"What exactly are you trying to do?""Understand you," Cedric replied, his imposing aura tempered by a note of gentleness and indulgence. His voice, richer than the coffee he had brought, hinted at a promise. "From this point forward, I'll make an effort to know you as well as you know me."He had always thought she was too proud to bend, but he had not seen just how much she had silently endured.Sophie's heart was jolted, her emotions so scrambled that no adjective seemed adequate to describe her current state. 'He said he wants to start understanding me?'Almost evasively, she avoided those gentle eyes. When she spoke again, even she found herself sounding awkward. "If you really want to... understand, you’ve come to the wrong place. This is Luxford Group, not X Corp."The absurdity of the CEO of X Corp. delivering her coffee was too much for her to process comfortably."Of course, I know this is Luxford Group. However, I might need to stay here for the next week.""Why?"Hi
Linda’s office was next to Sophie’s, separated by a transparent glass panel. While originally intended to foster a collaborative environment, the glass now afforded Cedric a view of the adjoining office. He pretended to scan the room, but his attention was drawn to the slender figure next door, a smile of satisfaction playing on his lips."Mr. Carlson, please let me know if there’s anything unsatisfactory about the office.""There’s nothing. It’s all very satisfactory." Cedric’s voice was smooth, his earlier smile fading as he maintained a professional demeanor. He appreciated the proximity to Sophie."Alright, then. I’ll let you settle in." Linda smiled politely and turned to leave. Unexpectedly, she accidentally collided with someone at the door."Sorry about that," Evander quickly apologized, managing to catch some of the falling documents in a swift motion, a testament to his agility.Linda recovered quickly from the minor mishap, recognizing Cedric's assistant. "It's actually
At the mention of that, Cedric's demeanor transformed from detached sternness to an engaging charm, laced with intrigue. Despite promising Sophie space, his actions hinted that he wasn't prepared to fade into the background.As he glanced through the glass at Sophie, deeply absorbed in her work, his smile widened while his eyes gleamed with unwavering determination.A woman's intuition was often keen, and Cedric's gaze was sharper than most. As Sophie stared at her computer screen, her fingers tapping incessantly on the keyboard, she felt her heartbeat gradually quicken.'This guy has already made himself at home in Linda’s office. What more did he want?'That inescapable gaze seemed tireless, and Sophie could bear it no longer. Annoyed, she abruptly stopped typing.Noticing her discomfort, Linda asked, "Ms. Luxford, is something bothering you?""The glare is too harsh today. Close the blinds, please."'The glare is too harsh?' Linda thought she had misheard and glanced outside
Sophie lifted her head and met Cedric's smiling eyes. She suppressed her irritation and responded with distant politeness. "Thank you.""You're welcome." With a flick of his wrist, Cedric pressed the remote, and the blinds retracted, bathing the room in soft, ambient light. "Better, right? Staring at the computer in low light can easily cause eye fatigue. But don’t worry. I have plenty of top-quality carrot juice that can help relieve discomfort in your eyes."The sudden brightness made her squint, aggravating her further. Cedric's meddling was becoming a daily challenge."Cedric, aren't you bored of all this?"'Renovations! Carrot juice! Doesn’t Cedric have any actual work to handle at X Corp. that he has time to be so idle?'"Actually, I'm quite bored, so I came over to see you. But now that I see you, I find these little visits refreshing." He smoothly turned what was meant to be a complaint, his expression earnest.Sophie’s hand, hanging by her side, clenched into a fist. It
Sophie shook her head to clear her thoughts and walked briskly toward her car. She was set to meet Charlie today. If traffic allowed, perhaps she could unwind at the cafe first.-Sophie parked in front of the cafe and entered. However, the unusually quiet atmosphere immediately shocked her.This cafe was known for its authentic coffee and was a favorite among high-ranking white-collar workers. Even outside of peak hours, it typically hosted many patrons. Yet, it was exceptionally quiet today. Apart from the staff, there was not a single customer."It's unusually quiet today, isn't it?" she remarked as she entered."Ms. Luxford, Mr. Nielson has reserved the entire cafe for your meeting today," the waiter informed her with a respectful smile.Sophie was taken aback by Charlie’s grand gesture and chuckled softly. This was more elaborate than she had anticipated. She had planned to discuss a contract with Charlie, and there he was, grandly booking the entire venue.The tranquil set
Sophie's unease was evident as she absorbed Charlie's patronizing remarks. She wrestled with her frustration internally, suppressing the urge to walk out. She now understood why Linda had repeatedly warned her that Charlie was difficult to deal with. Talking to him was like shooting yourself in the foot.Upon seeing her seated quietly, Charlie's expression hinted at amusement. "It seems Ms. Luxford's business capabilities are somewhat better than the other managers who have dealt with me.""I'm honored to hear Mr. Nielson’s praise.""There’s no need for such formalities unless you want to risk breaking your heart, which would be an inconvenience to our janitorial staff."Sophie clenched her fists under the table, maintaining a polite smile despite her growing irritation. If she could endure Cedric’s antics, she could certainly handle Charlie."Would Ms. Luxford care for a cup of coffee? My treat." Before she could respond, Charlie signaled to the waiter. "Two cups of Blue Mountain
Amidst the rise of new talent, numerous artists grappled with reclaiming their past glory. Yet, Charlie's comeback appeared almost divinely blessed.A decade ago, he had soared to fame, and his recent return propelled him to even greater heights. Once a well-mannered music prodigy, he now stood as a rebellious and formidable superstar.The ten years of his absence served as a veil over his past, intriguing Sophie with its mysteries. A subtle change flickered in Charlie's eyes as he smiled. "I'm none of those. I am what I am because I can afford to be!"Sophie watched his departing figure, her frown deepening. She recognized that he had the charisma and audacity to be haughty. To be rebellious was one thing, but to remain likable and even adored while doing so was quite another.Despite her frustration, a determined smile crossed her face. Charlie's demeanor only fueled her resolve to secure his signature."Mrs. Carlson…" The waiter was dumbstruck. Of all people to embarrass, it
Sophie's brows could not help but furrow. 'What is he up to again?'Anyone could see she clearly looked unwelcoming, but Cedric seemed oblivious, and his sexy lips parted as he asked, "Would you like to have dinner together?""Sorry, I'm not hungry," Sophie replied without hesitation.Her straightforward rejection was exactly as he expected. He smiled faintly and strode toward the nearby couch.Sophie watched as he elegantly yet not domineeringly occupied one side of her couch, and her frown tightened. "Mr. Carlson, this is my office. You won't find food here.""I know, that's why I ordered takeout." Cedric grinned with an eyebrow raised, letting off a seductive curve through his eyes.'Takeout? Cedric Carlson ordered takeout?' Sophie was astonished for a split second.He was particularly picky about food, never touching anything too cold, fishy, or spicy, let alone food that took dozens of minutes to arrive after being cooked. He probably would not even spare it a glance."Sui