Perfect Match: Irresistible Desire For You
Chapter 16

The massive CEO’s office of Empire Group exuded an atmosphere of solemnity and efficiency, with its dark-colored furnishings arranged in an orderly manner. The atmosphere of the office perfectly reflected the personality of its owner, Joseph. At that time, the man himself was seated in a luxurious office armchair upholstered with the softest leather, watching as his special assistant, Zachary, presented his report and occasionally giving some inputs of his own.

This was their usual working mode. Generally, Zachary only reported to Joseph personally if the matter was of utmost importance and required the CEO’s decision. The rest of the work was handled by Zachary himself. Both in and out of work, the two men considered each other a friend and a partner. In the eyes of outsiders, Joseph was the cold calculating half of the pair, while Zachary was the sunny, gentle half. However, people didn’t know Joseph the way Zachary did. His friend might be expressionless all the time, but he had a warm heart beneath that frigid exterior. He was aware that he was the only person that Joseph really considered as a friend. Joseph trusted him completely and placed him in key position in his own company. Thus, he did his best to repay his friend.

“What’s the status of that cooperation deal with Synder Group?” Joseph asked in a carefully indifferent voice after Zachary had finished his report.

“Everything is going according to plan. I’ve also started to contact different domestic companies that may become partners with Synder Group,” Zachary answered in a serious tone. “Joseph, are you sure you want to start your plan now?”

Zachary knew the entirety of Joseph’s plan. Ever since Joseph had sent him to investigate the CEO of Synder Group two years ago, he had become aware of the feud between Marshall family and Synder family that had spanned more than two decades. Eventually, Joseph pulled him out of the investigation and conducted it personally. Since then, Joseph had been planning to destroy Synder Group.

While he was trying his best to unearth the skeletons in the Synder family’s closet, Zachary found out that the CEO of Synder Group somehow had a hand in the death of Joseph’s parents. The details were vague, but he only listened to Joseph’s account and forewent any digging of his own. However, if Joseph needed Estrada family’s help, Zachary would offer his full support. Despite all efforts, however, Synder Group remained a tough nut to crack. Zachary couldn’t help but worry about Joseph’s plans to annex Synder Group.

“Yes. Do as we plan. I’ll completely destroy Synder Group. ” instructed Joseph in an impassive voice. His face was completely devoid of expression. Everything was under his control, and it was time put things in their right place. A cruel, militant gleam flashed in Joseph’s deep-set eyes.

Seeing the resolute expression on Joseph’s face, Zachary put his worries to rest.

“By the way, I heard from the negotiating team that Synder Group’s chief negotiator is quite the beauty, and impressive, too. Do you want to take a look?” Zachary teased the other man with a bright smile, but Joseph’s attention remained focused on the document in his hand.

After waiting in vain for several minutes for Joseph to react, Zachary let out a distressed sigh. “Joseph, you’re not young anymore. Your grandfather will worry endlessly about you if you don’t replace a wife soon. What’s more, women would never dare approach an iceberg like you, which makes people view me as your boyfriend by default. I can’t live like this!”

Joseph sensed an unusual tenor to Zachary’s lament. He looked up with an eyebrow raised sardonically and asked, “Did anyone reject you because of that?”

In fact, Zachary usually teased Joseph about their supposed relationship out of habit. He never minded the rumors speculating about their s****l orientation, and he never really saw the appeal of clarifying those rumors to make himself attractive to the fairer s*x. After all, he saw women as vain creatures—gossip about him being gay would only keep them away from him. Just now, however, Joseph’s question brought to mind Yasmin’s beautiful face and sweet smile. ‘That naive girl is quite interesting. Maybe we’re destined to be together.’

Looking at the bemused expression and unconscious smile on Zachary’s face, Joseph knew that he had guessed correctly.

He was happy for Zachary. Where he was concerned, however, he no longer believed in love. Women had no place in his life. As for the question of an heir and his grandfather’s concern about the Marshall family line, Joseph could always a surrogate to bear his child. Problem solved.

Zachary snapped out of his daze to replace Joseph laughing to himself. Although he didn’t know why Joseph hated women or, more precisely, why he had no inclination to date women, he knew that Joseph wasn’t a heartless man. His grandfather had mentioned before that Joseph’s dislike of women had something to do with his parents.

Again, Zachary heaved an inward sigh. Perhaps Joseph’s destiny hadn’t appeared yet.

“Joseph, I have something to tell you—your father asked me to arrange a blind date for you. When are you free?” Joseph returned Zachary’s grin with a glare. The man seemed to derive inordinate pleasure from Joseph’s misfortune.

“I’m busy. Are you too idle these days? I happen to have an ongoing research in Africa. Would you like to go there?” Joseph spoke deliberately, ignoring the other man’s smirk.

Upon hearing those words, Zachary’s glee disappeared. ‘Wait, he’s kidding, isn’t he?’ Interesting women rarely came his way, and he wanted to get to know his partner-in-crime better. How could he go to such a far-flung place as Africa?

Zachary knew when to stand down, so he gave up the ribbing. Before he left, he handed the documents in his hand to Joseph. “Here are the materials for the cooperation deal with Synder Group, and here is a copy of the video footage of the meeting. I must say, the woman really is gorgeous. You should try and entice her to join our company.” Joseph’s demeanor became notably more glacial, so he changed his tone. “I know you’re extremely busy, so I should go.” With those words, he beat a hasty exit from the CEO’s office.