Falling For My Billionaire Savior - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Even though I really wanted to put him in his place right then and there, I reminded myself that I only had one month to pull this off. I needed things to move fast.
I held back the urge to humiliate Oliver on the spot. I had to keep Oliver on my side for now. If he started getting suspicious this early, the rest of my plan would be hard to carry out.
"Oh really? What kind of perspective do I have?" I asked, pretending to be genuinely curious.
"Ms. Gordon, Mr. Anderson would like to see you." My assistant, Heidi Turner, walked over just in time to give Oliver a graceful way out.
"Don't mind me," Oliver said with an easy smile, neither arrogant nor humble. I had to admit, that kind of attitude could easily win people over.
As Heidi and I walked away, I deliberately asked in a voice just loud enough for Oliver to hear, "Who was that just now? He's quite interesting."
Heidi didn't think much of it and answered honestly, "His name is Oliver Cooke. He's the manager of the marketing department."
I was sure Oliver heard every word. And knowing him, there was no way he wouldn't take the bait.
Oliver's ambition to climb the social ladder was crystal clear to me. So I was sure that once he heard what I said, it wouldn't take long before he tried to get close to me again.
As for Xander, he hadn't called me over for anything important. Just like every fake-friendly boss, he used the excuse of checking in on a subordinate when what he really wanted was to dig into my personal life. He was hoping to catch a slip-up.
People like him always needed leverage. It was the only way they could feel secure. There was no way someone like Xander would tolerate a potential threat sitting at his side.
I was parachuted in from upper management to be the Deputy General Manager. I wasn't one of his own, so of course Xander didn't trust me.
And I didn't plan on staying long either, so I purposely handed him a glaring weakness. I made it look like I was very interested in Oliver and didn't bother to hide the affection.
My file said I had just returned from Navorange, a country known for its freedom. So being a bit passionate and bold wouldn't strike Xander as unusual.
Xander, being as slick as they come, was secretly pleased but kept it off his face. He was full of praise for Oliver, calling him a responsible man who valued loyalty and relationships.
Then Xander told a story—about me. He said, "Mr. Cooke's a good man, just unlucky. He worked hard, doing his best to support the family, but his wife resented him for not making enough money and picked fights with him constantly.
"And that wife of his is so two-faced. She acted all sweet and respectful to his mother when he was around. But once he left for work, she started mistreating his mother.
"Mr. Cooke's mother kept it from him all this time just to keep the peace and let her son focus on work.
"Then one time he had to take a last-minute business trip. Mr. Cooke went home to pack and finally saw the truth with his own eyes. He said a few harsh words to his wife, and guess what?
"She up and ran off with another man. She never came back. And her mother had the nerve to show up at their door, making a scene. I mean, can you believe that?"
I was so furious I could barely breathe. My nails dug deep into my palm, but I didn't even feel the pain.
Oliver was such a heartless jerk. If I hadn't come back, I never would've known he was out here twisting the truth like this, spouting absolute nonsense.
In my head, I wanted to cover Xander's mouth and shut him up. Every word he said stabbed into me like a knife.
Even so, I had to put on a sympathetic face. "I never imagined Mr. Cooke had it so rough. And he's so handsome too. For his wife to run off with another man—she really didn't know how good she had it."
Xander said, "Exactly. Speak of the devil—Mr. Cooke, just in time, come here."
Oliver walked over. I lowered my head, but not before giving him a look filled with affection.