Chapter 3: The Gift That Binds Us

The company landed a big order—a multi-million dollar contract with a Fortune 500 tech giant.

All employees involved get bonuses. The whole office had been buzzing about it for days.

The president's office bonuses are distributed personally by the president. It's tradition, apparently.

My colleagues and I walked into the office together, anticipation thick in the air.

Ethan took out thick gift cards from his desk drawer, each one in a crisp white envelope.

His tone was all ice, no sugar: "Yours." He handed them out one by one, his expression neutral as marble.

I have the lowest seniority in the company, so I queued at the back, watching everyone else get their reward.

The seniors took their gift cards with happy faces, already planning their shopping sprees and weekend getaways.

But when it came to me, there was nothing left. The drawer was empty.

Ethan showed no emotion on his face, but I noticed his fingers drumming once against the desk.

"Madison has only been in the company for over a year—not enough seniority. I prepared something else for you."

The seniors craned their necks to look, curiosity replacing their earlier satisfaction. Brittany actually leaned forward, her perfectly manicured nails tapping impatiently.

Ethan took out a dark blue velvet box from his jacket pocket, handling it with unexpected care.

"Open it and see." His voice was softer than before, almost hesitant.

What is it? Could it make people happier than money? My mind raced through possibilities—a watch? Jewelry? That would be way too inappropriate.

I opened the box with confusion, aware of everyone's eyes on me.

A deep blue pen lay quietly in the box, nestled in silk lining like something precious. It even had a small pink bow tied on it, which seemed oddly whimsical for someone as serious as Ethan.

Suddenly, comments scrolled across my vision, like I’d accidentally opened TikTok in my brain.

【Ahhhhh, what did he just give away? Oh my god】

【LMAO, she has no clue this pen is basically wired to the boss】

【Girl, this is premium content! Don’t sleep on it.】

【Who needs Netflix? This is better.】

I was instantly stunned in place, my brain short-circuiting.

What sensations? What good content? What powerful male lead? What the actual hell?

Could these be hallucinations from staying up late watching Netflix recently? Too many K-dramas finally breaking my brain?

Ethan's voice sounded again, pulling me back to reality.

"Don't you like it?" There was something vulnerable in his tone, barely noticeable.

【Wuwuwu, our male lead seems about to break】

【What to do if wife doesn't like the gift I gave? That's my most important dignity as a man】

【Little sister, nod quickly】

【Don't look at our male lead having no expression right now—actually his hands are almost pinched purple】

"I like it." The words tumbled out before I could think.

Saying this, I reached out with a testing attitude, my curiosity overwhelming my confusion.

I clearly just wanted to touch the pen, to see if it was real.

I don't know why, but my heartbeat got faster and faster, thundering in my ears.

"Wait..." Ethan started, his eyes widening slightly.

Ethan hadn't finished speaking, his hand reaching out as if to stop me.

I had already firmly touched the pen body, my fingers wrapping around its smooth surface.

His eyelids instantly turned red, a flush spreading across his cheekbones.

His right hand clenched into a fist and he coughed lightly, turning slightly away from the group.

This sound was too sexy, inviting imagination. It was the kind of sound that belonged in a bedroom, not a boardroom.

The seniors stood beside us confused, but didn't dare to speak. The tension in the room was palpable.

I suddenly smiled, pieces clicking together in my mind.

"Thank you, Mr. Blackwell. This pen... I really like it." I made sure to stroke it once more, just to test my theory.

【Ahhhhh, male lead, you're happy now】

【Just love watching him get thoroughly played by little sister】

【Help, this is too exciting. Little sister, handle him good】

【I’m different—if my pen shared sensations with my boss, I’d just step on it and see what happens】

I sharply saw Ethan tense his jaw, a muscle jumping there. Is this extreme restraint? Oh, this is going to be fun.

"Since you like it, take good care of it. Don't disappoint my expectations of you." His voice was rougher now, like he'd swallowed gravel.

I nodded: "Of course, I'll definitely satisfy you, Mr. Blackwell." I put just enough emphasis on 'satisfy' to make Brittany's eyebrows shoot up.

Although I don't know where he found this sensation-sharing pen—probably some weird startup in Silicon Valley.

But I already understand that the world we live in is a web novel. Some trashy romance with supernatural elements.

These strange settings—just let them be. When life gives you magic sex pens, make lemonade, I guess.