After marrying my boss (Anna)
Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Michael's office was previously used for other purposes, so the soundproofing wasn't all that great. Forthat reason, everyone heard our conversation. They most likely heard him hauling me over the coalsloud and clear earlier.

I returned to my table morosely, still saddened by his attitude earlier.

“Are you okay, Anna?” Millie inquired in concern from across me upon seeing my despondency.

Sniffling, I feigned a nonchalant expression to mask the sorrow within me.

“I'm fine.”

I flashed Millie a forced smile, but even I myself found it utterly unconvincing.

“Gosh, Mr. Shaw was really blowing things out of proportion! It was just a design proposal, no? Was itreally necessary for him to blow a gasket?” Millie muttered after stealing a glance at Michael's office.

“Alright, that's enough. You'd better hurry up with your work if you've got time to grumble. Otherwise,you might be the next unlucky person.”

While I no longer had anything to do with Michael, I was still perturbed to hear her speaking ill of him.

At my reminder, fear seemingly struck Millie. She hastily buried her head in work and dared not say asingle word further.

With my mind a chaotic mess, I was simply hard-pressed to come up with any design proposal. I had to

submit the new design proposal to Michael before the end of the workday, yet I was at sixes andsevens with no inspiration at all.

I spent the entire day zoning out in front of the computer, my thoughts a thousand miles away.

In the blink of an eye, evening fell, and it was about time to get off work. All my colleagues had alreadystarted packing up, but my computer screen was still blank. I hadn't written even a single word.

“Anna, we're off work now. Let's leave together.”

After Millie was done tidying up her table, she invited me to get off work with her.

“You go ahead. I've got to stay for a bit since I'm not done with the proposal yet.”

Subsequently, I cast a glance at Michael's office. He was still in the office now, so I would definitely getit from him tomorrow if I didn't submit the design proposal today.

It wasn't that I was a total novice at being reprimanded by my superior, but it felt particularly agonizingwhen it came from Michael. Thus, I decided to stay and work overtime to avoid angering him againwhen I came to work tomorrow. I must submit the new design proposal to him today!

Patting my face, I forced myself to concentrate and started on my work. In the next two hours, I sat infront of the computer and worked on the new design.

When I was finally done with the new design proposal, I printed it out. Then, I walked over to Michael'soffice and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Michael's indifferent voice sounded from inside. Upon hearing his voice, my heart inevitably skipped abeat.

Pushing open the door, I entered his office. He was still sitting at his table, perusing documents. Hisserious expression as he worked was particularly beguiling. Indeed, the saying that men were mostattractive when they were at work was no lie.

“What is it?”

I said nothing after stepping in, merely staring at him. Only when he looked up at me did I swiftly snapback to my senses.

“Um... This is the new design proposal I did today. Please have a look at it, Mr. Shaw.”

Gathering my wits about me, I hastily placed the document in my hand on his table.

Michael threw me a look with mixed emotions before picking up the document and scanning through it.

“Redo!”

That was the only crude and concise word from Michael, cutting straight to the point.

“But why? I've already amended it according to your suggestions earlier.”

Hearing the word “redo,” my heart lodged in my throat. I regarded him with chagrin in my eyes. Whatthe hell? I've wracked my brains the entire day for this design proposal! Besides, I've also made theappropriate amendments according to his requirements. Yet, he merely gave me a one-wordedresponse?

“It's not acceptable because I said so! Anna Garcia, is this your attitude in working? All employees atJoyful Success are required to strive for perfection. If you can't even withstand this bit of pressure, thenjust resign!”

As soon as his words fell, my eyes instantly filled with tears. By then, I could already tell that he wasdeliberately making life difficult for me. I initially thought we could have an amicable parting, but I neverexpected him to be such a petty man that he would target me at work.

“Mr. Shaw, I think we should be keeping our personal affairs separate from work. You can tell mefrankly if you have any complaints against me, and we'll resolve it in private. However, your action atpresent makes it obvious that you're abusing your power to avenge a personal grudge,” I declaredcoldly.

I stared at him while suppressing the tears that threatened to fall at any moment.

I knew that a man like Michael had certainly never been rejected by any woman. Therefore, mydecision yesterday was definitely a huge blow to his ego. It was only natural that he was pissed off, butI would never accept it if he were to pick on me in matters of work.

“Abusing my power to avenge a personal grudge? Anna Garcia, you think too highly of yourself. I,Michael Shaw, can have any woman I want. You're just a former friend with benefits. Do you think thereis a need for me to make life difficult for you?”

Michael sneered in derision as though he had heard a ludicrous joke. Getting to his feet, he saunteredover to me and looked down his nose into my eyes. At that moment, I could clearly discern thecontempt and disdain in his ebony eyes.

His words were like a stab to the heart, every single word twisting the knife deeper.

Well, well... It turns out that I'm only a former friend with benefits to him. Considering his tone, it's clearas day that he no longer cares about me. Or perhaps I'm only good for satiating his physical urges tohim.

My eyes burned hotly, and my tears felt as though they were a second away from falling. Likewise, myheart hurt as though someone was crushing it in his palm.

Despite the agony coursing through me, I still feigned a dispassionate expression before him. “SinceI'm only a former friend with benefits to you, why do you keep targeting me? Have I done anythingwrong?”

“I only rejected your design proposal because there was a problem with your work. Do you think I'm thekind of person who blurs the line between personal and business?”

My words enraged Michael, and the look in his eyes became significantly colder.

“But I feel that this design proposal is already good enough. I used the entire day to come up with thisdesign proposal, so how much more do you want from me?”

Ugh! He's simply making things difficult for me! If this design is handed to our collaboration partner, it'll

definitely be approved. Yet, he's rejecting it time and again. I really can't tell whether he's abusing hispower to take his revenge on me.

“I want perfection, not improvisation. Anna Garcia, if that's your attitude, I'd advise you to resign rightaway!”

Having listened to my words, Michael's gaze turned all the more apathetic though his eyes blazed withanger. Every word out of his mouth pained me even greater.