Chapter 496

Meanwhile, in the executive suite, Marguerite clutched a manila folder nervously as she stepped inside, her voice timid, “Um, I have a report for you.”

Frederick continued typing, saying without looking up, “Leave the documents. I’ll review them myself.”

Marguerite’s words caught in her throat. This guy sure knows how to flip the switch. Just a couple of days ago, he wasn’t like this!

She struggled to find anything to say, and finally set the folder down, her voice tinged with dejection and annoyance, “My office is just downstairs. You can call me anytime.”

Frederick suddenly lifted his gaze, fixing her with a steady look.

Marguerite faltered, thinking he might have had a change of heart and wanted her to stay. She waited with bated breath for him to speak.

Instead, he uttered two icy words – “Get out.”

“…Okay.” With that chilly attitude, she still had hopes he’d object to her arranged marriage? It seemed like wishful thinking.

Reluctantly, Marguerite returned to her office, restless and fidgety.

All day, she either stared at the office phone, hoping for an internal call, or daydreamed, wondering when Frederick would summon her. But the day ended with no call.

Packing her things to head home, she stood up and noticed it had started snowing again.

Marguerite had driven Jocelyn’s old car to work that day.

The car, showing its age, had some brake issues, and the tires were prone to slipping in the snow.

With the snow coming down heavily, it seemed a taxi was her only option.

Marguerite thought this as she walked out of the company’s front door.

The steps were covered in snow, and she carefully trod on them.

Her winter boots lacked traction, causing her to slip with nearly every step, her heart racing with every skid. Frozen in fear, she no longer dared to move.

After hesitating on the stairs, a hand suddenly took her elbow, escorting her steadily down to the ground floor.

Marguerite knew it was Frederick; his familiar scent was unmistakable due to their proximity.

Whether it was the biting wind or her own shyness, Marguerite’s cheeks flushed.

Though he merely held her arm and didn’t wrap an arm around her shoulders, and despite the distance that remained between them, her heart swelled with joy.

She didn’t want to consider his motives; she just wanted to savor this fleeting moment of happiness.

With that thought, she stole a glance at his face.

His expression was as unreadable as ever, his eyebrows sharp dashing, and beneath the wing-like lashes were focused eyes.

He was handsome, and undeniably charismatic.

“Watch your step,” he warned.

Caught off-guard, Marguerite quickly turned away, safely descending the final step.

It seemed he still had no desire to speak, but Marguerite, playing up her vulnerability with a hint of cunning, said, “My car’s broken down…”

Frederick’s gaze was leisurely, almost amused. Marguerite, thick-faced and engaging in this little battle of wits, seemed far cuter than before.

“What are you getting at?” he asked.

Marguerite blinked, replying, “With the car broken and the snow so heavy, I doubt I’ll get a taxi. I don’t know how to get home…

“You could walk.” He gave a smirk of triumph and bypassed Marguerite, heading toward the open-air parking lot.

Seeing this, Marguerite hurried after him, trudging through the snow, a perfect little shadow to Frederick.

“I still think hitching a ride suits me better. Don’t worry, I’ll pay you! It won’t be a free ride!”

“I’m not a chauffeur.”

“Then I won’t pay, I’ll just hitch a ride. That works, right?”

Frederick was speechless.