CEO’s Seduction Trap

Mason drank from his glass, “Jennifer is like a bomb ready to strike. My uncle is also taking action now. I need to keep her safe.”

Caleb understood instantly, scoffing, “You want to play the hero and rescue the damsel in distress?”

Mason glanced at him sharply, slowly saying, “To win the heart of a beauty, you have to pull out all the stops.”

Caleb thought Mason was pretty shameless.

The next day.

After returning to her office, Leila first organized the contract for the Premier Construction project, then began reviewing the pile of messy project contracts Joshua had given her earlier.

During her days in the hospital, she had already sorted through some of them, with the most common issue being non-payment of the final installment.

Around eight thirty, Leila picked up the landline phone, about to call Joshua in, when her phone on the table rang.

It was a message from an internet number.

[Miss Patel, have you made up your mind?]

Leila stared at the message on her phone, somewhat admiring the person’s persistence, yet also finding it somewhat amusing. What exactly was he basing his judgment on that she would definitely help him with this favor?

She forwarded the message to Mason then called Joshua.

“Joshua, come in.”

Shortly after, Joshua knocked on the door and walked in.

Leila pointed to the documents on the desk, “Classify these documents, put together those in similar situations.”

Joshua approached, carrying the files, and asked tentatively, “Was the Premier Construction project finalized?”

“Yes.”

Looking at Leila’s gentle face, Joshua’s smile seemed a bit forced. If it weren’t for the sharpness he had experienced from her at the beginning, he almost would have believed she was easy to handle. “Congratulations.”

“It’s all thanks to the platform the company provides. I appreciate your help in the beginning.”

When it came to help, Joshua’s smile became even more strained. “You’re welcome.”

“Anyone who helps me, I will remember the favor.”

Feeling uneasy, Joshua left to deal with the files.

Leila watched Joshua’s figure, then picked up the signing pen and twirled it around in her hand. He had already crossed her bottom line twice.

At ten o’clock in the morning, Leila called Mr. Moore and invited him to dinner while mentioning the signing of the contract.

Mr. Moore agreed readily over the phone, laughing, “Let’s skip lunch. I’m free around eleven. Just bring the contract over.”

It implied he had no time for lunch.

Leila understood the implication and took the contract and left the office to buy some high-quality tea.

It was well-known that Mr. Moore enjoyed tea, and since he didn’t have time for lunch, she decided to cater to his preference.

In the world of business, this kind of reciprocity was common. When someone provided you with convenience, you should know how to show appreciation appropriately.

After that, Leila drove to Premier Construction. Mr. Moore had instructed his assistant in advance, so when Leila entered, stating her purpose, the assistant promptly escorted her to Mr. Moore’s office.

Once inside the office, Leila first placed the tea she had brought down and then respectfully handed the contract over to Mr. Moore with both hands.

Mr. Moore accepted it with a smile, without even looking at it, and began signing swiftly at the places where the contract needed his signature.

After signing the contract, Mr. Moore pressed his fingers on it and didn’t give it back to her, asking, “Now that the contract is signed, can I ask you something personal?”

Leila already had a guess about what Mr. Moore was going to ask.

Sure enough, Mr. Moore followed up with a light smile, “About you and Mr. Ramirez…”

Leila interjected calmly, “It’s just a superior-subordinate relationship.”

Mr. Moore’s expression was knowingly amused at her response. “Then can I introduce you to a boyfriend?”

Leila replied confidently, “I’m sorry, Mr. Moore, I appreciate your kindness, but I already have a boyfriend.”

Mr. Moore was curious, “Who?”

Leila reluctantly mentioned Samuel as her shield, “Samuel, the Sales Manager at The Ramirez Group.”

Upon hearing Leila’s answer, Mr. Moore froze. After a few seconds, he nodded and said, “He’s a good guy, a rising star.”

Leila smiled politely and didn’t further engage in the topic.

