Chapter - 16

“Causing trouble?” Anna frowned. Her aura became colder as the temperature around fell by a few degrees. Whoever dared to cause trouble at Civil Gallery must have eaten a bear’s heart!

When Allison saw Anna’s reaction, her mouth curved into a cruel smile. She pointed to Philip, who had his hands stuffed in his pockets as he stood leisurely, and said, “That’s right. It’s that migrant worker over there. He’s not only causing trouble but was even delusional, saying that he wants to see you. I scolded him for a bit, but he said I didn’t have the right to be at Civil Gallery. Isn’t he an idiot?”

Anna glanced coldly at Allison. Although she was not fond of Allison’s condescending tone, the girl was still one of her people, so she kept quiet. Anna then strutted elegantly over to Philip and asked with a straight face, “You’re the one causing trouble?”

Philip glanced at this woman in front of him. She’s Anna Carter? Not bad. Gorgeous and very endearing. Philip did not answer but quietly took his phone out.

Allison was furious when she saw Philip’s nonchalant expression. She pointed at him and bellowed, “Manager, look! He’s blatantly disrespecting you! I’ll call security immediately to throw him out.”

Anna nodded. She, too, was unwilling to deal with a person like this. She had just come out of her office to welcome an honored guest at the door, the new owner of Civil Gallery, Mr. Clarke! If there was any delay, she might even lose her position.

Anna had never seen the new owner. She only had his phone number. And it was only after begging President George Thomas for the longest time that he finally gave it to her.

“Allison, come with me to welcome a guest. Our new owner is coming to check on the work progress.” Anna turned over to Allison.

Allison nodded before jogging off to call for security.

Just then, a melodious ringtone rang across the room. Everyone was stunned. Anna quickly took out her phone from her pocket. The caller ID showed that it was from Mr. Clarke!

“Hello, Mr. Clarke. Have you reached? I’ll be out immediately to receive you.” Anna’s tone instantly changed from ice-cold to sweet and respectful.

Yet, the voice from the other end sounded displeased. “Look behind you.”

Look behind? Anna was stunned and immediately turned around. Only about seven workers were painting the walls behind her. Oh, there was another young man with a frosty expression holding a phone.

Wait! Anna felt like a bolt from the blue struck her! It was him! He was the new owner!

Without another word, she ran over to Philip and bowed ninety degrees in apology. “Mr. Clarke, I’m so sorry. I was too blind to recognize you. Please forgive my recklessness.”

“Anna Carter,” said Philip coldly. “I’m not very satisfied with you.”

Anna’s legs were trembling in fright, and her palms were covered in sweat. “Mr. Clarke, please forgive me. I didn’t know you would be here early.” Anna straightened her back, but was still bowing slightly. She looked terrified. This was the new owner! A prominent figure who held the world in his hands.

Riverdale City’s wealthiest George Thomas had had to come here personally to buy the gallery from the previous owner. It should be noted that the previous owner was a vicious man in the city, the underground emperor who was influential in both the legal and the underground world, Theo Zander!

Who was Theo Zander? Not a single person in Riverdale City did not know of him! Born as a ruffian, he had climbed his way up, step by step, to the throne of the underground world! Both the legal world and the mafias feared this man. There was nothing he cannot do in Riverdale City with just a few words.

Hence, after serving Theo for so many years, Anna’s social standing had risen as she got to meet more powerful figures. Her ambitions, too, grew more prominent. It was precisely because of this that she can understand that seemingly ordinary Mr. Clarke in front of her was the real deal! Because when Theo saw George, he became like a little chick before an eagle and humbled himself to a great extent, while George had only said a few sentences back then. ‘Whatever my young master requested is not to be publicized. Keep a low profile!’

The young master of the city’s wealthiest man! Just what kind of person would he be? It was just too frightening! It was after that meeting that Anna knew she had to take great care of this Mr. Clarke. If possible, she would be willing to dedicate her chastity that she had protected over twenty years to this man! All for the words that Theo had once told her after he was drunk one day. ‘I, Theo Zander, have only managed to reach this spot today, all thanks to President George’s support! However, President George is only here to keep his young master company and kill time. He had founded a company and became the wealthiest man in the city.’

It was frightening! Just too frightening!

