chapter3

Karen sure had a big mouth. She would just blurt out whatever came to mind, and in an instant, all eyes would be on her—including Everett’s.

Luckily, he just shot her a brief, unreadable glance before walking out of the hotel lobby without a word.

After the crowd dispersed, Karen approached with her usual gossip-hungry expression.

“Wait, why did Mr. Lopez ask that?” She looked genuinely confused. She had expected some major revelation, but it seemed to have led nowhere. Dorothy, on the other hand, let out a long, shaky breath. It felt as if she had just been granted a stay of execution. When she finally spoke, her voice was noticeably hoarse.

“...My room has a better view. Maybe he was just considering a room change.”

“That’s it?” Karen pouted, her interest fading. She, too, felt there was no possible connection between them; the social and professional gap was simply too vast.

“He’s the CEO, Karen. He doesn't need a reason to be particular,” Dorothy added, trying to sound convincing.

“I guess,” Karen shrugged. “But still, a guy like that... he’s so intense. I bet he’s just as demanding in his personal life as he is in the boardroom. Can you imagine trying to keep up with someone that perfectionist?”

Dorothy didn't answer. Her mind involuntarily flickered back to the previous night. 'Demanding' was an understatement. The memory of his presence, the weight of the atmosphere, and the sheer overwhelming nature of the encounter made her ears burn.

Stop it, she told herself. What are you thinking? Indeed, she was spending too much time around Karen’s wild imagination.

Soon, Mr. Percy arrived in the lobby. He was a man with a receding hairline who never quite looked polished, even in his most expensive business attire. He snatched the documents from Dorothy’s hands and flipped through them, his voice sharp with irritation.

“The regulations have tightened up over the last two years. It was hard enough to get this project off the ground, and now this happens? If the costs for covering these positions exceed the budget, you can forget about your year-end bonuses!”

Dorothy remained silent, but Karen shot the man a disdainful look behind his back. It was Mr. Percy who had mismanaged the initial phase, yet he had the nerve to blame the assistants.

Suddenly, Mr. Percy turned to Dorothy, his eyes narrowing as if he were recalculating her value. His voice softened significantly.

“Dorothy, I recall... you’re from Havenbrook, aren't you?”

“Yes. Havenbrook in Shenwood City,” she replied cautiously.

“Mr. Lopez is also from Havenbrook. I’m going to invite him for dinner tonight. Since you're from the same hometown, I want you to find an opening to probe his intentions regarding the merger.”

He framed it as a request, but Dorothy knew there was no room for refusal. However, the thought of sitting across from Everett at a dinner table sent shivers down her spine.

“Mr. Percy, I’m afraid my position isn't high enough to engage in that kind of conversation with Mr. Lopez,” she tried to say tactfully.

“Nonsense. When people are sharing a drink at the same table, it’s only natural to chat. It’s a social setting, Dorothy.”

“But—”

“That’s settled then. Dress appropriately tonight. Don’t embarrass the department!”

With that, Mr. Percy marched out of the hotel. Karen rolled her eyes and dragged Dorothy along to follow.

That evening, after a grueling first round of negotiations with Harmony Ventures, Dorothy was hurried back to the hotel by Mr. Percy to prepare for the dinner. He must have pulled some strings or used a specific leverage, because Everett actually showed up in the private dining room.

The moment Dorothy walked in, she saw him. He was seated at the head of the table.

Everett had discarded his suit jacket over the armrest. The top few buttons of his crisp white shirt were undone, and his gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose gave him a look of scholarly restraint that contrasted sharply with the raw power he usually exuded. He looked composed, distant, and utterly untouchable.

There were only four people in the room: Dorothy, Mr. Percy, Everett, and his personal secretary.

Seeing Dorothy hesitating at the door, Mr. Percy stood up and pulled out the chair directly next to Everett. “Come on, Dorothy. You sit here.”

Mr. Percy was truly leaving her no room to breathe.

She stiffened, her heart hammering against her ribs, and forced herself to walk toward the seat. But before she could sit down, Everett’s cold, level voice cut through the room.

“Is Ms. Sanchez here as an assistant, or has she transitioned into Public Relations?”