Moments later, Brian's secretary, Julius, walked in.
"Mr. Smith, I just got a call from the hotel in County M. I think it's something you should check personally."
Brian leaned back. "Is it urgent?"
Julius hesitated. "Not too urgent, but it would be good for you to be there."
Brian nodded. "Anything else?"
Julius hesitated before bringing up another matter. "Your father's birthday is in a week. Should we pick a gift?"
Brian raised a brow. "My father? Or your father?"
Julius blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Your father, sir."
Brian shrugged. "Then why do you care?"
Realizing his mistake, Julius quickly corrected himself. "Sorry, sir."
Brian ignored him and moved on. "Call the Browns and let them know I'm done with the file."
"They've already scheduled an appointment to meet you tomorrow," Julius informed him.
"Alright. That's all." Brian waved him off, then added, "About the birthday—just get any gift."
"Understood, sir."
Just as Julius was about to leave, Richard waltzed back in.
Brian exhaled sharply. "What do you want now?"
Richard grinned. "Just a quick question—do you like Irene?" He leaned against the desk, clearly fishing for gossip.
Brian's expression remained unreadable. "What does that have to do with you?"
Richard smirked. "Because if you're not interested, I might pursue her."
Brian barely reacted, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's not blind."
Richard heard it loud and clear. "What's that supposed to mean? I'm a damn good-looking man."
Brian gave him a blank stare. "Get out."
Richard sighed dramatically. "So mean."
"Will you really not answer?" Richard asked, watching Brian's blank expression.
When he got no response, he smirked and pulled out his phone. "Since you won't talk, I'll just give her a call and ask her on a date."
Still, Brian didn't react.
Richard's frustration grew. "If you keep acting this nonchalant, someone else will get her. Have you seen her, Julius? Irene is a stunning woman—and a flirt. She can have any man she wants, so you better get your act together, Brian."
Brian remained utterly indifferent. "Are you done? Get out."
Richard huffed. "Okay, fine! You'll regret this." He stormed out, leaving behind Brian's unreadable poker face.
—
"Why are the Browns so late?" Brian asked impatiently, checking his watch.
"I'm not sure, sir. Should I give them a call?" Julius offered.
Brian exhaled sharply. "No need. We leave in five minutes."
Before Julius could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"So sorry for the delay."
Brian looked up to see Irene walking in, her royal blue blazer dress hugging her figure. The deep neckline exposed just enough to draw attention
"Why are you here?" he asked, his tone flat.
Irene rolled her eyes. "Do you think I want to be? I had to do what I'm being paid for."
Brian frowned. "I don't get you."
Irene leaned in slightly, her lips curling into a teasing smirk. "Oh, don't worry, I'm all yours."
Julius sighed internally. "I'm so tired of this woman," he thought.
Brian ignored her flirtation. "You're being paid for what, exactly?"
"Ah, so that's what caught your interest." She crossed her arms. "My father paid me $200,000 to get the file from you. So technically, I'm on the clock."
Brian raised an eyebrow. "Wow." He cleared his throat. "We're supposed to discuss business. I refuse to discuss that with you—I want a legal representative."
Irene shrugged. "Figured as much. So why don't you just reject the proposal outright?"
"On what basis?" Brian asked.
She smirked. "For wasting your time, of course. Look, I was paid to bring the file, and I was paid to take it back. Doesn't it seem like he's trying to set us up?"
Brian scoffed. "I'm not interested in you, so don't worry."
Irene feigned a pout. "Are you sure?" She smiled again. "Anyway, that's your problem."
Brian turned to Julius. "Let's go."
"Wait, let's eat something first—I'm starving." Irene pouted.
Brian barely glanced at her. "If you're hungry, go ahead."
She sighed dramatically. "I don't like eating alone. Also, I don't have money."
Brian gave her a pointed look. "Weren't you just paid $200,000?"
Irene grinned. "Can't you just be a gentleman? Pretty please?"
Brian shook his head. "Just put it on my tab." He turned to leave.
Irene wasn't done. "Wait! Won't you eat with me? If you can't, at least leave your secretary behind." She shot Julius a flirtatious look, making him visibly uncomfortable.
"Why should I do that?" Brian asked, raising a brow.
