Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Florivera was located in the south, and during summertime, the intense sun seemed to sear everything in sight. Abigail had requested half a day off from work, and with her birth certificate in her bag, she hopped into a taxi and headed toward the Dracothon district registry. Abigail knew that her grandmother, Cassandra Clare, still harbored resentment about what had happened three years ago. Cassandra felt guilty of not being able to protect Abigail, which had led to her reputation being utterly ruined and unable to return home. She was also worried that as she aged, she wouldn't be able to continue taking care of Abigail as she wished. And that was why she enlisted the help of her friend, Margaret, who happened to have an unmarried grandson. The older generation believed that a woman's best future was marriage, as long as she could find someone who would marry her. But Abigail had experienced something unpleasant three years prior and, coupled with the numerous cases of failed marriages around her, she didn't have any high expectations for her own marriage. She believed that if she found someone suitable, then marriage would be a viable option, but if not, she was content with being single her whole life. Despite this, Abigail agreed to marry Margaret's grandson to put Cassandra's mind at ease. Abigail arrived at her destination in no time. As she got off the car, she saw a tall man standing at the entrance of the registration hall. The man wore a simple white shirt and black pants, yet his appearance was too dazzling that passing women couldn't help but sneak a glance at him. He was on the phone, not bothering to look around. Abigail took out her phone and looked at the picture Cassandra had sent her. She thought, 'This man should be the one in the photo, but he looks even better in person.' Abigail walked toward him, and as she approached, the man put away his phone and asked, "Are you Abigail?" Not only did he look handsome, but his voice was also pleasant to the ears. Abigail nodded and asked, "You must be Nathan?" Nathan Hart nodded and turned to walk into the registration hall. Nathan had long legs and walked fast, so Abigail had to jog to keep up with him. Abigail said, "Um, do you want to reconsider?" Nathan stopped walking, checked his watch, and asked, "Do you have any concerns?" Abigail wondered if he knew her well or knew about her past. But then she thought, 'He's probably in the same boat as me, forced by his elders to marry me due to societal expectations. We don't need to understand each other. I only know that he is Margaret's grandson, Cassandra's friend, and I don't even know what he does for a living.' Abigail shook her head and said, "Let's go." It didn't take long for Abigail and Nathan to obtain their marriage license as there were only a few people getting married that day. As Abigail looked at the freshly printed marriage certificate, she felt a sense of unreality wash over her. Nathan handed her a bank card and said, "I'm really busy with work lately and don't have time to be with you. Take this card, the pin code is 'six six six'. You can spend the money in it however you like." Abigail paused for a moment, taken aback. But before she could say anything, Nathan had hopped into an MPV parked by the roadside and driven away. She looked down at the bank card in her hand and felt a sense of unease. She worked at the Zane Corporation branch and owned a comic studio with her best friend. Her income was more than enough to support her own lifestyle, and she had never thought of relying on a man's money. Abigail's ideal marriage was a loveless one, where she and her partner would just go through the motions to satisfy their families. But if Nathan was willing to build a life with her, she would put in the effort to make it work. Once she had made up her mind, Abigail took a photo of their marriage certificate and sent it to Cassandra, saying, "Grandma, we finished the paperwork." Cassandra responded quickly with a voice message, "That's great, sweetie. You and Nathan should build a happy life together and have a baby soon." Abigail replied with a simple "Yes," but inside, she felt suffocated. It seemed like society always pressured women to get married and then have children. They couldn't have a life of their own. However, even though Abigail got married, her life remained the same as when she was single. After getting their marriage license, Nathan didn't keep in touch with Abigail. Her life went on without any change, as she worked tirelessly day and night. A year had passed in the blink of an eye, and now the hottest season of the year had arrived. This year, due to her outstanding performance at work, Abigail had been transferred to the secretary office at Zane