hapter 8 Left Her Behind All of Emelie’s enthusiasm vanished into thin air. No matter how many times William tried or what he did afterward, she felt nothing. Good proper upbringing, traditional, disapproves of premarital relations. What did that mean? Was he planning to marry Daphne? Returning to Cloudex Corporation, Emelie found herself demoted from the role of head secretary to general secretary, albeit without any official announcement. Daphne now occupied her former desk, relegating Emelie to the spot Daphne previously held as an assistant. Her new seat was situated by the door in a corner. It was both unremarkable and piled with clutter from being unused for an extended period. The administrative department had not yet organized its cleaning as they were caught off guard by Emelie’s abrupt return. It was somewhat embarrassing. However, Emelie decided not to bother the administrative department and cleaned it up herself with a detached expression. Upon Daphne’s arrival and noticing the situation, she quickly approached Emelie.“Ms. Hoven, I’m sorry, I had intended to come early to tidy up, but I was delayed by traffic… I’ll clear this space and return the seat for you now.” Emelie was wiping off the dust with a cloth as she responded, “The office supplies are company property, not mine. There’s no ‘returning them to me‘. Mr. Middleton assigned that desk to you, so it’s yours to use.” Daphne bit her lip, looking guilty. “Then… I’ll help you clean up.” Emelie ignored her, and Daphne took it upon herself to move the unnecessary items to the storage. When Daphne returned, she made a detour to the restroom to wash her hands and overheard two colleagues gossiping while doing their makeup early in the morning. “Ms. Hoven has been brought back, did you know?” “Yes, I heard she came back with Mr. Middleton from Vinetown yesterday. She’s probably here today.” “I told you, Mr. Middleton can’t bear to part with Ms. Hoven.” Daphne paused her step. “In terms of workability, of course, Ms. Hoven is beyond rep ed and said, “Emelie, pick up some ointment for Daphne We’ll continue the client Deshoe said Thank you Ms Hoven.” As they drove off, Emelie was left alone by herself. The car was speeding away without her. roach, but as for the rest… Doesn’t Mr. Middleton already have Daphne?” The colleague quickly said, “Shh! Have you forgotten about what happened to that person from the marketing department? Don’t speak so directly!” The other retorted. “It’s just the two of us here. If neither of us spills the beans, who’s going to find out?” It made sense to the colleague. She then continued to share her opinion, saying, “I believe Mr. Middleton has a preference for Ms. Hoven too.” “Exactly, Ms. Hoven has been with Mr. Middleton for three years. They been with each other through thick and thin. I think there was a saying that goes, “You can’t move up until there’s room at the top!” After they were done, both of them left the restroom and got startled when they saw Daphne. She pretended to have just walked up and missed their exchange. She greeted them, “Good morning.” They responded with forced smiles, “Good morning, you’re quite early.” They then hastily made their exit. At noon, both Emelie and Daphne were set to accompany William to a client meeting. William seemed eager for Daphne to accumulate experience, hinting that he wanted to groom her for the head secretary position. Emelie was updating William on the details for the upcoming luncheon. Daphne, unable to find an opportunity to contribute, hurried forward to open the car door. However, she winced before managing to open it. William noticed the change in her expression and asked, “What’s the matter?” “Oh, it’s nothing.” she said, though clearly in pain as she opened the door. William’s concern grew. “What’s wrong with your … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 8” »
Category: Winning Her Heart Back
Winning Her Heart Back
When Emelie Hoven was hopelessly in love with William Middleton, she almost ended up losing her life. But to William, she was only someone convenient who he thought couldn’t live without him. And so, she decided to stop loving him. William didn’t like that Emelie was too calm, too rational, and too independent. Later, his wish came true- he got to see her relying on someone and being gentle. He wasn’t the recipient, though.
