Chapter 1
In the bustling world of romance, Lord Cedric Stormrider found himself in quite the predicament—he was grappling with the weighty decision of marriage when he unexpectedly became entangled with a woman and her delightful daughter. He had no recollection of meeting the mother, yet somehow, she had given birth to his child—truly a puzzling predicament! Yet, this "daughter" was vibrant, affectionate, and utterly charming. He could see himself marrying the mother for the sake of this lovely girl, but falling in love with her? He certainly hoped she wouldn’t entertain such an idea. Lady Elowen Frost, a quiet and introspective soul, had spent hours nursing a drink at the Yule Ball, working up the courage to confess her feelings to her secret crush. Instead, due to a comedic twist of fate, she ended up declaring her affections to Cedric, mistakenly thinking he was someone else. Talk about hitting the jackpot! In her undying love for him, she had risked everything—rebelling against her parents and choosing to raise their daughter on her own, filled with unwavering resolve. Three years later, she crossed paths once more with the man who had carved his way into her heart. Despite her best efforts to hide her secret, she found herself unmasked by his sharp instincts. He had always known he was the responsible type, but when he declared he would marry her "for the sake of their daughter," her heart shattered into a million pieces…
Chapter 2
It was that time of year again—spring had returned, bringing with it a fresh clarity that filled the air, even the gentle breeze seemed to dance lazily yet buoyantly. On a day that should warm the heart and invite smiles, no one wanted to voice their grievances under the bright sunshine. But for Lady Elowen Frost, she had long lost count of the number of times she had sighed today. She had been a modest staff member at the Noble Merchants Guild, handling tasks such as distributing pens and letters, tallying inventory loss reports, and coordinating with repair personnel. Although the work was fragmented, it was low-stakes and relaxed. She performed her duties with ease, enjoying the simple pleasures of routine. She had envisioned a long and quiet career, hoping to rise to a supervisory role in a few years, and possibly retire there… Then came the unexpected transfer order, shattering her dreams and sending her tumbling from her stable ground into a chasm of uncertainty. With disbelief etched on her face, she gripped the document that had been handed to her. How could this be? How could she be assigned to the secretarial department? "Just think of it as a lucky break! It’s only a temporary staffing shortage," remarked Madam Rosalind Bellweather, a co-worker who started on the same day as Elowen, her tone laced with envy and admiration. "And if you impress them, you might just stay there for good." Lady Elowen Frost managed a faint smile, wishing she could express how little she desired to take that position. "But in the secretarial department, you’ll have opportunities to interact with upper management and frequent upscale events. Imagine the likelihood of meeting Lord Cedric Stormrider!" another new hire chimed in wistfully. Lord Cedric Stormrider was a legend, having risen to the role of president of Noble Holdings within just three years through sheer ability and talent. Very few employees had the chance to engage with him directly; rumors painted him as either disturbingly arrogant or refreshingly reserved. His presence filled the newspapers with stories, weaving in speculation and intrigue. To fresh employees like Elowen, he was a myth, growing ever more enigmatic, only deepening their curiosity. Elowen longed to speak with her supervisor for clarification, but of course, he was nowhere to be found in the office. The intense scrutiny from her co-workers made her anxious, compelling her to leave and find him. She truly, deeply did not want to work in the secretarial department. If all she had to do was lend a hand, maybe she could bear that. But secretaries—even those not assigned directly to the senior executives—were often dispatched to assist various departments. They sometimes took on major cases, acted as assistant secretaries, or even traveled abroad for conferences… No, this could not be happening. What if she actually encountered him? The difference between seeing him from afar and working alongside him was night and day. She needed to keep her distance—under no circumstances did she want to be close enough to speak with him. In the executive office, Lord Cedric Stormrider surveyed the mountain of folders delivered from the public relations department with a bemused frown. All he’d done was share a dinner with an attractive woman who, coincidentally, was a manager from a rival company. Little did he expect the media to follow, capturing photos and spinning elaborate tales akin to a modern-day "Romeo and Juliet" romance. Being handsome drew far too much drama into his life. He aimed to keep a low profile, but things never seemed to work out that way. Press coverage regarding the newly appointed president of Noble Holdings was intensifying, and the media had taken a keen interest. He was determined not to allow them to unearth anything about his background—he certainly didn’t want to create any conflict with his father over his role at Noble Holdings.