Corporation's headquarters. Xander Zane, the CEO of Zane Corporation, had returned after a year abroad, and everyone at the company was nervous, especially Abigail, who had the possibility of being transferred to work by the CEO's side. Just as the people in the CEO's office were eagerly waiting, the door of the CEO's private elevator opened, and two men and a woman walked out of it. The man at the front was wearing silver-rimmed glasses, was over six feet tall, had a good physique, and a good-looking face. Abigail felt familiar with him and couldn't help but look at him a little longer. "Abigail, that's Mr. Zane." Colleague Luna Saun whispered in Abigail's ear, "There was a girl in our secretary office who had a crush on Mr. Zane and got fired." Abigail had only been at headquarters for a short time and had yet to see the CEO. But when she finally laid eyes on him, she was taken aback by his exceptional looks and physique. Feeling a bit flustered, Abigail began to explain herself, but was interrupted by a cold snicker from behind. "Well, well, well," said David Cooper, the colleague who kept hindering her at work ever since he had been rejected by her. "Looks like someone's trying to aim a little too high." Abigail had never had any unrealistic fantasies, and she didn't want to bother with such mischievous people. However, David thought he had guessed Abigail's thoughts and continued taunting her, "Nowadays, women are too picky. As long as they have some looks, they fantasize about marrying into wealthy families.""What marrying into a wealthy family?" Xander's personal assistant, Cleona Sander, walked over and gave the three of them a cold glance. "Abigail, Luna, David, come with me to the CEO's office." Cleona was an old-timer in the company, having previously worked alongside the former CEO, and had been with Xander for years now. She was being relocated to the West, and her position needed to be filled. Abigail and the other two were among the cream of the crop, having been selected through rounds of selections, and it was up to the CEO to decide who would replace Cleona. They arrived at the CEO's office, which was simply yet elegantly decorated, with a 180-degree floor-to-ceiling window providing a view of half of Florivera. The man known as Mr. Zane was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, standing tall and noble in front of the expansive window. Cleona respectfully announced, "Mr. Zane, everyone is here." The man turned around and looked at them, and even though he hadn't done anything, his powerful presence was evident. No one dared to breathe heavily in his presence. David took a step forward and said, "Mr. Zane, I'm David Cooper. I've been working in the CEO's office for five years. My uncle, Jerick Cooper, wants me to say hello to you." The man glanced at David, and although his gaze didn't change, those who knew him knew that he didn't like this kind of networking. He looked at Luna, who immediately lifted her chin and said, "Mr. Zane, my name is Luna Saun. I've been working in the CEO's office for three years." She tried to appear confident and poised, but her trembling voice betrayed her nervousness. The man finally looked toward Abigail, and she met his gaze. This time, they were closer and Abigail could see his perfectly chiseled face even more clearly. It felt like she had seen him somewhere before, but she couldn't quite remember. Little did she know, Xander Zane was none other than Nathan Hart, her absent husband whom she had only encountered on their marriage registration day. At the time of Nathan's birth, the Zane Corporation was mired in internal turmoil, and to protect the family's sole heir, they gave him two identities. While publicly known as Xander Zane, he went by his given name, Nathan, with his grandmother's surname, Hart, in his daily life, a fact only privy to the Zane family.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Xander's eyebrows furrowed imperceptibly as he caught Abigail blatantly staring at him. As the CEO of Zane Corporation, he was accustomed to receiving attention from women. However, even without his title, his chiseled features alone were enough to make many women fall head over heels for him. He despised these types of women. Cleona nudged Abigail gently, "What are you waiting for?" Abigail snapped out of her trance, composed herself quickly, and introduced herself, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Zane. I'm Abigail Renee. I've only been transferred to the Zane Corporation headquarters for less than a year." Xander repeated her name silently, feeling a sense of familiarity. He took another glance at Abigail and realized that she was no longer staring at him. He found her much more pleasant to look at and said, "Let her stay." Cleona acknowledged