Chapter 108
Jalen was completely stunned on the spot.
in the company, Ashton typically used two computers for work. One was for regular tasks and records, and the laptop was his private enric computer.
That private laptop was something no one else ever touched. Even Jaten, who routinely came in to tidy up the president’s office, had only seen it a handful of times. The rest of the time, it was securely locked in the desk drawer.
This alone showed how important that laptop was to Ashton. Many of the company’s confidential documents were stored on it.
But now, Briar was using it to play video games.
Jalen was utterly shocked.
Still, he was a professional secretary. No matter how astonishing or unbelievable the situation, he had to maintain a calm and composed demeanor.
He took a deep breath and walked over to Briar with a practiced smile as he said, “Miss Jennings, here are the snacks prepared for you Please enjoy.”
In the brief seconds from when Jalen entered to when he reached Briar, she had already elegantly and quickly defeated her opponents in the game and won the match with her teammates.
“Thanks!” Briar looked up from the game and returned a polite smile.
Jalen was momentarily dazed by her bare, makeup–free face. She looked stunning up close.
He understood now why Ashton would be so smitten.
Those soft, slightly damp eyes held a kind of innocent allure that could make anyone’s heart flutter.
Earlier, in the elevator, he hadn’t gotten a clear look. Briar had been half–hidden behind Ashton, and Ashton’s overpowering aura had made it impossible to stare openly.
But now, standing face–to–face, Jalen could finally take the full picture.
He thought about Ashton. For someone strong, aloof, and commanding, there was no chance Ashton would choose a life partner solely based on background or competence. In fact, few in the country could match his capabilities.
Strategically, women of equal power made better allies than spouses.
As a wife, it made more sense to find someone whose personality complemented his, rather than duplicated it. That would make for the most balanced partnership.
Jalen thought of his own parents. His father had a soft personality, often swayed by others and rarely questioning why something should or shouldn’t be done.
Luckily, Jalen had older siblings for strategy and Ashton for execution, so failure wasn’t something their father ever experienced.
This explained why his grandfather had picked a strong–willed, domineering woman, his beloved mother, to be the one in charge both at home and in the boardroom. His father wouldn’t even dare to object to anything.
They had been married for twenty–seven years and had never fought or raised voices at each other.
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This upbringing made Jalen naturally warm and friendly toward someone as gentle and sweet as Briar. He was practically grinning from ext
to ear.
“Jalen.”
Just then, while still smiling brightly, Jalen heard Ashton’s low voice behind him.
He instantly straightened up, turned around, and with his standard eight–tooth smile, replied, “Mr. Wade, I’m here. Do you need anything?
Ashton’s gaze scanned him like a thermal
mera. “You seem very idle?”
“No! I’m extremely busy.” Jalen felt a rush of guilt. He couldn’t believe that Ashton was so protective of Briar. Ashton wouldn’t even allow anyone to look at her.
Ashton didn’t care what Jalen was thinking. “Reschedule today’s agenda. Push all external meetings and social engagements to tomorrow or the day after. Then send me the updated plan.”
Jalen said, “Yes, Mr. Wade. Give me ten minutes, I’ll take care of it right away.”
That meant they wouldn’t be leaving the office today, so lunch would have to be arranged accordingly. He would need to cancel all those engagements and book lunch in advance based on Briar’s preferences, making sure it arrived before the lunch break ended.
He thought, ‘Maybe I should order a bouquet too. Some daisies, orange roses, pink lilies, tulips, and lilacs would nicely express Boss’s current feelings. It is affectionate but still subtle, romantic yet not overstepping.‘
Jalen thought he really was the perfect secretary for a billion–dollar CEO. His thoughtfulness and support made him indispensable.
Briar had just finished her game. She exited the match and looked over at Ashton, who had returned to his seat behind his desk. “Mr. Wade, your secretary is quite fun.”
Ashton remained noncommittal. “He’s competent, just too talkative and nosy. Often runs wild when left alone.”
He’d never understand how his aunt and uncle raised such a free spirit.
Good thing they worked within the family business. Otherwise, with his attitude, Jalen’d earn only a year–end bonus at best. His regular salary was probably docked.
Briar laughed. “Seems like there aren’t many calm and quiet personalities among the younger Wades.”
Through her acupuncture sessions with Griffin, she discovered the rivalry and power struggles between the first and second branches of the
family.
Ashton gave a half–smile. “In a big family with lots of assets, there’s always drama. I’ll explain it all to you someday when there’s time.”
Briar raised her brows. She didn’t feel it was necessary to know all that.
But Ashton had already turned his attention back to his computer. Jalen had just sent over the revised schedule.
Thanks to Jalen’s chatty nature, it took less than an hour after Briar arrived at the president’s office before the entire Wade family’s group chat exploded with gossip.
[Jalen, be a dear and quickly send us a photo of Miss Jennings. We want to see what she looks like.]
This was from an overly excited aunt.
[Hey, Jalen, while Ashton’s busy working and not looking at his phone, give us the scoop. Why did he suddenly bring his future wife to the
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office? This is big news!)
This was from Frank, who loved drama.
Frank had been secretly shipping this couple alone for a while. Now he figured it was time to get the whole family involved
It was the best way to show the family how stunning and accomplished the woman that Ashton was dating truly was. Traditional medicine and technique had become a hot topic among the elite. Rich people didn’t need more money. They cared most about health.
Briar had cured a condition in Griffin Wade that even the country’s top military doctors couldn’t handle. Her reputation had quietly spread throughout high society.
No one had approached her yet for two reasons. Firstly, there was Ashton’s intimidating presence, and secondly, there was a lack of new incurable illness in those circles. No one wanted to be the guinea pig.
Jalen: [Hell no! Do you all want Ashton to kill me? He’s obsessed with her. No chance I’m sneaking photos.]
Jalen: [But if you give me some big tips, maybe I might risk my death warrant.]
That was from the ever–capable, slightly unhinged secretary, Jalen.
