Fyren carried Eliza back to the inner suite and threw her onto the bed, startling her into a scream.
Just then, the sound of the door being pushed open came from behind, followed by Chloe's loud announcement:
"Xena, please wait a moment..."
Fyren stiffened. "Wait for me here!"
He hastily gave Eliza a few instructions before turning to leave, shutting the door behind him.
When Xena entered, she immediately sensed something was off about Fyren.
A woman's intuition was sharp.
She had forgotten she'd come to reconcile with him—instead, she studied Fyren as though he were a thief caught in the act.
"Fyren, what are you doing?"
Fyren, ever composed, remained unflappable. "Nothing."
"Then why are you flushed?"
"Oh? I was just exercising."
"Exercising in a suit?"
"Is that not allowed?"
Xena's expression darkened further. "What's wrong with your shirt?"
"Look—the buttons are undone, and the collar's crumpled inside."
He quickly adjusted his clothes. "It's too hot."
"Your pants."
Fyren glanced down and saw his belt loosened, the fly half-unzipped.
He hurriedly fixed it. "For exercise, the most important thing is to... free yourself."
"Is someone in there?"
Fyren answered swiftly. "No one."
"Then I'll check."
He blocked her path. "Hey, I already said no one's there. Why bother looking?"
"I will check!"
Xena shoved the door open and stormed inside, scanning the room. It was empty, the bedsheets neatly arranged.
"What's going on with you?"
"I told you—working! No, exercising."
Finding no evidence, Xena's anger cooled slightly. "Earlier..."
"Earlier was my fault. I shouldn't have yelled at you."
Xena blinked, then smiled. "You admit it?"
"Yes, yes, I was wrong."
Fyren guided her out to the living room. "I was too emotional and spoke harshly. I sincerely apologize."
Xena pouted, though inwardly, she was pleased and relieved.
Fyren had a man's dignity. Though he'd been fierce and domineering during their argument, he knew to apologize and give her an out. Who wouldn't love such a boyfriend?
Even his angry scowl had been... oddly dashing.
The thought made her forget about catching him in the act, and she softened.
"So you won't be mean to me anymore?"
Fyren's heart sank.
Eliza's passionate embrace had ignited his desire, but now he had to suppress it, terrified Xena might discover her hidden inside and erupt again...
Flustered, he agreed without thinking.
"I won't, I won't. From now on, I'll listen to whatever you say. Your word is law."
"Then... will you help my father buy Qianfeng?"
"Ah?"
Xena had tossed out the question tentatively. Seeing his hesitation, she feared undoing their hard-won reconciliation and quickly backtracked:
"Never mind! I know you're loyal and kind-hearted, Fyren. You still have feelings for Eliza—it's natural you wouldn't want revenge now. I won't force you."
"Ah."
"But next time you talk to her, be gentler!"
"Yes, I'll be gentle... gentle."
"Don't act nice when you need me and harsh when you don't! She'll be hurt!"
"Yes, hurt..."
"Let's go have fun, then?"
"Ah?"
Fyren took a deep breath. "Xena, I have too much work right now." He softened his tone. "Go back first. I'll finish up and come find you later, okay?"
"Ahh..." Xena hesitated, reluctant to leave.
This time, not only had the deal fallen through, but she'd also fought bitterly with Fyren. The frustration weighed heavily on her.
"Then call me."
"Okay, I'll call you, I'll call you."
Xena walked out, her steps slowing, then turned back.
"Do you really want to help Eliza?"
Fyren hadn't expected her to linger. He sighed inwardly. "I don't, I just—"
"Forget it. It doesn't matter. If this is your decision, I'll support you. I'll support you."
Fyren gave her a puzzled look. "How?"
"With money."
"You still have money?"
Xena smirked. "More than you think."
Fyren's mind spun. "No… Your father sent you to persuade me to join his takeover of Qianfeng, yet you want to protect Qianfeng instead. Aren't you afraid he'll be furious?"
"Not afraid!" Xena grinned. "If he gets angry, you can just scold him for me."
"Ah?"
"You're not that useless, are you?"
"I'm not… You shouldn't get involved in this. Let me think it over first."
Finally, Xena left.
The moment she was gone, Fyren called Chloe. "Guard the door! No one enters my office!"
"Yes."
Chloe watched as Fyren rushed into the inner lounge, his expression impatient, and felt a pang of sorrow.
It was clear—he was going to have a private meeting with Eliza.
Ah, as expected. This is a secretary's fate. When the boss favors me, I get a few scraps of attention. But in the end, he'll marry a wealthy woman like Eliza or Xena.
Still, being able to repay Fyren was a blessing. She had misunderstood him for years, owed him too much.
Though it stung, Chloe knew her place.
The CEO of Qianfeng Group can't marry a secretary. He'll never have just one woman in his life.
Fyren returned to the lounge and called softly, "Eliza? Eliza!"