and led the three of them out of the office. She then instructed Abigail, "Go get your things and move into the executive assistant's office.""Okay," Abigail said as she headed back to her desk to pack up her belongings. Working alongside the CEO would mean at least a double salary. The three of them were excellent candidates who had survived several rounds of selection, each vying for the same position. Despite having the least experience, Abigail landed the job which left the other two feeling somewhat dissatisfied. However, Luna quickly realized that it was not right to think this way and recognized Abigail's capability. She knew she couldn't deny Abigail's strength just because of her young age and limited experience. With a smile, Luna gave Abigail a hug and warmly congratulated her. "Abigail, congratulations!" Abigail replied, "Thank you!" As Luna spoke, David couldn't resist making snarky comments. "Luna, I have no doubts about your competence, but it takes more than just being competent to get promoted. You also need to have the ability to seduce men," he remarked, insinuatingly without calling out anyone in particular. If Abigail were to respond to his comment, it would mean she felt guilty. Therefore, David believed that Abigail would only endure his sarcastic remarks. However, Abigail turned to him with a frigid stare and said, "David Cooper, are you trying to defame Mr. Zane?" With a single sentence, Abigail made David understand the full implications of what he had said, causing his face to turn white with fear. Luna chimed in, "David, you've really got no class. Attacking the credibility of a woman whose work surpasses yours is just malicious.""Luna, I'm stepping out now." Abigail gave Luna a grateful look before grabbing her box and heading toward the executive assistant's office. When Abigail reached there, Cleona eyed her up and down before warning her, "Although Mr. Zane chose you today, whether or not you can stay by his side long-term will depend on your work capabilities." Voicing her concern, Cleona lowered her tone, implying that it was not in Abigail's favor to make any advances toward Mr. Zane. "Remember, he really despises subordinates with motives. Don't destroy your own future," she cautioned. Xander had never publicly shown his face to the media, leaving the public unaware of his physical appearance. Nevertheless, he had consistently ranked as Florivera's most wanted bachelor for several years. While Abigail had no romantic feelings toward Xander, it was unlikely anyone would believe her if she did. She realized that excelling in her job was more important than justifying her intentions. "Ms. Sander, thank you for the warning. I'll keep that in mind," Abigail replied. Cleona seemed pleased with Abigail's response, her gaze softening. "I'll leave the tasks to you now," she said. The Zane Corporation had a large team of executive assistants, but only two of them, Cleona Sander and Keith Jackman, were special aides to Xander. They each had specific roles to play. Cleona was like a personal assistant, taking care not only of Xander's work, but his daily life as well. Abigail had memorized everything there was to know about Xander's personal preferences, habits, and taboos, all of which were a mandatory course for executive assistants. Abigail spent the morning exchanging work details with Cleona, knowing that in the afternoon, she would be facing the CEO on her own. During the lunch break, Abigail brewed an authentic iced Americano coffee and knocked on the CEO's office door. A deep, pleasant male voice from inside said, "Come in." Abigail walked in and saw Xander sitting at his desk, reading documents. She placed the coffee thirty centimeters to his left, and said, "Mr. Zane, you have a meeting with EdgeTech at two ten, which is in ten minutes." Without looking up, Xander reached out his hand and accurately picked up the coffee, taking a sip and saying, "Mhmm." Ten minutes later, Xander was accompanied by his two assistants, Keith and Abigail, to attend a meeting. Keith was responsible for taking notes while Abigail prepared the materials that Xander needed. Xander spoke very little during the meeting and mostly listened to his subordinates and the other party. Occasionally, he would interject with a succinct statement that precisely pinpointed the key points. Whenever he lifted his hand and made a slight change in his gaze, Abigail knew exactly what he needed and promptly handed him the required documents. Their seamless teamwork during the meeting was so impressive that even Keith, who knew that Abigail had just been promoted to special assistant, thought that she had been working with Mr. Zane for many years. After more than three hours, the meeting ended without a hitch, and Abigail and Keith followed Xander