Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Selena was caught off guard. Everett never exactly gushed over her cooking, but he also never outright said he didn't like it. But you didn't always need words to get the message-his attitude spoke volumes, didn't it? "You didn't say it, but your actions screamed it-you just didn't like it!" She couldn't let her confidence waver!

Everett had been bottling up his irritation for days, and now he had the perfect opportunity to call her out. "Selena, you're convicting me based on your own imagination. Bravo!" he exclaimed loudly. Talk about irony.

Was it really her imagination running wild, or was he just ticked off because she'd hit the nail on the head? Deep down, didn't he know the truth?

Selena was annoyed, too, and felt like storming out, but she held onto a slice of common sense. Her task wasn't done yet.

Taking a deep breath, she shifted gears like nothing happened. "Well, if you're done eating, how about we chat about some business?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Still fuming, Everett gave a cold chuckle and got up to leave.

"Everett!" Selena quickly grabbed his hand, her voice softening. "I'm sorry for my harsh words last time. Come on, be the bigger person and don't hold it against me, a delicate lady." Delicate lady?

Some delicate lady she was, with a mouth that fired off like a machine gun!

Everett wasn't budging, and Selena realized her words missed the mark. She took another breath and continued, "Please, don't let my previous words get to you. I was just blowing off steam. Honestly, you're really, really impressive!" This time, she wasn't just trying to butter him up; she meant every word.

Still, maybe because of her unsuccessful attempts, he suddenly pulled his hand back and glared down at her. "Selena, just stop. I'm done hearing any more of your 'appreciation!"

Clearly, no amount of flattery was going to win him over now. He didn't trust her words anymore.

Selena felt the sting of having her plan backfire.

If that approach fell flat, shewould switch tactics. Standing up, she deftly adjusted Everett's lapel and brushed off imaginary dust from his shoulder, smiling with a twinkle in her eyes. "Surely there's no overnight grudge between a husband and wife, right?"

Gotta admit, Selena could rile up Everett like no one else when she wanted to, but when she turned on the charm, her gentle demeanor did soften him up a bit.

He managed to stay cool, his voice steady. "What's your angle this time? Just spill it."

Selena knew Everett was sharp enough to catch on eventually, so she got straight to the point. "Just a tiny favor. Just a word from you can make it happen."

"So you're asking me to give your uncle's niece a leg up?" Everett's tone was icy. "Selena, you know Bennett Corporation is all about

merit As the CEO, I have to se

the

standard. Why should I bend the rutes for you?"

Everett was indeed a stickler for fairness at Bennett Corporation. When Joy wanted in, her mother had asked Josh to slide her into a top spot. But Everett found out and nixed that idea without hesitation, leaving her in a tough spot.

Joy was really upset back then, but she wasn't one to throw in the towel. Determined and driven, she started from the bottom. With her prestigious degree and sharp mind, she eventually climbed her way up to the head of the public relations department.