Chapter 8 Woo Her?

• Lily looked at Alexander. She wasn't really sure what he was going on about. "And what are you implying, Mr. Beaumont?" she asked him, though she was sure she knew where the conversation was heading.
• "About my proposal," he said, turning away.
• "It was already rejected," she said almost immediately.
• Alexander paused and turned to her. "I don't remember anything like that ever happening."
• Lily would have rolled her eyes but decided to compose herself. "Mr. Beaumont, that's not how marriage works," she said, and he scoffed almost immediately.
• "Does this whole situation look normal? Why would you want a normal marriage?"
• Lily shook her head. "Considering your options," she said. She was about to say a very gross thing.
• Alexander looked at her, obviously interested in what she was about to say.
• "Shouldn't you try to woo me over and not force me?" she said, not so confident.
• Alex had no reaction on his face. Instead, he walked closer to her.
• Lily took a step backwards, but he moved even closer. "You want me to win you over?" The sarcasm that dripped from his voice could fill up a tank.
• Lily shook her head, her cheeks flushed. "Forget I said something like that," she said, turning away, but stopped when his hand held her back.
• "How long have we known each other?" he asked, his voice dropping a bit lower.
• Lily was taken aback by the question but answered. "Five years when we were in middle school and four years working together," she said.
• They'd known each other for nine years, but each time she'd forgotten. Lily didn't want to remember her middle school memories. Her father had died then, after all.
• “In all of those years, has there ever been a time you found your heart beating?" Alexander asked, not sure how to put such a question.
• Lily blinked and furrowed her brows. "Mr. Beaumont, my heart should beat to show that I'm alive," she said, and he shook his head.
• "That's not what I mean," he said, his usual cool expression becoming a little agitated.
• She watched him closely, her eyes widening in realization. "Are you asking me if I ever liked you?" she said, surprised that the thought would even cross his mind.
• When he nodded, Lily threw her head back and burst into laughter.
• Alex raised a brow, not sure what the joke was.
• "That has never happened. I mean, can it ever be possible?" She was about to burst into another round of laughter but stopped when she saw the expression on his face.
• "Weren't you joking?" she asked.
• "Have you ever seen me make jokes?" he countered and walked back to his desk.
• Lily closed her eyes, cursing herself silently. She sure had acquired a lot of balls because she had been made the heir of the Beaumont family.
• "Then, what about you? Have you ever liked me?" she asked as he looked at her, then back at the desk.
• He took his phone and walked towards the door. "I'm having dinner with John. You can go now," he said and walked out of the office.
• Lily frowned at his retreating figure. "He couldn't even bear to answer it. He must find this very appalling," she said and walked out of the office.
• John was seated at the corner of the dimly lit restaurant when Alex got there.
• "Have you been waiting long?" he asked.
• "Like you care," John countered, but his expression softened.
• "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral," he added as Alex got seated.
• "You missed the fun," Alex said with a sadistic smile.
• After they met their order, John leaned in. "About the inheritance..."
• Alexander shook his head as he sliced into the steak that had been served. "I don't get what's so hard for her. It's obvious she has to get married to me. I've been the one managing the company. Plus, we've known each other for so long."
• "I was talking about the board directors," John corrected, a teasing smile playing on his lips
• Alexander cleared his throat and frowned. "You don't need to worry about the meeting. Grandfather had many allies."
• "And now, can we go back to what you were saying?" Victor said.
• Alexander shook his head and wiped his mouth with a napkin, suddenly losing his appetite. "I mean, how can she ask me to woo her?"
• John burst out laughing. "Secretary Anderson said that? Wow, she sure knows how to push your buttons."
• "Do you find this amusing?" Alex asked, his tone cold.
• "Yes, very," John replied, still chuckling. "And besides, what's the big deal in doing what she said?"
• Alex's eyes narrowed in disbelief, his expression unreadable. "You really are something."
• "I mean, you have a rivalry—Eric, your elder brother—and you hate his guts. But Eric is nice and friendly, and he liked her for a long time. You, on the other hand, have been a burden to her," John said.
• Alex's frown deepened. "Burden?" he asked sharply.
• John nodded. "Is that what Alexia told you? What kind of boss gossips with his secretary?"
• “I don't need to gossip with my secretary to know how you treat her, we went to the same middle school…and besides, Lily is a professional to put up with you.”
• “That's because I pay her good money,” Alex said and relaxed on his chair.
• “May I remind you that she now owns that good money of yours?” John said with a chuckle and Alex cursed under his breath.
• “I'm leaving, I can see you've had enough to eat.” Alex said and stood up.
• “Don't be late for the board meeting, and put a leash on that secretary of yours, unless I will” Alex said and walked away. John watched him go.
• “You should be grateful to have Lily as secretary, I wished I did. You c
• an't put a leash on Alexia, she's a wild one” John muttered under his breath as he got ready to leave.