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Chapter 12. Rejection

Pearl couldn't concentrate once she sat on her chair. Her pre-design should have been submitted before this noon, yet she did nothing but stare at the computer screen on her table. The manager has assigned Pearl to submit her pre-design starting today. She would learn and practice directly in her field.

"Pearl, what are you doing? Why are you staring at the screen?" a colleague jolted Pearl who has drifted mind on another than work. Pearl smiled awkwardly and then shook her head.

"You'd better work now. If the managers see you like this, they will fire you soon." The colleague said more harshly to Pearl. Pearl sighed, didn't want to respond to anything. Suddenly, the manager came to the intern room to announce something.

"I want all of you to gather at the convention hall in the north building. It's CEO calls. Come on!" the manager quickly sent all of the interns to get to the hall. She also asked Pearl to get out. Pearl didn't want to protest or say anything. She walked along with other staff to the entrance and gathered. Pearl had just learned about the gathering when she frowned to see someone on the front stage.

"I'm gathering you all for one reason. I want to find the girl named Pearl Rosenthal." Taggart Kellent talked in front of all the employees, including interns.

Pearl widened her eyes when she saw Taggart standing and calling out her name. She had yet to learn that Taggart was the CEO of Excellor.

"Holy shit," one of the interns cursed. Everyone who knew Pearl then glanced at her. Now, everybody also did the same way with their shocking expression. Slowly, each employee shifted their position and finally made way for Taggart to see Pearl. Pearl was shocked and almost couldn't breathe. She couldn't move as her feet were glued to the floor.

Taggart saw the movement and then lifted his chin. He curved a smirk on his lips like a champion. It was so easy to find Pearl. She's coming to the internship because she didn't know Taggart was the CEO.

"Now everyone can leave except for Ms. Rosenthal. Thank you for your cooperation." Taggart added his bizarre announcement. There were no briefings or any instructions related to work at Excellor. Taggart had Everest to find Pearl.

Now, when everyone sighed in upset, they were not allowed to show it clearly, especially when Taggart was still in the room. Slowly, all the employees left except Pearl. She stood there with a pale expression, ready to die.

"Oh my God. Help me, Father in heaven," Pearl quietly prayed. She was so scared now. Taggart and Pearl were the only ones left in the room.

It was as if Taggart didn't blink when he stared at Pearl. They were still in a huge hall, separated more than 16 feet away. Taggart stepped forward to her, and Pearl unknowingly stepped backwards. Taggart stopped after he had a few feet from her.

"Why did you step back?" Taggart half growled stiffly to Pearl. Pearl looked so nervous. So she rolled her eyes to see somewhere else rather than answering the question.

"Hey, I'm talking to you!" Taggart scolded her. Pearl gulped her saliva and then shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I'm not, Uhm, I mean,"

"Come here!" Taggart pulled Pearl's wrist quickly before she finished her words. He seemed like a possessive man, which Pearl hated very much. She was too shocked to pull her hand back. Moreover, Taggart is also her big boss, unfortunately.

"Wait!" Everest yelled once he saw Taggart bring Pearl by pulling her to the elevator. Everest was the only one allowed to stay in front of the hall's door. Hence, Taggart ignored Everest when he went inside the elevator. He said nothing when he pressed the close button. Everest only stood and stared at his boss behind the closing door.

"Damn, what the hell is he doing now!" he cursed slightly and sighed. Everest looked for another elevator to catch them.

Meanwhile, Taggart didn't glance at Pearl at all. He kept grasping her wrist and stared sternly at the elevator's door. Pearl was gasping for air because she was terrified. The man now frustrating her so much. She was praying a lot. She was clutching her heart, asking for a way out. Taggart scared her so much with his act.

"What will happen to me? God, please help me?"

Taggart didn't care about eyes watching him dragging an intern to his office. Even his secretary frowned to see him.

Taggart half-shoved Pearl to face him. Now Pearl froze when she stared at Taggart and also emotionlessly at her.

"I want you to choose your wedding dress design," Taggart spoke like commanding Pearl. Pearl frowned her forehead, then shook it.

"No," she murmured to reply to him.

"Then, you have to take my choice of design." Taggart stepped to his desk to take a tablet. He showed some dress design to Pearl, though she was still staring at him with a deep frown.

"I think you misunderstood me, Sir. I'm not marrying you." Pearl quickly shot her answer through her fear of him.

Taggart slowly widened his eyes. His stare shot openly at Pearl. Inside, Pearl felt the creepiness running through her. The goosebumps were shivered down her nape to the back. Her rejection seemed not taken by Taggart.

"What did you say?" Taggart sounded sarcastic. Pearl shook her head when she added her reply. Pearl took a deep breath to console herself. Her problems wouldn't go away if she didn't speak. Therefore, she gathered her courage to talk to Taggart.

"I want to discuss about what happened last night, Sir. I think there was a misunderstanding between us." Pearl spoke by addressing last night in a good way. She didn't want to offend her boss.

"There's no misunderstanding. It is clear that you are my future mate," Taggart arrogantly replied with his rising chip, looking down at Pearl.

"What? No, I didn't take it,"

"What? Are you rejecting me?" Taggart curtly cut her words with a stern glare. Not only did he almost bust in anger, but Taggart couldn't believe the woman denied him. Pearl then nodded, which made Taggart roll his eyes on her. Taggart looked so angry now that he could destroy everything in the room.

"You are not allowed to reject me! How dare you say so!" Taggart growled at Pearl. Pearl widened her eyes shockingly.

"Sir,"

"I chose you to be my mate and there's nothing to discuss. We are going to get married soon!" Taggart was getting more tense rather than having a calm talk with Pearl. Whilst Pearl was getting pissed making an argument against him.

"I don't want to get married now!" Pearl yelled. Taggart glared, then pulled and jerked her onto him. He clutched her arms, flaring the madness about her rejection.

"There's no creature in this world that can reject me. Not even a mortal like you!" he snarled with his eyes shot openly at her. Pearl couldn't talk and was so shocked. She couldn't think or even move when Taggart's hand suddenly clutched her jaw. Taggart growled and suddenly lowered his mouth to bite Pearl's neck.

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