Victoria's eyes flared with stubbornness. "Dad, love is a gradual process!"
Roland shook his head, smiling sadly. "Yes, it is. But you've had a crush on him since you were twelve. That's thirteen years now, and he still hasn't reciprocated. Do you really think he doesn't know you like him? Why don't you find someone else?"
Victoria bit her lip, her heart aching at the truth she didn't want to accept. "I don't want to do that, Dad." Her voice was barely above a whisper before she spun on her heel and ran up to her room.
Roland let out a deep sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "That girl…" he muttered, shaking his head as he watched her disappear upstairs.
Even he was tired of convincing her.
…
The chauffeur stopped the car in front of the Black Company. Irene stepped out gracefully, her eyes lighting up as she surveyed the building. With a playful smirk and a hint of awe in her voice, she remarked,
"Damn it, some people know how to spend money, this place is beautiful."
She walked briskly toward the entrance. At the reception desk, she leaned in confidently and announced,
"Hello, I'm Irene and I'm here to meet Mr Brian Black."
The receptionist's eyes widened as she took in Irene's striking appearance. Dressed in a black leather, high-waisted mini flair shirt and a cropped blazer, Irene let her dirty brown long hair fall freely over her shoulders. Her hair long to her waistline. Her makeup was impeccable—her blood-red lip gloss and perfectly adorned features accentuated her beauty. Her long legs, emphasized by six-inch black heels and a signature anklet on her left ankle, complemented the look, while her black Prada purse hung stylishly over her shoulder. The receptionist, though clearly captivated by her allure, couldn't help but think she must be one of those girls who come to pester Brian Black or those girl who are after rich guys. She asked curtly,
"Do you have an appointment with him?"
Irene's eyes sparkled with mischief as she replied confidently,
"Yes, from the Brown, Mr Roland Brown."
The receptionist's expression shifted into one of disdain as she assumed Irene was merely a secretary of the Brown family. She checked the records before her and she confirmed the Browns has an appointment with Brian. In a clipped tone, she said,
"Indeed you have an appointment with Mr Black, but as a secretary of the Brown,who is supposed face of the Brown,shouldn't you be mindful of your dressing, don't think of climbing a social ladder, why don't you just focus on your job?"
Irene's playful demeanor only intensified. With a slight spin and a teasing tone meant to provoke, she retorted,
"Wait, are you saying you don't like my dress? Do you know how much it cost?"
The receptionist's irritation flared as she replied sharply,
"It's not about the cost of the dress, it's your behavior… it stinks, you're proving to be shameless."
A sly smile crept over Irene's face as she leaned in, her voice low and challenging,
"My other name is Shameless."
She paused, her eyes gleaming with playful defiance as she continued,
"Be thankful, I am in a good mood, or else I will make you regret every single word you say to me today."
Unbeknownst to both, Richard had been watching the drama unfold from a distance. The receptionist's eyes narrowed even further as she snapped back,
"And who the hell, do you think you are?"
Her tone was one of both disbelief and determination, clearly not willing to back down.
Before Irene could retort, a commanding voice cut through the tension,
"What the is going on here."
Richard's tone was cool, pretending not to understand the chaos around him.
Thinking her boss was there to support her, Irene straightened up and spoke proudly,
"I am sorry sir, am just reprimanding the secretary of the Brown to be mindful of her dressing and to know how to dress formally."
Richard's eyes flicked between them as he inquired,
"Do you even know who this is?"
Irene, with a dismissive tilt of her head, replied confidently,
"I don't think she do."
The receptionist's face fell into confusion as she processed the exchange.
With a tone that brooked no argument, Richard declared,
"She's the recently found daughter of the Brown."
Irene's smirk widened as she tilted her head slightly, her voice smooth yet teasing.
"You got the introduction wrong." She let the words hang in the air for a second before adding,
"I'm the illegitimate daughter of the Brown."
Richard blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her nonchalant admission.
