Chapter 169: How Can I Eat When You’re Hugging Me So Tight?

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: How Can I Eat When You’re Hugging Me So Tight?

Miles Warren’s voice wasn’t loud, but the gentle, refined smile in his eyes had vanished.

The shareholders, who had been chattering away just a second ago, all fell silent at once.

The air grew still.

No one could believe that Miles Warren, who had been quiet the entire time, would lose his temper over an ugly tie.

The old shareholder who had spoken up had worked at Warren Pharma for thirty years. His seniority was undeniable. Being reprimanded by a junior who was a relative newcomer to the business, his old face flushed a deep, purplish red.

His finger trembled as he pointed at Miles Warren.

"I’m a veteran of Warren Pharma! Even if Louis Warren himself were here, he would have to treat me with respect. It’s not your place to yell at me!"

Miles Warren took two steps forward, exuding a palpable pressure.

He raised a hand and leisurely straightened his crooked gray tie.

"If I recall correctly, you’re sixty-seven this year, aren’t you?"

The old shareholder froze, then jutted out his neck. "So what if I am?"

"The retirement age at Warren Pharma is sixty-five."

Miles Warren’s words were crystal clear. "By that calculation, you should have retired two years ago. Louis Warren may be soft-hearted, but I’m not."

"The audit committee will thoroughly investigate all your projects. If any problems are found, all shares under your name will be reclaimed, and we will pursue legal action to the fullest extent."

Shareholder Zane’s face turned deathly pale. For old-timers like them, secretly taking kickbacks and making backroom deals was standard practice. They would never survive an audit.

He quickly turned to Caden Monroe, his eyes pleading. His lips moved, but in front of Miles Warren, he ultimately couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Zane hoped Caden Monroe would lend him a hand.

Caden Monroe’s expression was grim. A flash of annoyance appeared in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

He had intended to use the old shareholder to suppress Miles Warren and test his capabilities.

He wasn’t about to tear off all pretenses with Miles Warren so soon over a useless pawn.

"Retirement at sixty-five is in the Warren Group’s bylaws. Mr. Warren is just following the rules. There’s no issue."

Shareholder Zane, having been used as a pawn, looked as if he’d been struck by lightning. He was completely dumbfounded. "M-Mr. Monroe..."

With that, everyone could see clearly that this Mr. Warren was no pushover.

"Mr. Zane, you can go pack your things."

Miles Warren turned and went back into the CEO’s office.

His assistant, Stanley Lewis, was already waiting, and he handed over an investigation file on Caden Monroe.

Miles Warren glanced down at it, his gaze pausing on a few lines of numbers.

"Caden Monroe... He’s only been here a few days and he’s already touched the special funds for R&D Department Two?"

’That old fox is certainly impatient.’

"Investigate all of his direct and collateral relatives, especially their affiliated companies and capital injection amounts. Don’t miss a single cent."

His tone was calm, but it sent a chill down Stanley Lewis’s spine.

’He’d pinpointed his opponent’s weakness in such a short time. The rumors that Miles Warren was just a doctor who knew nothing of business were complete nonsense.’

’Looks like it won’t be long before Caden Monroe is sent packing.’

"Also, clean up that old shareholder’s mess. The audit team goes in this afternoon. Go through every single procurement contract that passed through his hands."

’They’re bound to find something.’

"Understood." Stanley Lewis turned and left the office.

Miles Warren glanced down at his phone again. The screen was blank; Claire Kendall still hadn’t replied.

The curve of his lips slowly flattened.

His fingertips stroked the tie.

’It might be a little ugly, but she tied it for me. No matter how ugly it is, I have to wear it.’

’But why hasn’t she woken up yet? Or did she wake up and forget to reply?’

’She didn’t even remember to text me back. I must not be on her mind at all!’

...

Miles Warren’s thoughts were a tangled mess, and a sour feeling welled up in his heart.

The office door was pushed open.

A small head with fluffy hair peeked in, followed by a soft, sweet voice.

"Miles Warren?"

Miles Warren’s head snapped up. ’It’s Claire! My Claire came to the office!’

The loneliness and unease in his eyes vanished instantly.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was a little low as he rose and strode over to her, taking the insulated container from her hands and placing it on his desk.

Before Claire Kendall could even get her balance, he scooped her into his arms.

The man rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice muffled.

"You didn’t text me back, hm?"

"I was thinking about bringing you lunch as soon as I woke up. I didn’t have time to reply."

Claire Kendall’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled and pointed outside.

"I brought a lot more. I’m going to hand it out to the employees for an afternoon snack later."

The man hummed a low response, his arms not loosening. He tightened his grip on her waist and lifted her slightly.

He lifted her up and set her right on top of the wide office desk.

Before Claire Kendall could react, Miles Warren was already leaning over her.

He propped himself up with one hand by her waist, his fingers caressing her earlobe.

Her most sensitive spot.

"So," he began, his voice low and husky, his breath ghosting over the shell of her ear, tinged with jealousy, "was this meal made specially for me, or for the entire company?"

’The office door is still open! Someone could walk in at any moment!’

’Their position is way too indecent!’

Flustered, Claire Kendall reached out and pushed hard against his chest, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he took the opportunity to grab her wrist.

Miles Warren lowered his gaze, his lips almost touching the corner of hers.

He didn’t close the distance, letting the ambiguous gap hang between them, on the verge of a kiss but not quite, as he waited for her answer.

Pinned by his stare, Claire Kendall turned her head away. "Your meal was made by me personally. I had Mrs. Wells prepare the afternoon snacks for everyone else."

Miles Warren curved his lips in satisfaction and lowered his head to give her red lips a firm peck.

"Hurry up and eat."

Miles Warren didn’t let go, instead taking her hand and guiding it to twist the lid of the insulated container.

The back of her hand rested against his warm, dry palm.

The lid came off, revealing a well-balanced and appetizing meal of meat and vegetables.

Claire Kendall was trapped against the desk by him. The position was extremely awkward, and she wanted to get away.

The moment she moved, Miles Warren pressed a hand on her knee, stopping her from running.

"We’ll eat just like this."

"You’re holding me so tight, how are you going to eat—"

"Open your mouth." He picked up a piece of beef and brought it to her lips. "Be good."

Claire Kendall clearly felt his palm, which was resting on her thigh, move half an inch upward.

His voice was very low. "Did you apply the medicine when you woke up this morning?"

Claire Kendall’s cheeks were burning. She slapped away his mischievous hand.

"Don’t touch me like that... I’m fine..." she mumbled, the images from yesterday uncontrollably flooding her mind.

She dangled her feet, her gaze falling on the tie around his neck.

She reached out and tugged at it, looking at it with disdain.

"It’s hideous. I tied it for you when I was half-asleep. Why haven’t you taken it off yet?"

Miles Warren said nothing. He just pulled her hand back and pressed it against his chest, just below his collarbone.

"I like it."

The two words landed softly.

Claire Kendall’s heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks flushed a piping hot red.

Seeing her shyness, Miles Warren slowly let her go, but he didn’t step back far. He stood between her legs, eating every last bite of the meal she had made.

’Food made by my wife is delicious.’

With every bite he took, he would lift his eyes to look at her, as if he wanted to devour her along with the food.