On the day of Emelie’s wedding, she smiles brightly as she sits on a chair and waits for her groom and his groomsmen to pass the test she and her bridesmaids have set up for them. The atmosphere is lively. Suddenly, William shows up out of nowhere. He gets on one knee before her and holds her hands, looking like he’s almost worshipping her. “Leave him, please. Come with me. You loved me first, didn’t you?”
Chapter 7 Untouched The conference room door was locked for nearly an hour. Afterward, Emelie took several alcohol wipes and thoroughly cleaned the conference table. With the room back in order, she glanced over to William, who had already reverted to his usual dignified and authoritative demeanor. A closer look revealed a minor crease on his shirt, indicating he was the first to lose restraint just now Emelie picked up William’s tie and walked over to help him put it on. William was accustomed to her attentiveness, slightly lifting his chin to expose his prominent Adam’s apple while Emelie’s fingers skillfully tied the knot. She softly said, “I want to go back to headquarters.” William’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He observed her submissive demeanor and calmly stated, “As I’ve mentioned before, there was no necessity to return to headquarters before completing the project. Now that it’s finished, you’re free to go back if you wish.” Thus, when William concluded his project inspection and headed back to Capebatt City, Emelie returned with them. Daphne tilted her head, inquiring, “Mr. Middleton, can Ms. Hoven come back with us?” William nodded while reading some documents. Daphne immediately beamed with joy. “That’s great! Ms. Hoven, I’ve missed you around here these past two months.” Emelie observed Daphne, Her makeup was done in vibrant shades of orange and eyeliner that stopped short of extending beyond her eyes, exuding a youthful and charming appearance. “You’ve put a lot of thought into your makeup,” Emelie complimented. Each stroke seemed to accentuate the innocence that men find most appealing, akin to the pure and spirited essence of a young girl. Daphne blinked, offering a slight smile. When they reached Capebatt City, it was already night time. A driver was already waiting for them. “Take Daphne home first,” William instructed. The driver, well–versed in unspoken commands, immediately knew the destination. After being two months away, Emelie was deep in thought as she reacquainted herself with the city. When they stopped, Emelie realized they were not at Daphne’s previous modest neighborhood but at a Choper? Untouched luxurious complex near the city center, close to their office. 2/2 As Daphne exited, she waved. “Thank you both for the ride, Mr. Middleton, and Ms. Hoven! Have a restful night, and I’ll see you both see you at the office tomorrow.” William simply nodded, watching her enter the complex. As the car engine started again, Emelle asked, “Did you buy her a place here?” William’s focus returned to his documents. Busy as ever, he offhandedly mentioned, “It’s another apartment of mine. Her old neighborhood safe, and I didn’t want her to feel burdened, so I told her it was rented. Make sure you don’t slip up.” wasn’t “The naive girl even pays me a thousand dollars for rent every month.” He chuckled to himself, finding it amusing to him. Emelie pointed out, “With Capebatt City’s rates, you couldn’t rent a place in this area for less than 5000 dollars a month. Anyone with common sense would realize the rent is not just 1000 dollars.” William looked up. “So?” This implied Daphne was portraying a character of self–reliance and independence, playing a long game. with a subtle strategy. But he chose to believe Daphne was “naive“. What could she say? Emelie’s lips twitched slightly, “Nothing, Mr.Middleton is truly considerate and thoughtful.” Upon their return to Eastbay, Emelle barely bad time to shower before being overwhelmed by William’s … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 7” »
