Love, Hate, and Revenge

Chapter 6

"Miss Alice, this is the first time our president has personally chosen an office for a subordinate," the assistant said in a soft voice tinged with envy. She politely made a gesture of invitation. "The president would like you to come over to discuss some matters, as well as your contract."

Having conveyed the real reason for her visit, the assistant politely withdrew.

Contract? Ivy Winthrop's face turned cold as frost. She had no intention of signing a contract with the Hastings Group. She only planned to stay for a three-month trial period. Once she obtained what she wanted — perhaps even before three months were up — she would leave City A forever, leave the Hastings Group, and settle in the United States with her mother.

Thinking of settling down abroad, Ivy felt an inexplicable ache in her heart. Her delicate, mist-like eyebrows furrowed slightly. She exhaled a long, cool breath, steadied herself, and walked toward Sebastian Hastings' office.

His office was on the right side of the 88th floor, occupying half of the building.

When Ivy Winthrop appeared before the front desk secretary again, the secretary's eyes showed not only astonishment but also confusion.

The woman before her was elegant and refined. Her noble bearing revealed itself in every gesture. Although she was somewhat cold — quite different from Gina Moretti's sexy, fiery demeanor — this kind of ice beauty seemed more to the president's taste, judging by the women who had appeared around him over the years.

The secretary quickly picked up the phone.

Ivy Winthrop walked over with complete composure.

The office's dark, lacquered black-red door was magnificent and dignified, slightly ajar.

Ivy Winthrop took a deep breath and raised her small hand to knock.

"Come in," came a deep, pleasant baritone.

Completely different from before. As soon as she pushed the door open, a pleasant, subtle fragrance wafted toward her — the scent of fresh flowers. On the coffee table in the corner of the office stood several bouquets of bright, delicate blooms, their fragrance gently permeating the air.

Sebastian Hastings sat at his desk, intently reviewing documents. His handsome, thick black hair was combed back. His angular, well-defined features were flawlessly perfect. He exuded nobility and an overwhelming dominance.

A man like him, like a dazzling star, no matter how he appeared, would quickly become the center of attention.

He focused on his work, his thick brows occasionally furrowing slightly. His thin, red lips pressed into a beautiful, attractive curve. Handsome and charming, Ivy had never seen him working before. Without a doubt, this version of Sebastian Hastings was more mature and even more captivating.

Ivy Winthrop paused for a moment. Her heart actually fluttered a little at the sight of him. Damn it, how can I still feel this way? They had nothing to do with each other anymore.

She exhaled softly, shook her head, and walked in with light steps, her expression calm.

Sebastian Hastings, who had been buried in his documents, looked up in time. Years of professional discipline gave him that much alertness.

"You? Why is it you?" In an instant, his pupils widened slightly, his beautifully curved thin lips parting in surprise. Astonishment was written all over his face.

The silver-white professional suit made Ivy Winthrop's delicate, beautiful face look slightly pale, but it also added a touch of frail charm.

"The president has such a good memory. You invited me here, yet you pretend not to know me. It seems I'm not welcome. Goodbye, then." Ivy Winthrop's eyes held a mocking smile. She shrugged her shoulders in a helpless gesture and turned to leave.

"Stop." Sebastian Hastings snapped back to reality and said in a low voice, "You are Alice?"

"What? Is there a problem?" Ivy Winthrop stopped, turned gracefully, and met Sebastian Hastings' surprised, disbelieving eyes with a challenging question.

Sebastian Hastings stood up in shock!

How was this possible? The person he wanted to hire was her!

So it was her. No wonder she was from City A. Why hadn't he thought of her at all? This was too unexpected! Sebastian Hastings could hardly believe his eyes.

Ivy Winthrop met his astonished gaze coldly, without a word. She had imagined this day countless times — that her car design would amaze him, earn his admiration, make him see her in a new light. Now that the day had finally arrived, she felt no joy. She didn't even want to be in his presence.

Even a well-traveled man like Sebastian Hastings was left speechless.

She was no longer the woman who lowered her head before him. No longer the woman who lived by his favor. She had her dignity. For instance, she was now a top global talent — a female designer they had gone to great lengths and expense to recruit.

It felt like a dream, yet it was real.

Ivy Winthrop wore a professional smile, her eyes calmly lowered. She was composed and at ease.

Sebastian Hastings stopped three steps away from her. His handmade, perfectly fitted suit draped over his towering frame, making him seem as imposing as a mountain. At 188 centimeters tall, he looked down at her with kingly authority, unable to hide his surprise.

Such a delicate, slender body, such a small head — yet she could design luxury cars that fascinated countless men. What kind of woman was she? On her palm-sized face, her bright eyes sparkled like embedded stars, radiating intelligence.

He took a step back. A strange feeling stirred in his heart as he stared fixedly at her.

She stood there calmly, yet she exuded coldness and hostility.

She had been his wife for many years, by his side, yet he had looked right through her. Today, it felt as if he was meeting her for the first time. Had he missed something?

Perhaps to hide the faint panic inside, he walked toward the wine cabinet, took down an upside-down red wine glass, and slowly poured crimson liquid from the bottle. He elegantly picked up the glass, swirled it gently, then tilted his head back and downed it in one go.

When he looked up again, a smile that could charm anyone graced his face.

The restless stirring in his heart, along with the vague, buried concern, settled down.

She was living well, not as badly as he had imagined.

Excellent. She had returned, and she was working under him. His lips curled slightly, and he snorted inwardly. He would see if she truly had the ability.

"The Hastings Group hires top talent. Who she is doesn't matter," Sebastian Hastings said, raising one finger and shaking it lightly. A faint, barely noticeable smile touched his lips. His tone was that of a superior addressing a subordinate: "What matters is her outstanding performance. Rest assured, I always keep business and personal matters separate. You'll be no exception. Results are my only measure of an employee."

As if to put Ivy Winthrop's concerns at ease, Sebastian Hastings spoke promptly, offering them both a way out.

Ivy Winthrop's grip on the hem of her clothes relaxed slightly. She forced a faint smile, but in her heart, she felt a trace of fear. If he had let her go just now, how could she have achieved her goal?

"Sit down. Let's talk about the contract," Sebastian Hastings said gracefully, sitting down on the sofa and gesturing to the seat beside him.

Ivy Winthrop glanced sideways at the spot next to him. She hesitated for only a moment before sitting down on the sofa opposite him.

Distant, aloof, yet polite.

Sebastian Hastings' eyes darkened. She kept her distance like a stranger, clearly holding a grudge. A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"President, regarding the contract, there's no need for now. As far as I know, your company has a three-month probationary period for all employees. I don't think I should be an exception," Ivy Winthrop declined calmly.

"Oh?" Sebastian Hastings was quite surprised. His handsome eyes narrowed slightly as his long, deep gaze fell on her.

The woman's delicate face bore no makeup, yet it was strikingly pure and beautiful. Her slender shoulders trembled slightly. Her skin was fair as jade. And most of all, the resolute, cunning light shining in her clear, bright eyes made his heart tremble slightly.

Suddenly, an image of that wonderful night flashed through his mind. His body stiffened. It felt as if fire were burning inside him. His throat went dry, and an inexplicable restlessness stirred within him.

A man who had been with countless women, he was secretly surprised. It seemed that since she — his ex-wife — had reappeared before him, she had awakened a primal desire buried deep inside him, one he couldn't resist. Even Gina Moretti's advances couldn't ignite such passion.

He sat upright, composed his expression, and concealed that moment of embarrassment.