My Husband, the Assassin

Chapter 014

That afternoon, William sat in his office, hoping to tell Bertha a few funny jokes. But the girl was nowhere to be found.

He asked around and learned that she had gone out to negotiate a contract.

The Group was a massive conglomerate centered on machinery production, with service industries as peripheral businesses. Selling machinery parts domestically had always been a tough challenge in recent years.

However, since Sophia took over as CEO, she had miraculously stabilized the Group’s position as the number one machinery company in the entire southern region.

As the titan of the machinery industry in J City, the Group had a constant stream of business dealings. Going out to negotiate contracts was a common occurrence.

William couldn't help but worry about Bertha. She was so innocent and pure, and this industry was deep and murky. Would she be safe out there alone?

Without Bertha to tease, William felt bored. Just as he was considering going to his wife's office for a cup of tea, a man appeared at the door.

William didn't even need to look to know who it was. "Mr. Owen, why do you look so fierce?"

"William, I just want to know who you really are!" Owen walked in, stopping about five meters behind William.

William spun his chair around, looking at Owen with amusement. He was getting impatient. If you were a beautiful woman, I'd happily waste time with you. But you're a dude. Why are you bothering me? And acting so tough?

Frowning slightly, William ignored the no-smoking policy and lit a cigarette. "So what if you know who I am? What's it to you? I don't have the interest or the time to talk nonsense with you. Please leave."

"Fine!" Owen said deeply. "Since you won't say, I won't ask. But a five-year, seven-hundred-and-fifty-million-dollar contract is impossible to get! What underhanded methods did you use?"

"Underhanded methods?" William sneered. "Even if I did, what can you do about it?"

Looking at Owen's eyes, William knew exactly why this guy was making trouble. It was all because of Director Lan.

Director Lan was thirty years old, the prime age for mature beauty. She was gorgeous, so naturally, she had admirers.

Owen was undoubtedly one of them.

Unfortunately for Owen, the hero who saved Director Lan wasn't him—it was William.

If Director Lan had signed that fraudulent contract, even though the loss wouldn't have shaken the Group's foundation, it would have been a devastating blow to a senior executive like her.

William had stepped up, stopped her, saved her, and even helped her secure a record-breaking deal!

Owen certainly wasn't stupid enough to tell Sophia that the contract was thanks to William. He didn't want to help a "bumpkin" surpass him, and he definitely didn't want this guy to become his... love rival! Besides, telling the truth would mean admitting his own incompetence as a translator.

William was bored anyway. Watching a petty man jump around was a form of entertainment.

"Owen, you like Director Lan. Have you ever asked how she feels? Do you think she likes you?" William chuckled. "It's obvious that Director Lan prefers talented men like me! What, you want to fight me for her?"

"What do you mean?!" Owen stared at William in shock. "Do you really like Director Lan?"

He looked at William's slacker appearance, stunned for a few seconds, then laughed bitterly. "Heh, I thought you were somebody. Stop pretending. Director Lan doesn't like you either! William, since your methods are so brilliant, do you dare to compete with me?"

"Compete? No interest."

"If you have no interest, then withdraw from pursuing Director Lan! Stay away from her!" Owen thought William was scared and immediately puffed up his chest arrogantly.

"Okay," William smirked. "I withdraw. Let's see if you can catch her."

"You... you give up just like that?" Owen looked at William's casual agreement with suspicion. What is this guy thinking?

"Yeah. If there are no other problems, can you leave now?" William was reaching the limit of his patience. He was genuinely worried he might lose control and punch Owen. With his old temper from the Middle East, Owen would be half-dead by now.

"William!"

Suddenly, Director Lan appeared at the doorway. She frowned at William, her voice cold. "William, are you a man?"

"Uh... what?" William's jaw dropped. He had no idea what game Director Lan was playing. He laughed awkwardly. "Beautiful Director Lan, what are you doing? Don't play with me!"

Hearing William's words, Director Lan frowned deeper. "Can you speak seriously for once?! I heard everything. William, are you afraid to compete with Owen?"

To William, this sounded baffling. But to Owen, it sounded like... encouragement? Why does it feel like she's siding with William?

"Aren't you going to fight for me?" Director Lan asked bluntly, though her tone remained icy.

William gulped. His brain analyzed the situation at light speed. What is Director Lan doing?

