Chapter 8: Illusion

He knew.

She was on her period.

He had shown her some decency earlier, so he shouldn't be reckless, right?

Shi Ran suddenly began to worry. Whenever she thought she had finally figured out Zuo Yelin's mind, he would deliver a sudden blow, as if warning her to stick to her duties as his assistant and not to speculate on her master's thoughts.

His large hand moved downward, nearing her forbidden zone.

"No!" Shi Ran instinctively struggled.

"Stop the car." The movement of his hand halted abruptly, and the turbulent desire vanished instantly. Shi Ran’s heart felt as if it were about to leap out of her chest. Before she could explain, the man picked her up and tossed her aside.

Shi Ran tidied her clothes.

"Get out." A flicker of disgust appeared in Zuo Yelin's eyes, piercing Shi Ran's heart.

Could he have misunderstood?

A sense of grievance surged within her. Shi Ran wanted to argue, but upon meeting those cold, frost-like eyes, all her words seemed frozen. She opened the car door and stepped out, still unable to utter a single word.

By the time she regained her senses, the black car had already sped away, leaving her standing bewildered and helpless by the side of the road, like an abandoned creature.

Shi Ran eventually waited for a taxi and was taken to her destination. Just as she stepped out and walked toward the apartment building, she heard a voice of surprise behind her.

"Ranran, I knew you would come back."

It was Zuo Jiaqi. That man had haunted her all the way to her residence. Shi Ran regretted having taken Zuo Jiaqi’s car to leave the banquet earlier; otherwise, she wouldn't be in such a helpless position now.

She wanted to turn and run, pretending she hadn't heard him. However, the weakness and pain of her period struck her in waves, causing her abdomen to cramp so severely that she had to lean against the wall of the hallway, barely able to stand.

Why did it have to come at such an inconvenient time!

Shi Ran hated this wretched period. If it had come earlier, perhaps she wouldn't have been misunderstood by Zuo Yelin and unceremoniously kicked out of the car. Though, that man had always been overbearing and unwilling to listen to explanations.

"Ranran, are you alright?" Zuo Jiaqi had arrived at her side at some point and reached out to steady her arm.

Shi Ran wanted to push him away, but the continuous waves of pain had drained her strength, leaving her with no energy to spare.

"I'm fine," Shi Ran squeezed out between her teeth.

"Ranran, are you sick?" Zuo Jiaqi’s eyes were filled with worry. "Let me take you to the hospital."

As she was being helped toward Zuo Jiaqi’s car, a black vehicle pulled up in front of them. The driver’s window rolled down, revealing Su Yu’s expressionless face. "Has the Chairman’s clothing been ordered yet?"

"Not yet." Shi Ran stared at the back window and pulled away from Zuo Jiaqi’s support.

"The event the Chairman is attending is very important. Assistant Shi, if you cannot perform your job well, there will naturally be others to take over." Su Yu’s tone was blunt, devoid of any emotion.

Zuo Jiaqi stepped forward indignantly. "Secretary Su, Ranran is clearly sick. She should be going to the hospital immediately."

"Young Master Jiaqi, if Assistant Shi were sick, she would naturally ask for leave. Since she hasn't, it means it will not affect her work." Su Yu’s expression remained calm as he cast a questioning glance at her. "Assistant Shi, are you sick?"

How could Shi Ran not know this was Zuo Yelin’s instruction? She squeezed out a pale smile, enduring the pain and discomfort, and replied, "Secretary Su, I feel that I am in good condition."

"Ranran, it’s just a job. If worst comes to worst, you can resign. I’ll arrange a new position for you," Zuo Jiaqi said anxiously.

"The company prohibits nepotism. Have you forgotten?" The rear window rolled down, and Zuo Yelin’s icy eyes scanned the scene with a look of scrutiny, though not a single glance landed on Shi Ran.

"Big brother, I didn't mean it like that." Zuo Jiaqi turned pale with fright. Even though he held three percent of the shares, he was still insignificant compared to Zuo Yelin. If Zuo Yelin wanted to, he could cast him out easily.

"Get in the car." Zuo Yelin glanced at Shi Ran, his commanding tone forcing her into action. Simultaneously, Zuo Jiaqi began to move as well.

"What are you doing?" Zuo Yelin exposed him without mercy, not caring in the slightest about causing Zuo Jiaqi embarrassment.

"Isn't big brother telling me to get in?" Zuo Jiaqi scratched his head awkwardly. Fortunately, there were no other pedestrians around to witness the embarrassment.

"Are you his personal assistant?" Zuo Yelin asked out of the blue.

"No." Zuo Jiaqi lowered his head, realizing his previous actions were inappropriate, and hurriedly apologized.

"Ranran, let me help you." Seeing Shi Ran swaying as she walked, Zuo Jiaqi instinctively reached out.

"Let her walk on her own." Zuo Yelin’s attitude was firm, stopping Zuo Jiaqi in his tracks.

Shi Ran leaned against the car body and walked to the other side. Just as she prepared to open the door, it popped open automatically. She looked at Zuo Yelin in the backseat with surprise.

"My apologies, I accidentally hit the door release button," came the voice of Secretary Su.

The light in Shi Ran’s eyes dimmed. She should have known; how could it have been Zuo Yelin? The thought of a high-born young master opening a car door for her was something that likely only existed in her fantasies.

"Secretary Su, I’ll be going then," Zuo Jiaqi said, before driving away.

Before Shi Ran could recover, she was yanked into the car. The rear window rolled up, and Zuo Yelin grabbed her chin, pressing his lips onto hers with force. Shi Ran, already lacking strength, had no time to resist. She could only watch helplessly as she sank into him.

Just as the passion reached its peak, a discordant ringtone echoed through the car. The man’s movements stalled, and the desire in his eyes vanished instantly. Shi Ran managed to break free, frantically digging for her phone, and answered the call without even looking at the screen.