.

"Boyfriend?"

Out of the four beautiful women of Lymington, Winnie was the most stunning, Olivia was adorable, Victoriawass alluring, and Lishwasis elegant.

Victoria frowned. "Where can I find a boyfriend? You all know that I'm too busy with filming to think about those things. Olivia, how about you and your fiance?"

"It's a business alliance. He's just a playboy." Olivia rolled her eyes.

Winnie looked at her younger friend's attitude. "But he still manages to make you swoon."

Victoria's smile paused for a moment, she shifted her gaze from Olivia to Winnie. "I heard Olivia say that you're pregnant ... Is that man really a hoodlum?"

Olivia frowned. "Who told you that he's a hoodlum? I never said that."

Victoria's smiling face quickly stiffened, she quickly laughed it off. "Oh, maybe I mixed up some news. I'm sorry. Let's not talk about that. Winnie, I heard you've been focusing on the jewelry design competition recently, is that true?" Winnie looked at her for a moment, smiled, and nodded.

"You're so talented! Did you finish your preliminary design? Can I see it?" Victoria showed interest as she walked over and sat next to Winnie.

Olivia teased. "Victoria, you don't even like art, why are you suddenly interested in jewelry design?"