Option 1: She's crazy.

Option 2: She likes me.

Option 3: Her pride is hurt. Being liked by a handsome guy like me is an honor, after all.

Option 4: She hates Owen so much she's using me as a shield.

Conclusion: Probably Option 4. Though Option 3 is also possible!

Since William loved playing the knight in shining armor for beauties, he nodded immediately. "Sure! Let's compete! What are we competing in?"

Owen was stunned. He didn't understand why Director Lan was encouraging William, but since his dream woman asked, he wouldn't back down. He glared at William. "Fine! We'll compare sales volume over three days. You're new, and I don't have sales techniques either! So it will be fair!"

"Three days?! Sales volume?!" William didn't speak, but Director Lan was unhappy. She glared at Owen. "What do you mean? You're clearly bullying William. You have a foundation of client relationships. William just started today. How can..."

"No problem!" William suddenly grabbed Director Lan's hand.

His move silenced Director Lan instantly. He was holding her hand, squeezing it, caressing her skin!

Subconsciously, she wanted to pull away. But thinking that she needed to make Owen give up, she endured it. She let William hold, touch, and squeeze her hand, suppressing her annoyance. She looked at William. "William, Owen has been with the company for three years!"

"Thirty years wouldn't matter," William patted his chest with his free hand, grinning at Director Lan. "I can outsell his three-day total in one day! Don't believe me? Want to try?"

"You insult me?" Owen raged. "William, what tricks are you playing?"

"Don't talk nonsense. How am I insulting you? I'm stating a fact. Instead of whining, tell me the stakes!" William was clearly impatient with Owen. I wish this guy would just disappear from the company.

"The loser loses the right to be with Director Lan! Do you dare?" Owen was confident. He knew many of the Group's clients, especially the foreign ones. As a translator for three years, he had good connections. Compared to William, a complete rookie... if he lost, he might as well castrate himself!

"Add a condition," William narrowed his eyes. "The loser leaves the Group forever."

"This..." Owen hesitated for a second, then agreed. "Great! I won't lose anyway! If you leave, I'll be even more relieved."

He gritted his teeth, watching William hold Director Lan's delicate hand. It stung his heart. especially since Director Lan wasn't resisting; she almost looked like she was enjoying William's touch. Fury burned in Owen's chest. He turned and stormed off.

I will endure. In three days, this guy will be gone!

As soon as Owen left, Director Lan snatched her hand back and wiped it on her clothes with disgust. "Have you touched enough?"

"No."

"Bastard! Is that all you know how to do?"

"I also know how to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation! Want to try?"

"William! Don't think just because you handled the contract that I have no principles! When can you be serious for once?!" Director Lan's impression of William had improved, but now she really couldn't be friendly.

Faced with William's shamelessness, she didn't know what to say. She quickly changed the subject, looking at him with concern. "You just agreed like that? Did you think about how likely you are to lose? Do you even have any sales channels?"

"Very likely to lose. No channels," William waved his hand dismissively. "Just bragging, why take it seriously? If I lose, I lose. Do you really think I'll honor the promise and leave the company? Silly woman."

William looked at Director Lan with disdain. What's wrong with this woman's IQ? Can't she figure that out?

Director Lan laughed bitterly. "Relying on thick skin? But you still have to try! Help me get rid of this Owen! He is the real bastard. I heard he has connections with the underworld."

"You want me to help you just because you say so?" William ignored the "underworld" part completely. He asked unhappily, "What benefits do I get?"

"You... what benefits do you want?" Director Lan frowned.

"Promise to do one thing for me!" William smiled wickedly. "If my sales in one day exceed Owen's total sales, you agree. If I fail, I'll agree to do one thing for you. Deal?"

"You're crazy! One day?!" Director Lan shook her head. "You will lose!"

"So you're afraid to agree?" William stared at Director Lan's chest.

"Fine, I agree!" Director Lan knew William was probably thinking of something perverted, but he had agreed to a three-day period with Owen. Winning in three days was unlikely, but one day? Impossible.

She didn't believe William could do it. Agreeing meant she could get a promise from him later—maybe force him to stop staring at her randomly.

"It's a deal! Don't renege." William smirked, realizing his scheme had worked.

Sales channels? he thought. I have methods far more savage than sales channels! Beautiful lady, you’ve already lost!