Chapter 1590:
The secretary glanced at Barry, knowing he was clearly provoking Harlee. Worrying about assassins was reasonable, but bringing up Kareem and doubting Harleeâs ability to keep her identity hidden? That was bound to get a reaction.
The only sound was the chime of Harleeâs game announcing victory. She finally looked up, slipping her phone into her pocket. Her dark eyes met Barryâs, cold enough to send a shiver down his spine.
âOh? And?â Her tone was casual, an eyebrow raised.
The secretary stiffened. Harleeâs attitude was outright insolent.
The secretary couldnât help but shudder. If she had a choice, she would have bolted out of the room and pretended she had never heard a word. Harlee was playing with fire, wasnât she? The level of disrespect she showed toward Barry was downright audacious.
The secretary lowered her head. If Barryâs temper snapped, would she be the first one facing his wrath?
Barry hesitated for a fraction of a second, his gaze locking onto Harleeâs playful smirk. He let out a dry chuckle, the kind that barely masked awkwardness.
âWell⦠Nothing. Just asking.â
Sensing the tension thickening like a storm brewing on the horizon, Barry hurriedly added, âOh, rightâabout the banquet the day after tomorrow. How many groups of assassins and terrorists are expected? Think you can handle all of them?â
Harlee arched an eyebrow, her gaze narrowing slightly. She could practically see the gears turning in Barryâs head as he searched for an escape route to lighten the mood. Uncrossing her legs, she leaned forward, her voice smooth but laced with an unmistakable edge.
âAre you questioning my skills? Should I give you a firsthand demonstration of how I eliminate enemies?â
Faced with such blatant provocation, Barry still dared not let his fury show. He knew all too well that Harlee possessed both the skill and the means to ensure theâ¦
North Island assassins wouldnât so much as ruffle his collarâlet alone pose a real threat to his life. And besides, if he uttered even a single unnecessary word, she might actually kill him. Harlee was a force to be reckoned with, a storm wrapped in silk. Even Matteo, the iron-fisted ruler who had controlled half of Uwhor for decades, had met his downfall at her hands. Compared to him, Barryâthe president of Gruiniaâwas hardly formidable enough to make her so much as blink.
A tense silence filled the air, thick as smoke in a sealed room. Barry had already swallowed his pride once, and he couldnât afford to bow his head again. Instead, he turned sharply toward his secretaryâthe poor woman who had stood quietly in the background, likely hoping to go unnoticed.
The secretary met Barryâs gaze, and the corner of her mouth twitched. Seriously? If even Barry couldnât handle Harlee, what was sheâa mere secretaryâsupposed to do? Reciting a motivational speech and hoping for a miracle? Yet, Barry was her boss. And the bossâs orders, no matter how unreasonable, had to be obeyed. So, despite the icy dread creeping up her spine, she took a steadying breath and stepped forward.
âMs. Sanderson, I think thereâs been a misunderstanding,â the secretary said carefully, her voice smooth but her pulse erratic.
âMr. Stevenson has no ulterior motives. He was simply trying to offer assistanceâdiscreetly.â
Seeing that Harleeâs expression remained as frigid as a winterâs gale, the secretary pressed on, her heart tangled in a web of anxiety.
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