"I need company, and I don't mind handsome company," she teased. "What do you say, Julius? Care to join me?"
Julius gave a stiff smile. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I need to drive him back."
Irene sighed dramatically. "You can't drive? A little disappointing."
Brian cut in. "Are you done?"
She took a sip of water, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Almost. Don't worry—I'll make you mine soon."
Brian rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
Irene stood gracefully. "Let's go, then. Oh, and remember—you owe me a meal."
She blew Julius a playful kiss before strutting out like the queen she has always be.
—
Lying on her plush sofa, Irene twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers as her phone buzzed in her hand. She swiped the screen and answered with a playful smile.
"Guess what, baby?" Esmeralda's excited voice rang through the phone.
Irene smirked. "You got a new boyfriend?" she teased, stretching lazily.
"Can you think beyond men?" Esmeralda huffed in mock annoyance.
Irene giggled. "I can't help it."
They both chuckled, their laughter filling the room like a melody.
"Coming to you soon. Let's rock Country B together!" Esmeralda announced, her voice practically buzzing with excitement.
Irene sat up, eyes lighting up. "Woah! Be expecting you, darling. Buy me a lot of things, love you… muah!" She kissed the air dramatically before ending the call.
Still in high spirits, she scrolled through her contacts and pressed another number.
"Hello, how are you?" Irene asked, her voice taking on a sultry tone.
"Irene, what's up? I'm good, and you?" Richard's voice came through, smooth and relaxed.
Irene pouted, tilting her head as if he could see her. "I was just thinking… if you had a chance to give me a city tour. I'm so bored." Her voice was deliberately coy.
Richard chuckled. "Oh, that? No problem. Whenever you're chanced, I'll give you a perfect tour."
Irene bit her lip, drawing out the moment. "What about right now? Today?"
Richard hesitated for a second before replying, "Okay, but you need to come to the office. I'm busy right now, so by the time you get here, I should be through."
Irene grinned. "Thanks a lot!" she said excitedly, already picturing her outfit.
---
At Brian's Office
Richard leaned against Brian's desk, his expression smug as he watched his older brother go through a file. He tapped his fingers against the wood, waiting for a reaction.
"You know who's coming to see me?" he asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.
Brian didn't even look up. "Do I care?" His tone was flat, indifferent.
Richard rolled his eyes. "Of course, you don't care. The latest beauty in town is asking me for a tour… woah." He stretched dramatically, emphasizing his excitement.
Brian's hand, which was holding a pen, paused for the briefest moment. "Irene?" he asked, his voice giving nothing away.
Richard grinned. "So you do know she's the latest beauty in town?" He wiggled his brows teasingly.
Brian's jaw clenched slightly. "Why would she ask you for a tour? What about her brothers?"
Richard shrugged, playing it cool. "I don't know, I don't care… Maybe I should use this opportunity to ask her out. What do you think?" He smirked, watching Brian closely for a reaction.
Brian remained unaffected, flipping through the file as if the conversation bored him. "That's your problem," he said, voice detached.
Richard's phone buzzed in his hand, and his lips curled into a knowing smirk as he answered in a low whisper.
"Shhh... She's calling. I think she's here," he said, glancing at Brian with amusement.
He pressed the phone to his ear. "Hello, beautiful?" His tone was smooth, teasing.
A pause. His grin widened. "You're at the reception? Come up to Brian's office."
Another pause. Richard chuckled. "Oh? Give the phone to the receptionist."
He turned slightly away from Brian, listening for a second before saying, "Let her come in, she's my guest."
A satisfied nod. "Alright." He hung up and pocketed his phone.
Brian, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke, his voice laced with impatience. "Why is she coming to my office?"
Richard smirked. "I want you to see what 'beautiful' is all about."
Just then, a knock echoed through the office.
"Come in," Brian said, his tone flat.
Julius entered, his expression neutral. "Miss Irene is waiting. Should I let her in?"
Before Brian could respond, Richard straightened up and waved a hand. "Of course, she's my guest."
Julius barely reacted, only looking toward Brian.
Brian exhaled sharply. "Let her in."
Julius gave a small nod and turned to leave.
"Hey! I'm also your boss. Shouldn't you listen to me?" Richard called after him, but Julius didn't even break his stride.