Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Ruby, as their first and only shipper, couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She raised her glass and cheered, "Miss Secretary, this one's for you."
Ruby's teasing made Elara burst out laughing. Elara said, "This is just a rough plan. Who knows if it'll even work? If Adrian finds out I'm just filling in for Susan, he might kick me out of his office right away."
"Oh, come on. No way. He's totally into you now. He'd definitely keep you around, no matter what," Ruby said with certainty.
'At worst, he'll say one thing but mean another. Maybe toss out a few harsh words,' Ruby added inwardly.
Elara took a sip of her beer and said thoughtfully, "Time isn't on our side. The Heaton family is making moves, and the longer Dylan stays in there, the more danger he's in.
"That's why I need to get Adrian on our side as soon as possible. But I can't do this alone. I need you and Julian to work with me."
Ruby gave her chest a confident pat. "Got it covered. I'll get Julian over here."
Half an hour later, Julian sat across from Elara. After hearing their plan, his expression soured visibly. He scoffed, "Damn, Elara, you're something else.
"You and Alex make quite the power couple, one cozying up to Nancy, the other seducing Adrian. What's next? Planning to milk the Hartley family for all they're worth?"
Ruby knew this was coming and had already figured out how to handle Julian. She shot back, "Elara and Alex are completely over now. So what? Can't she date the richest guy in Veritasiton if she wants to?"
Julian immediately turned to Elara and blurted out, "Wait? You and Alex broke up?"
Elara took a sip of beer and nodded, while Julian fell silent, grabbed a can of beer, and chugged it down.
Seeing Julian calm down, Elara got straight to the point. "The Heaton family is targeting Dylan now. Whatever's going on between me and Alex doesn't matter. Remember how we used to mooch meals at Alex's place when we were kids?
"Dylan always made sure we had the best food. We owe him and Alex for their kindness. Now Alex is in trouble, but he's trying to handle everything alone so he won't drag us in. If we can get Adrian on our side, that's how we truly help Alex."
Upon hearing Elara repeatedly call Alex so affectionately, Julian's mood instantly lifted. He couldn't care less about her becoming Adrian's secretary now.
Julian said, "Tell me how I can help you."
"Julian, I need complete intel on Adrian's family background, especially his eldest sister, Sadie Hartley.
"She's the current head of the Hartley family, and with Adrian as the only son and heir, there must be some power struggle between them. Also, dig up everything you can on his fiancée. The more details, the better."
Julian nodded and said, "No problem. I'll grab some drinks with the rich kids and fish for information."
Elara nodded. "Adrian is disciplined, restrained, and lacking nothing. If he ever lets greed take hold or loses his self-control, that's when he'll be within my grasp." That was Elara's analysis.
"Ruby, as for you—" Elara paused in thought. "Could you come with me tomorrow to pick out a couple of professional outfits for the secretary job?"
Ruby's grin stretched from ear to ear. "Say no more. I get it, your man-magnet outfit."
Elara couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Also, Julian?" Elara took out a bank card. "There's 300 thousand dollars on this card. It's from Ruby and me.
"The PIN is Alex's birthday. You chip in another 600 thousand dollars, and then send it all to Alex together."
She continued, "You know how proud Alex is. He hates burdening us. But with all his expenses now, we can't just stand by. If he doesn't ask, we'll send the money directly. When he's truly desperate, he'll use it."
Julian nodded in agreement.
They lingered over dinner late into the night, until the three of them collapsed drunkenly onto the spacious sofa, slurring nonsense and dreaming about a far-off future.
The next day, Ruby and Elara went to the mall together to buy clothes.
Elara and Susan had already agreed that Elara would start work on Monday. Susan, for her part, was absolutely thrilled.
Ruby said, "Elara, should we go for an even shorter skirt?"
Elara examined her reflection in the mirror. It was a crisp white blouse tucked into a black, waist-cinching bodycon skirt that ended just above her knees. With her enviable proportions, the fitted skirt accentuated her sexy waist and showcased her long legs.
