The other attendees began to leave one by one at Blake’s words. Among them, Debbie noticed Fret’s towering figure.

Something had happened to him—his right arm was wrapped in bandages and suspended in a triangular sling, and his complexion looked rather poor.

While Blake exchanged brief words with the others, Debbie found herself approaching Fret without thinking.

“Are you alright?”

This was the first time she had directly spoken to him.

When Fret looked at her with a surprised expression, Debbie suddenly began rummaging through her pockets and bag, eventually pulling something out.

“Something sweet is best when you’re tired and exhausted.”

It was a small box of candies.

“Why are you suddenly giving me this…”

“I wasn’t sure which flavor you’d like, so I chose an assortment.”

“I don’t particularly like candies…”

“Keep them anyway.”

When Fret tried to refuse by pushing the candy box away with his left hand, Debbie grabbed it firmly.

“These are energy-boosting candies. Whenever you feel tired or exhausted, put one in your mouth and roll it around slowly. They’re quite effective, in my experience.”

Only when she grabbed his hand did she realize that his left hand was also covered in wounds, though not bandaged. In that moment, Debbie couldn’t help feeling a pang of sympathy.

‘You’ve been running around because of Lorraine’s case all this time. Quietly, on your own.’

She wanted to keep holding and caressing his left hand. After all, he was the first person she had ever admired.

“I’m fine, really.”

Fret tried to refuse, but Debbie continued to hold his hand tightly.

“I won’t let go until you accept them.”

Just the fact that her hand was touching his made Debbie’s heart pound.

“Please let go. Sudden gifts are rather burdensome…”

Fret looked around awkwardly.

“This gift is on behalf of Lorraine.”

Debbie used the candies as an excuse to convey words she had long wanted to say to him.

“I think Lorraine would have wanted to encourage you like this.”

He hesitated for a moment at the mention of Lorraine’s name.

Thump, thump.

She trembled with the desire to do something for him, even though she had nothing substantial to offer, but she gathered her courage.

“Please resolve her unjust death. I can’t run around myself, so I’m giving you these energy candies instead.”

As she continued to grip his left hand firmly to prevent him from refusing the candies, Fret’s eyes wavered.

Whenever he tried to push the candy box away even slightly, Debbie held his hand even more tightly with both of hers.

“Ahem!”

From behind them came the sound of papers being slammed onto a desk, followed by Blake clearing his throat.

“I will… eat them well.”

Only after Fret reluctantly accepted the candy box did Debbie release his hand.

“What did you come to see me about?”

Blake asked after Fret had left the reception room.

Debbie explained Ashley’s situation and stated that they would need the company’s support to prevent Lime Publishing’s plagiarism.

After hearing the whole story, he looked Debbie over with a cold expression.

“And what benefit would our company gain from this?”

“None immediately.”

Blake’s expression hardened at Debbie’s forthright answer.

“None? Then my answer is obvious. Our company isn’t a charity. If you want to sue them, do it personally.”

“But there will definitely be benefits in the long run.”

Debbie spoke with such confidence that Blake couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“I don’t involve myself in operations.”

“This is about stealing someone’s creative work. I think the publishing industry needs to take action against this.”

“I’m not the head of the Publishers Association. And I’m certainly not a philanthropist.”

“That’s why I want to turn this into a feature article. It will become an issue and affect sales numbers.”

Blake stared at Debbie for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.

“But it will cause immediate hassles, won’t it?”

“It won’t be a loss. This won’t escalate to a lawsuit. Looking at that publishing house’s past behavior, they’ll probably try persuasion or intimidation. And if by chance it does lead to a lawsuit, I’ll cover all the legal fees myself.”

“Oh?”

Blake’s expression showed interest.

“Do you know how much that would cost?”

“But wouldn’t readers find it entertaining?”

After listening to everything Debbie had to say, Blake took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.

“…So you think they’ll definitely plagiarize again?”

He lit his cigarette while sitting on the edge of his desk.

“Bad habits are hard to break.”

At Debbie’s resolute answer, Blake gave a slight eye-smile and quietly exhaled smoke.

“It would make for a fiery article. Just like ‘Welcome Back, Father.’ Do you know how much trouble that caused?”

Was that a refusal?

Debbie’s heart pounded.

From his smile, he didn’t seem displeased, but he didn’t immediately agree either, just smoking his cigarette and stalling for time. Debbie’s palms began to sweat.

“Since you, Debbie, would be the one benefiting entirely from this article, I need something else to compensate for my losses.”

He stubbed out his cigarette and stood up from the desk.

“Something else?”

Debbie tensed up.

“My pride was hurt, you see.”

He moved very close to Debbie, making her nervous. His distinctive musk scent strongly brushed her nose.

“I’m generous enough to laugh off an article calling me ‘The Empire’s Garbage Can,’ but when you misunderstand me, I want to explain myself.”

Debbie became completely rigid, remembering the moment they had once been intimate. His eyes seemed to devour her.

“Explain yourself…?”

He leaned in close, almost like he was about to kiss her, and whispered.

“I want to prove that I’m not the Empire’s garbage can.”

He grinned.

“It’s just a rumor article. A rumor. Haha.”

Debbie tried to back away with an awkward smile, but he cornered her against the wall, placing his arm beside her head as he spoke softly.

“Go on three dates with me.”

A date, out of nowhere.

Debbie rolled her eyes around, trying to find a way out of this situation. She needed his cooperation but wanted to avoid getting entangled with him. Her mind was in chaos.

