Chapter 174: The Alliance between the Boss and the Director

Words : 1622 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 174: Chapter 174: The Alliance between the Boss and the DirectorSunny Nguyen’s heart suddenly felt a sour taste, although she never wanted to truly be with James Brown, being with James was quite a joy. She even thought that she could maintain this kind of relationship with James for the rest of her life, greeting each other when needed and leading their own lives otherwise. Yet, how long had it been since this relationship had to end because James had found a girlfriend? She huffed, dissatisfied, and said, "I was looking for you yesterday, and you were full of excuses." Gina Lopez, however, furrowed her brow and said, "James Brown, you’re really something, aren’t you? Got yourself a college girl and now you’re ditching Sister Sunny? Isn’t that just the height of irresponsibility?" James Brown chuckled dryly and said, "I wouldn’t quite say that I’m irresponsibly abandoning Sunny. Our relationship was always about seeking happiness, without thinking about anything else." Gina Lopez immediately got upset—she knew James had cut ties with the others for his girlfriend, which she considered responsible when it came to feelings. However, she didn’t know James’s girlfriend, but was close to Sunny Nguyen, naturally siding with her. She glared and said, "Humph, a man should take responsibility for his actions. You’re being irresponsible to Sister Sunny." Sunny Nguyen quickly pulled Gina back, smiling, "Gina, stop it. What James is doing isn’t wrong. He should be responsible for his girlfriend, right? If he kept things unclear with me, that would make him irresponsible. I support him." Gina Lopez frowned and said, "Sister Sunny, you’re just too good to him. And the jerk doesn’t even appreciate it. What an idiot." Sunny Nguyen gave a light laugh and said, "I never intended to pursue anything serious with him. It was just a way to lighten the mood, nothing more. If it got too serious, I’d be the one running away." Seeing how casually Sunny Nguyen spoke, Gina Lopez suddenly felt an indescribable sense of relief, as if that means, even if something happened between her and James Brown, she wouldn’t have to feel guilty toward Sunny Nguyen. "Idiot, what are you thinking, Gina Lopez?" she berated herself internally. After some reflection, she decided not to be hard on James anymore. After finishing the meal, the three returned to the company, with James Brown heading back to the HR department to continue his work, while Gina Lopez went to Sunny Nguyen’s office. After discussing some work matters, Gina Lopez didn’t leave right away. Hesitating for a moment, she said, "Sunny, now that James Brown’s not coming around anymore... are you really not upset?" Sunny Nguyen revealed a bitter smile and said, "I won’t lie to you. I do feel a bit empty." "Ah?" Gina Lopez was visibly surprised. Sunny Nguyen shook her head, her smile returning, and said, "I feel empty because James filled a void in my heart for a while and helped me to get back on my feet. But I am clear that a relationship between us isn’t possible. Ending this way is not necessarily a bad thing—if he got married later, it would only cause him a lot of trouble. That wouldn’t be good." Gina Lopez’s eyes flickered, suddenly saying, "Sister Sunny, I have a plan that could allow you to maintain a relationship with him without any burden on you." This time, it was Sunny Nguyen’s turn to be surprised as she looked at Gina Lopez, saying, "What plan do you have?" Gina Lopez gave an awkward laugh, somewhat embarrassingly saying, "I’ll snag the guy from that college girl, pretend he’s my boyfriend, and then you can be with him, and it won’t matter to me." "What?" Sunny Nguyen’s eyes bulged like light bulbs, unable to believe these words were coming from Gina Lopez. Gina Lopez, knowing there had been a misunderstanding, quickly coughed lightly and explained, "Sister Sunny, I didn’t make myself clear—the thing is, recently my sister Emily Lopez has been with James and has taken a fancy to him. Knowing that my relationship with James is fake, she wants to be with the guy. But as you know, my parents think I’m with James, so if in the end, he gets with my sister, that would be a joke." She paused, then continued, "And knowing the kind of person my sister is, it wouldn’t matter to her if there were a college girl or a bunch of other girls involved with James—she would still fight for him. Only if I intervene will she back down. So, I can only pretend to be with James to dispel this idea. But I don’t truly want to be with James; it’s all fake." Sunny Nguyen smacked her lips, taking a moment before speaking, "Gina, this... isn’t