Chapter 3
Cedric Stormrider had always found more excitement in the IT industry than in the family shipping business. The world of software development and computer graphics drew him in with an almost magnetic allure. Having actively participated in numerous software projects during his time in school, he smoothly transitioned into his dream job after graduation and quickly climbed the corporate ladder. He never considered himself lucky; all his achievements came from his relentless hard work. Some might call him a prodigy, and perhaps they were right. “Lord Cedric, the meeting is about to start,” his assistant announced, knocking lightly before stepping into his office. He stifled a yawn, having spent much of last night with an alluring woman who had kept him captivated. She was cunning, like a fox, but it was precisely her charm that intrigued him further. With a vibrant smile that showcased his passion for his career, Cedric prepared for another busy day, his handsome face radiating ambition. As Cedric Stormrider stepped out of his office, the conference room was just one floor down. Rather than wait for the elevator, he opted for the stairs. “Ouch!” He heard a startled voice as he pushed the door open. Looking down, Cedric confirmed the sound came from below, though he couldn't see anything. It seemed the commotion was coming from even lower. He continued his descent until he reached the 18th floor. “Do you need help?” A voice broke through the air; a senior manager was addressing him. “No, thanks, Sir Alaric…” a timid female voice replied, making Cedric’s lips curl into a knowing smile. It was Madam Rosalind Bellweather, who had repeatedly warned him about becoming too involved with female employees. Clearly, someone had taken his warnings lightly. After a moment’s hesitation, he promptly headed toward the 17th floor. “What happened here?” His voice was tense, his expression serious—Cedric's standard demeanor at work. “President,” a man in his forties stood in the stairwell, looking up at Cedric. Cedric's gaze darted past Alaric to see a woman crouched on the floor, hurriedly gathering scattered documents. She had long hair that fell gracefully over her shoulders, and when she bent down, her pale neck caught his attention—delicate and smooth. It seemed she hadn’t heard him, focusing intently on her chaotic pile of papers. Cedric felt a flicker of irritation; no one could have missed his question without at least glancing up. He shifted his attention back to Alaric. “What’s going on? The meeting is starting soon. Don’t you know that?” “Of course, Mr. Stormrider. I heard some noise while waiting for the elevator, so I came to check it out. It appears someone has messed up the documents for the meeting,” Alaric stated sternly. “I’m so sorry,” the woman, still crouched down, said apologetically, “I’ll have everything sorted out in no time.” Cedric's eyes narrowed slightly with doubt, but he quickly masked it with a smile. “Sir Alaric, you can go about your duties. And you, make sure to get those documents in order and deliver them to the 20th floor.” “Of course, Mr. Stormrider.” The two responses echoed in unison, but one looked directly at him before leaving, while the other kept her head down, continuing her task. Cedric initially intended to turn back toward the 20th floor, but something about her strange demeanor piqued his curiosity, or perhaps he just wanted to uncover the truth behind the situation. Instead, he walked over to the woman. It was rude not to meet someone’s gaze, especially when he was the top decision-maker in the company. “Was it someone in the stairwell bothering you? Why didn’t you take the elevator?” He confronted her directly. She lifted her eyes just enough to see his polished designer shoes; holding a stack of organized documents, she reluctantly stood up. “Mr. Stormrider, it’s my fault. I didn’t want to wait for the elevator, so I chose to take the stairs instead.”
Chapter 4
She stood with her head bowed respectfully, and he still couldn’t make out her features. “Isn’t it him who’s been bothering you?” He felt the cool distance radiating from her, an air of nervous vigilance that seemed directed at him. Was he really such an intimidating figure to his employees? “No,” she replied firmly, keeping her gaze down, leaving Lord Cedric Stormrider unable to read her true feelings. Suddenly, he wondered when he had started meddling in his employees’ personal affairs. Wearing a stern expression, he nodded. “You need to come upstairs with me. The meeting is about to start.” “Okay.” Her lips quivered slightly as she responded, tension tightening her grip on the documents she clutched. “Are you new to the administration office? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.” Lord Cedric Stormrider led the way, making casual conversation. “Yes, um… I am,” she stuttered, her voice wavering as her head dropped even lower. “Are you afraid of me?” It was a throwaway question. The papers she held nearly slipped from her fingers, and she stopped in her tracks. “I don’t want our female secretaries to look so timid and anxious. They should exude confidence and poise.” He halted on the stairwell of the 18th floor and turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. Cradling the documents against her chest, she finally lifted her head. Her complexion was pale, but her gaze was steady. “I will improve, CEO.” Lord Cedric Stormrider gave a noncommittal nod; her face didn’t leave a deep impression on him. She was a fairly ordinary-looking woman, with long hair and delicate skin—nothing remarkable. But he found himself pausing, continuing to observe her for a moment. Her face paled further, and she seemed to hold her breath, afraid to make any noise. “Have we met before?” Lord Cedric Stormrider found himself hesitating in front of a woman, a rare occurrence. He felt a flicker of recognition towards her delicate features, but the details slipped away like sand through his fingers. The woman’s body shook slightly, and she parted her lips, her voice soft and airy. “I didn’t know the CEO before. Only, only…” She faltered, avoiding his gaze. He squinted, trying to pierce her enigmatic expression filled with anxiety. “Only what?” She couldn’t stand his penetrating gaze and instinctively lowered her head again. “If the CEO can’t recall me, then there’s no need for him to know.” This response caught Lord Cedric Stormrider off guard. So many people tried to leverage even the slightest connection to him, desperately seeking to be remembered, and yet she suggested he needn’t know about her at all. Interesting. A spark of intrigue flickered in his dark eyes, paired with a faint smirk. “So, it seems we must have crossed paths before, perhaps with some connection.” She stayed silent, her thoughts hidden behind a veil of tension and fear. “One day, I will remember,” Lord Cedric Stormrider proclaimed, his tone laced with undeniable arrogance. Yes, if there was something he wished to know, no one could deceive him. He knew he could find her history in company records; he'd learn her name, her past. He swaggered up the stairs with renewed confidence while she followed quietly behind, unable to share the tumult of emotions his words ignited within her. She was not just anyone; she was Lady Elowen Frost, newly assigned to the administration office just a week ago. In this brief time, she had been careful to avoid any opportunity for direct interaction with him. Though she had caught his gaze a few times during meetings while distributing materials, he had been too absorbed in the discussions to notice who was keeping the records or passing out the documents. She had thought today would be no different, but in her haste to ascend the stairs, she had opted against the elevator—and that minor accident had led her to cross paths with him unexpectedly.
