Watching Little James constantly urging Michael and Henry to drink, holding up a glass in her hand, showering them with compliments, it didn’t take long before Michael Reed and Henry White were both tipsy and dizzy. In contrast, Little James hadn’t even finished half of her own drink. What a master! William Harris suddenly began to understand Little James’s motives. Shocked yet impressed, he couldn’t help but admire Little James—she was clearly laying the groundwork to eliminate someone!

In the whole office, only Little James and himself lacked any significant backing. If someone was to be let go, it would definitely be between the two of them. However, in terms of work and ability, Little James was far behind him. Now, she was working hard to expand her own space for survival. Making people feel that the secretary liked her was probably part of her plan—putting herself in the spotlight so that everyone in the office would resent him instead. This way, the others would surely use all their resources to target him, and once he was gone, she’d have a firm foothold in the office.

Thinking of this, William Harris became highly wary of this outwardly gentle little beauty. This young woman was truly scheming!

Having figured out Little James’s motives, William Harris began to consider his own countermeasures. Judging from the current situation, Little James wouldn’t offend either Michael or Henry; she must be well aware that both men were interested in her.

Wait, that can’t be right! William Harris thought of another issue. Both Henry and Michael should also know that the secretary likes Little James. Did they have a death wish, daring to compete with the secretary for a woman? Neither of them seemed that bold. So where was the problem?

Watching Michael Reed gulping down his drink, William Harris was startled. Could it be that Michael Reed had some powerful backing? The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. This guy had been assigned here a year ago, supposedly with connections in the city, but no one had ever figured out his background. He was probably just here temporarily and would be transferred back to the city sooner or later, so he didn’t take the township secretary seriously at all. Of course, there was another possibility: Michael Reed knew he wouldn’t be working in the township for long, so even if he offended the secretary for a beautiful woman, it wouldn’t matter.

That probably explained Michael Reed’s situation. But then, why wasn’t Henry White afraid? He shouldn’t have any real connections—at most, someone like David Carter as a backer, but that wasn’t much to rely on!

After observing Little James and Henry White for a while, William Harris finally understood. It seemed Henry White was the real fool here. Little James must have secretly set up some kind of scheme, deliberately giving him hope, using him to compete with Michael Reed.

What a cunning plan!

If Michael Reed really had power, he definitely wouldn’t let Henry White off the hook. By then, even David Carter wouldn’t be able to protect Charles Henry, so getting rid of Henry White was probably another of Little James’s goals!

Unknowingly, Little James had already given herself double insurance!

If that was the case, why hadn’t Little Edward set her sights on Michael Reed? With someone who had backing, marrying him would have completely resolved her crisis.

It was all too complicated! William Harris felt that his own analysis was full of holes, but one thing was certain: Little James must have used some highly deceptive tactics to captivate both men. Maybe they both thought Little James was interested in them.

For the time being, William Harris couldn’t figure out all the intricacies. Other than admiring Little James, he had nothing more to say.

How could this be someone who just graduated? She was clearly a seasoned veteran of society!

Watching Little James chatting and laughing with Michael and Henry, acting all sweet and demure, William Harris suddenly felt a strong sense of possessiveness, wishing he could press her beneath him and ravage her to his heart’s content.

“Brother Harris, you have an injury on your head, eat more nourishing food.” Little James suddenly turned to William Harris and said, picking up a piece of lion’s head meat with her chopsticks and placing it in his bowl. Her gentle manner made it seem as if William Harris was her boyfriend.

“It’s just a little blood, nothing serious. Little William, you must drink this glass of wine—I toast to you.” Henry White was indeed displeased and insisted on toasting William Harris.

Michael Reed chimed in from the side, “That’s right, a little wound is nothing, you should still drink.”

It seemed Little James’s goal had been achieved; she had successfully stirred up the two men’s jealousy toward him!

Glancing at Little James, he saw that she now wore the look of an innocent girl, anxiously glancing at the two men.

A woman among three men, yet as calm as if she were strolling in a garden—though William Harris was gnashing his teeth in anger, he couldn’t think of a way to deal with her for the moment.

Just then, Little James’s phone rang. Seeing her quietly answering the call, William Harris had an idea and said to Michael and Henry, “Today’s main character is Little James, you can’t let her leave. Who knows, maybe that call is from her boyfriend.”

This was a powerful blow. At the mention of “boyfriend,” the two men immediately lost interest in forcing William Harris to drink and looked nervously at Little James.

Main Text Chapter 5: Even Singing Is Full of Schemes

Perhaps worried that Little James had another date, Michael Reed and Henry White stopped drinking as well. As soon as Little James finished her call, they paid the bill and headed straight to the karaoke bar.