back to the office. They were about to report their next tasks when Xander's private phone rang. When Xander answered the call, he heard Margaret's feeble voice on the other end, "Xander, since you're back in the country, please pick up my granddaughter-in-law and bring her home. She can't keep living alone outside. If you don't take her home, I'll just die in Southcrest Residence and not go back home anymore." Xander pushed up the silver-rimmed glasses on his nose and replied, "You didn't have to say it. I was already planning to pick her up today." The old lady's excitement made her forget her act, and her voice suddenly rose a few degrees, "I'll send you her address. Go pick her up after work!" Xander agreed and hung up the phone before listening to Abigail and Keith's work reports. After listening to his subordinate's report, Xander didn't ask about work. "What do you think we need to prepare to meet a girl?" No one expected this question. Keith had been by Xander's side for many years and usually spoke casually. "Well, it depends on what girl we're talking about." Xander smiled. "My wife." Last year, when Xander and his wife registered their marriage, there were some problems at the Alvonia branch of Zane Corporation. After completing the registration formalities with her, he immediately flew to Alvonia and was busy for a year. During that time, she did not contact him and he was too busy to contact her. If it weren't for his grandmother's constant reminders, he would have forgotten that he was married. Now that he's back, he's ready to live a good life with her and make up for the year he owes her. Keith knew that his boss, Mr. Zane, had gotten married to a woman a year ago, but they hadn't been in contact since then. He had assumed that the marriage was just to appease the old lady in the Zane family. But now, it seemed like there was more to it. Suddenly, Keith had a thought. "Mr. Zane, did you buy the 'Astre Eternel' necklace for two hundred million in Paridale just to give it to Mrs. Zane?" Xander gave him a "no duh" look and reminded him, "You haven't answered my question yet." Keith had never been in a relationship and didn't know how to give good advice. He answered, "Well, if you already bought a two hundred-million-dollar necklace, you probably don't need to prepare anything else." Xander glared at Keith. Keith shuddered and pushed Abigail forward. "Mr. Zane, if you want to know what girls like, you should probably ask a girl."

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Abigail had just found out that her boss, Xander Zane, was married. As she watched him speak with a gentle smile about his wife, she guessed that they must have a very loving relationship. Abigail thought to herself, "Mr. Zane is wealthy, fit, and handsome, and he clearly loves his wife." Her admiration for her new boss grew stronger and more genuine. Thinking from the perspective of an ordinary girl, Abigail carefully considered her response, "Mr. Zane, girls love jewelry and precious stones, but I think the most valuable thing is to show your love for your wife. For example, give her a bouquet of flowers, take her out for a meal, or take her to see a movie." Xander had no love experience, but he believed that if he were to marry a girl, he should treat her well. He replied, "Hmm, you go ahead and prepare." Upon receiving the instructions, Abigail immediately contacted the flower shop that Zane Corporation frequently worked with and personally selected a bunch of bright red roses that represented love. As for the perfect date spot, restaurant, and movie theater, nothing was too difficult for Abigail, even though she had no experience in love. Her hard work and dedication allowed her to work her way up to the boss's side. The extent of her efforts was beyond what most people could imagine. She remembered all the unique features of Florivera's fancy restaurants, and knew which ones were perfect for dates and which ones were best for entertaining clients. She even remembered the preferences of all Zane Corporation's clients. After delivering the roses and date location to Mr. Zane's office, Abigail's work for the day was done. Although her day seemed easy and went smoothly, only Abigail knew how tense her nerves had been. When she got home, her strained nerves finally relaxed. She lazily flopped onto the couch and dozed off. Meanwhile, Xander arrived at Abigail's neighborhood and prepared to call her, only to realize that he hadn't even saved her number in his contacts. He felt a deep sense of regret for neglecting his newlywed wife for an entire year, not even bothering to save her number. Xander made a silent vow to treat her better in the future. Going through his grandmother's chat history, Xander found a phone number and decided to call it. A