Chapter 6 The Presentation Emelie’s colleague sincerely suggested to her, “Emelie, have you thought about it? Your employment contract is up in a month. If you don’t come back, Mr. Middleton might not renew it. “Once it expires, it’ll automatically be terminated. Even if the contract were to end, you should return to the headquarters to wrap things up. It would look better on your resume.” Though Emelie’s concerns lay elsewhere, she couldn’t shake the need to witness the situation firsthand. On the day of William’s branch office visitation, she meticulously applied her makeup and chose a white dress for him and waited at the company’s entrance. Ten minutes later, three cars drove over and smoothly parked at the company’s steps. William was the first to step out of the car. Before Emelie’s smile could fully bloom, another figure appeared from the other door–phne. It appeared that William and Daphne were as inseparable as the rumors said. Emelie momentarily hesitated but proceeded to greet him respectfully, “Welcome, Mr. Middleton.” William briefly acknowledged her with a fleeting glance, offering no response before he confidently ascended the steps into the company alongside the branch manager. Emelie admired his retreating figure, noting his preference for impeccably tailored black suits that complemented his physique, enhancing his height, broad–shouldered, and strikingly handsome silhouette. Daphne scurried to Emelie, greeting her softly, “Hi Ms. Hoven, it’s been a while.” Her eyes shone with an innocent charm. Emelie responded with a slight nod. As the lead on the project, Emelie was tasked with delivering the key presentation to the CEO. With the presence of international clients, Emelie conducted her entire presentation in Asteshese. Her delivery was both fluent and confident, peppered with gentle humor that elicited smiles of agreement. from the audience. The 40–minute presentation captivated everyone, culminating in enthusiastic applause. William joined in the applause, though his expression remained neutral, leaving Emelie uncertain whether his approval was genuine or merely polite. She smiled modestly, bowed gracefully, and descended the podium. As she passed by William, who was seated at the head of the conference table, Emelie pretended to accidentally kick the table comer, softly exclaiming as she bent down. Her tea–brown curled hair, fragrant with gardenias, lightly brushed over his hand resting on the table. The Presentation Emelie raised her head and her gaze met William. His pupils were dark and bottomless, irresistibly compelling. Emelie pursed her lips, straightened up, and continued on her way. Her seat was past Daphne, who was diligently taking notes. Her hair was obscuring her face and hiding. any expression she had. After the meeting, William was the first to exit, with others gradually following. Emelie lingered, methodically organizing her materials until the room was empty, before preparing to leave with her documents. However, a man entered at that moment. The man was about six feet three and blocked her way effortlessly. Emelie gave a composed smile and asked, “Mr. Middleton, have you returned for something you’ve forgotten?” “I have indeed forgotten something…” William swiftly took her hand and lifted her onto the conference table. He positioned himself between her legs, his hands on the table edge, enclosing her in his embrace. Their closeness was electric with intimacy, as their subtle fragrances intertwined, narrating a tale of longing and reunion. “What have you learned for these two months? The art of seduction?” William’s voice was low and suggestive. Emelie caught his tie, whispering, “Are you unjustly accusing me, Mr. Middleton?” He looked down and said, “You wore no perfume at the entrance. Yet by the meeting’s start, you were scented. Dare you say it wasn’t intentional?” Emelie smiled and replied, “So, Mr. Middleton, you’ve been observant, huh?” William silenced her with a kiss, leaving her no chance to speak further. Celebrate World Book Day! Unlock amazing gift now!