Philip calmly glanced at Anna, then shook his head. “Forget it. Let this be a lesson learned.”

At that moment, Allison just happened to return with two security personnel. She walked over with a sneer and pointed at Philip. “That’s him, throw him out! And while you’re at it, search him to see if he has stolen anything from our gallery. With that sneaky look in his eyes, he must be a thief!”

Philip’s gaze went cold as his eyes narrowed. He let out a cold snort and said to the woman beside him, “Deal with it.”

Anna’s body straightened up. With glaring eyes, she walked over to Allison in her high heels and lifted her hand!

Slap! The crisp sound of a slap resonated throughout the whole room!

“The nerve of you! Who dares to throw Mr. Clarke out?” Anna glared furiously at Allison, threatening to tear her apart.

Allison held a hand to her immediately swelling cheek, asking incredulously, “Manager, why did you hit me? I didn’t throw Mr. Clarke out.” Allison was infuriated. She was fuming from receiving a slap from her manager for no apparent reason. Hence, she directed her anger to Philip and yelled, “What are you guys standing there for? Throw this trash out this instant!”

As soon as she finished talking. Slap! It was another smack.

Allison was not dumbstruck. Both her hands covered her cheeks.

“Allison Cooper, you’re fired! Get lost immediately!” Anna bellowed as she pointed to the door. She would not let this idiot drag herself down with her.

“Manager, why are you hitting me? What did I do wrong? You’re the one who asked me to chase him out. And what rights do you have to fire me? I’ll have you know that my boyfriend is the operations director here!” Allison was furious. She had despised Anna for a very long time now. This woman was always hanging around her boyfriend. There was a time when they went to a hotel. Her boyfriend even called out this woman’s name! How vexing!

“What rights? With my rights as the manager here!” said Anna coldly.

“Shit! Anna Carter, don’t get too cocky. My boyfriend is a director here, so don’t think you can just do as you please. I’m going now to get my boyfriend to complain to the owner about you!” Allison stomped her foot in fury and turned to walk away. B*tch! I’m going to get my boyfriend now, and you’ll be screwed!

Anna shook her head and smiled bitterly. Get the owner? The owner was right in front of you, but you could not tell.

After that, Anna turned to stand respectfully beside Philip. “Mr. Clarke, please follow me.”

Philip grunted a response and followed Anna to the lounge room in the innermost area of the gallery.

The lounge room was gorgeous. There was an open yard with a small pond and a fake mountain. There was even a small bamboo forest. It was like a world of its own. Not just anyone could enter this lounge room.

Anna had taken off her coat, leaving only her black undershirt. She sat on her knees in front of the tea set as her fair hands skillfully prepared the tea. She had first washed the tea leaves, steeped the tea, then poured it. Everything was done smoothly.

She then took the cup in her hands and, with gentle steps, walked over to Philip, who was studying some paintings on the wall. “Mr. Clarke, please have some tea.”

Philip took the cup, had a sip, and complimented, “Manager Carter’s tea-making skills are superb. This must be a Maojian Green Tea. It has a sweet aftertaste and is delicate.”

“Mr. Clarke, you’re too kind. I didn’t know that Mr. Clarke is well-versed in tea as well.” Anna smiled.

“No, I’ve just drunk too much, so my mouth is a little picky.” Philip waved his hand.

Anna was stunned. How much would a person have to have consumed to become this knowledgeable about taste…?

“How did you deal with Aiden Grant?” asked Philip.

“He has called me quite a few times, but I’ve declined them all. I think he must be very anxious now,” Anna answered.

“Okay. Ignore him a little longer. When the time comes, just do as you see fit,” said Philip before getting up. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving then. Don’t publicize the incident today. I don’t like to be disturbed.”

Anna nodded. “I understand, Mr. Clarke. President George has instructed us accordingly.”

Just then, the glass door of the lounge was pushed open. It was Allison who had left furiously earlier following behind a middle-aged man who was balding and had a fat belly. Allison was crossing her arms with a proud look. The aggrieved expression she had had earlier completely disappeared from her face.

“Anna Cooper, what are you trying to do? What rights do you have to fire Allison?” The fat man roared as soon as they entered. He then plopped down on the pure white couch, took up the cup of tea Philip had taken a sip from, and scolded, “What kind of trash is this? It’s so bitter!”