"Okay?" he finally said, raising an eyebrow. Then, shifting his sharp gaze to the receptionist, he asked,
"And where are your manners? How is it your place to reprimand anyone?"
The receptionist's face paled as she quickly bowed her head.
"I am so sorry, sir."
Richard waved off her apology.
"Don't be sorry to me, but to her."
The receptionist turned to Irene, her voice meek now.
"I'm so sorry, ma."
Irene, playing the bigger person, gave a gracious smile, though the mischievous glint in her eyes didn't fade.
"It's okay."
Richard turned his attention back to Irene, his lips twitching into a small smirk.
"Let me lead you to Brian's office."
Irene shrugged, her tone light but playful.
"Then I will have to trouble you, Mr…?" she trailed off, waiting for his name.
He extended a hand slightly, his voice smooth.
"Richard Black. Brother to Brian Black."
Irene took in his features with interest before nodding.
"Irene Queen."
Richard gave her a charming smile.
"Nice meeting you."
Irene, ever unpredictable, gave him an eye-smile as she shot back,
"Don't be so sure yet."
They both laughed, the tension from earlier melting into something more relaxed.
---
Brian's Office
Knock! Knock!! Knock!!!
"Come in." Brian's deep voice rang out from inside.
Richard pushed open the door, stepping in with Irene following behind him.
Brian looked up, his sharp gaze narrowing at his brother.
"When did you learn to knock before entering?" he asked, clearly suspicious.
Richard smirked.
"I'm trying to look cool in front of this beautiful lady."
Irene chuckled, tilting her head slightly as she responded smoothly,
"Don't worry, no matter what you do, you already look cool in front of me."
Brian let out a small sigh, his voice colder now.
"Why are you here?" he directed at Irene, ignoring Richard's antics.
A playful glint sparkled in her eyes as she casually took a seat—uninvited.
"I'm here to officially ask you out."
Richard's brows lifted in amusement as he leaned against the desk.
"Then let me give you a tip—he's hard to pursue."
Irene turned to him with an amused smirk.
"I don't like easy stuff either."
They both laughed, completely ignoring Brian, whose irritation was starting to show.
"Do you both realize I'm in this room?" Brian asked, clearly annoyed.
Irene turned to him, her eyes playful.
"I thought this was an office?" she teased.
Richard burst into laughter, while Brian exhaled sharply.
"Since when did you two become so close?" he asked suspiciously.
"Just now," Richard replied effortlessly.
Irene, deciding it was time to get to business, picked up the file she had brought.
"Mr. Black, Mr. Roland asked me to give this file to you."
Brian took it, his fingers flipping through the pages before his sharp gaze met hers.
"Mr. Roland? Or your father?"
He just became talkative all of a sudden.
Irene's expression didn't change, but her tone turned cool.
"I don't think that has anything to do with you, Mr. Black."
Sensing the tension rising, Richard cut in with a charming grin.
"Irene, do you mind giving me your number?"
Irene, unbothered, took his phone without hesitation.
"Of course. Giving you my number is my pleasure." She quickly typed it in before standing up.
"Okay, I will take my leave then."
Just as she turned to go, Brian's voice called out,
"Miss Irene?"
She turned back, her gaze questioning.
Brian leaned back in his chair, his tone unreadable.
"Tell Mr. Brown I will call him once I'm done with the file."
Irene blinked once before crossing her arms, her tone indifferent.
"Why would I do that? I was only paid to deliver the file, not to deliver your message. Once you're done with the file, call him yourself."
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heels and walked toward the door.
Brian let out a low chuckle, the amusement slipping through his usually cold demeanor.
Richard, who was halfway through following Irene out, suddenly halted and turned back, staring at Brian in disbelief.
"Did you just smile?"
Brian's expression hardened immediately.
"Get out."
But Richard was already grinning like he'd just discovered something groundbreaking.
"Oh my God, so there's actually someone who can make the almighty Brian smile."
Brian shot him a deadly glare.
"Didn't I just say get out?"
Richard continued laughing as he strolled out of the office, clearly enjoying his brother's rare reaction.