MIDNIGHT FLOWER

CHAPTER 11: JENNY'S SEDUCTION

The moment she stepped inside, however, the atmosphere was charged with tension. Shau was standing by his desk, his expression a mix of frustration and annoyance. But it wasn’t just him in the room—a familiar woman stood facing him, her back to Jenny.

The woman’s tone was sharp, filled with barely restrained anger, and for a split second, neither noticed Jenny’s entrance.

It took only a moment for Jenny to recognize the woman. It was the same sophisticated, poised woman she had seen at Shau’s condominium, the one who had opened the door when Jenny had gone to investigate the mysterious man who took her home that night.

Shau’s eyes flicked toward the door as Jenny entered, and his expression instantly shifted, a controlled mask slipping over his features. The woman turned abruptly, and their argument ceased as if on cue.

“Ms. Gonzales.” Shau greeted, his tone deceptively calm. “You’re back.”

Jenny’s eyes darted between Shau and the woman, the tension in the room unmistakable. It was clear that whatever they had been arguing about was something she wasn’t meant to overhear.

The woman gave Shau a tight-lipped smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll be going now,” she said, her voice cold and clipped. Without another word, she walked past Jenny, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she made her exit.

As the door closed behind her, the silence that followed was thick and uncomfortable. Jenny could still feel the lingering tension in the air, the argument that had just been interrupted hanging between them like a dark cloud.

Shau ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident despite his attempt to appear unbothered. “Sorry about that,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

But Jenny couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. The image of the woman’s face, her familiarity with Shau, the way they had stopped talking the moment she walked in—it all pointed to something more complicated than she wanted to deal with.

She nodded, forcing herself to focus on her work. “It's alright, Mr. Zhang,” she replied simply, moving to her desk.

On the afternoon, Jenny went to Mr. Duavis to hand some checked reports from Shau. The office was abuzz with excitement as the announcement in their workday accounts was posted regarding the upcoming company party approached. Conversations about what to wear dominated the office, with employees sharing ideas and complimenting each other’s planned outfits.

Jenny, however, was more focused on her work, trying to avoid the whirlwind of party chatter. She wasn’t particularly looking forward to the event, given the awkward dynamic between her and Shau. She’d even considered skipping it altogether but knew that wasn’t an option.

As she returned to her desk, she noticed a sleek, black gift box with a silver ribbon sitting on her chair. Her heart skipped a beat as she hesitated, then carefully opened the box. Inside, she found a stunning cocktail dress in a deep emerald green—a color that would undoubtedly complement her complexion. Alongside the dress was a pair of elegant sandals, perfectly matching the outfit.

A small card was nestled between the fabric, with Shau’s handwriting neatly inscribed: "I thought this might suit you. I hope to see you wear it at the party. -Shau."

She threw a glance on Shau's desk and wondered where he had gone.

Jenny stared at the card, her emotions a mix of surprise, irritation, and something she couldn’t quite name. Shau’s gesture was thoughtful, and he clearly had a knack for choosing things that would suit her. But there was a part of her that bristled at the idea of him trying to control what she wore.