Chapter 5 Rumors Emelie returned to the house she was renting to pack her bags. “Emelie, you’re finally back? I was about to search every hospital in town for you tomorrow if you hadn’t shown up today.” “Well, everything’s fine now,” Emelie replied. Emelie’s roommate, Mona Hardy, who was also her college dorm mate, had lived together with Emelie for six or seven years. Their relationship had always been good. Throughout her hospitalization, Mona had been the only one genuinely concerned for her. Yet, Emelie had not disclosed the full truth to her, merely mentioning id fallen ill and refusing visits. Mona slipped into her slippers and approached Emelie’s room, only to find her squatting on the floor, folding clothes. “Preparing for another business trip? You’ve just recovered from your illness, and now a business trip? Is your health up for it? William, that jerk, why does he always have to push you so hard?” Mona was aware of the strain in Emelie’s relationship with William and had never approved of him. d to a Emelie didn’t know how long she would be away, so she told Mona the truth. “I’ve been assigned to a project in Vinetown. Mona, I’ll extend the lease for another quarter. “If I can’t return in three months, you might need to find someone else to share the rent with, just let me know, and I’ll come back to take the rest of my stuff.” Mona was startled. “What? Why so sudden?” Emelie–replied, “It’s just a shift in position, happens all the tim It would be normal for anyone else, but with Emelie’s relationship with William, how could she be sent. away? Mona wasn’t fooled as she asked, “Did you have a fight with William?” However, Emelie didn’t really want to discuss it. As she stood up to get something, a piece of paper accidentally fell from her pocket. She was about to pick it up when Mona snatched it up first and unfolded it. It was a report from her D&C surgery. Mona was stunned and paused. Silently, she lifted her gaze from the report to Emelie. She noted that the dates matched the days of Emelie’s unexplained absence. Mona quickly connected the dots. “Were you hospitalized because of an abortion? The child must have Chapter 5 Ruinart been William’s. Did he make you abort the child and then drove you away? Damn him, how could he treat you like this? I’m going to find him and settle this right now!” Despite Mona’s soft and sweet name, she possessed a core of steely determination. Unlike others, she wouldn’t hesitate to directly confront William Emelie quickly held her back. “Mona! He doesn’t know about this! It was an accident, an unintentional. miscarriage.” Mona frowned. “You didn’t tell him?” Emelie pursed her lips and replied, “There’s no need for him to know.” “What. What are you thinking?” Mona said. Emelie took back the abortion report, tore it up, and threw it in the trash bin. “I didn’t think much, just felt that he didn’t need to know.” Mona struggled to understand Emelie’s decision, feeling a deep sense of injustice on her behalf. Emelie went to the bathroom to pack her belongings. Mona gritted her her teeth as she picked up pieces of the torn report from the in case. trash bin, saving them just That evening, Emelie took a flight to Vinetown. In the following month, aside from routine updates to the headquarters, Emelie remained disconnected from William. However, she did receive occasional office gossip from the two secretaries, who were friendly toward her. For instance, William went beyond merely mentoring Daphne at work as he also took a personal interest in her well–being. On one occasion, he returned to the office to drive Daphne back home when it heavily rained, despite having already left.. This act of kindness fueled speculations among their colleagues, with rumors suggesting that Daphne might be Mr. Middleton’s mistress. Upon learning of the rumor, William took swift action, resulting in the termination of the individual … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 5” »
Chapter 4 Ex–lover Emelie questioned, “What exactly does Mr. Middleton wish me to explain?” “Why fire her?” asked William Emelie plainly explained, “She was responsible for the mistake in the Waypoint Corporation contract as a decimal was incorrectly placed. “Fortunately, our strong relationship with the client softened the impact. According to our policy, a new employee whose significant error endangers the firm’s interests is subject to dismissal and potentially additional consequences.” Hearing this, Daphne’s face drained of color, a mix of fear and anxiety seizing her. “I was too careless, my apologies…” William gave her a look, one that was meant to be reassuring, then said to Emelie, “Show me the document.” Emelie put down the document. William flipped through the document to its end, only taking a brief look before tossing it back onto the desk. He said, “This date marks your unexplained absence. Had it not been for your absence, the responsibility of this contract would not have fallen to Daphne, a newcomer.” Emelie was incredulous. “Is Mr. Middleton implying the fault lies with me?” “You’re the head of the secretarial department. You should accept the blame.” William’s response was direct, showcasing an unmistakable bias in favor of Daphne. Emelie suppressed her frustration and argued, “Setting aside that I was on leave when she joined, even if she didn’t know how to handle it, she could have asked someone else or simply not taken it upon herself. Since she made her own decision and volunteered, she should bear the consequences. “Moreover, one must either be a top graduate from a professional institution or have an outstanding work record to enter the secretarial department. An art student hardly qualifies to set foot in there.” William asked, “What if I insist on keeping her?” Emelie replied through clenched teeth, “The secretarial department is fully staffed, we don’t need an assistant. If Mr. Middleton insists on keeping her, then assign her to a different position.” William looked at Emelie. Her lips pressed tightly together, showing a stubbornness reminiscent of how she was three