Chapter 26: Me Too

Xander Ruan looked at Mabel Ruan in disbelief, unable to grasp that Seren Thorne had actually predicted her words so accurately.

If his younger sister truly wanted to gain experience, she could have gone to any other company. Why was she so obsessed with entering through the Vane family's back door? Was she really hiding a forged degree and afraid of being discovered by outsiders?

Or was it truly as Seren had said before—that she wanted to use her position to "reel in" her brother-in-law?

Or perhaps it was both?

Seeing the varying expressions on everyone's faces, Mabel finally realized something was slightly off. Why was everyone’s attitude so strange today? It felt as if they were having some secret communication behind her back, and she was the only one excluded.

"Mr. Vane, what are you and my sister laughing about?"

Arthur Vane coughed, trying to restore his expression to his usual gentle yet serious demeanor. "It’s nothing. I just thought of something funny."

Seren added, "Me too."

Mabel had an inexplicable, eerie feeling, but since none of them had even touched their phones, it was indeed unlikely they had any communication she didn't know about. She pushed the thought aside and looked expectantly at Alaric Vane.

"Brother-in-law, have you considered it? Is it convenient to arrange a job for me? I'm willing to work even at the grass-roots level, as long as you can give me a chance to temper myself."

Alaric gave the same answer as before: "It is not convenient."

Mabel’s willingness to work at the base level was already a self-imposed demotion. Seeing that Alaric still refused and that her act of playing the victim didn't earn even a shred of sympathy, she finally gave up on the idea for now and left the Vane residence with Xander.

On the way back, sitting in the car, Mabel felt more unreconciled the more she thought about it.

"Third Brother, don't you think Brother-in-law’s attitude toward me was particularly strange today? Even though he didn't like me before, he could at least speak to me properly. I wonder if someone said something bad about me in front of him to make him so cold."

After leaving the Vane house, Xander had remained silent. Hearing Mabel’s delicate, soft complaints, he felt an indescribable sensation in his heart.

Mabel often liked to make these kinds of complaints. While she didn't explicitly say Seren was targeting her, the implication was clear. In the past, when Xander heard her complain, he simply thought she was a straightforward girl who couldn't hide her feelings.

Now, however, he couldn't help but wonder: was Mabel truly saying these things unintentionally, or was she trying to make the Ruan family hate Seren on purpose?

After finishing her complaint, Mabel noticed Xander hadn't responded for quite a while, so she turned her head to look at him.

Seeing him lost in thought, she moved closer to him, brushed her leg against his, and said with a pained expression, "Third Brother, I'm talking to you. Why are you ignoring me? Do you hate me now?"

Mabel was wearing a white floral dress today that only reached her thighs. When she sat down, her long, porcelain legs were fully exposed. When she brushed against Xander’s leg, it felt warm and soft.

Paired with that sweet, soft voice, there was an air of ignorant coquettishness that made Xander’s heart tingle. Everything he had been thinking about was forgotten; his mind was filled only with how soft his sister's leg felt.

His face flushed slightly, and he sat stiffly, not daring to move for fear that she would detect his secret crush. Although they were only siblings in name, his sister only saw him as a brother. If she knew his feelings, they might not even be able to remain siblings.

"I was just thinking about work and got distracted. What did you say?"

Mabel took in his reaction and laughed inwardly at this twenty-six-year-old virgin. On the surface, however, she remained calm. "Brother, don't you know someone in the Human Resources department at Vane Corp? Ask them to pull some strings for me so I can work under Brother-in-law. If an assistant position won't work, arrange for me to be a secretary or some other clerical role."

Except for core executives, recruitment at Vane Corp was handled directly by HR. It wouldn't be difficult for Xander to bypass Alaric’s direct line of sight to place Mabel there, though the position would be lower.

But...

Xander thought back to what Seren had said and couldn't help but ask Mabel, "Mabel, why are you so obsessed with working at Vane Corp? Is it really just to improve yourself?"

Mabel’s eyes flickered with surprise. Rare indeed—this "licking dog" had actually grown a brain and could see she had an ulterior motive.

However, Mabel didn't panic. Living in the Ruan family for so many years, she knew exactly how to handle them. A "licking dog" like Xander, who harbored a crush on her, was even easier to deal with.

She reached out to grab Xander’s arm, leaning her head on his shoulder and acting sweet. "Actually, there is another reason. I just want to make myself strong quickly and learn more useful things so I can help you manage the company in the future, Third Brother."

With every breath, the faint scent of the woman’s perfume filled his nose. Xander’s heart rate accelerated instantly, and his suspicions were tossed to the winds. He asked with surprise, "Mabel, does that mean when the Ruan family eventually splits the estate, you’ll choose to come with me?"

The Ruan family was still under the control of their father. Xander was only a department manager. To truly hold power, he would have to wait for his father to relinquish control.

Mabel’s smooth forehead brushed against Xander’s neck as she said softly, "If I don't go with you, who would I go with? It’s just that I’m too stupid right now to be your right-hand woman. If you start your own company in the future, I’d just be a burden. I don't want people to think I'm not worthy of standing beside you, so I must go out and train to improve myself."

Standing beside him?

Did Mabel mean that she liked him too, but felt she wasn't capable enough right now and was afraid to reveal her feelings? Once she had established herself and gained confidence, would she be with him?

The more Xander thought about it, the more he felt this was the case. He felt a bit lightheaded. "Mabel, actually, you don't need to work so hard. I can support you for the rest of your life. Since Alaric doesn't welcome you, let’s not push our luck there."

Mabel inwardly rolled her eyes. Support her? With what?

The Ruan family had three sons; the inheritance would be split three ways. How much would be left in his hands? Moreover, the three Ruan brothers were incredibly stupid—clearly not cut out for business. If she stayed with them, her life would never amount to much.

Unlike Alaric Vane—handsome, powerful, ambitious, and the richest man in the country. Any fool knew who to choose.

"I don't want to rely on others. I want to stand on my own feet, otherwise, people will definitely gossip behind my back. Third Brother, just help me this once, okay? I’m begging you~"

Xander was dazed by Mabel’s coquettish tone and eventually softened. "Alright, I'll handle this for you. I guarantee you’ll successfully join Vane Corp within the week."

"Thank you, Brother!" Mabel kissed Xander on the cheek happily.

Xander was immersed in the scent of his sister’s soft cheek kiss, completely failing to notice the calculation in her eyes.