The following morning, as the first light of dawn broke, I hurriedly took a cab to the airport. I secretly rejoiced that the fare would be reimbursed by the company, allowing me to indulge without hesitation. As I gazed out the window, watching the scenery swiftly retreat, my heart was filled with a sense of anticipation for the upcoming business trip, though the unknowns weighed heavily on my mind.

Upon reaching the airport, I glanced around and spotted Charlotte Hayes, the manager of the marketing department, and Theo Westbrook, the ever-smiling figure. They were hauling heavy suitcases, while I, in contrast, carried only a light bag, as though I were simply here for breakfast. Charlotte nodded slightly upon seeing me, while Theo waved with a radiant smile that could rival the warmth of spring sunshine.

After we gathered, we learned that Sophie and Charlotte had booked business class seats, while Theo and I were relegated to economy. A sense of relief washed over me; this way, I would not have to interact too much with Sophie. Sophie, when it came to work, was a veritable tyrant, and being around her always left me feeling immense pressure. Theo, seemingly attuned to my thoughts, patted me on the shoulder and remarked with a grin,"Brother, economy class isn't so bad. At least you don't have to worry about your boss scrutinizing your every move."

Four long hours passed, filled with the deafening roar of the engines, and we finally arrived in Virelia. Upon disembarking, we exited the terminal and were immediately greeted by the sight of the charming young man who flashed us a wide smile. He swiftly seized Sophie's suitcase, exuding an air of eager attentiveness."Sophie, are you heading back to the office or making other arrangements?" Sophie responded coolly,"Back to the office."

A curious question stirred in my mind—what exactly was this young man's role in the company? If he were Sophie's boyfriend, then why did she seem so indifferent toward him? She had never introduced him to us, either. This strange dynamic filled me with intrigue. Could it be that this man was being supported by Sophie? The very thought left me with a sense of disdain—how shameful for a grown man to rely on a woman for sustenance.

Guided by the young man, we climbed into a business vehicle. He instructed the driver to take us to the office. As we passed through the gates of a massive complex labeled Vanguard Industries, I was taken aback by the scale of Sophie's company. It was no wonder that she had the confidence to claim she would help me pay off my debts within two years. However, I felt no need for such assistance. I would rise on my own efforts.

Once we disembarked, Sophie directed,"Wait in the meeting room. Ryan, come with me." A sigh escaped my lips as I realized I was once again at the mercy of this tyrant for work. Charlotte and Theo walked leisurely toward the meeting room, while I followed behind Sophie and the young man, listening to their discussions about company matters. Though I tried to follow along, I understood little and was left in a fog, trailing behind.

We soon arrived at an office bearing the chairman's plaque. I hesitated, unsure whether to enter. What if the two of them had a heated, intimate exchange upon meeting? I certainly did not wish to witness such a scene. Just as I faltered, Sophie suddenly shouted,"What are you doing out there? Come in at once!" Resigned, I braced myself and entered, praying fervently that I would not witness anything inappropriate. After all, as an assistant, I had to maintain certain boundaries.

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As the young man passed me on his way out, he deliberately brushed his shoulder against mine. Throughout, I had done him no wrong, yet I could feel an unmistakable resentment in his actions. What was his issue? I had never sought his benefactor, and I certainly had no interest in doing so.

"Sit over there. We'll attend the marketing department's meeting in a while, and later, we'll have dinner with the VP of Procurement from AstraTech Solutions," Sophie briefly outlined our agenda for the day.

After finishing her tasks, Sophie led me to the meeting room. Elias Montgomery, a sharp-looking middle-aged man, was engaged in animated conversation with Charlotte and the others. When they saw us enter, they all spread out their notebooks, preparing to take notes, while I was left empty-handed.

Seeing that I was empty-handed, Sophie directly asked,"Are you truly attending the meeting like this?"

I glanced at her in silence, my mind racing with the thought, How was I to know what else I needed to prepare?

"Go to the administration department and fetch a notebook," she instructed when she saw me standing still.

Rising, I made my way towards the administration department, though I was entirely unaware of its location. As I walked down the corridor, I approached a young man passing by and asked,"Excuse me, could you tell me where the administration department is?"

He pointed to the stairwell."Second floor, just downstairs."

"Thank you." I silently rejoiced, relieved to learn it was just downstairs, which explained why I had been unable to find it after searching for a while.

Upon reaching the lower floor, I saw a striking young woman standing by the entrance of the administration department. I approached her and inquired,"Excuse me, I'm here to pick up a notebook and pen. Who should I speak to?"

She stood up and gave me a quick, appraising look."I don't think I've seen you before."

"I'm from the Eldoria office, just arrived today. My boss sent me to pick these up," I quickly explained, inwardly noting that this woman seemed no easy person to handle.

Upon hearing it was the boss's request, she promptly retrieved a notebook and a pen for me, handing them over."Take it."

"Isn't there a form to sign?" I asked, surprised at the casual manner in which it was handed to me.

"Ah, just take it. I'll note it under your Eldoria office later," she replied impatiently.

"Thanks, beautiful," I said, accepting the notebook and pen, offering my gratitude once more. She looked at me with mild curiosity before advising,"The boss has a temper, so be cautious. Don't be too slick with your words, but she's actually a good person."

It seemed I was not the only one who thought Sophie had a short fuse. This brought me a slight sense of relief."I'll keep that in mind. Goodbye."

As I returned to the meeting room and pushed open the door, Sophie's all-too-familiar thunderous voice echoed through the space."I asked you to get a notebook. What took you so long? Did you go to buy one, or did you stop off at the factory? Everyone's been waiting for you—how long? Thirteen minutes."

I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks, the embarrassment burning like a furnace. The meeting room wasn't just occupied by her; several other executives were present, making it difficult to discern the situation. With my head lowered, I quickly moved to the back of the table, pulling out a chair to sit.

Sophie, noticing, raised an eyebrow, and her voice grew even sharper."Why are you sitting so far away? Is it because the chair over here can't fit you, or do you have ears like a hawk, able to hear from miles away?"

All eyes turned to me. Theo Westbrook wore a face of mock sympathy, while Elias Montgomery remained expressionless, and Charlotte Hayes seemed entertained, as though watching a performance. Resigned, I shoved the chair back and moved closer to the front, preparing to sit next to Theo.

"Come here. Sit here," Sophie commanded, pointing to the seat nearest to her."You're my assistant, and you don't know where to sit?"