No More Waiting, She Chooses Love
Chapter 290

I caught the hidden meaning in his words. "Mr. Smith, do you have any plans? Need me to travel?"

Grant nodded. "You need to be out of town for a few days."

I had just wrapped up the morning meeting, and there hadn't been any talk of new business ventures, so it had to be one of Grant's last-minute arrangements. "Where to? Doing what?" I had to get some clarity.

"That... we'll decide later," Grant's response threw me for a loop.

He couldn't disclose more, and I didn't press further. But, when an order came down from the top, I had to get everything else in line.

By 10:30 AM, I finally got a break and grabbed my mug for a trip to the break room. As I reached the door, I overheard two young women inside, deep in gossip.

"Mr. Collins, the new guy, keeps getting better looking. Those cargo pants he wore today made his legs look sexy."

"Is it that dramatic? It sounds like you've got a crush on our Mr. Collins. But weren't you all about Mr. Smith before?"

"Yeah. I used to think Mr. Smith was a catch, but Mr. Collins showed up..." The girl sighed, "Mr. Smith seems like bargain bin material now."

I couldn't help but chuckle at their brutal honesty.

"From now on, Mr. Collins is my only crush!" With that, I made my entrance.

Seeing me, one of the girls smiled. "Director Hudson, tea or coffee?"

I raised my mug. "I'll handle it."

I poured myself a coffee and joined them. "So, what's this about falling for Mr. Collins?"

"Yeah, Mr. Collins is too handsome. Did you know he was a former soldier?" The girl seemed less guarded before me.

"He does have a certain charm," I agreed, sipping my coffee.

Upon hearing me say that, the girl got more excited. "Director Hudson, since you and Mr. Collins are in upper management, could you replace out if he has a girlfriend?"

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. "Sure," I played along.

"Thank you, Director Hudson!" said the girl.

I took another sip of my coffee and decided to stir the pot. "I'm not sure about a girlfriend, but I think he might be living with someone."

"What?" The girl was visibly shocked, and disappointment clouded her face.

After leaving them with that bombshell, I was about to leave when one of them stopped me. "Director Hudson, how do you know? Have you seen her? Did Mr. Collins tell you?" Seeing her not ready to give up, I delivered the knockout. "I... saw it."

"Ah," her excitement deflated instantly, then she pouted, "Have you seen Mr. Collins' roommate? Is she pretty?"

Ernest's charm was undeniable and hard to resist, but I was the one who had to protect him. Because he was mine.

I smiled faintly. "Nope, I haven't seen the girl."

The girl looked puzzled, and I pointed to my neck. "This morning, I saw it on Mr. Collins."

The girl paused before gasping, "A love bite."

I left the break room with a sly grin, heading toward Ernest's office, and knocked.

"Come in!" Ernest's voice was clear, and upon entering, I found him typing away at his computer.

He looked up. "Director Hudson, please have a seat."

He acted just like that, so obedient. And we were just colleagues in the office.

But I didn't take the seat. Instead, I walked around Ernest's desk, standing behind him.

Ernest looked up, unsure of my next move. He watched as I leaned down, my eyes on his tempting neck, and without a word, I gave it a gentle bite.