Chapter 212 Thalia held up her document folder . " Look , I''m here on legitimate business , not whatever you''re thinking . " Mina scoffed , not bothering to hide her skepticism . " If it''s legitimate business , why didn''t you make an appointment ? Don''t think I haven''t seen this trick before - showing up with a folder pretending you have real business so I''ll let you in . That move is sost season . Everyone''s tried it already . " Thalia finally understood what was happening .


    Apparently , many women used the pretext of " business " to try to see Asher . No wonder the receptionist was so defensive . Rather than being annoyed , Thalia found the receptionist''s dedication amusing . Finding it entertaining , she decided to y along . " Oh ? My trick is outdated ? " she asked with a hint of a smile . The receptionist rolled her eyes . " Obviously . I fell for it once and let someone in . Nearly got fired on the spot .


    Lucky for me , my cousin is the CEO''s assistant and has some pull around here , or I''d be unemployed . Still got docked half a month''s pay though . So don''t think you''re slipping past me today ! " " Pfft- " Thalia couldn''t help butugh . Looking at the earnest young receptionist , she asked with genuine curiosity , " Your cousin is the CEO''s assistant ? " " Yeah . " Mina continued her attempt to shoo Thalia away : " Look , I get it . Mr. ckwood is hot and rich - total package .


    And honestly , you''re gorgeous too . But you''re not his type . The man has women throwing themselves at him 24/7 . Neither of us stands a chance , so saye yourself the trouble . " Thaliaughed again . She never imagined being mistaken for one of Asher''s hopeful admirers . " So you''re saying you''re one of his admirers too ? " Thalia asked , amused . Mina , being refreshingly straightforward , answered candidly . " Well , yeah , but I know my ce . I''m not delusional .


    " She looked Thalia up and down . " Seriously though , you could have any guy you wanted . Take my advice - don''t fixate on Mr. ckwood . He''s practically engaged to Ms. Schulz anyway . " Chapter 212 The smile faded from Thalia''s eyes . " Ms. Schulz ? " The young woman nodded enthusiastically . " Lucia Schulz , the Schulz family heiress . She''s already CEO of a listedpany despite being super young . Beautiful , sessful , loaded - she and Mr.


    ckwood are basically a power couple straight out of a magazine . " " Is that so ? " Thalia''s tone cooled noticeably . Seeing her change in demeanor , Mina thought she''d finally gotten through to her . " So yeah , you should probably just- " Just then , Thalia''s phone vibrated . She nced at the caller ID . Matt Ford , Asher''s assistant . And apparently , the receptionist''s cousin . Thalia''s lips curled into a knowing smile . She turned her phone screen toward Mina .


    " It''s your cousin calling . Want to talk to him ? " Mina''s eyes widened in shock . " You know my cousin ? " Thalia answered the call and handed the phone to the dumbfounded receptionist . Mina took it hesitantly , eyeing Thalia with newfound suspicion . Matt''s voice came through clearly : " Ms. Winters , did you call earlier ? Sorry I missed it . " Still confused , Mina kept her eyes locked on Thalia . " Uh , Matt ? It''s me . " " Mina ? " Matt sounded genuinely shocked .


    " Why are you answering Ms. Winters '' phone ? " A secondter , realization hit him like a truck . " Wait - is Ms. Winters at reception right now ? " " Yeah … so she actually knows Mr. ckwood ? " Mina asked tentatively . Hearing this , Matt felt his stomach drop . Oh shit . He swallowed nervously . " Mina … please tell me you didn''t stop her froming up . " " What''s the problem ? You literally told me to stop all unscheduled women trying to see Mr. ckwood !


    She doesn''t have an appointment , so yeah , I stopped her . " Chapter 212 Matt groaned loudly . " Oh my god ! Let her up immediately ! No , wait - I''ming down to get her myself ! " Mina waspletely bewildered now . " What''s going on ? Who is she ? " " Who is she ? " Matt repeated incredulously as he rushed out of his office toward the elevator . " She''s practically our CEO''s wife ! " As Matt hurried down the hallway , he collided with someone .


    Looking down , he saw expensive Italian leather shoes and perfectly tailored trousers . Oh no . Matt slowly raised his gaze to meet Asher''s piercing stare . " M - Mr . ckwood … " he stammered . Asher''s eyes narrowed dangerously . " CEO''s wife ? Who exactly are you referring to ? " Matt answered without hesitation : " Ms. Winters , of course . " At this , the dangerous glint in Asher''s eyes softened , reced by something that looked suspiciously like pleasure . " She''s here ?


    " he asked , a smile ying at the corners of his mouth . Matt nodded quickly . " Yes , sir . She''s downstairs . The new receptionist - my cousin - she didn''t recognize Ms. Winters and stopped her because she doesn''t have an appointment … " His voice trailed off as he remembered whose fault this actually was . His cousin had previously let in an unwanted admirer , nearly getting fired in the process . Matt had begged Asher to give her another chance .


    Matt and Asher had been college ssmates with a solid friendship . After graduation , Matt had studied abroad for a few years before applying to ckwood Group through proper channels . Now he felt his career shing before his eyes . Years of loyal service , potentially ruined because of his cousin''s mistake . Please don''t fire me . Please don''t fire me . To his surprise , Asher wasn''t angry at all . In fact , he was smiling . " CEO''s wife , " he repeated thoughtfully . " I like that .


    Let''s make it official . " " Come on , " he said , heading toward the elevator . " Let''s go get her . " Chapter 212 Matt stood frozen for a moment . So … I''m not getting fired ? When the realization hit , Matt nearly copsed with relief before hurrying after his boss . Downstairs , Mina was looking at Thalia with a mixture of awe and mortification . This woman is the CEO''s WIFE ?! " I''m so , so sorry , " she stammered , fidgeting nervously with her hands . " I had no idea you were Mr.


    ckwood''s wife . I thought- " " CEO''s wife ? " Thalia frowned . " I''m not . " " You don''t have to be modest , " Mina insisted , desperate to make amends . " My cousin told me everything . Please forgive me for being so clueless ! " Thalia''s frown deepened . " I told you , I''m not his wife … " Mina assumed Thalia was still upset about her earlierments regarding Lucia Schulz . Great , I''ve really done it now . If she wants me fired , even Matt won''t be able to save me this time .


    Why is my life such a disaster ? ( 3 ) 1