years ago. He smirked slightly. “Since the secretarial department is fully staffed, she will replace your position.” Emelie was utterly taken aback at his words. A cold realization dawned on her upon grasping his intention. Chapter 4 Ex-lover She understood that dismissing Daphine would displease William, yet she had not anticipated such intense repercussions. It seemed that she had misjudged William’s fondness for Daphne and overvalued her own significance to him. Daphne hastily approached. “Mr. Middleton, I…” William raised his hand to stop her from speaking, then tossed a document to Emelle. “You’re now assigned to the Vinetown project. Don’t return to the headquarters until it’s concluded.” Emelie left the CEO’s office and began to pack her things in the secretarial department. The other two secretaries asked in surprise, “Emelle, where are you going? Emelie responded, her voice devoid of emotion, “Mr. Middleton assigned me to the Vinetown project.” Assigning her to an extemal project was a way of implying that she should leave the headquarters. Both secretaries were astonished. There had never been a precedent for a CEO’s secretary being assigned out, especially since Emelie was the head of the secretarial department. Moreover, the treatment at a subsidiary could never compare to that at the headquarters. Once she leaves, could she ever come back? Daphne entered, carrying her items to Emelie’s desk, her voice shaky. “Ms. Hoven, let me assist with. packing..” Emelie looked at her and asked, “Has Mr. Middleton assigned this desk to you now?” “Mr. Middleton indicated that this seat allows him to monitor me in case of unforeseen circumstances,” Daphne relied. Emelie’s lips slightly curled. The desk was directly opposite the CEO’s office, one could easily observe William at work as long as the door wasn’t closed. … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 4” »
Chapter 3 Dismissal They moved toward the bathroom, where the shower ran like a burst of rain. Suddenly, Emelie’s mind drifted to their first meeting three years ago, on a similar rainy day Her family once ran a modest supermarket. They weren’t wealthy, but they lived a stable and comfortable life as a family of five. Unexpectedly, her father fell into a trap that plunged them into a debt of 5 million dollars. He was forced to sell the supermarket, their home, and any sellable items. Yet, they were still 3 million dollars short. At their wit’s end, the person who set the trap showed his true intentions, demanding she use her own body to repay the debt. Her parents tacitly consented. On a rainy night, she fled in panic. The roaring engines of motorcycles sounded behind her, like predators toying with their prey. She lost her shoes and her hair was disheveled. Ahead of her was endless darkness, void of any light. She then fell to the ground, surrounded by motorcycles. She believed her life was over. It was at that moment a business car arrived, blocking her view. She looked up and saw the car door open. A pair of polished leather shoes stepped into a puddle. His trousers were impeccably tailored, and he covered Emelle with a large black umbrella, exuding an air of detached nobility as he offered her protection. He declared, “She’s with me. Who would dare to lay a hand on her?” The initial meeting was so stunning that she revisited and embellished the scene in her dreams countless times, ingraining it deeply, and making it unforgettable. After the shower, Emelie left the bathroom, her body still damp. She popped a candy in her mouth before looking for clean clothes to change, while William continued his shower. She pondered whether to tell William about her pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage. However, she decided against it after a brief few minutes of contemplation. When he saved her three years ago and kept her safe, he made it clear that she shouldn’t cause him any trouble. She was a tool to him, useful in both his personal and work life and a tool must know its place. Moreover, his interest in another woman meant he would care even less, making her revelation pointless. The next day. Emelie went to work as usual. The CEO’s secretarial team consisted of three secretaries, each responsible for various facets of William’s workload. Emelie hadn’t actually abandoned her duties as she had submitted her leave form to HR right before being rushed away by the ambulance. Despite her leave, she addressed the critical documents while in the hospital. Yet some daily tasks had piled up, keeping her occupied all morning without a moment to spare for lunch. By 2 pm, she was visited by the finance department’s manager, who reported a problem with one of the documents–an incorrect decimal point placement. Emelie frowned and quickly reviewed the document. “This doesn’t seem like something I did.” “It was completed by the new assistant, Daphne,” said the finance manager. After a brief pause, Emelie assured the finance manager, saying, “I have a good rapport with Mr. Garrett. I’ll take care of this mistake.” The manager said in a low voice, “Someone needs to be held accountable for such a grave mistake, regardless of any fix.” Emelie expressionlessly replied, “Whoever made the error should be responsible for it.” The company’s policy was straightforward a significant mistake within the first month of employment. could lead to immediate termination. Consequently, the HR department quickly issued a notification to Daphne. Emelie caught a brief break from her packed/schedule and observed Daphne slowly packing her things. tearful and moving with hesitation. The secretariat office was always busy with activities, hardly anyone spared a moment to consider the situation of an unexpectedly ousted assistant. Daphne left the secretariat with a box in her hand and stumbled upon William. Ten minutes later, Emelie was summoned to the CEO’s office. She entered the CEO’s office with the documents in her hands and immediately saw Daphne standing to the side. William was sitting in his chair with a pen and a cold gaze, simply commanded, “Explain.”
