Chapter 4: Office Rivalry and Power Plays

After coming out of the office, Ethan went straight to the restroom, his stride just a bit too quick to be casual.

【Hehehe, what is the male lead going to do? So hard to guess】

【Just one touch and he can't stand it. The male lead has too little self-control—really worried for our little sister】

【Little sister reached out. What is she going to do? Oh my god】

【Help, if little sister carries the pen all the time, then wouldn't the male lead hehehe...】

I didn't expect Ethan to be such a closet pervert. All this time maintaining that ice-cold CEO image.

Endured for over a year and only dared to secretly give a pen. That's actually kind of sweet, in a weird, supernatural way.

I'll be merciful and let him feel good. After all, he's been nothing but kind to me.

From now on, the initiative is in my hands. The power dynamics just shifted dramatically.

I took the pen out of the box, holding it up to the fluorescent lights to examine it.

I untied the bow and touched it up and down, running my fingers along its length experimentally.

Then opened the pen cap and tentatively wrote on paper, watching the ink flow smoothly.

As I expected, this thing actually works as a pen too.

This pen has ink—expensive ink, by the look of it.

The words written come out very dark, almost gleaming on the page.

【Ahhhhh, the male lead sitting on the toilet is dying】

【Oh my god, little sister, you're too good】

【Little sister, don't write anymore—the male lead really can't take it】

【The male lead is also ruthless, daring to give this. He really likes little sister too much】

Imagining his current appearance in my mind—probably gripping the bathroom stall, trying to keep quiet.

I suddenly felt a bit heated too, my cheeks warming.

Suddenly, a hand behind me snatched the pen from my hand with surprising speed.

The person was my most hated colleague, Brittany—queen bee of the office and professional pain in my ass.

"Tsk, it's just an ordinary pen, not expensive. Really don't know why Mr. Blackwell would give you this." She twirled it between her fingers dismissively.

My stomach dropped. Was he feeling this? Please, God, let him be immune to Brittany’s grabby hands.

This pen shares sensations with Ethan. Oh God, please don't drop it.

How can she hold it in her hand? Shouldn't he feel—

Then wouldn't he... My panic must have shown on my face.

【Well, our male lead is really smart. The pen is only bound to little sister—even he himself feels nothing when touching it】

【Just calculated it—pens will always be touched by others】

【The male lead finally came to his senses, just coming out of the toilet. If he sees the pen being held by someone else, wonder what expression he'll have】

【Little sister is so anxious she's about to cry. So heartbreaking wuwu~】

"Give it back to me!" My voice came out sharper than intended.

After knowing those things from the comments, I felt relieved. At least Brittany's grabby hands weren't affecting him.

But I'm still angry. That's mine, you witch.

I wanted to snatch the pen back from Brittany's hand, but was afraid she wouldn't let go. We can't have a tug-of-war over a magic pen.

What if Ethan gets hurt? What if it breaks?

"Tsk, so precious?" She held it up to the light mockingly.

Brittany carefully examined the pen up and down, probably looking for a brand name.

"Nothing special. Boring." She shrugged, disappointed it wasn't Montblanc or something equally pretentious.

"But Madison, do you like Mr. Blackwell?" The question came out of nowhere, sharp as a knife.

She spoke very loudly—colleagues all looked over from their cubicles, sensing drama.

My face uncontrollably turned bright red, betraying me completely.

"You're talking nonsense!" But my protest sounded weak even to my own ears.

The office went quiet, except for the hum of the AC and the click of Brittany’s fake nails on the pen. Behind me, Ethan’s voice was all ice, no sugar, cutting through the silence.

"What are you all chatting about?" He must have composed himself in record time.

【Ahhhhh, little sister, you're bad! Just played someone until they stuck out their tongue, now saying you don't like them】

【The male lead seems about to break—his hands are shaking】

【Oh my god, he's petty. Little sister, wait and see—be careful of being made to lose focus in your pupils later】

【Hehe, actually I'm quite looking forward to it】

I turned to look, my heart hammering.

Ethan's face was so dark it looked like it could drip water, storm clouds gathering in his eyes.

I'm done for. This was my first thought. He heard everything.

Brittany complained first, switching to her innocent victim voice.

"Mr. Blackwell, I just took her pen to look at it. Her attitude toward me was really bad~" She even added a little pout.

I was about to explain, to defend myself.

Ethan sneered, the sound sharp enough to cut glass.

"That's someone else's thing. You say take it and take it—did you ask her?" His voice was deadly quiet.

"Brittany, you're also a veteran in the president's office. How come you're doing things more and more without rules now?" The disappointment in his tone was withering.

"Give it back to her. Don't make me say it a second time!" The threat was implicit but clear.

Colleagues all craned their necks to watch the excitement, probably already texting the gossip to their group chats.

Since Ethan is backing me up, what am I afraid of? Time to press my advantage.

"Brittany, please wipe it clean and put it in the box." I kept my voice sweet but firm.

"This is a prize from Mr. Blackwell. I treasure it very much." I made sure everyone heard that last part.

Brittany was furious: "Mr. Blackwell, look at her! You're protecting her too much—she's now arrogant, pushing her luck!"

Ethan's face darkened again, his patience clearly exhausted.

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.

Brittany immediately wilted like a flower in frost.

She lowered her head to find tissues to wipe the pen, then put it in the box with exaggerated care.

I looked at Ethan, trying to read his expression.

"Mr. Blackwell, rest assured. I will definitely take good care of your pen and carry it with me, not letting anyone else touch it." I meant it as reassurance, but something flickered in his eyes.

He looked at me deeply, something unreadable in his gaze.

Said nothing, turned and went back to the office, his shoulders tense.

I don't know why, but I feel like he's even angrier. Did I say something wrong?

【Little sister is too polite. Our male lead is so wronged】

【Little sister doesn't know the male lead's feelings for her—she's just coaxing her boss】

【When will the plot fast-forward? I don't want to watch pure content anymore】