C6 Presley's Trouble

"Director Collins, I..."

But despite the torrent of words swirling in Elmer's heart, he found himself utterly speechless.

He was at a loss for where to begin or even how to broach the subject.

Should he just blurt out, "You saved my life six years ago, so now I feel compelled to stay by your side, to repay and protect you?"

He chuckled to himself.

Elmer was certain that if he dared to say such a thing, Presley would see him as a fool and promptly show him the door.

Too much time had passed since then; she might not even recall the incident of saving a life in passing.

Besides, he was probably so bloodied from the accident that she wouldn't have been able to recognize his face.

"Elmer, if I'm not mistaken, it seems you and Tessa have been having some relationship troubles lately, haven't you?"

"Don't worry. As Tessa's close friend and your employer, I'll have a word with her on your behalf."

Presley interpreted Elmer's hesitance as a silent plea for her to mediate with Tessa, especially since she had picked up on some office gossip lately.

"Director Collins, that's not what I'm trying to say," Elmer clarified, shaking his head.

"Oh? Not that? Well then... let's see. If I recall correctly, you're earning 3,200 yuan. How about I bump that up to 4,000 yuan? Use the extra to spoil Tessa a bit, cheer her up. Sometimes, all it takes is a little pampering to keep a woman happy."

After offering her solution, Presley sighed and continued to counsel Elmer, "You know, Elmer, I can tell you're a stand-up guy. You're hardworking, attentive, and loyal to Tessa. You may not have a unique talent, but I truly value your integrity. Rest assured, as long as you continue to put in the effort at work, I won't let you down."

In that moment, as Elmer gazed at the earnest woman before him, his heart was filled with a mix of admiration and resignation.

Indeed, this was the same kind-hearted girl who had fearlessly intervened to help someone in danger without a second thought about being scammed.

She was nothing like Tessa, with her vanity and spiteful nature.

How foolish he had been not to see it sooner!

*Ring ring ring*

Just then, Presley's phone began to ring, cutting through the silence.

She furrowed her brow and hastily pulled out her phone to check it.

Without a second thought for Elmer's presence, she hit the answer button.

"Hello, Director Zouch, you've finally reached out. When can I expect the remaining five million?

Today's the deadline, and the bank has been on my case several times. If the funds don't come through, they'll shut down my company immediately."

"What? It's not coming? What do you mean, Director Zouch? Didn't we settle this already?"

"Director Zouch, you can't be serious. This money is crucial to me."

"Director Zouch, what kind of person do you take me for, Presley? Do you think I'd sacrifice my dignity and principles for five million?"

"Hmph, I don't even need to think about it. My answer is now and always—impossible! Absolutely never!"

With a resounding snap, Presley hurled her phone to the ground.

Her usually composed face was now a mask of intense fury. "Bastard! Garbage! Damned scoundrel!"

After her outburst, Presley had no thought to spare for Elmer. She stormed out of the office without a backward glance.

Presley hadn't put the call on speaker, so Elmer couldn't hear the other side, but from her words, he inferred she was grappling with a financial bind.

Watching her retreating figure, Elmer was filled with awe.

He hadn't expected such pride and spirit from this girl—qualities that clearly ran deep in her bones.

She was the type who couldn't stand a speck of dust in her eye, let alone allow her spirit to be sullied by the merest whiff of money.

"Don't worry, Presley. Whatever challenges you face, I'm here to help."

In that moment, Elmer felt even more resolved to stand by an exceptional woman like Presley, someone with character, integrity, and perseverance—someone he was prepared to protect for a lifetime.

Shortly after Presley's departure, Otto and Tessa made their way back to the company.

"Ah... Mr. Herbert, Tessa, what's happened to you both?"

"What's going on? It looks like you've been in a fight. My god, Mr. Herbert, are you okay?"

"Yeah, who did this to you? They went too far."

"Who in the world would dare to attack our Mr. Herbert? They're really asking for trouble."

"Absolutely, we can't let them off the hook..."

The employees erupted into chaos upon seeing the two individuals looking like they'd been through a meat grinder.

"Damn it, don't remind me. It was that damn Elmer," Otto spat out, visibly agitated.

The crowd was taken aback by the revelation.

"What? Elmer did this?"

"How could he? How would that wimp have the guts to hit you, Mr. Herbert?"

"Mr. Herbert, that jerk just waltzed back into our company. Should we give him a taste of his own medicine?"

Otto and Tessa's faces paled at the suggestion.

"What did you say? That bastard actually had the nerve to come back here?" Otto gasped in disbelief.

"Yes, he returned right before you and Mr. Herbert got back. That foul loser went straight to the company," said August, the bespectacled man.

"Where is that dog now?" Otto's rage was palpable, his eyes bloodshot and bulging.

"He's in Director Collins' office. As soon as that waste of space arrived, he made a beeline for her. He's probably snitching on you two as we speak," August informed.

Otto's anger boiled over. "That son of a... How dare he come back here and rat me out? Hmph, does he think I'm scared? I swear, if I don't take him down today, call me anything but Otto!"

With a roar, Otto stormed off toward Presley's office, fury in his stride.