Chapter 2 Enstbay After the gathering. Emelie saw each quest off to their vehicle before leaning against a streetlamp, shivering as a cold sweat enveloped her. She couldn’t identify the source of the intermittent pain spreading through her body. Her lipstick had faded, revealing her lips that were devoid of any color. William’s driver noticed her condition. He was aware of Emelie and William’s relationship He said hurriedly, “Ms. Hoven, would you like to get in the car first?” Emelie nodded, gratefully sinking into the backsent. Two minutes later, the car door was opened again. William approached the car with a young woman by his side. He was ready to get it but skidded to a halt at the sight of Emelie waiting by the vehicle. He frowned, annoyed she was taking up space. The woman quickly opened the passenger side door, saying softly, “Mr. Middleton, I’ll sit in the front.” William slammed the car door shut and said, “Take Daphne Bowen home first.” Emelie closed her eyes, feeling very weak. Drinking had taken its toll, especially on the fourth day after a miscarriage. As the car pulled up to an old apartment complex, William nudged Emelie awake. “This alley looks awfully dark and unsafe. Go escort Daphne upstairs.” Daphne’s eyes were big and round, shining even in the dim light of the car. “No need, Mr. Middleton. Ms. Hoven is quite tired, and it is just a short walk. I’ll be perfectly fine on my own.” She stepped out of the car as she smiled at William in the back seat with a twinkle in her eyes. “Mr. Middleton, please take Ms. Hoven back. Goodnight.” William stopped frowning as he nodded. “Sure, goodnight.” Emelie didn’t say a word throughout. However, the driver didn’t take Emelie home. He was William’s confidant, a glance from William was all it took for him to understand what he wanted, He drove directly to the Eastbay, where William lived. They entered the house together. Before Emelie could turn on the light, she was pressed against the door by William, who kissed her lips. Emelie was stunned for a moment, then immediately grabbed his hands, turning her head away. “Wait…” I’m not feeling well today.” Chapter 2 Fasthay Disappointment flashed across William’s striking face without any attempt to hide it. “Fine, then make your own way back,” he said as he walked towards the dining room. Emelie turned on the light and saw him take a bottle of mineral water from the fridge, tilting his head back to swallow. His Adam’s apple bobbing, sensual, and mature. William, the esteemed heir of the Middleton family of Capebatt City, was impeccable in every aspect. He only brought her to the Eastbay when he needed to satisfy his physical needs, a tacit agreement since he “redeemed” her three years ago. Emelie didn’t leave but walked toward him instead, saying, “If you’re in such need, why didn’t you keep Daphne just now? You’re interested in her, aren’t you?” William didn’t deny it, his smile ambiguous. “Have you noticed?” How could it have escaped her notice? Emelie quietly asked, “When did this… arrangement begin? And what role have you assigned her?” William’s voice softened slightly at the mention of Daphne. “I encountered her at Capebatt University a few days back. She’s an art student, quite naive. For now, she’ll work as a secretary for me.” Emelie couldn’t help but laugh… While she was in the hospital recovering from her miscarriage a few days ago, he had already brought a university student into his circle. She softly touched William’s shirt collar with her finger, her eyes twinkling playfully. “University students. are fun, right? So fresh and easy to train.” “She’s fine as she is.” William caught her chin, his thumb brushing over her lips. He continued with a hoarse voice, “But not everyone can be molded as you were…”
