I Was Used To Test The Client’s Integrity

My superior loved tricking me into wearing tight-fitting pencil skirts to serve wine to sleazy clients while sticking close to them.

Then, she would hint that I was single and a valid target while she excitedly waited for the clients to make a move on me. It was all in the name of checking the integrity of the clients and whether they were worthy business partners or not.

The moment a client fell for it, she would rush over with righteous anger and throw wine in their faces.

Then, she would lecture me with a voice heavy with anguish. Do you lack money so much that youd throw your dignity away just for better results?

She would trample all over my dignity to set up her image as a refined, noble woman.

This time, she even prepared a gown with a super low neckline and pushed me to serve a client with a rich and powerful background.

She threatened me by saying that if I did not go, she would deduct my bonus for three whole months of full attendance.

But when I saw the familiar, cold man sitting in the seat of honor, it was my turn to laugh.

If my brother saw me serving wine in this kind of dress, I did not doubt that by tomorrow, the company would be under my name.

Chapter 1

Joy Clark held up a skimpy gown with a deep V-neckline in her hands and stared at me with disappointment as we stood in the washroom.

Ninian, we need Mr. Xander to help us hit our KPI for the next year. Dont screw things up today.

As she spoke, she yanked off my blazer and stuffed that crass gown into my arms.

When it comes to business negotiations, you need to be softer. If you look so drab, the client wont be in the mood. We wont be able to negotiate anything that way.

The gown was so thin that it looked like it was made of gauze. I could tell that it was not very proper.

Joy had covered every part of her skin and made herself look like a professional while preparing to pose me as a bar girl.

Miss Clark, the collar is too low, and the hem is too short. Ill be flashing myself when I sit down, I said coolly.

But Joy just snickered in disdain and urged, You dont have to be scared. Im here, arent I? Were testing our clients here. If Mr. Xander is a gentleman, he wont let his eyes wander, but if hes a pervert Ha! Ill definitely step forward to protect you.

She only ever stepped forward when the clients were about to touch my thigh.

She also hinted to the clients every single time that I was a promiscuous woman and tempted them to make a move on me.

I was not an idiot. I had already been taken advantage of twice. How could I not have learned my lesson by this time?

But this time, the client was my own brother.

Fine, Ill wear it. I took the gown and smiled.

Perhaps thinking that I had finally fallen for her lies, Joy nodded in satisfaction before pushing me into a stall.

Through the door, I could hear her sending voice messages. Her voice was barely a whisper.

Dont worry, Ill have Ninian toast Mr. Xander later. No man can keep their hands to themselves. The moment he makes a move on Ninian, Ill have a reason to lower the price he offered and even set up the companys prestige.

I sneered inwardly.

I only moved out to gain experience because I did not want to depend on my family to survive. I wanted to try renting a place and living on my own.

No one ever taught me how to deal with professional clients. In the past, I was worried that people might make things difficult for me, so I tolerated everything Joy threw at me, but today

I took out my phone and sent a text to the first contact on my phone.

[Henry, my dear brother, Im going to show you something fun later. Make sure youre ready for it.]

[?]

That was Henrys reply.

The negotiation was set in the most luxurious club in the downtown area.

When I walked into the banquet hall, I saw a man with a cold demeanor sitting in the seat of honor.

That was Henry Xander, my brother. He had left the family to build his own business.

The moment we walked in, Joy pushed me over to Henry.

Mr. Xander, this is Ninian. Shes from my department. Shes single and idolizes business legends like you. Shell be serving you tonight. Just tell her what you want.

Joy put an extra emphasis on the words single and what you want.

If Henry were another sleazy client, he might have gone with the flow and made a move on me.

Go and serve Mr. Xander. Be smart. Whyre you still standing there and daydreaming?

She shoved a glass of red wine into my hands.

I held the glass and walked to the seat of honor.

My colleagues shot me strange looks.

When I arrived in front of Henry, he looked up.

The moment our gazes met, his eyes landed on my gown and its stupidly low V-line for a moment. Then, he tightened his grip so hard on his wine glass that his veins bulged.

I could almost hear him gnashing his teeth.

Just when I was about to speak, Henry suddenly removed his blazer.

Wear it, he growled with suppressed anger.

But that move ended up as a signal for Joy.

Mr. Xander, please keep your hands to yourself!

She practically sprinted across the room like an Olympic athlete and said in righteous fury, Were here for negotiations, not for one of our employees to act as your bar girl! Ninian might be just a regular employee, but she has her own dignity. Just because youre rich doesnt mean you get to treat her like that!

Chapter 2

Joy turned around to start lecturing me.

Ninian, I already told you plenty of times before to stay away from the clients! Stop wearing such outfits and throwing yourselves at them just for the sake of your KPI!

Do you really lack money that much? How could you throw your shame away just to get a contract? Youre making yourself appear cheap!

She was the one who hinted that I was single, and the client could make a move on me! Somehow, I always ended up the cheap one in this scenario.

When I saw how she was acting, I laughed.

Miss Clark, youre the one who asked me to get closer and even hinted at Mr. Xander

Quiet!

Joy did not even give me a chance to speak.

Based on her plan, she was going to kick up a huge fuss with the perverted actions between Henry and me.

That way, she could reduce the price of the contract and uphold her righteous image, which helped her look great in front of Mr. Wilson.

Unfortunately for her, she had chosen the wrong audience this time.

Henry scoffed in anger and shot to his feet. Thats enough! Covering someone up is making a move on them to you?

The faint, wooden scent from the blazer enveloped me.