She was gone!
Baffled, he checked the bathroom, the cloakroom, even the leisure room—nothing.
Fyren scratched his head. "Where is she? Did she vanish into thin air?"
Then, a cabinet suddenly creaked and toppled over—and out stepped Eliza.
Fyren gaped. "Eliza!?"
She was still naked, her face flushed as she murmured, "Towel. Give it back."
"Oh!"
Fyren hastily grabbed the towel and handed it to her. Eliza wrapped it around herself and smirked.
"Fyren, you're full of surprises. There's a secret suite in here too?"
"Really?"
He smacked his forehead—then remembered.
The initial design had included one.
Fyren stepped inside and couldn't help a wry smile.
The old Fyren… really had some devious ideas.
The hidden suite was lavishly decorated, warm and romantic, dripping with seduction.
The room contained numerous risqué items that would make anyone blush and their heart race - all stored in two large cabinets.
There was also an inner door in the secret room leading to another dressing room - the former secretary's private changing area.
This meant the previous Fyren had already predetermined that his secretary must be a beautiful woman with excellent taste, someone who could secretly rendezvous with him in this hidden room at any time.
Fyren looked around the secret room, feeling ashamed.
Aside from "pervert," he couldn't think of any other word to describe his former self.
"I'd almost forgotten this place existed."
Eliza smiled mischievously. "You haven't appointed a secretary in three years. The office sits empty. Why not set one up now?"
Fyren's face flushed red. "I... I was just... fooling around back then... Secretary... I..."
Seeing Fyren stammer, Eliza laughed and embraced him, planting a kiss on his lips. "How about I become your secretary?"
"Ah? What?"
"I'll be your secretary," Eliza said playfully. "When you're tired and need to relax, I'll sneak in here for our secret meetings."
Fyren quickly protested, "I really haven't done anything like that! After the renovation... I nearly forgot this place existed."
"See?" Eliza pointed out. "It's been sitting empty, collecting dust all this time."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Have someone clean it up. Shall we go in and... play?"
"Who should we send?"
"No idea. You're the boss - your decision."
Fyren closed the secret room door firmly. "I'll have everything inside dismantled tomorrow and turn this into a storage room."
"Don't! Keep it."
"Eliza, I really..."
"I know," Eliza said seriously. "For three years, you haven't been with any other woman. You've devoted all your time outside work to me."
She gently stroked Fyren's face. "During those three years, I must have been mentally ill to ignore your deep love for me."
Fyren gave a slight smile. "Let's go out."
"No! The passion was so intense earlier. I was already prepared to... lose my virginity."
Fyren took her hand and moved it away. "That was just an impulse..."
"I can make you more impulsive..."
"No!" Fyren said firmly. "I have a meeting with Hakan. It's almost time."
"Hakan?"
"Yes."
Fyren explained, "I'll try to negotiate buying back some shares from him. If we can acquire over 50%, Qianfeng will remain under your control."
Eliza smiled gratefully. "Fyren."
"Hmm?"
"Actually, Xena was right. Taking over Qianfeng now would be the smartest move. There's no alternative."
"I won't do that."
"I know. I heard what you said." Eliza's eyes brimmed with tears. "Fyren, I've lived my whole life to hear those words from you. It would be worth dying for."
She continued, voice trembling: "I've never met another man who would treat and protect me like this. Qianfeng doesn't matter to me anymore. You're my master, my man! As long as you remain strong, I'll always be the queen of Crystalpeak City, just like you promised, right?"
"Yes, that's what I said, but—"
"Don't hesitate." Eliza cut him off. "I'm willing to stake my life and fortune on you without regrets. My man, you must become the strongest in this city! Start by crushing the Leng family, then the Xu and Chen families... Let us be your stepping stones. I'm willing!"
Fyren reached out to touch Eliza's forehead.
[This girl is lovesick! These aren't words the CEO of a trillion-dollar corporation would say!]
[Is she running a fever?]
Eliza gazed at Fyren intensely. "Fyren, I mean it. From now on, I'm yours. Do whatever you want with me—I'll obey."
Fyren smiled wryly. "Eliza, don't be so reckless. Do you truly understand me? Know what's in my heart? This is clearly the behavior of someone starved for affection. Because no one cared for you, you... either put up icy walls or throw yourself at others. Neither approach is healthy..."
"You're proud because you fear betrayal, so you don't dare to accept relationships easily. This desperate giving comes from fear of loss, fear you haven't done enough. It's not rational. You need to be yourself—live your own life—"
"Fyren, I know your heart. I understand you, truly."
Fyren had no idea what she meant and grew exasperated.
"You're still too impulsive..."
Eliza took matters into her own hands—she untied the bath towel.
The towel pooled at her feet, leaving Eliza standing completely exposed before Fyren.
Fyren's words died in his throat. His eyes widened.