I accidentally pocket-dialed my boss while my brother was trying on a new sweater. "It's too small, I can't get it on." "Impossible. I measured you before I bought it." "It's stuck! Be gentle, ow ow ow." "Okay, okay, I'm fixing it." I yanked hard and cooed: "There you go, sweetie. Let big sis rub it better." "Are you sure?" He tugged at the tight collar, gasping for air. Later, rumor had it that the boss took a mysterious call during a meeting, and his face got darker and darker. He didn't say a word, just proceeded to roast 28 department heads until they cried. 1 My brother, Leo, pointed at my phone. I realized the screen was lit up with a call in progress. The name [Ethan Cole] stared back at me. I grabbed the phone to explain, but all I heard was the busy tone. He hung up. Seconds later, a text came in: [If you're cured get your ass back to work you are not the CEO's wife you can't do whatever you want.] Two lines, zero punctuation. My brain automatically read it in his calm, cold voice. He must have heard me talking to my brother with full lung capacity and assumed I was faking sick to slack off at home. Evil capitalist. I replied instantly: [Received, Mr. Cole. Returning to work tomorrow.] The "typing" bubble appeared, then vanished. He didn't send anything. He probably wanted to curse me out but held back. Given his sharp tongue, he usually never hesitates. But I’ve been with him for four years and this was my first leave. Sick leave, at that. The next day, my colleague Wendy saw me and immediately warned me. "Be careful. He ate dynamite for breakfast. Yesterday he made all the VPs cry in the meeting." I timed it perfectly, made his coffee, and knocked on his office door. I also brought his daily schedule for review. "Good morning, Mr. Cole. Here is today's schedule. "Two routine meetings during the day, and a dinner with the Sterling Group tonight." He didn't touch the coffee. His long fingers rested casually on the desk, his voice cold. "Let the new girl, Chloe, come with me to the dinner tonight. You don't need to go." "Wh... Understood, Mr. Cole. I'll tell her to prepare." I swallowed my questions and quietly exited his office. He hates when subordinates question his decisions, and he hates prying even more. I adjusted my slightly frayed mood and walked over to Chloe. Upon hearing the news, Chloe covered her mouth dramatically, tears welling up in her eyes. "Really, Lena? I'm sorry, I'm just so excited..." Wendy, always loving the drama, leaned in to stir the pot. "Chloe, you're amazing. You've only been covering for a few days and you're already stealing your mentor's job." "No way, I still have so much to learn from Lena. But Mr. Cole is really so gentle." Gentle? I turned my head and met Wendy's equally confused gaze. 2 Chloe was hired a month ago, right after my surgery date was confirmed. Wendy volunteered to cover for me during my leave, but I declined. I had my own agenda. Four years ago, fresh out of college, fate pushed me to Ethan Cole's side. Back then, this man had just walked away from his family's empire, Cole Enterprises, to start his own venture. In just four years, he turned his company into an industry titan. I stood by him, basking in his light, but also living in his shadow. Now, everyone in the company respectfully calls me "Lena," but only because I stand next to him. The doubts have never ceased. Even in Ethan's heart, I'm just someone who can be replaced at any moment. Only by leaving him can I prove that I stood by his side for so long because of my ability. Plus, when I first joined, rumors flew. They said he hired me on the spot because I looked a bit like his first love who moved abroad. I didn't believe it at first. Until the day Chloe interviewed. Ethan looked up, and for a split second, his eyes softened, as if seeing someone he knew. That's when I started to believe the rumors were true. Only this time, when people joked, they didn't mention the "original." "Chloe looks a bit like Lena." "Looks like Mr. Cole has a type." Late at night, I stared at a photo on my phone and understood. Chloe didn't look like me. She looked more like her than I did. The photo on my phone was a picture of a picture. A year ago, the cleaner found a photo in Ethan's trash can and brought it to me. "Lena, Mr. Cole threw this away. Do you think he still wants it?" "Give it to me. I'll ask him." I took the photo. Ethan looked young, maybe seventeen or eighteen, with a shy smile. Next