Chapter 4 The Mechanic
1144 Words
As agreed, Laura came to the Dope Group headquarters.
"Hello, I'm here to see Mr. Danny Dope."
The receptionist looked up, her professional smile faltering as surprise flickered in her eyes. "Do you have an appointment, miss?"
Women who came to see Danny varied in shape and style, but every single one of them was beautiful. Yet this one had a unique kind of allure.
She wore a simple suit, exuding a strong presence without any hint of aggression.
Still, Danny never allowed these women into his office, let alone set up meetings with them.
What a shame.
"I'm here to start my job."
"J-Job? Oh... just a moment..." The receptionist, flustered, scrambled to make a call. "Mr. Dope's office? Yes, there's someone here..."
A moment later, her polite smile held a hint of genuine awe. "Ms. Byron, please take Elevator 1 straight to the 39th floor. This way, please."
As she watched Laura leave, admiration filled the receptionist's gaze. It was the first time a woman had joined Danny's male-dominated office.
Despite his notorious playboy reputation, Danny never got involved with his female staff—at least, not at work.
Thus, this woman must have come here for the job, not romance.
'She must have some serious connections. Who is this lady?' the receptionist thought as she opened the office gossip chat...
*****
Laura stepped out of the elevator, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
The open space was filled with modern art, creating an elegant, almost gallery-like atmosphere.
It looked nothing like an ordinary office building.
"Hello, Ms. Byron. I'm Evan Locker, Mr. Dope's assistant."
Evan extended a tattooed arm, his auburn hair and neatly groomed beard giving him the air of an artist.
"Hello," Laura replied politely, shaking his hand.
Evan's smile was warm. "Mr. Dope is waiting for you in his office, but first, allow me to give you a brief introduction to the company."
Thirty minutes later, Laura stood in front of the largest office, knocking on the door.
"Come in." A rich, smooth voice responded from within.
Laura raised an eyebrow. 'Do men act more properly at work?' she wondered.
Then, she pushed the door open.
Danny was sitting with his back to the light, his golden hair neatly tied back. The sunlight outlined his sharp profile, casting half his face in shadow. Even so, his eyes seemed to burn like the intense rays outside the window.
Yes, Danny was shamelessly sizing up the girl before him.
The wild, fiery woman from the race was now wrapped in a professional suit, looking distant and sharp.
He stood up, adjusting his tie before extending a hand. "Welcome, Ms. Byron."
"Just call me Laura."
The man before her, dressed in a tailored suit and exuding elegance, was now as refined as he'd been ravenous in his earlier gaze.
"I assume you've been briefed. Dope Group's ventures are broad, but I only handle art and entertainment projects. After all, I'm only good at enjoying life," Danny said with a playful shrug. "Any questions?"
"What's my position and role?"
"Secretary." Danny sipped from a mug. "You'll assist Evan and help me with various tasks."
Laura nodded. "Do you have any questions for me?"
Danny squinted, staring at her for a long moment. "Why did you go to such lengths to work here?"
"Honestly, I'm broke," Laura replied with a faint smile.
"I overheard your generous reputation from that famous racer when he was wasted at a bar," she added, shaking her head in mock pity. "No professionalism at all. I'm far more reliable than him."
Danny burst into laughter. "More than that, your racing skills are better than his."
He gazed at her, clearly impressed.
The beige shirt she wore softened her sharp features, while her gray trousers hugged her long, slender legs.
'The other directors' secretaries all wear pencil skirts,' Danny mused, wondering how she might look in more traditional business attire.
His thoughts flashed back to a recently received report.
Laura, age 19, was adopted by James Byron and his wife at five but abandoned later. She graduated high school but didn't pursue further education. Since she was 16, she had run a small auto repair shop in Quentown.
With such an unremarkable background, how did she have driving skills that rivaled F1 pros?
No matter. If she claimed to be in it for the money, he'd accept it at face value.
No matter how many mysteries surrounded her, he was eager to unravel them one by one—personally.
*****
At the Dope Group's HR office, Rina Cook scanned the documents in her hands and then decisively dialed a number.
With a respectful tone, she reported everything she had learned, "Ms. Eddin, that's all the information I have so far."
"A secretary who didn't even finish high school?" an arrogant voice shrieked on the other end. "She's definitely here to seduce him! You know what to do!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Rina sighed in relief as she ended the call. With Claire Eddin's approval, she now had a reason to act—after all, Claire was Danny's fiancée, at least in name.
Her eyes flashed with cold determination as she sneered in disdain. Outside the office was beyond her control. However, no other woman would get close to Danny inside the company!
She pulled out a compact mirror, touching up her already flawless makeup, and then grabbed a folder and headed for the elevator.
The staccato click-clack of her high heels echoed confidently.
Soon, she reached the 39th floor.
"What? Laura left with Danny to check on the shops?" Rina's voice rose sharply.
Catching Evan's surprised look, she forced a smile. "I never thought our playboy boss would actually do some work for a change. I'm shocked..."
Evan's grin was suggestive. "Well, maybe he's found a new target."
"Is that so? How nice." Rina's laugh was hollow, her eyes cold, while the document in her hand crumpled behind her back.
*****
Meanwhile, Danny and his secretary were now at a high-end boutique.
"Well, well, what a surprise."
A sultry voice came as a woman stepped out from the back in a flowing purple dress, every move oozing seduction.
"Hi, Nancy." Danny greeted her with a polite smile and a cheek-kiss.
Nancy Owen's eyes flicked over to Laura as she wrapped her arms around Danny's waist, giggling. "It's been a while. And who's this?"
Danny gently pulled away and smiled. "This is my capable assistant. She's here to get some business attire."
Nancy rolled her eyes elegantly, thinking, 'All his assistants are men. And since when does a boss buy clothes for his secretary? Who's he trying to fool? This is just another trick to seduce women. Hmph, typical playboy.'
She shot him a knowing, seductive glance and then linked arms with Laura. "Come along, beautiful. Let's get you sorted."
- Writer