Do you take me for a fool? If were going to negotiate a business deal, then we should just stick to it. Why were you hinting at me to hook up with her?

I came here to inspect this project, not to choose a lover. As for you, youre the one who forced your employee to wear this gown and serve me wine. Now, youre turning the tables on her and accusing her of being cheap?

He sneered. It seems like theres a huge problem with your management. Im sorry to say, but I dont think I want to work with someone like this.

Im canceling the partnership for next year.

I knew that Henry was furious.

He was angry at people mistreating me, his own sister. He was livid at the fact that I was still working there, even though the company was so full of corruption.

But I still had to pay my rent, and I was in my twenties. I did not want to keep asking my family for money.

Mr. Xander, this is a misunderstanding!

Mr. Wilson panicked and stood up as well.

After all, if they lost the major deal with Henry, it would be a huge loss to the company.

They had only wanted to gain the upper hand in this negotiation. They absolutely could not lose their deal with him.

Mr. Wilson immediately turned on Joy and shouted at her, Joy, Mr. Xander has always been a man of integrity! He only removed his blazer to cover Ninian up! How could you accuse him of making a move on her?!

Apologize to Mr. Xander now!

Joy trembled before casting a glance at me while I sat in a corner.

She gritted her teeth. Then, with teary eyes, she said pitifully, Im sorry, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Xander. I acted too rashly. I was just too worked up. Ninian has always loved tempting our clients to make a move on her, and shes always thinking about using her looks to climb the social ladder. I was only worried about you, Mr. Xander. This is exactly why I told her to dress up properly today, but she always goes on to wear such skimpy gowns. She even said youd pay her more attention this way.

I was just worried about things going wrong. Thats why I

As I listened to her twisting the truth, I sneered.

Miss Clark, lets be honest here. Youre the one who gave me the gown, and youre the one who made me serve Mr. Xander. You said that if I refused, youd deduct my bonus for full attendance. Now, youre lying and saying that I picked the gown myself?

Ninian, dont you have a conscience?! Joy glared at me in indignation. Everyone in the department knows you love flirting with the clients! Yet youre trying to shift the blame and turn on me?

Chapter 3

Mr. Wilson, we need to make this clear with Mr. Xander today!

She turned the attention back to Mr. Wilson.

The other employees started whispering among themselves. Mr. Wilson was terrified of making Henry angry and causing a major loss to the company, so he just wanted to salvage the situation.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and said, Enough, Ninian! Regardless of whether this is a misunderstanding or not, Mr. Xanders still angry because of you. Thats an undeniable fact. Youll be handing the project with Grand World to Joy today.

Then, report to HR. Youll get your salary deducted, and youll start over from the bottom again!

When she saw that she had removed herself entirely from the situation, Joy sighed in relief before whispering into my ear, See that? Im a senior employee in the company, and I can turn you into the scapegoat whenever I want. Dont even think about getting someone to speak up for you. Its your fault for being so unlucky. You just had to mess with Mr. Xander.

Despite her provocation, I did not panic. Instead, I laughed.

The company had been following up on a project with Grand World for half a year, but I got that project with the help of my best friend.

It was because I kept whining to her about how the commission from my company was too low, and I sweet-talked her into it. That was why she had given me the project while rolling her eyes at me.

How dare Mr. Wilson get someone else to take over? I just hoped that the company would not suffer another major loss so soon.

Mr. Xander, are you pleased with this outcome? Mr. Wilson rubbed his hands as he looked at Henry uneasily.

Joy quickly picked up her glass of wine and put on a fawning smile. I overreacted just now and offended you, Mr. Xander, but Ive always said whatever comes to the top of my head and am overprotective of my subordinates. Let me toast to you.

Then, graciously, she drank the wine while Mr. Wilson spoke up on her behalf. Thats right! Mr. Xander, dont let this girl affect our friendship!

I was getting fed up listening to this.

In any case, they were going to keep smearing my reputation, so I decided to just sit down and start eating.

Ninian!

When Joy saw that I still had the gall to sit down and eat, she got worked up and shoved me. Dont you have any manners at all? Hurry and apologize to Mr. Xander!

Then, she smiled at Henry.

Please dont mind her, Mr. Xander. Ninian came from the countryside and is ignorant about the world. I think she only did what she did because she wants a better life. After all, when a person is poor, theyd cross any moral line to get rich.

Henry listened to Joy as she called me poor and questioned my morals. His hand froze on his teacup.

You seem to understand your subordinates family background really well, Miss Clark, Henry said slowly. His voice was devoid of emotion.

Thinking that things could still change for the better, Joy nodded. Of course! When she just joined us, she said that she came from the mountains. Girls like that have it hard when they work in the city. Theyre easily tempted by all the glamor around them and want to take shortcuts.

Shes the only one who gets harassed during every social event, not the other employees! Why else would that be?

Theres always a reason behind why something happens, right? If she didnt dress so scantily, why would someone harass her?

Mr. Xander, as her superior, Im to blame for her questionable behavior and scheming nature, but I promise you that as long as you work with us, well be clear and transparent with you and wont make a mess of things.

Questionable behavior and scheming nature? Ninian? Henry repeated the words, and his smile turned colder.

Thats right. Joy sighed and pretended to find the situation regrettable. Even though its shameful for us to mention such scandalous behavior, I wouldnt dare hide it from you.

Smack!

Henry slammed his teacup heavily on the table before glaring at Joy like she was already dead to him.

Youre spreading lies about my sister trying to climb the social ladder by seducing others, and youre doing it right in front of my face!

Is this how your company works, Miss Clark?