Elara shook her head. "No need. Adrian isn't some sleazy middle-aged guy in his forties or fifties. Anything shorter would be inappropriate. This length is perfect."
Ruby grinned. "Black stockings? Would you like to add a pair to really spice up the look?"
'Not a bad idea,' Elara wondered.
Elara's signature red-soled black stilettos, paired with sheer black stockings, accentuated her flawless legs to perfection.
Ruby's eyes lit up with excitement. "Elara, in that fucking charming uniform, Adrian won't know what hit him."
They picked out several more outfits, each one chosen with careful thought.
Afterward, they headed to the salon for a little hair makeover. Ruby went all out and got her hair styled in big, glamorous waves.
Elara opted for subtle curls at the ends of her hair, followed by a deep conditioning treatment, leaving her locks with a healthy shine and silky smooth texture.
After a long, busy day, the evening had already fallen when they decided to unwind by strolling through a nearby luxury boutique together.
Elara wasn't particularly drawn to luxury goods, but she still kept up with new releases and trending items.
This was something her mother, a veteran of the finance industry, always insisted on.
Her mother always said, "A woman doesn't need to own these luxuries, but she must at least understand them. That way, she won't appear ignorant when dealing with people or in any social situation."
The moment she walked in, Elara spotted the latest Hermès bag. After a brief introduction from the sales associate, she nodded decisively. "Wrap it up."
Suddenly, a hand snatched the bag from the sales associate. A woman announced, "I'll take this one."
Elara glanced up. Of course, it was Nancy.
Elara ignored her and turned to examine another bag. She asked the sales associate, "Does this one come in other colors?"
The sales associate smiled and began introducing the other color options, but Nancy immediately cut in again with a smug grin and declared, "I'll take all the other colors of this style."
The sales associate was momentarily speechless, clearly caught in the middle.
Ruby saw this, and her patience snapped. "Nancy, you're causing trouble again."
"I'm just shopping here. Since when is that causing trouble?" Nancy shot back, her chin raised defiantly.
"Ugly people have more to prove," Ruby shot back with her quick-witted cherry lips, making Elara cover her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Nancy huffed, "What are you laughing at? I'll have Alex teach you a lesson. Alex, your two little lapdogs are bullying me again."
Ruby and Elara followed Nancy's gaze. Alex was on a call outside the boutique. Hearing Nancy's voice, he turned to look inside.
His expression froze for a moment, then he quickly ended the call and stepped inside. "Ruby, Elara, you guys are here too?"
Ruby dramatically rolled her eyes at Nancy and teased, "Hey, Alex. Isn't it Friday? Don't you have work? What are you doing out here playing shopping assistant for her?"
Nancy smirked triumphantly. "Sadie gave him the day off just to keep me company. Jealous much?"
Alex's gaze lingered on Elara. Earlier, Ruby had insisted Elara wear that outfit out shopping.
Now, in a fitted white blouse and a sleek black bodycon skirt that hugged her curves, her waist was so sexy it could be encircled with one hand, and her perfect hourglass figure was showcased to full effect.
The sheer black stockings accentuated her long, sexy legs, full of sensual tension. Her ankles were so delicate, that his hand could easily encircle them.
Alex couldn't help thinking to himself, 'If she worked at Hartley Group, she'd look so stunning every single day.'
Alex shifted his gaze and explained, "This mall belongs to the Hartley Group. Ms. Hartley asked me to accompany her today to check out a few stores in person, and since Nancy happened to be free, she tagged along."
Ruby scoffed, "Wow, Alex, what a sweet gig, getting paid to date on company time."
Nancy wrapped both arms around Alex's arm, hugging it to her chest. With a smug smirk, she said, "Jealous? If you were rich, you could date on the company's dime too."
Elara's gaze involuntarily lingered on Alex's arm, now wrapped tightly in Nancy's embrace, before she discreetly looked away. Coolly, she said, "Ruby, we're done shopping. Let's go."
Nancy called out smugly, "Hey, don't run off. Sadie happens to be here today. She's heard all about you pests clinging to my boyfriend and has been dying to meet you."