As an ordinary university graduate, I sent my resume to countless companies and faced rejection after rejection. With a glimmer of hope, I submitted my application to The Ward Group, the largest publicly listed company in the city.

To my surprise, I got an interview opportunity.

The candidates alongside me were impressive – graduates from prestigious universities, both domestic and abroad.

One girl sneered when she saw my resume. “You, from a common university, think you can interview at The Ward Group? Must be a mistake by HR. You’re brave to come here, though. If you actually get the job, I’ll drink water upside down.”

I stood there, clutching my resume, feeling utterly out of place among this crowd of elites.

My cheeks burned as whispers circulated around me.

“Are you questioning the competency of The Ward Group’s HR?” I shot back, surprising even myself.

She hadn’t expected me to retaliate and quickly looked at the staff nearby, backpedaling. “I didn’t mean that.”

“Your words are laced with discrimination against common universities. While my school might not be the best, it has a reputable program. There are graduates from excellent universities here. And just because you studied there, it doesn’t mean The Ward Group would discriminate against us common graduates.

“Even if I don’t succeed today, it’s not a reflection of my school but of my personal abilities. I received an invitation from The Ward Group’s HR to interview, and I came prepared. No matter the outcome, I’m treating this interview with the seriousness it deserves.”

My words made the crowd look at her with disdain. She turned pale and opened her mouth to protest…

“Well said. The Ward Group never judges employees by their educational background; we value capability and personal qualities.”

A clear, pleasant voice came from down the hallway as a handsome man in a sharp suit approached, exuding an icy aura. Several well-dressed people followed him, indicating his high status.

“Good morning, Mr. Ward…” the staff greeted him hurriedly.

Julian Ward walked up to me, fixing his gaze on the girl. “Miss, I believe you don’t align with our company’s values. You’re not suitable for us; please seek opportunities elsewhere.”

“Who are you to send me away? My uncle is Manager Hank Walter from Marketing. You think I’ll just leave? You’ll need to consult him first.”

She was clearly furious, threatening to leverage connections as if it would intimidate him. If only she realized how high above her he was.

Julian frowned slightly. “Call Mr. Walter and have him pick up his niece. Inform HR to process her termination.”

“Understood, Mr. Ward.”

With that, the group left without a backward glance, leaving the girl pale and bewildered. A staff member gently led her away, explaining, “He’s our president and the chairman’s son. Please wait here for your uncle and don’t disrupt others’ interviews…”

Later, the interview went surprisingly smoothly for me.

To my surprise, I received a call from HR after getting home. I had successfully joined The Ward Group as a new member of the secretarial office.

Later, I asked Assistant Bryce why I got hired. He said it was probably because Mr. Ward appreciated my communication skills.

I thought to myself, Julian truly was both gentle and formidable.

However, I soon realized that he hired me purely because his sharp tongue left no one else standing. Was the legendary loneliness of the unbeatable true?

Initially, I was overly respectful towards Julian at work, but as time passed and he continued to be difficult, I pushed back. Instead of getting angry, he seemed pleased. Perhaps this was the peculiar trait of a CEO?

Thus began our verbal sparring and physical tussles… but don’t get the wrong idea – it was just him getting drunk while I tried to manage him, with him bumping into things.

On my first day in the secretarial office, my colleagues informed me that helping the CEO block alcohol was part of my duties.

I never expected my first outing with him would end up being a disaster.

During a collaboration dinner with an overseas company, their president kept toasting Julian. After he had a few drinks, Julian’s face was getting a bit strained. So, when the opposing president raised another glass, I stepped in to block it.

“We’ve had such a pleasant discussion today and truly appreciate the opportunity to work together. In the spirit of sincerity, I’ll toast you three times.”

I raised my glass and downed my wine. Just as I was pouring another glass, Julian covered mine with his hand. Confused, I looked up at him, but he stood and pushed me gently back into my seat.

