?Chapter 384:


    Hailee shook her head so quickly that her ponytail swayed. “No! That’s not it at all! This number—it’s too much! Did you maybe mean one hundred thousand a year, and Lucas just identally added an extra zero?”


    Before Merlin could say anything, Lucas interjected, “Ms. Loftus, I’ve been working for Mr. kely for a long time. I don’t make errors like that.”


    Hailee looked at Lucas in stunned silence and then turned her confused gaze back to Merlin.


    A slow, amused smile crept across Merlin’s face. “Hailee, do you perhaps misunderstand what it means to be the personal secretary to the CEO of kely Group?” He leaned in just slightly, his voiceced with yfulness. “You believe my standing only calls for a secretary earning a mere one hundred thousand yearly? Is that what I’m worth in your eyes?”


    Her mouth opened to reply but then closed again,pletely speechless. That wasn’t what she meant at all! What she had been trying to say was—she didn’t think she was worth that much! She was fresh out of university with no experience.


    How had she, of all people, been offered a seven-figure sry? Her conscience was practically shouting at her.


    “M-Mr. kely, you’re clearly on a whole different level,” she stammered, fumbling with her words. “But I’m not qualified for that kind of pay. I haven’t earned it yet. You’d be losing money if you hired me with that amount of sry.”


    Merlin let out a lowugh, clearly amused by her flustered state. She was unbelievably cute. So sincere, so unguarded—like a cluelessmb that had wandered into a pack of wolves. In this cutthroat world, most people wed for every raise and title they could get. But here she was, panicking because the sry was too generous.


    After a brief pause, Merlin finally replied, “Everyone in my core team earns at least a million a year. If you try to negotiate for lower pay, you’d be disrespecting the standard I’ve set—and by extension, me. So, rather than worrying about whether or not you deserve it, focus on showing me that you’re worth every cent as my secretary.”


    “Oh.” Hailee nodded shyly, her voice barely above a whisper. But as those words sank in, a heavy weight settled on her shoulders. He was the CEO of an empire worth trillions, always surrounded by top-tier employees who earned impressive sries. His secretaries had to be sharp-minded and exceptionally skilled. She couldn’t help but wonder if she could even match their pace.


    Noticing her hesitation, Lucas offered a kind smile and reassured her in a gentle tone, “Don’t worry, Ms. Loftus. Mr. kely is very patient with new hires. He gives everyone room to grow. The whole team is supportive too. If anything bes overwhelming, someone will always step in to help.”


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    Hailee felt a small sense of relief and managed a grateful smile before reaching for the stylus and signing her name on the tablet. As soon as she finished, Merlin’s expression shifted, a subtle smile of satisfaction forming on his lips. Without skipping a beat, he took the tablet from her hands and passed it over to Lucas.


    Lucas took the tablet with both hands, looking every bit theposed assistant. Inwardly, he was celebrating—his boss’s little crush had officially stepped into the trap.


    Meanwhile, Hailee couldn’t shake the strange sense of unease creeping into her chest. Had she just signed herself away? And for a hefty sum, no less.


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