to him was a girl, beautiful and sweet. They looked like a golden couple, radiating the same aristocratic aura. A perfect match. Driven by some impulse, I secretly took a picture of it with my phone. When I put the photo back on Ethan's desk, he glanced at it. His hand reached out, paused in mid-air, then retracted. "I threw it away. "She got married." I cursed myself for meddling. "I'll shred it then. It's safer." "Forget it. Give it to me." My fingers barely touched the photo when his hand landed on it, covering mine. He looked up, and I pulled my hand back, throat tight. "Okay, Mr. Cole." The electric warmth that lingered in my heart... Ethan had surely forgotten it long ago. 3 After briefing Chloe on the dinner protocols, Wendy pulled me aside. "While you were gone, she wore a dress with a slit up to her navel. "Save something for yourself. Don't teach her everything." I appreciated her kindness and laughed. "If Mr. Cole didn't scold her, it means he liked it. "Besides, I don't plan on following Ethan Cole forever." I turned to make coffee. The spoon stirred my thoughts, slowly settling them. Before leaving work, I placed a bottle of milk on Ethan's desk as usual. He had his legs resting lazily on the edge of the desk, his silhouette long and sharp. "Mr. Cole, I've briefed Chloe on everything for tonight. "Remember to drink the milk before you start drinking alcohol." He glanced sideways. Looked at the milk bottle, then his gaze landed on my face. "You lost weight." Then, a sudden turn. "Am I not paying you enough?" "Huh?" I paused, then realized. It had only been an afternoon, and what I told Wendy had already reached his ears. Fast, but not unexpected. I straightened up. "Mr. Cole, I planned to bring up my resignation once Chloe was fully up to speed. "Thank you for the mentorship these past few years..." "How much are they offering?" He frowned, as if negotiating a difficult deal. Or as if I were an item in a shop window. Whoever offered the highest price could buy me. I shook my head firmly but gently. "It's not about the money." "Then what is it? Because I let Chloe come to dinner? Or because you didn't rest enough? "If something makes you unhappy or uncomfortable, you can say it." His tone carried a hint of coaxing. Golden sunset rays slanted in, one landing right on his Adam's apple as it bobbed. His chiseled face hid in the shadows, beautiful like a sculpture. Seeing I was silent, he loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing a patch of skin. He closed his eyes and rubbed his brow. 4 In that instant, the scent of desire evaporated into the air. I looked away. In front of employees, he was always buttoned up, never giving anyone room for inappropriate thoughts. Did... Chloe unlock a new world for him? His voice pulled me back to reality. "If it's because of Chloe, I can understand. If you mind..." "No," I explained quickly. "Chloe is smart. She's a very suitable replacement for me." He adjusted his cuffs, stood up, and unbuttoned another button. Revealing hints of thin, tight chest muscles. Broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. It made one blush to look. I fanned myself with my hand. "Spring weather is so weird. Cold yesterday, hot today. "No rush on my matter. We can talk later. "Mr. Cole, you should get ready to go. "I told the driver that if you drink too much, he should take you straight to the family estate." He looked at me, tone cold, eyes flashing with a predatory glint. "It's fine. If I drink too much, Chloe can take care of me. "She'll take me to my bachelor pad. "She can stay the night, too. If I want. "After all, I'm a big boy now." Ethan's tone was breezy, but the flush on his ears betrayed him. He was being petty. Chloe is eight years younger than him. Her desk is never without flowers from suitors. Ethan is a killer in business, but a blank sheet in romance. Him acting out like this was kind of cute, but the fact that it was for someone else made me feel hollow. I looked at my toes, steadied myself, and forced a smile. "Mr. Cole, size isn't really the issue." "True. But the younger ones try harder, don't you think?" That phrase sounded familiar. Before I could think about it, my phone rang. He frowned and waved for me to go out and answer. I backed out while answering my brother. "You're downstairs? I'm coming down."
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "389578", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel