The CEO Gets What He Wants

The following day, Nicole scrolled through her phone distractedly in the dressing room as a makeup artist did her

makeup, waiting for more vilifying news about Avery to blow up. I can almost picture Avery's miserable state in my

mind's eye.

However, even though she kept checking Twitter, WhatsApp, and various major news platforms, she did not see any

mention of scandals related to Avery.

That stunned her, and she sensed that something was off. I saw that the damaging article on Avery was still

available at midnight last night. How could it have disappeared overnight? What's even stranger is that Bonnie sent

me all those links to the media channels that reposted the article, but they're also all gone. Nothing pops up even

when I use the search function...

She could not help feeling somewhat rattled. Not caring that she was having her makeup done or whether it was a

suitable place, she immediately called Bonnie. To her surprise, her calls went unanswered even after many tries. If

it were not for the fact that it was not the right time or place, she would have flung her phone onto the floor.

“Ms. Lambert, are you unhappy with the makeup I've done for you?” the young makeup artist asked cautiously

when she noticed Nicole looking upset. Everyone knows of her impressive family background, and none of the film

crew dares to incur her wrath. Fortunately, it's still pretty easy to work for her. Apart from being a little spoiled, she

has quite a mild temper.

However, Nicole did not hear a word the makeup artist said. She was too preoccupied with wondering why

something like that had happened. I paid a hefty sum for Bonnie to find many online sites to publish the article on

Avery. I expected it to raise a furor that'd destroy Avery's reputation. To my chagrin, the results have ended up

being the complete opposite of what I'd anticipated!

Suddenly, her phone vibrated, giving her a fright.

She cast a careless glance at her phone's screen to see who was calling her, but when she saw that it was Cayden,

she instantly became ecstatic.

Her first instinct was to answer it at once. After pondering for a moment, however, she decided to take the more

reserved route since it was the first time he had taken the initiative to call her.

She let it ring for about ten seconds. Then, unable to contain her excitement any longer, she answered the call and

said cloyingly, “Hello?”

“Ms. Lambert, do you have some time today? Let's have dinner together after work,” came Cayden's mesmerizing

voice from the other end of the line.

Initially, she planned to play it cool and leave him hanging. However, due to his unpredictable and cold personality,

she feared he would change his mind if she turned down his invitation. Hence, she responded eagerly, “Yes, I'm

free. I'm shooting a commercial today and will end work a little earlier. I should be done at around half past five.”

“All right. Let's meet at Number Nine Eatery at half past six this evening, then.”

“Um, could you—” she began, intending to ask him if he could pick her up from the set after he left his office. After

all, how good would it feel if he came to pick me up personally?

However, he hung up before she could finish speaking, and her question died on her lips. Despite that, she was still

over the moon. I'm well aware of his temperament. His icy demeanor isn't something that'll melt so quickly. But as

long as he gives me a chance, I'm confident his heart of steel will soften because of me.

Seeing how happy Nicole looked, the makeup artist said enviously, “Ms. Lambert, was that your boyfriend? He has

such a nice voice!”

“Yes. Not only does my boyfriend have a nice voice, but he's also very charming!” Nicole answered proudly as

though she and Cayden were indeed dating.

As the makeup artist applied blusher to Nicole's face, she remarked in a flattering tone, “You're so beautiful and

come from a good family, so you must have high standards. Your boyfriend must either be the son of a government

official or a wealthy heir, am I right?”

Nicole tried her best to make herself appear modest, but the proud look on her face was as clear as day. “Not at all.

Many men have pursued me, and many sons of high-ranking officials have approached my parents to ask for my

hand in marriage. However, I never agreed to any of them because I only have eyes for my boyfriend. He's the

CEO of Trident Group, Cayden Moore. You know, I don't want anything from him. All I want is for him to treat me

better.”

The makeup artist nearly squealed in excitement. “Oh, my goodness! It's Mr. Moore! He's the man of every lady in

Ackleton's dreams! More importantly, there has never been a whiff of scandal around him, and his reputation is

exceptionally squeaky-clean. You're so lucky, Ms. Lambert! As the daughter of a prominent family, only an

exceptional man like Mr. Moore would be worthy of you.”

She was so glib-tongued that Nicole was on cloud nine and beamed brightly. The latter even declared that she

would make the former her personal makeup artist.

For the rest of the day, Nicole was caught up in the joy of having been asked to dinner by Cayden and forgot about

Avery. She desperately wished for the shoot to wrap up as soon as possible and go on a romantic date with him.

...

Over at Trident Group, Avery and Nina could not help noticing that some of their colleagues were giving them

strange looks and pointing in their direction while whispering among themselves as they walked to the design

department.

Avery was both bemused and puzzled as the usually quiet design department was quite abuzz.

Several male colleagues were gathered together, discussing something while looking at their phones. When Avery

arrived at the office, they stopped talking abruptly. However, they could not hide the expressions on their faces. It

was an amalgamation of surprise, pity, and disdain. There was also a hint of mockery.

Only the pregnant Cecelia, who had arrived before them, was looking at Avery in concern.

Although Cayden had wasted no time in dealing with the damaging article on Avery, many colleagues who were

night owls had read it. Naturally, they stared at her with suspicion and disdain. After all, the article appeared well-

founded, and the photos showed everything clearly. Some had even saved those repulsive photos.

Ignoring them, Avery greeted Cecelia, then went straight to her desk and sat down.

Just then, Yulissa sauntered over with a heavy face of makeup and started making sarcastic remarks. “My, my,

Avery. I didn't expect that you'd be quite so open-minded. And to think that you always look so innocent! Foreign

hunks are pretty good, eh? And one wasn't enough to satisfy you, so you had a few of them. Tsk, tsk! You weren't

afraid of ruining your body, either. Now, you've become an internet sensation the whole company knows about!”

A male colleague turned to Avery with a salacious expression. “If we hadn't seen that article, we would've been

fooled by your outward appearance. You look all prim and proper while hiding a wild side underneath. You must be

very good at it...”

A wave of embarrassment and anger crashed over Avery at their derogatory comments. Her beautiful eyes turned

steely as she gazed at them. “Ms. Yantz, I won't argue with you due to my respect toward you as my superior.

However, if you guys continue slandering me like this, I won't let it slide.”

“Oh, I'm shaking in my shoes!” Yulissa patted her chest exaggeratedly and let out a cold snort. Taking her phone,

she pulled up the unsightly photos of Avery and showed them to her in a gloating manner. “The proof is here, yet

you still dare to lie. Are you afraid to admit what you did? Take a look for yourself. Look at that insatiable expression

of yours. It's disgusting!”