Hadley Marshall continued her performance, claiming, "I'm her close friend. We just met yesterday. You promised her you'd be faithful and marry her. And now you've completely forgotten about her? She's poured her heart and soul into you, and she's even expecting your child. Is this how you repay her?" Hadley finished, still unsatisfied, and turned to the calm, refined woman sitting nearby, exclaiming, "Honey, don't waste your time with a guy like him. He's just a smooth talker who's only out for himself and won't settle down."

Coleson Reynolds jumped up, furiously responding, "Where did you come from, you crazy woman? What nonsense are you spouting? Who is 'she' exactly? Tell me!"

Before Coleson could finish, a splash of wine hit him square in the face. The elegant woman, now holding an empty glass with a serene expression, looked at him and said, "I don't want to see you again." With that, she turned and left.

Hadley was momentarily stunned by the boldness of someone so composed. But seeing her plan succeed, she thought it was best to make a quiet exit. Just as she started to back away, Coleson grabbed her wrist firmly, "Caused a scene, and now you're trying to bail?"

Her wrist ached from his grip. Hearing his words, Hadley was even more eager to leave. She put on a look of feigned innocence, "Getting defensive, are we? Going to hit me? Once you do, your chances with that lady are gone for good." Hadley pointed at the woman walking away.

Coleson, clearly not pleased, released her hand and moved to try to explain himself to the woman. This gave Hadley the perfect chance to slip away.

Coleson caught up to the woman, desperately trying to explain. Seeing she had no intention of stopping, he grew anxious, "Mia, wait. Listen to me, I don't even know her. Don't believe—"

The woman he called 'Mia' stopped abruptly, fixing him with a direct gaze, "My name is Lynn, not Mia."

Coleson was momentarily speechless, then quickly corrected himself, "Yes, yes, Lynn. That woman confused me completely. I'm sorry. But you have to believe me..." He placed his hands on her shoulders, trying to make her stay and listen.

To his surprise, she easily pushed him away and slapped him hard across the face. The sharp sound of the slap was impossible to ignore, drawing the attention of everyone around.

The woman spoke slowly and calmly, "I don't know why you know my friend's name, and frankly, I don't care. I was testing you earlier—my name isn't Lynn. After all this time together, you didn't even remember my name, proving just how unreliable you are."

She stepped around Coleson and left the restaurant swiftly, her steps full of anger.

Coleson gritted his teeth, pacing a few steps where he stood, and angrily undid the button on his jacket. He had never been in such a situation before. Today was turning out to be a disaster, with someone unexpectedly throwing a wrench into his plans.

He fumed internally, hoping he wouldn't find out who that crazy woman was. Or else... Just as he was about to leave, he felt something under his foot. Coleson moved his foot to find an employee badge on the floor. He bent down, long fingers picking it up, and read aloud softly, "Reynolds Industries, Design Department Assistant, Hadley Marshall. Well... isn't that interesting." His smile turned more mischievous.

The sun shone brightly, and a cool breeze wafted gently through the streets.

Hadley arrived at the company entrance, only to realize she had forgotten her employee badge. She didn't have time to go home and retrieve it, but without the badge, security wouldn't let her in.

Reynolds Industries had thousands of employees across various departments, and security didn't recognize each one, especially the lower-level staff.

Emir Holmes' car was parked a short distance away. Hadley walked over to him, "Sorry, Mr. Holmes, I think I left my badge at home. I'll have to tag along with you inside."

Emir smiled warmly, "Try not to be so forgetful next time. Let’s go."

Hadley nodded, and they walked toward the company together. Emir wore a tailored black suit, his athletic build accentuated by the impeccable fit. His hair was neatly parted, and his features sharp. When Hadley first met him, she thought it was a shame he hadn't pursued a career as a model.

After arriving at the office, Emir received a phone call and subsequently instructed Hadley to organize a quick meeting.

