C4 4

Ding—!

The elevator doors glided open on the executive conference floor.

"You'd better hope it's just as you said," Xavier Grayson threw out coolly before stepping straight out.

Chloe Bishop’s footing faltered for a fraction of a second before she scrambled to catch up behind him.

Inside the main conference room, the company's senior executives and board members had already filled every seat.

The second Xavier Grayson’s figure crossed the threshold, the temperature in the room plummeted, the air instantly freezing into silence.

The very same executives who usually strutted around the building like kings lost every shred of their arrogance the moment they faced him, bowing their heads in unison. "Good afternoon, President Grayson!"

Xavier Grayson took his seat at the head of the long mahogany table.

As his temporary secretary, Chloe stood respectfully a half-step behind his shoulder.

No one around the table showed the slightest surprise at seeing a brand-new face beside the boss; by this point, they were all thoroughly used to the high turnover rate.

"Begin the meeting," Xavier Grayson instructed, his voice entirely flat.

Positioned right behind him throughout the briefing, Chloe had a front-row view of the intense anxiety written across every single executive's face.

Standing in the shadow of his overwhelming aura, her own brain remained wired with tension, her pen moving across her notepad without a single second's pause.

"Luke."

Suddenly singled out, the executive named Luke shuddered so violently his entire frame shook. He scrambled to his feet instantly. "P-President Grayson..."

"If you don't secure the east-side development project within three days, you can hand in your resignation."

Luke’s face went completely pale, his mouth dropping open in sheer horror. He looked as though he desperately wanted to plead that three days was far too tight, but in the end, he choked the words back down.

"Y-Yes, sir..." he squeaked out, weak as a mouse.

Everyone in the room knew that once this man spoke, his word was absolute law.

Watching a forty-something-year-old corporate director look like he was on the verge of wetting his pants, Chloe cast a deeply sympathetic look in Luke's direction.

People always said men were at their most attractive when focused on work, but Chloe felt this man was simply terrifying when he got down to business.

It was no wonder the rumors in town dubbed Xavier Grayson the King of Hell of the business world. With methods this ruthless, he really was no different than the Grim Reaper claiming souls!

Just as the thought crossed her mind, a sharp cramp twisted through her stomach, followed by a loud, unmistakable Grumble—!

Xavier Grayson had only just finished chewing out Luke, leaving the conference room so deathly quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Which made the rumble from her empty stomach ring out with horrifying clarity.

Feeling every single pair of eyes in the room instantly snap onto her, Chloe awkwardly clutched her midsection.

She had always been meticulous about eating her meals on time. It was already three in the afternoon, and having missed lunch completely, it was only natural for her stomach to protest!

"I am so sorry, President Grayson," Chloe apologized instantly, her voice tight with panic.

She caught a few executives shooting her heavy, "Rest in peace" looks from across the table.

He's not going to fire me over a stomach rumble, is he?!

Knowing this man's personality, Chloe genuinely wouldn't put it past him!

After a terrifying silence that stretched for several seconds, Xavier Grayson’s low voice finally broke the quiet.

"Continue the meeting."

Seeing that he had spared her life, Chloe let out a long, silent breath of relief.

The meeting dragged on for over two grueling hours. Chloe didn't dare let her focus wander for even a fraction of a second—she was more stressed now than she had been back when she sat for the college entrance exams.

When those sweet, long-awaited words—"Meeting adjourned"—finally echoed through the room, the tight string snapped inside her head.

Xavier Grayson stood up and turned around. At that exact moment, Chloe stepped forward to clear his path—and collided straight into his chest.

The two of them crashed into a solid, breath-stealing embrace.