The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 33- perfume

Janet stared dumbfounded at the blazing bouquet of roses on her desk — nine hundred and ninety-nine fiery red petals. The entire office had already caught wind of Manfred’s latest extravagant gesture the moment the courier delivered the massive arrangement to the eighty-eighth floor. Janet had heard the rumors earlier; she never imagined Manfred would be this persistent.

Just as she was about to toss the flowers again, her phone buzzed with an unknown number. A chill ran down her spine.

"Janet, you don’t like blue orchids or red roses. How about I send you some irises tomorrow?" Manfred’s deep, lazy voice came through the speaker, smooth like a purring cat — innocent on the surface, but with claws ready to strike.

"What exactly do you want, Manfred?" Janet glared at the drenched bouquet, assuming this was no passing whim. He was serious.

"No ulterior motive — I’ll keep sending until you accept them!" Manfred whistled cheerfully, his voice sharp through the line. Janet was annoyed — what was he, burning money just for fun? Those rare flowers must’ve cost a fortune.

And how on earth did he know she had thrown his flowers away?

"I’ll say it again — I’m a married woman. Stop this childish game and find someone else to bother!" Janet snapped, slamming the phone shut and dumping the bouquet straight into the trash.

As she turned toward the break room, Charles suddenly appeared behind her, eyes tracking her every move. Startled, she stepped back just as boiling water spilled on the back of her hand.

"Ouch!" she yelped in pain.

"What careless!" Charles’ handsome face softened as he stepped forward, gently removing the pink doll-decorated cup from her grasp and placing it on a nearby table. His long fingers lightly grasped her burning finger, bringing it to his lips.

Janet’s eyes widened in surprise — the sensation was electric, her pain fading as waves rippled through her heart.

"Don’t... don’t do that!" She pulled her hand away, cheeks flushed, unable to meet his intense gaze.

She promised herself to keep her distance, yet his tender touch had pulled her deeper into the tangled web of emotions she tried so hard to resist.

"Saliva disinfects," Charles teased with a smile, lightly tapping her head before turning away.

Janet touched the spot he’d just playfully hit, warmth flooding through her. Aside from Terrence, Charles was the first to make her feel truly cherished.

Charles...

She was losing track of what exactly she felt for him.

Elvira stepped out of the elevator on the eighty-eighth floor, but Zoey was nowhere in sight. She had been here once before, and Charles hadn’t turned her away. Could she be special to him?

Wearing a confident smile, Elvira strode out of the elevator just as Janet was holding a report, heading to the finance office to verify some data. Elvira acted as if she belonged, which rubbed Janet the wrong way. But thinking back to how close Elvira had been with Charles last time, Janet didn’t stop her. Once Elvira disappeared into the office, Janet quietly slipped inside as well.

The sharp sound of footsteps told Charles someone was coming—he immediately knew it wasn’t Janet. When had he come to know her habits and scent so well?

"No business, you can’t just come see me?" Elvira said, carrying herself like she owned him after that one date, oblivious to the fact she was crossing Charles’ boundaries.

Used to Janet’s natural scent, Charles frowned, his brow furrowed at the strong perfume clinging to Elvira. "I’m busy. The door’s that way. Come in, come out."

His cold gaze never lifted as he spoke, his words merciless, crushing Elvira’s proud composure.

"What’s wrong? Weren’t we fine before?" Elvira lowered her haughty air, but even Charles’ seated posture radiated a magnetic intimidation she couldn’t look away from.

"Miss Louis," Charles suddenly slammed his pen on the desk, his sharp eyes flashing with a ruthless coldness that sent a chill down Elvira’s spine. She stared, captivated by his perfect profile—like a god in human form.

"Did I ever give you the wrong idea?" His calm tone was just before the storm. Elvira sensed his fury simmering beneath the surface. Why was he so different this time? Was it because of Janet?

"My dad said he misses Janet. When will you bring her home again?" She stumbled under Charles’ piercing gaze, knowing full well he wasn’t Janet’s husband, but only mentioning Janet softened his frost.

"I didn’t know you all cared so much about Janet..." Charles smiled faintly, but the smile was icy to the bone. When he looked at Elvira, she felt like she was peering into a hateful darkness. Had Janet told him something?

"Charles, what’s wrong? Janet is my sister!" Elvira lifted her chin, trying to look composed, though this enigmatic man kept her guessing. Sometimes his smile was terrifying, sometimes his coldness oddly comforting.

"Is she?" Charles narrowed his dark eyes and appraised Elvira from head to toe, a faint, unreadable smile tugging at his lips. "I’ve been busy these days. I’ll contact you when I’m free."

"Really?" Elvira was caught off guard by his sudden change of tone. The earlier disappointment was quickly replaced by hope.

Charles nodded and made a polite gesture as if inviting her to leave. Elvira beamed, telling herself not to rush—Charles wasn’t a man she could control. Patience was key.

"By the way, change that perfume. I don’t like it." Charles’ firm voice sounded from behind her, making Elvira freeze mid-step.

Elvira wore a Dior women’s perfume—the matching couple’s fragrance set that complemented the cologne Charles wore. Now, hearing his request to change it, she couldn’t help but feel awkward and unsettled. Without even lifting his head, Charles’ seemingly casual comment made her question her own allure.

One simple phrase—"I don’t like it"—forced her to put on a forced smile and accept it.

"I understand, Charles." Elvira’s face twisted into a shade of blue and purple. When had she ever let a man cut down her dignity like this? Yet with Charles, no matter how cold and ruthless he was, she willingly endured it.

Meanwhile, Janet deliberately delayed going upstairs, wanting to stretch out the time. Ever since childhood, Elvira had only brought her insecurity and pain. Now, Janet refused any further entanglement. She still remembered the harsh insults Elvira hurled at her last time—fueling her growing resentment. She wasn’t the same Janet anymore; she wouldn’t let Elvira bully her again.

During lunch break, Janet skipped the cafeteria, her appetite low these days. Just then, Peggy called, saying she was near their office. Janet planned to meet her downstairs.

Janet had just left the finance office and was unaware Elvira had already left. Charles sat alone in his office, phone in hand, hesitating whether to call her.

Suddenly, the phone rang. Janet assumed it was Peggy. Without checking the caller ID, she answered, "I’m downstairs now, wait for me a bit!"

"Who asked you out?" The low, husky voice on the other end startled Janet. Her mind hadn’t caught up yet when she heard him softly call, "Janet?"

The voice was gentle, like a warm spring breeze brushing her soul. Hearing him say her name so intimately for the first time, Janet felt her blood surge and boil. Was that really him calling her?

"It’s... a friend," Janet replied, unsure if that tender whisper was real or just a fantasy between lovers. frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Male or female?" Charles blurted out, unable to hide the sudden possessiveness. Since receiving Philip’s call, his desire to see her had grown overwhelming. That damned woman had slipped out without a word.