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Chapter_46
The Assistant Seems Arrogant
My heart raced when Atlas’s cold gaze met mine again. The memory of our last encounter was still fresh, and the thought of him remembering my emotional breakdown made me feel exposed. Now, pretending to be affectionate with Matthew felt almost too much to bear.
I instinctively withdrew my hand from Matthew’s arm and forced a smile at Atlas. Nick approached, drawing the attention of the crowd, with Matthew among them. I observed them with a detached expression, the scene feeling almost farcical. They were all so “sincere,” but Atlas’s brief glance at Matthew spoke volumes. There was a touch of disdain in his eyes, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he remembered our previous conversation.
Nick didn’t bother introducing Atlas to anyone, and Atlas seemed indifferent to meeting anyone either. Instead, he simply stood beside me and casually remarked, “Ms. Hartz. Or should I call you Mrs. Murphy?”
“Ms. Hartz, please,” I responded, keeping my tone neutral. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
“Hmm,” Atlas murmured, taking a sip of his drink. “Seems like you’re in a good mood.”
“Life must go on,” I replied diplomatically, offering him a soft smile. “As you once said, everything depends on the individual.”
I felt it was time to address the coat situation. “Oh, Mr. Pierce, I still have your coat. I never got your contact details, though. Perhaps I could invite you to dinner sometime to return it?”
Atlas took another sip, his demeanor nonchalant. He didn’t offer his number, and it seemed clear he wasn’t interested in sharing it. I didn’t press further.
Seeing me talking to Atlas, Matthew approached, his smile wide as he wrapped an arm around me. “Chlo, who’s this?”
I turned to Atlas, giving him a polite introduction. “Oh, this is Mr. Atlas Pierce from ATL Empire. Mr. Pierce, this is my husband, Matthew, CEO of Tanum Corporation.”
Matthew extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Pierce!”
Atlas offered a faint smile, barely acknowledging Matthew’s presence. “Likewise.”
But instead of continuing the conversation with Matthew, Atlas turned back to me, saying, “Excuse me.” He walked away without so much as a goodbye to Matthew. It was clear to me that he wasn’t the least bit interested in maintaining pleasantries.
Matthew seemed annoyed, his voice tinged with irritation. “What does he do at ATL Empire? He seems arrogant.”
I shrugged, trying to maintain composure. “He represented Mr. Wright during the previous bidding meeting.”
Matthew scoffed, clearly unimpressed. “Pfft! He seems high and mighty, even harder to approach than Mr. Wright!”
I knew Matthew had a deep need for respect. It was a product of his insecurities and his past, and his desire to be respected had always been a driving force for him. Since we started Tanum Corporation, he had finally found a platform where people recognized his position. He liked the feeling of being acknowledged by others.
I was aware of all of this, but I had grown numb to it over time. Perhaps, in the past, love had blinded me to his flaws, but those days were long gone. His betrayal—his affair with his sister—had shattered the illusion. Now, all I felt was disgust when I looked at him. The misplaced love that had once clouded my judgment had dissipated, leaving me with only clarity about his many shortcomings.
I glanced at Matthew again. He was still glaring at Atlas, his expression sour as he watched him walk away. What a scoundrel, I thought, my disgust growing by the second.
As the evening wore on and the banquet neared its end, I saw Atlas again. He was bidding Nick and the others farewell, indicating they were preparing to leave.
Many people were still engaged in pleasantries, but Matthew, of course, seized the opportunity to make his presence known, walking over to shake hands and network. As he did, Atlas walked past me again. This time, as he passed, he slipped a small note into my hand without breaking his stride.
I looked down at the note, a sense of anticipation building within me.