“I’ve sworn not to have s*x without love.”

Debbie hastily made an excuse.

“Who said anything about having s*x?”

He tilted his head slightly and moved closer to her ear, almost like he was about to bite her earlobe. Debbie squeezed her eyes shut. His breath tickled her neck.

“Literally dates. Three wholesome dates without s*x.”

He whispered. Wondering if she had misheard, Debbie opened her eyes wide and looked at him.

He reached out and caressed the tip of her chin. His hand felt unusually hot.

“I want to prove that I’m quite a decent person.”

“But… there are many other women you could date besides me.”

Debbie glanced toward the door, calculating the distance she would need to escape, though she doubted she could get away before being caught.

“If you have wholesome dates with those women, that should be enough. There’s no need to prove anything by dating me specifically.”

Debbie smiled forcefully as she tried to deflect.

“No.”

He cut off her excuses.

“I specifically want to ask you out because you have preconceptions about me.”

It seemed he had taken offense at her mention of the magazine article. It was too late for regrets now.

Why had she provoked the company president?

What was incomprehensible, however, was that he didn’t look angry. Rather, he seemed to be enjoying the situation.

“Shouldn’t I clear up the misunderstanding of the person involved?”

He smiled slyly, but to Debbie, his expression looked like someone plotting something sinister.

“I won’t pressure you. I won’t do anything harmful. I just want to clear my name.”

She definitely needed his cooperation to correct Ailey’s behavior.

“I want to show you that I can be gentlemanly too.”

Debbie swallowed hard at his words.

He wasn’t asking her to love him or have s*x with him.

Just three dates.

Debbie nodded.

“We really won’t have s*x, right?”

“That’s what I said.”

“And after three dates, if I don’t like it, I can refuse further dates?”

“Who said anything about a relationship? I just said three dates. And then acknowledge that I’m gentlemanly.”

He smiled widely, his eyes crinkling, but his pupils were blazing.

“Make sure to write it down on paper as evidence.”

‘I’ve touched his pride.’

Debbie felt goosebumps rising, but she answered calmly.

“Fine, let’s date. But ‘wholesome’ can be subjective. We need standards.”

At her words, Blake laughed softly, seemingly finding it absurd.

“What standards do you have in mind?”

“Kissing.”

“Why is kissing unwholesome?”

“It can carry impure intentions.”

For some reason, Blake chuckled again at her remark.

“Impure intentions, huh. Then shall we define kisses on the lips as unwholesome? Since greeting kisses on the back of the hand would be acceptable.”

“Yes, let’s consider lip kisses and beyond as unwholesome. And I’d like the penalty for unwholesome attempts to be specified in writing.”

“Do we really need to go that far?”

“What if you become unwholesome during our date and change your words, wanting more from me?”

“My type is tall, busty, with large hips—the sensual type. Do you think you fit that glamorous description? With that figure? Not at all.”

He narrowed his eyes and mocked Debbie’s physique.

‘What? If I’m not his type, then what was that time about?’

Now Debbie’s pride was hurt.

“If I’m outside your preferences, why do you need to date me? We could simply conclude that you’re capable of wholesome dates and part ways now, saving us both time.”

“No. What the mind thinks and what the heart feels are different matters. Besides, you’re my employee, and I can’t let you misunderstand your boss. Think of it as a form of employee education to foster company loyalty.”

He smiled meaningfully.

“Employee education. Fine. Just wonderful.”

Debbie’s mouth corners twitched, but she forced a pretty smile to hide her true feelings.

“Then let’s clearly write it down on paper so you can’t change your words.”

“Sure. If it becomes unwholesome, that date ends immediately.”

“Perfect.”

One’s true nature never changes. Wasn’t he the icon of depravity who liked anything in a skirt?

‘I’ll definitely make him kiss me. And then I’ll end it after just one date.’

Debbie’s eyes blazed with determination.

* * *

“You’re lucky, Ms. Jones.”

Ashley said, blushing.

“I heard you graduated from Terium Prestigious School? I only finished basic education.”

As she began helping Ashley, Debbie gradually learned more about her.

“My grammar is terrible, isn’t it? Our family circumstances were difficult, and I wanted to attend night school… But after work, I barely had time to sleep when I got home.”

Seeing Ashley hang her head low while confessing without being asked made Debbie feel sympathetic.

“Not at all. It’s like nitpicking for no reason. I don’t think grammar is that important. There are quite a few successful writers who came from factory worker backgrounds or overcame difficulties. What’s stopping you from becoming one of them?”

While reviewing Ashley’s novel, Debbie pointed to a passage.

“But why does the plot develop this way here?”

“Oh, that’s because Mr. Simons said there needed to be a dramatic point, so I added that scene.”

“Mr. Simons?”

“Evan Simons, the novelist who serializes stories in our magazine. I occasionally receive personal guidance from him.”

“If the character gets angry here, then suddenly being warmly welcomed in the next part feels somewhat creepy. This character stands out too much and makes the flow of the writing scattered.”

“Hmm… but the teacher said this was good…”

“Was it also Mr. Simons’ idea to have the mailman suddenly appear in this later part?”

“I didn’t want to write it that way… but yes… he told me to.”

Debbie clicked her tongue.

After having her writing plagiarized, Ashley had lost confidence in her work and sought guidance from a novelist who serialized horror mystery novels in Troublesome magazine.

But from Debbie’s perspective, his help was actually ruining Ashley’s writing.