Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1680

He raised a brow again, his tone dripping with a careless, provocative edge. "What's wrong? Aren't you the fearless iron lady of business? Have you suddenly lost the confidence to hire a top-tier lawyer like me?" He paused, his voice growing infinitely more punchable as the final syllable lifted in a mocking lilt. "Or perhaps... you know deep down that this little startup of yours is destined to go under, and you simply can't afford my salary, so you're too terrified to hire me?"

Sylvia ground her molars together, a small muscle ticking in her jaw. She knew exactly how venomous Steve's tongue could be. Whenever he felt like it, he could deliver the most devastating insults in the calmest, flattest tone imaginable. Armed with the very courtroom eloquence that allowed him to turn black into white, she didn't stand a chance against him in a verbal sparring match, even if she had ten mouths. All she could do was glare at him, the corners of her eyes reddening with anger.

Right at that moment, a knock sounded at the door, and the assistant walked in carrying a tray. Sylvia immediately turned her head away, unwilling to let her subordinate see her in such a compromised state. Fortunately, the assistant was completely focused on her task, carefully setting down the coffee cups, completely oblivious to the bizarre tension suffocating the room. She retreated quickly, pulling the door shut behind her.

Once the door clicked shut, Sylvia turned back around. Pointing a stiff finger at the exit, she delivered a frigid eviction notice. "I am not hiring you. Leave!"

With that, she spun on her heel, ready to walk out.

Steve didn't move an inch from the sofa. He let out a slow, deliberate tsk. "It seems Ms. Lincoln really misjudged you."

From an angle she couldn't see, Steve's back was turned to her, and a triumphant smirk curled onto his lips. By the time he turned his head to look over his shoulder, his face was a mask of cold indifference. "You want me to stay now?" He waved the resume lazily in the air. "Well, the price just went up. If you try to ruthlessly kick me out again, my rate is going to be significantly higher than what's written here."

Sylvia took a deep, trembling breath, forcing herself to calm down. Glaring at him, she demanded through gritted teeth, "What exactly is your game here? You are the Chief Legal Counsel for Nelson Corporation! They have countless subsidiaries. Isn't that enough work for you? Why are you coming here to cause trouble?"

Steve replied with shameless confidence, "Is there a law against me making some extra cash on the side? Besides, Ms. Lincoln and Mr. Nelson are family. Since I'm already handling Nelson Corporation's legal affairs, taking on Ms. Lincoln's business is just killing two birds with one stone. What's the problem?" He took a step forward, backing Sylvia up, his tone shifting into one of completely unearned grievance. "Honestly, given the life-and-death bond Mr. Nelson and I share, I thought this would be a seamless transition. I certainly didn't expect you to make things difficult for me over your own personal issues." He arched a brow, a provocative, half-smiling glint flashing in his eyes, looking exactly like a fox toying with its prey. "If I really did go complain to Ms. Lincoln, I wouldn't exactly be slandering you, would I?"