Chapter: 35

"You can call me Jonathan when we're alone," he suddenly said, as though reading her mind. Walking over, he beckoned at her and commanded, "Give me your hand."

Jonathan carefully examined Bethany's hand, noting two blisters on the scalded area.

"This might sting a bit," he said gently, "but you need the medicine."

Bethany shook her head, trying to withdraw her hand from his. "I'm fine, really," she insisted.

Burns like this were common during her time at the hotpot barbecue shop, so she didn't think much of it.

“Bethany, please", Jonathan urged, his voice a mix of concern and helplessness.

He lowered his head and began treating the wound.

Bethany paused, feeling a flicker of tenderness in his tone.

The next second, she shook her head and smiled wryly, reminding herself once again that she was just a stand-in for someone else.

Then again, perhaps it was because she was Maddie's substitute that Jonathan was being extra tender with her.

It was their first time having breakfast together, but instead of focusing on the food in front of her, Bethany's mind kept drifting to the Zucron Company project.

Even though Kenton had been turned in to the police and she was the victim, the incident complicated the cooperation between the two companies. She knew Zucron Company would make things difficult for her moving forward.

As Jonathan gracefully wiped his lips with a napkin after finishing his breakfast, Bethany remained lost in thought, her porridge still practically untouched.

“Do you really want to see this project through?" Jonathan asked, breaking her reverie.

"Of course!" Bethany exclaimed, unable to hide her anxiety. "My team already made big mistakes in the Glora Company project, which significantly impacted our year-end bonus. The Zucron Company project is our chance to make up for it. So, of course I want it to be a success!"

If she could just turn the Zucron Company project around and improve her group's overall performance, Carson would be happy, and he'd think more highly of her.

For a moment, Jonathan stared at her in pensive silence. Finally, his thin lips parted as he said slowly, "The head office plans on selecting several employees from Ensson Corporation to take proper finance courses."

“can I?" Bethany blurted out, blushing slightly after realizing she might've been too impulsive.

“Well, if you follow my instructions to a tee, I might consider selecting you."

"I promise I'll follow every word you say, Mr. Bates!"

Truth be told, he didn't need to tell her that; after all, she was just an assistant, whilst he was the CEO.

"Didn't I just tell you not call me ‘Mr. Bates' when we're at home?"

Bethany's face fell. She had already broken her promise.

Jonathan raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to correct herself.