"The main focus of this meeting is that Reynolds Industries will soon welcome a new, highly talented CEO. The administration has informed us that the CEO's office will be located within our design department. Today, there will be personnel arriving to make the necessary rearrangements to our office space. I hope everyone can proceed with their tasks smoothly, despite the changes. Also, ensure that all design department data remains confidential. Any questions?" Emir always kept his meetings concise and to the point. "If not, let's get back to work."

Shortly after the meeting concluded, the renovation team arrived.

As they began inspecting and replacing some software systems and electrical appliances, the team had to turn off part of the main power. The air conditioning was off for just a short while, making the office stuffy and uncomfortable. The noise from the renovation added to the discomfort.

Hadley used a piece of paper to fan herself as she headed to the café to collect her now-cool coffee. She walked back to her desk, sipping her drink.

Emir’s office was a closed space, lacking airflow, so he came to the shared office area to cool down. He was absorbed in reviewing design plans, unaware of the renovation workers carrying a large painting behind him. The workers couldn't see him from the other side.

Hadley quickly reached out and pulled Emir to the side, "Mr. Holmes, mind stepping aside?"

Though she didn't use much force, the unexpected pull caused Emir to lose balance momentarily and bump into Hadley's shoulder.

"Ah!" The coffee Hadley had cooled spilled all over her white shirt.

"Are you alright?" Emir quickly steadied himself and helped her.

Hadley wiped at the coffee stain, "I'm fine. Thankfully, the coffee was cold."

Emir found some tissues on the table and handed them to her, "Here you go."

She took them and attempted to wipe the stains, but it was useless, "This isn't working. I better go to the restroom and clean up."

Emir watched her as she walked toward the restroom, checking his watch.

When Hadley emerged from the restroom, as Emir expected, the stain on her shirt was lighter in color but had spread further.

Emir Holmes approached Hadley Marshall with a confident stride. "Hadley, would you join me for a client meeting?"

"A client meeting?" Hadley glanced at her blouse and pencil skirt, wondering if her outfit was suitable for the occasion.

"It's not a big deal. Work comes first," Emir reassured her, grabbing his jacket from the chair. Noticing her hesitation, he chuckled and urged, "What's holding you up? Let's go."

"Oh, right." She adjusted her skirt awkwardly, picked up her notebook, and followed him out.

The car cruised smoothly down the road, the cool air inside a refreshing contrast to the office's staleness. As Hadley reviewed Emir's schedule, she realized the client meeting wasn't until 11 a.m. "It's not even 10 yet, Emir. Isn't it a bit early?"

"I have other plans," Emir said cryptically.

As they arrived at a bustling street lined with designer stores, Hadley began to suspect what those 'other plans' might be. "Emir... you're not planning to take me shopping, are you?" she asked.

Emir gave her a playful smile. "Sometimes a bit of obliviousness is charming, Hadley. I want to get you an outfit. Let's hop out."

Hadley got out of the car, laughing awkwardly. "I can't let you spend money on me like that, Emir."

"Or shall I deduct it from your salary?"

"What?" Hadley was caught off guard, prompting a laugh from Emir. "Come on," he said, leading the way.

Inside the upscale boutique, the lavish displays captivated Hadley. The pastel summer dresses were particularly enticing. She tried on several outfits, so engrossed that she momentarily forgot about Emir patiently waiting. She twirled in front of the mirror, loving the way the new clothes looked on her.

In the end, Hadley stood at the counter, weighing her options. In one hand was a classic white shirt dress, and in the other, a soft blue sundress. "Hmm... both are lovely, but the white dress is more practical for work. I'll go with this one," she decided.

"Miss, the gentleman has already paid for both," the sales assistant said, gently folding the clothes.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Hadley approached Emir. "You only needed to replace one outfit. You didn't have to buy both."

Emir brushed off her concern with a smile. "Consider it a bonus. Now, get changed. We need to head back to the office."

Ducking into the fitting room with her new dress, Hadley felt a warm sense of gratitude. As the sales assistant handed over the shopping bags to Emir, Hadley moved to take them but hesitated when Emir gave her an amused look, indicating it was no trouble.

