Chapter 41: A Game of Power and Manipulation

Desperation and Deception

Jordan leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly against his desk.

The call from Hailey had been unexpected.

Her voice had been dripping with desperation, her pride struggling against her jealousy.

She actually asked me to sabotage Elle?

Jordan smirked coldly.

Not only had Hailey never apologized, but she still had the audacity to think she could control him.

Ridiculous.

Jordan hung up on her without hesitation.

She had chosen her path.

Now, she would face the consequences.

---

The Unwelcome Guest

At 2 PM sharp, Elle stepped confidently onto the executive floor of Ace Corporation.

She was dressed to impress, her fitted designer dress emphasizing her curves, her makeup flawless, her walk calculated and deliberate.

She was ready to meet Mr. Steele.

To charm him.

To claim him.

But she was met with resistance immediately.

Ashley stood in her way, greeting her with a polite yet firm expression.

“Miss Camden, you’re here,” Ashley said smoothly.

Elle barely glanced at her, still bitter over the lack of tea service during her morning visit.

“Take me to the meeting room,” Elle demanded, expecting immediate compliance.

But Ashley didn’t move.

“I’m sorry, Miss Camden, but you’d better take your leave.”

Elle stiffened.

“Excuse me?”

Was she… being turned away?

Ashley kept her expression neutral. “Mr. Steele requested that someone else from your family meet with him instead.”

Elle’s jaw dropped slightly.

“Why? Is he not in the office?”

Ashley shook her head, her response carefully calculated.

“That’s not the case. Mr. Steele said that you are… too gorgeous. He’s afraid that if he meets with you, he might get too distracted by your beauty and forget about work.”

Elle blinked in stunned silence.

Then, a slow, smug smile crept across her lips.

“Did Mr. Steele really… say that?”

Ashley nodded. “Yes, Mr. Steele follows your account on TikTok. He watches your videos all the time.”

Elle’s entire demeanor shifted.

Her anger evaporated, replaced by satisfaction.

So Mr. Steele had been admiring her from afar!

Of course, she thought. There isn’t a man alive who can resist me.

Elle sighed dramatically, as if she was seriously considering her next move.

“I suppose it wouldn’t be professional for us to talk business during our first meeting.” She smirked. “I’ll have someone else come in my place.”

Ashley nodded, hiding her amusement.

Elle flipped her hair.

“Tell Mr. Steele that he may ask me out for coffee… or a movie… whenever he’s free.”

Ashley gave a polite smile. “I’ll be sure to pass along your message.”

Satisfied, Elle turned toward the elevator, her confidence soaring.

She had won this round.

Mr. Steele was already smitten with her.

It was only a matter of time before he was hers.

---

The Price of Information

As Ashley walked Elle to the elevator, the younger woman suddenly pulled out a thick wad of cash from her Louis Vuitton purse.

She pressed it into Ashley’s palm.

“Send me a picture of Mr. Steele.”

Ashley raised an eyebrow, her expression giving nothing away.

So predictable.

She knew Elle would ask.

And she already had a plan.

She took the cash without hesitation and smiled.

“Of course, Miss Camden.”

Elle grinned, completely unaware that she had just paid for her own deception.

The elevator doors closed, and Ashley turned on her heel, walking back toward Jordan’s office.

She couldn’t wait to tell him about this.