Chapter 5
Elowen Frost desperately tried to hide her face, yet the harder she tried, the more mistakes she made. Now it was too late to regret her decisions. Her heart raced faster than she could have imagined. She struggled to suppress a whirlwind of emotions—nerves, excitement, fear, and even sadness—but she knew she was failing. It was daunting to face Lord Cedric Stormrider, especially with his formidable presence and those penetrating eyes that seemed to see through her. She felt defeated, not only by him but by the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide. So much surged within her, yet she found herself rendered speechless, unable to act on any of it. Lady Elowen could only trudge along behind him, mustering all her strength not to look up and meet his gaze again. For what felt like ages, she had been quietly following him in the shadows. “I've brought the files you requested, but why do you need Lady Elowen Frost’s personnel record? Isn't it against your usual policy to interfere with female employees?” Squire Ambrose Serpell, the head of the development department and a close friend of Lord Cedric, remarked casually as he handed over the documents. “It’s none of your business,” Lord Cedric replied, quickly scanning the papers. A knowing smile crept across his face. “Ah, now it all makes sense. How did I not see this before?” “What’s going on?” Ambrose leaned in, trying to catch a glimpse of the paper on Cedric's desk. With a swift motion, Lord Cedric slammed the file shut. Gone was the friendly demeanor; his sharp gaze took on a frosty demeanor. “Aren't you supposed to be working? You just took charge of the new project, so why aren't you getting to it?” “Talk about a mood swing,” Ambrose muttered, resigning himself to leave. “As you command, boss.” After all, he could easily acquire Elowen’s records himself. Given how secretive Cedric was acting, demanding that Ambrose personally retrieve a resume instead of sending his secretary hinted at something suspicious. It was only a matter of time before he uncovered the truth. This was the first time Lord Cedric had shown interest in one of the female employees. After Ambrose left, Lord Cedric glanced once more at the resume. He swiftly picked up the phone. “Amy, bring Lady Elowen Frost to my office.” “Lady Elowen Frost?” his capable secretary asked, her curiosity evident. “The new hire from HR,” he replied curtly, hanging up before her questions could multiply. He disliked the prying looks of his staff, thinking that his generally friendly nature had made them too bold. Though he anticipated her arrival would be quick, he found himself waiting nearly fifteen minutes, taken aback by how his fellow university alum had such an air of importance that she could keep the CEO waiting. At last, a soft knock at the door heralded her entrance—Lady Elowen, clad in a light blue suit, stepped in, radiating a subtle smile that seemed overlaid with reserve. “Lady Elowen Frost, I see on your resume that you have strong Japanese language skills. If I needed you to accompany me on a business trip to Japan, it wouldn’t be an issue, would it?” He held up her resume, his friendly gaze carrying an undeniable authority. Feeling a knot of anxiety at his sudden summons, Elowen stood before him, almost trembling. The prospect of being sent on a crucial work trip made her instinctively reply, “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t think I’m suitable for such an important role.” She rejected him outright. Observing her discomfort, Lord Cedric’s smile deepened intriguingly. “You wouldn’t even consider giving it a shot? After all, you graduated from ‘Siyuan University,’ which means you should have more confidence in yourself.” When he mentioned “Siyuan,” his gaze locked onto hers with intensity. Elowen blinked her expressive eyes and shook her head calmly. “Regardless of school, there are always students who don’t stand out. That’s me, and I can't be compared to the CEO.” “We graduated from the same class—we're practically classmates. Why didn’t you mention this last time?”
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