Chapter 1 New Affection Emelie hadn’t fully recovered from the shock of her unexpected pregnancy and the subsequent miscarriage as she was wheeled out of the operating room after the D&C surgery. nurse asked, The nurse pushed her back to a ward and proceeded with her Inpatient registration. “Bed 1703, Ms. Emelie Hoven. Are there any family members with you?” the Emelie was lost in her thoughts. She stared blankly at the sterile ceiling, not hearing the nurse’s question. The nurse repeated, “Ms. Emelie Hoven, do you have any family here?” Another nurse who was adjusting the IV drip turned around and said, “Let me handle it. When she was brought in by the ambulance, she gave me her ID and bank card, saying to register and deduct the fees directly. She doesn’t have…” Emelie’s lips moved slightly, finishing the nurse’s sentence. “I have no family members.” The smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils. She curled up. The reality of losing her child sunk in deeper. She breathed in deeply, and tears unexpectedly flooded her eyes. She had lost her child. The aftermath of the D&C surgery took a toll on her body, leaving Emelie alone in the hospital for three days. By the fourth day, she received a call from William Middleton. “Ms. Hoven, tired of missing work yet? If you are, make your way to the ‘Westward Club‘.” The background noise of his call was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and a faint, youthful female voice. Emelie moved her lips, wanting to say she was in the hospital. “Ms. Hoven, reply to me,” William repeated with evident irritation. Emelie swallowed her words and rushed out of the hospital without even completing the discharge procedures. She quickly hailed a taxi to the exclusive Westward Club, only having time to apply her makeup during the ride. Upon her arrival, she had walked in while still applying lipstick. She asked the receptionist, “Which private room is Mr. Middleton from Cloudex Corporation in?” Chapter 1 New Affection The receptionist was momentarily captivated by her presence. However, the receptionist quickly recovered and informed her, “Mr. Middleton is in private room A001. This way, please.” Emelie nodded and followed the receptionist to room 001. Out of courtesy, she knocked twice. Then, she pushed the door open and entered. The thick scent of alcohol immediately assailed her senses, triggering a wave of nausea. Before she could take in her surroundings, a man said, “Ms. Hoven is here. Let her join in the drinking. No need to trouble the newcomer.” A customer’s laughter followed as he remarked, “Ms. Hoven, you’re remarkably compliant, aren’t you? Showing up simply because you were summoned. Look at how bias, Joss, Mr. Middleton, is. He can’t bear to see his new affection get drunk, so he sends you to drink in her stead.” Emelie quickly took stock of the situation, her attention drawn to a young woman seated next to William. Though Emelie didn’t recognize the woman, the woman seemed to know her. “Ms. Hoven, I’m sorry, I-” the woman stammered as she apologized. However, she was cut off by William. “No apologies needed. Had it not been for her unexplained absence, she’d be the one here.” His tone was clearly laced with care and favoritism. But William was known for his cold and detachment demeanor, when had he ever stood up for anyone? Emelie gave the young woman a closer look. She was dressed modestly. Her youthful ponytail contrasted with the rowdy atmosphere, giving her an innocent look that tugged at people’s heartstrings. Emelie suppressed her emotions as she approached the woman with a practiced smile. She said, “Mr. Garrett, are you enjoying the drinks here? Remember to go easy on your liver.” As Cloudex Corporation’s head secretary, Emelie skillfully navigated the evening’s social intricacies. … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 1” »