“Miss Campbell is right; we’re thrilled about this collaboration and hope for more opportunities ahead. I’ll toast you, Mr. Philips.”

After the toast, Julian maintained his composure, but I sensed a hint of displeasure. I couldn’t understand why.

Once in the car, his expression darkened.

I was seeing him angry for the first time after working together for so long.

I didn’t dare speak, but he kept staring at me until I finally broke the silence.

“Mr. Ward, are you feeling unwell? Do you need me to get some hangover medicine from the pharmacy?”

“Eliza, who told you to block alcohol for me?”

“Huh? Isn’t that expected? As your secretary, it’s my duty.”

He frowned, rubbing his temples. “Forget who told you; just know I don’t need you to block drinks. I don’t want to see that happen again, understood?”

“But other secretaries have done it for you! Are you worried about my tolerance? Don’t worry; I can handle my liquor.”

“Other secretaries are men. Are you a man?”

He interrupted me, and I was left staring blankly.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to disrespect women. But you should know that women are more vulnerable when drinking, and if something happens, the consequences are dire. So, when you’re with me, no drinking. I do not allow women to block drinks for me.”

“However, if you really want to drink, we can have a little privately. But wine needs to be savored slowly; you can’t just down it like you did just now. Tomorrow, I’ll bring you a bottle of my collected red wine. Take your time to enjoy it.”

After he said this, he turned his gaze to the street outside, a hint of awkwardness in his demeanor.

I couldn’t help but steal glances at his profile, my heart racing uncontrollably, and I turned back to the car window, a smile creeping onto my face.

As time went on, I gradually transformed from a novice into a top-notch secretary who could handle responsibilities independently.

Coincidentally, my new apartment turned out to be directly above his, in a building that belonged entirely to him.

This meant we spent even more time together. Not only did I follow him closely during work hours, but he often took me to dinner at his friends’ restaurants after work, claiming he needed a free designated driver.

He also often mooched off the breakfast I made, accompanying me to and from work. The colleagues in the company didn’t misinterpret our relationship; rather, they seemed to pity me, thinking I was enslaved by the president both at work and at home.

Assistant Bryce was also pleased. Since I had moved into Julian’s building, he found fewer reasons to seek Julian after hours, giving him time to focus on his own love life.

Despite the general belief that Julian Ward wouldn’t develop feelings for anyone – man or woman – I still sensed a hint of ambiguous chemistry between us.

But all of that changed yesterday, shattering like a bubble.

“Eliza! What do you mean by resigning? What do you mean by moving? I don’t agree! It’s just a cold! You…” Julian exploded, slamming his hand on the table. He paused mid-sentence, his expression suddenly shifting.

He got up and moved to sit beside me, speaking carefully. “Eliza, do you have some terminal illness? Don’t be scared; I’ll take you to the hospital right now. Don’t worry, I can arrange for top doctors to treat you. I’ll be with you every step of the way…”

I swatted his head away. Are you cursing me?

“Julian, I’m not sick! I just have a cold! I want to resign and move because I want to distance myself from you. Do you understand?

“I told you before, don’t be too nice to me; I’ll get the wrong idea. I might think you like me.

“Yes, I liked you before, but no matter how much I like someone, I won’t become a mistress. Since you have a girlfriend, stop messing with me!”

“What are you talking about? What girlfriend? I don’t have a girlfriend! Eliza, what’s going on in that little head of yours? I was afraid of scaring you, so I didn’t want to overdo it, and you actually suspected I have a girlfriend? If I had one, it would be you!”

Julian’s brow furrowed, his expression a mix of seriousness and helplessness. He sighed, covering his eyes.

Maybe he was just too good at acting; I couldn’t see any signs of deceit in him.

But the truth was right in front of me; anything he said felt like classic gaslighting.

“Julian! There’s no point in denying it. I know everything. I heard it and I saw it.

“If you admit it now, I can talk to you calmly. Don’t think about trying to deceive me again. You definitely don’t want to know what I’m capable of doing!”