Trying to hide her appreciation, she looked down. She sensed Emir's affection and silently thought to herself that he was genuinely kind and considerate—perhaps being close to him wouldn't be so bad.

Back in the office break room, Hadley was making coffee when her colleague Eloise Cunningham playfully nudged her shoulder. "New clothes look great! Did you go shopping with Emir? By the way, Quinn was fuming when she saw you both return together."

Holding her coffee, Hadley widened her eyes. "Really? I'm Emir's assistant; it's normal for us to work together. If that upsets her, she'll be upset often."

"Well, it's different this time; he bought you clothes! So, where did you two go under the guise of meeting clients? You know, our dashing and young Mr. Holmes never had such juicy rumors before," Eloise teased.

Not wanting to become the center of gossip, Hadley redirected the conversation. "Eloise, I heard from admin that the new CEO is arriving this afternoon. Supposedly, he's quite the young achiever."

Eloise rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Don't get your hopes up. We've heard this before. They've been announcing the new CEO's arrival for months, and it's always just rumors. Once, they even made us line up to welcome him, but no one showed up."

"Really?" Hadley was surprised. "But the admin seemed confident this time. They've even set up the CEO's office."

Eloise raised her eyebrows mischievously. "Care to bet? How about twenty bucks?"

Hadley took a sip of her coffee, then nodded decisively. "Deal. I have a feeling he's coming this time," she said confidently, though she wasn't sure why.

When the new CEO still hadn't shown up over an hour past the scheduled time, Hadley and Eloise faced each other, Eloise looking smug. Hadley regretted taking the bet; it seemed this CEO was following the usual pattern.

Despite the delay, the admin hadn't canceled the welcome, so everyone remained in place, their appearance perfectly polished. Complaints were left unsaid.

Suddenly, a figure approached, catching everyone's attention. Hadley took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

As the figure came into view, it turned out to be a middle-aged man in a suit, slightly overweight and smiling awkwardly. Hadley felt a sense of satisfaction but quickly realized he wasn't the CEO they had anticipated. He didn't fit the young, dynamic description.

Eloise was equally surprised, realizing she had lost the bet.

The man waved sheepishly. "Oh no, I'm Yosef Harrison, the CEO's special assistant."

His words drew groans from a few colleagues.

"I'm your new CEO, Coleson Reynolds," came a vibrant voice from behind Yosef, clear and commanding.

Hearing those words, Hadley's mind buzzed with recognition. She watched as a tall, energetic young man walked up, removing his sunglasses with confident flair, his aura unmistakably rebellious and charismatic.

When Hadley Marshall recognized Coleson Reynolds's face, her heart seemed to skip a beat.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, feeling as though her legs might give way. She never imagined she'd see him here.

Coleson removed his sunglasses, and hearing her voice, turned to look at her. Her presence was vivid and palpable to him. With effortless confidence, he walked toward her, his long strides swiftly closing the gap between them.

A palpable tension hung in the air, pressing down on Hadley, making the coincidence feel almost overwhelming.

Coleson towered over her, his gaze penetrating and intense. He spoke with deliberate ease, "Am I really so stunning that you had to shout?"

Before Hadley could gather her thoughts, Coleson donned his sunglasses again, flashing a mischievous grin. Accompanied by Yosef Harrison, he headed into the office, leaving Hadley stranded in a state of flustered confusion.

Settling back in her chair, Hadley felt Eloise Cunningham's disapproving stare. Leaning toward a colleague, Eloise whispered pointedly, "Doesn't she feel embarrassed? Everyone was just standing there, and she goes and hollers like that—completely unprofessional. Well, that's our design department for you, now unforgettable to the new CEO." Eloise seemed intent on making sure Hadley heard her disdain. Dinn Dunn attempted to intervene, giving Eloise a gentle tap. "Let it go, it wasn’t intentional—besides, Emir Holmes is coming over."

Despite having more to say, Eloise quickly fell silent as Emir approached.

Hadley's desk was right outside the design department manager’s office. Emir paused before entering, gently asking, "Hadley, is everything alright?"