good, is it?" "How could it not be good? You’re probably thinking I’m interfering with James Brown and that college girl, but let me tell you, if I don’t step in, my sister will definitely interfere, and she’ll be more intense than me. James Brown definitely won’t end up with that college girl. Plus, by doing this, you’ll still be able to maintain a relationship with James Brown. Isn’t that great?" "You’re dating James Brown... and then I sleep with him?" Sunny summarized Gina Lopez’s plan in one blunt sentence. Gina’s face turned red with the directness of the comment, but she still nodded and said, "That’s more or less the idea. Besides, my dating him is also fake." Sunny patted her cheeks gently, trying to sober up her thoughts, but her brain just couldn’t wrap around this idea. She went to the water cooler, filled a cup with ice water, and guzzled it down to kick-start her thinking again. Standing in front of Gina, Sunny said earnestly, "Gina, I still feel this isn’t right. If you succeed, in the end, it’s James Brown who’ll be hurt most by this. It’s unfair to him." "How is it unfair? If I date him, will it be to his disadvantage? And... sleeping with a stunning woman like you, could he possibly lose out? He’d be making a fortune." Sunny patted Gina’s shoulder softly, speaking gently, "Gina, this isn’t about winning or losing. It involves emotions. You’re dating him without feelings; that’s a deception. Don’t you think that hurts him?" Gina was at a loss for words, sensing the logic in Sunny’s argument, but nevertheless clueless about emotional matters, she countered, "Sister Sunny, it’s not necessarily as you say, right? Who knows, maybe I’ll develop feelings for him?" That startled Sunny, but then she burst out laughing, "Then that would be falling in love over time, huh? Pretending for so long, are you now uncomfortable because someone else might snatch him away?" Feeling slightly embarrassed, Gina admitted, "To be honest, I do feel that way. Although he can be really annoying at times, his cooking isn’t bad. Coming home to a cooked meal after work sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it? So if I claim him, it’s not certain that feelings won’t develop. Maybe I’ll really end up marrying him." Sёarch* The Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Haha..." Sunny burst into laughter, making Gina even more embarrassed. Sunny quickly composed herself and said, "I’m not mocking you. You’re actually right to think that way, so I should support you." Gina’s eyes lit up with joy, and she pressed on, "You should help me, right? It benefits you too. If you want to be with him in that way in the future, then just do it." Sunny chuckled again, saying, "If you really have feelings for James Brown, could you actually let him come over and sleep with me?" Gina earnestly replied, "Of course! We’re good sisters, right? And since your relationship with him came first, I wouldn’t be so petty." Sunny couldn’t help but laugh, "Don’t joke. If you truly have feelings, you won’t be able to let him go. You’ll probably get jealous just seeing James Brown talking to me, suspecting something more." "Absolutely not!" Gina said emphatically, "Sister Sunny, I swear right here that if I ever end up with James Brown, I would never stop you guys. Even if you come to my house to sleep with him, I would clear out a room for you." Sunny, seeing the seriousness in Gina’s words, was genuinely touched and took Gina’s hand, "Gina, thank you. Saying that means a lot about how much you care for me. Honestly, I’m not ready to part with James Brown, so I support you, too. But if one day you really have feelings for James Brown, just tell me straight. I’ll cut off all connection with him and won’t do anything to hurt you." Gina gripped Sunny’s hand tightly, her voice full of emotion, "Sister Sunny, I, Gina Lopez, always keep my word. What I say now is a promise for life. Unless you want to get married, you can be involved with James Brown whenever you want." Gina had never really been in love, so she didn’t fully grasp the exclusivity and possessiveness associated with romance. In her heart, romance wasn’t even as important as friendship, which is why she was making such a promise to Sunny at that moment. Sunny realized this as well, but chose not to say anything further. She genuinely appreciated Gina’s sense of friendship. Besides... selfishly, maintaining such a relationship with James Brown wasn’t such a bad prospect. If Gina really fell for James Brown, Sunny could always sever ties with him for the sake of their friendship. She would never do anything to make Gina sad.

Chapter 174: The Alliance between the Boss and the Director

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