The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 124- humiliated

August had just exited the parking garage when a familiar flash of green caught his eye.

His expression darkened almost instantly.

"You again?"

Standing there, all smiles and confidence, was the very woman he’d tried to avoid for weeks. He had already made it crystal clear—he wasn’t interested. But she was like a cockroach—resilient, persistent, and infuriatingly hard to shake off.

Strangely enough, though... today, she didn’t look that annoying.

"I’m not here for you, okay?" Peggy huffed, arms crossed. She jabbed a finger in the direction of the man entering the building ahead. "I came for business. See that guy? Simon? That’s my brother."

She flipped her hair and added proudly, "We’re here on behalf of the Pei Group to finalize a partnership with Black Rock Co."

In truth, Peggy was merely a nominal assistant to her brother. She’d majored in design in college and had almost zero practical business experience. But the moment she found out the deal involved Black Rock Co., she had demanded to tag along. Simon didn’t stand a chance.

August raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Of course he knew Simon. He and Manfred had gone to high school together. But his overly clingy sister? She was a walking headache.

"Well, see you in there, then!" Peggy chirped and scurried after her brother, casting one final glance at August. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

This time... I’ll make you notice me.

The meeting started off tense and didn’t get any better.

Charles, seated at the head of the long conference table, flipped through the proposal Simon had presented. His brows knitted together slightly as he rested his chin on one hand, fingers tapping in rhythm.

Sensing the shift in his boss’s mood, Giles—Charles’s assistant—stood up and ended the meeting with practiced tact.

Without a word, Charles rose and walked out, not sparing so much as a glance at the Pei siblings.

Simon exhaled, trying to mask his frustration. So this was the infamous Charles. Cold. Blunt. And completely immune to social niceties. No wonder he ruled the business world like a tyrant.

"Mr. Pei," Giles said, voice smooth but firm. "The boss’s stance is clear. Unless you’re willing to increase your proposed budget by 20%, we’ll be looking for a different partner."

No games. No sugarcoating.

Simon forced a polite nod. "Understood, Giles. We’ll discuss it internally and get back to you."

Truth was, Simon was in a bind. The partnership with Black Rock Co. was a golden opportunity—one that could elevate Pei Group’s standing across the industry. But with the increased investment, their liquidity would take a major hit.

Lose this deal, and the Pei Group might not get another shot.

Sign it, and they’d be taking a financial gamble.

In Janet’s office, things weren’t much calmer.

"Your husband is ruthless! Completely humiliated my brother in there!" Peggy stormed in, dropping into the guest chair like she owned the place.

Janet glanced up from her computer, unimpressed. "Then maybe you should be telling him that, not me."

"You think I dare?" Peggy huffed, then leaned in, her expression flipping into one of fake sweetness. "Come on, Janet... can’t you talk to Charles for me? Maybe ask him to budge on the price? Just a little?"

Janet rolled her eyes. "Peggy, you know I don’t meddle in company decisions. That’s Charles’s domain."

But Peggy wasn’t giving up that easily.

She had to win this deal.

Because if she could, she’d have a legitimate reason to work closely with August.

He hadn’t spoken a word in the meeting—but the way he carried himself, that calm, calculating aura—she could tell Charles trusted him to handle this project.

And if August was involved...

She wasn’t letting this opportunity slip away.

She already knew—they were real brothers. Manfred had told her.

That’s how she knew August had returned to Black Rock Co. once again.

This time, she wasn’t going to miss any chance to get closer to him.

"My whole future’s in your hands. Help me out, will you? If this works, I’ll take you to celebrate—HAPPY style!" Peggy’s teasing voice echoed in Janet’s ear, making her feel a little overwhelmed.

With a sigh, Janet braced herself and walked toward the boss’s office. Since the meeting was abruptly ended, Charles hadn’t gone back inside.

She pushed the door open, wondering whether to call him "Boss" or just use his name. Before she could say anything, Charles looked up, his eyes instantly locking on her conflicted face as if he could read her thoughts.

"Janet, something on your mind?" His voice was playful, a spark of curiosity flickering in his gaze.

Janet blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected tone. He’d always called her by her name for as long as she could remember, but now with this new role, she sometimes felt more like a secretary than anything else.

"Uh... nothing." She flushed, words stuck in her throat.

She was about to turn and leave when suddenly, a pair of strong arms blocked her path.

Then, Charles’s voice, smooth and magnetic, reached her ears:

"Wait—before you even speak, I already know you’re expecting me to say no."

He knew! All along!

Janet’s eyes narrowed with a mix of annoyance and disbelief. He must have been doing this on purpose—a teasing man through and through.

"You’re impossible," she muttered, glaring up at him.

Charles chuckled low and close. "And you? You don’t even try to make a proper request. No sincerity at all."

"Well then, will you help or not?" Janet didn’t pull away from his approach. Thinking of Peggy’s pitiful little face, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Charles pretended to ponder deeply, his face inches from hers. Forehead pressed lightly to hers, he whispered,

"If my wife asks, how could I possibly refuse?"

"Really? Will it be too troublesome?" Janet’s heart fluttered. If helping Peggy caused him any trouble, she didn’t want to be caught in the middle.

Charles’s large hand cradled the back of her head, fingers threading through her soft hair, his tone laced with possessive affection.

"It’s just a little extra work for me. Compared to you, it’s nothing."

"Charles, you’re amazing. On behalf of Peggy, thank you." Janet’s eyes shone with gratitude. She smiled sweetly and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his.

For a moment, time froze—four lips meeting, a perfect, tender picture. Endless love spoke through their eyes.

"Janet, you really are something! Just a few words and you’ve got him wrapped around your finger!" Peggy spun excitedly in place, hugging Janet tightly.

"Stop spinning—I’m dizzy!" Janet pushed her gently away, smiling at Peggy’s ecstatic expression, a hint of happiness tugging at her lips.

In the end, they signed the deal at Simon’s original bottom line.

Charles’s unexpected concession surprised Simon.

He hadn’t expected Janet to be the key to bending Charles’s iron will.

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