Exiting Mr. Moore’s office with the signed contract, Leila felt pleased. She sent a text message to Samuel: [I just signed the contract at Premier Construction. Got introduced to a boyfriend again, and I used you as a shield.]

Samuel replied almost immediately, [As you need.]

Meanwhile, after Leila left, Mr. Moore turned to the man who had just come out of the lounge, scrutinizing him. “She said she has nothing to do with Mason.”

The man had an unnaturally pale complexion, his expression dark. “Do you believe her?”

Mr. Moore frowned at him, “Whether it’s true or false, it’s none of my concern. The internal disputes among your brother, I’m an outsider; it’s not my place to comment.”…

At that moment, Leila drove back to the company with the signed contract.

As she was just about to walk towards the company’s entrance when suddenly, a man rushed out from nowhere. He grabbed her shoulder and pressed a fruit knife against her neck.

Leila had no time to react to the sudden appearance of the man. Due to the momentum, when she stumbled, her neck grazed the blade of the knife, and a few drops of blood instantly rolled down.

Leila winced in pain. The next moment, the man pushed her up the steps, shouting loudly at the several security guards who were preparing to intervene to rescue her.

“Back off, or I’ll kill her.”

“We’ve been working hard for over a year, and we haven’t received a single penny. Does your company have any humanity left?”

“I want to see your CEO. Bring your CEO out to see me.”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

The man was visibly agitated, yelling loudly. With each sentence, he tightened the fruit knife against Leila’s neck a bit more.

The security guards, having worked for many years, were taken aback. It was the first time they had encountered someone daring enough to cause trouble like this. They looked at each other, hesitant to make any sudden moves, afraid that one wrong move might provoke the man further.

Leila went from being disoriented to calm in just half a minute. Perhaps it was because she had seen too many debt disputes during her years at The Patel Group, she had developed a sort of immunity to such situations. Especially noticing the man’s trembling hands, she could pretty much tell that he was inexperienced in such acts.

Most people in this situation would say, “Put down the knife and let’s talk,” but not Leila. After taking a breath, she calmly asked, “Which construction team are you from?”

The man, with bloodshot eyes and on the brink of collapse, snapped back, “Shut the hell up!”

Leila didn’t stop. She continued, “Which project are you involved in, and how much does The Ramirez Group owe your team?”

She added, “If you don’t clarify these things, even if Mr. Ramirez comes out, it won’t help. Think about it, are you here for money or murder?”

Leila’s composure was so striking that even the security guards at the door couldn’t help but admire her.

The man tightened his grip on the fruit knife upon hearing Leila’s words. “Are you sure talking to you will help?”

Leila replied calmly, “I don’t know if you investigated before taking me hostage or if this was impulsive. If you did, you should know who I am. I’m Leila, the project manager. I have some say in these construction matters, and getting workers paid is certainly doable.”

As Leila spoke, the man scrutinized her.

Not rushing, Leila continued, “I understand your situation. Leaving your hometown to work hard to support your family. I also get angry when the work that needs to be done is done and I don’t get paid.”

Leila’s words made sense, and the man loosened the fruit knife against her neck slightly.

Feeling the slight relaxation from the man, Leila’s nervousness under her calm demeanor also eased a bit. She said softly, “If you trust me, you don’t need to see Mr. Ramirez. Talk to me, and I’ll handle it. Think about it.”

The man gritted his teeth. “Why should I trust you?”

Leila replied bluntly, “Because you have no other choice right now.”

It wasn’t a pleasant thing to say, but it was the truth.

The man looked at her angrily. Leila tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze. “I value my life. If I can’t help you, I’ll live in constant fear of your retaliation every day.”

When Leila turned her head again, she noticed the man was in his early thirties, rugged-looking, dressed in an old but clean gray suit.

The man loosened his grip on the knife slightly, still angry. “What if you fail to help me?”

“What problem can you solve by killing me?”