Dating My Boss Online

Chapter 5

So that's what it was about.

My acting skills came into play again.

I lowered my head, my expression full of guilt and embarrassment: "Speaking of that, I'm really sorry. I accidentally tripped yesterday, and VP Taylor was right in front of me. Fortunately, she's a nice person and pulled me up. I was quite embarrassed." After saying this, I waved my hand, "Let's not talk about it. Just thinking about it makes me want to curl up in embarrassment."

"I see."

The colleagues who were eavesdropping all turned away, uninterested. Luke blinked, his expression hard to read, whether he believed it or not. "That's good. Office romances aren't really appropriate anyway."

As he spoke, he added, "I happen to have a project here with some unreasonable unit prices. We need to negotiate with the construction company, but I don't have time. Gus, I'll leave it to you."

The people from the other side had arrived early and were waiting in the meeting room. As soon as I went in, I saw a familiar and unpleasant face.

Me: ...

Well, well, isn't this the college classmate who confessed to me? What a small world.

While inwardly complaining, I still put on a smile and extended my hand: "Ms. Brown, nice to meet you."

She naturally recognized me too and gave a forced smile: "Mr. Watson, it's an honor."

When it comes to these project matters, it's all about who can talk the talk and who knows how to play the game. Even though it's a project worth one or two million, when it comes to negotiation, it's just like haggling in a vegetable market.

I got straight to the point: "Ms. Brown, the unit price for this epoxy flooring is a bit high. The management isn't very satisfied."

She predictably pleaded poverty: "Mr. Watson, please don't joke. Our price is already quite low. We're barely making any profit."

After some back and forth, she finally put on a helpless expression: "How about this, give me your lowest price. If we can do it, we'll take it."

My heart skipped a beat.

Under normal circumstances, this project would require online bidding. But Luke's intention was to directly commission it, letting a few other companies put in companion bids, but also to appropriately lower the price.

Revealing the base price wasn't unheard of, in fact, it was quite common in this world of personal connections. But there were two problems: first, this project wasn't my responsibility; second, I wasn't familiar with this woman in front of me, and we even had some friction. I also didn't know much about this company. If the base price leaked from me... if nothing went wrong, it would be fine, but what if something did?

Moreover, I still hadn't figured out which leader had given the order for direct commissioning.

If it was the big boss who had written direct commissioning online, there would be no need for all this.

Thinking of the rumors I had heard recently.

I narrowed my eyes.

Was Luke trying to set me up?

So I smiled: "Please wait a moment."

At the same time, I texted Ottilie Taylor: "Is that investigation from the CEO's office recently related to Luke?"

She quickly replied: "Yes, if he asks you to do anything irregular, don't get involved. Don't let yourself get implicated."

I briefly explained the situation, and Ottilie Taylor told me to pass the buck.

I went out to find Luke. He was chatting and laughing with several project managers.

"Mr. Hughes, they want me to quote the market price to see if they can do it."

Luke: "Then just give them a quote."

I put on an embarrassed smile: "I didn't prepare this market inquiry, and I don't dare to interfere in this matter. Why don't you go instead?"

Luke: "..."

He seemed a bit annoyed, then quoted a number, "Just tell her this price."

I stood there without moving.

He chatted and laughed for a few more sentences, then turned his head to see me still standing there. Unable to hold back, he gritted his teeth and said quite impatiently: "... I've had enough of you!"

After typing, he ran to the meeting room.

I stood in place watching his back, unable to help but slightly furrow my brow.

If my feeling wasn't wrong, he was targeting me, but this was premised on him not knowing that he was about to be investigated. So why did he still want me to handle this matter?

I didn't understand.

The project price was still not finalized. After reporting another price, the management still felt it was too high. Just when I thought we might have to change companies, Luke called me to have dinner with him and Rachel Brown, also known as Ms. Brown, in the evening.

I refused: "I'm sorry, Mr. Hughes, but I have plans tonight."

He wasn't surprised at all. Instead, he smiled and patted my shoulder: "Oh, I understand you. You're probably afraid of drinking again tonight, right? Don't worry, I definitely won't make you drink today. Come on, keep me company~"

I gritted my teeth: "I really have plans. I'm not lying to you."

He dropped his friendly act: "No, you must come with me tonight. There's no room for discussion!"

I finally agreed reluctantly, then messaged Ottilie Taylor: "Luke is insisting that I go to dinner with him and the construction company tonight. I have a bad feeling about this. Can you find a restaurant nearby to sit in?"

In the evening, it was me, Luke, Rachel Brown, and someone I didn't know having dinner together.

During the meal, Luke kept enthusiastically pouring me drinks, acting as if he was really apologizing for his previous behavior.

With no other choice, I had to play along with his act.

After dinner, Rachel Brown volunteered to give me a ride home. I was about to refuse when Luke immediately interrupted: "That's great, thank you so much!"

I tried to refuse twice more but ultimately couldn't resist. I was almost forcibly pushed into Rachel Brown's car.

As soon as I got in the car, I shared my location with Ottilie Taylor on SnapChat.

However, I don't know if it was my imagination, but I felt my body getting a bit hot. It wasn't the heat of temperature, but a kind of inner burning, a bit like having a fever, but not quite the same.

My vision gradually became blurry, and I suddenly understood what it was.