Caught off-guard, Hadley replied, "Oh? I'm fine."

Emir frowned slightly, "Were you standing too long? You look a bit worn out."

Hadley managed a faint smile, "Maybe."

"Why don’t you take a break and head to the coffee room?"

Taking Emir’s advice, Hadley nodded in agreement, and with him opening the office door, she stood and made her way to the coffee room, her thoughts swirling in confusion.

Dinn soon appeared with two cups of coffee, her demeanor upbeat. "Hadley, here’s some coffee for you."

Hadley murmured with a sigh, "Thanks."

Dinn sat down beside Hadley, her manner light and teasing. "You have a knack for these things, huh? Who would've thought the CEO would pop in? Still... gambling's not exactly the best habit."

Hadley was lost in thought, responding with an edge of seriousness, "Honestly, Dinn, if it meant the CEO didn’t turn up and I lost a thousand bucks, I’d be okay with it."

Dinn was reassured by Hadley's response but couldn’t resist a touch of gossip. "Hey, I’ve noticed you’ve seemed off. Do you... know the CEO?"

Hadley considered explaining but couldn’t find the right words, ultimately deciding it wasn’t worth it. She stood up, dismissively saying, "You’re reading too much into it. I have work to do."

As Hadley sat at her desk, the more she dwelled on it, the more chaotic her thoughts became. Yet a clear thought pushed through, motivating her to face the situation with courage. Her new job seemed to be reaching an impasse.

Eloise appeared, tapping a file on Hadley's desk. "Congrats on catching the CEO’s eye. I thought your scream was some sort of episode, but it’s more like a siren call."

Eloise enjoyed antagonizing Hadley, often spurred by their shared interest in Emir.

Hadley found Eloise's insincere smile irritating. She cut through the sarcasm. "If you have something to say, just say it. I'm busy."

"Well, heads up. I just bumped into the CEO. He specifically asked you to make him a coffee."

Hadley felt a ripple of panic but resigned herself to the inevitable.

Eloise leaned in closer, her tone low. "Feeling secretly proud? Who are you trying to dazzle with this act?"

Hadley closed her eyes, trying to rein in her irritation. "And what exactly are you getting at?"

Eloise dropped her smile, her tone grave. "I’m saying if you aim to cozy up to the CEO, leave Emir alone. You can't have both; it's decision time."

With that, Eloise spun around, file in hand, and walked away.

Watching Eloise’s retreat, Hadley felt a sting of frustration. If she really pursued Emir, Eloise would be the one sulking.

Hadley took the coffee, summoning her resolve as she approached the CEO’s office door. She paused, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Come on, Hadley, stay strong. Stick with your plan, and if it all falls apart, just walk away.

As she made the coffee, her mind raced through countless scenarios. Her choice to stay or leave would hinge on Coleson's reaction. If he nursed a grudge, leaving might be her only option.

Prepared for whatever lay ahead, Hadley felt a surprising sense of calm. She lifted her hand and knocked on the CEO’s office door.

"Come in," a relaxed voice called out.

Hadley pushed open the door, coffee in hand, carefully offering it. "Mr. Reynolds, here's your coffee."

Coleson lowered his foot from the marble desk and sat upright with poised composure. "Hadley, back again. Tell me, how does this moment feel to you?"

For a fleeting moment, Hadley wished Coleson had selective amnesia, but she knew better.

Hadley lowered her gaze, accepting there was no escape. The numerous apologies she had rehearsed vanished from her mind, and she simply took a breath and said, "Mr. Reynolds, I’m ready for anything. If you want me gone, I’ll head to HR and resign."

Coleson observed Hadley’s determined demeanor and couldn’t help but chuckle softly, covering his mouth. "What's troubling you about the company? Feel free to share."

Hadley met Coleson’s teasing demeanor with a flicker of irritation. "I realize I’ve wronged you, but I’m not going to grovel. If you plan to retaliate, go ahead."

Coleson listened, resting his chin on his hand. "Let me ask: Have you made mistakes in your work?"