soft, slightly sleepy voice answered, "Hello, may I know who is calling?" Xander wondered, 'My own wife didn't even save my number?' He smirked and replied, "This is Nathan Hart.""Hi, Mr. Hart. Is there anything I can assist you with?" The woman's voice was polite and courteous, but distant, as if she didn't recognize him at all. Before Xander could say anything else, a man's voice interrupted, "Sweetie, wake up and come have breakfast..." Xander suddenly realized something, and his gaze under the silver wireframe glasses darkened. He hung up the phone and looked at the gift box and bright red roses by his side, feeling they were painfully conspicuous. He looked away and lit a cigarette, taking a few drags before instructing his driver, "Southcrest Residence." Abigail was half asleep. She had worked tirelessly without rest and completely forgotten about she was someone's legal wife, so the name "Nathan Hart" didn't ring any bells for her. Since it was her personal phone number, and not a client, she didn't pay much attention to it. She tossed her phone aside and walked into the kitchen, sandwiched between Melody Mane and Felix Thompson, playfully saying, "You guys came back and didn't even wake me up?" Melody playfully poked Abigail's nose and said, "You slept like a dead dog, so we didn't want to disturb you." Felix, while serving food, said, "Hurry up and wash your hands, it's time to eat." The three of them had grown up together and attended Florivera University together. They had planned to start their own business back in their hometown after graduating from college. However, during the summer break of their sophomore year, Abigail suffered a traumatic event that nearly derailed her studies. In a show of solidarity and support, they made the decision to stay in Florivera and build their careers together. Upon graduating, the trio realized their dream of starting a comic studio together. They found a cozy three-bedroom apartment and converted it into a workspace that doubled as their living quarters. Living and working together solidified their already strong friendship. Abigail looked at the table filled with extravagant dishes and asked, "What a feast! Did our studio make a fortune?" Felix poured each of them a glass of red wine and replied, "We specially prepared this for you, as you just got promoted as the special assistant to the CEO." Melody came over to Abigail, gossiping, "The CEO of Zane Corporation has never appeared in public, and loads of wealthy heiresses are lining up to marry him. I wonder, could he be so good-looking that he drives girls crazy?" Being a man, Felix thought women shallow and said sarcastically, "Does having money make someone handsome? He never appears in public, so maybe it's because he's ugly?" Abigail chuckled, making a playful comment, "He's definitely handsome, but I don't know if he's handsome enough to drive girls crazy. You'll have to ask his wife that question." Melody gasped, "Wait, he's married?" Abigail nodded and added, "Yep, he's taken. He looks like he really loves his wife too. But for some reason, I can't shake the feeling that I've seen him before." Melody teased, "Oh, Abigail, you always think you recognize attractive men. You might have some potential to be a heartless two timer." Abigail giggled, "Being heartless is great. No responsibilities, no obligations." Felix rolled his eyes and scolded Abigail, "Abigail Renee, you're already married!" Melody immediately retorted, "Does being married mean you can't have a crush? Do you really want Caterpie to be stuck with that man who knows where he went off to after their marriage registration?""Caterpie" was the nickname Felix and Melody gave Abigail, because when she was younger, she mistakenly drank alcohol thinking it was water and ended up wriggling on the floor like a boneless caterpillar. Abigail shrugged, looking calm, "With you two by my side, who needs a man anyways?" When she first got married, Abigail had thought about building a life with that man, but then he vanished without a trace. Margaret, who she had only met a few times before getting registered, didn't contact her again either. Abigail lost all interest after that. However, her grandmother still talked about her grandson-in-law regularly and was planning on visiting Florivera during the New Year. Melody and Felix chimed in unison, "Yeah, who needs a lousy man when we have each other." They finished their meal amidst chatter and laughter, and then cleaned up the table together. Afterward, they sat down and drew comics together. Their days were filled with happiness and fulfillment. The next day, Abigail arrived at the office bright and early. Her new boss had a crazy work schedule, but she was getting paid double to work alongside him, so she knew she had to put in more time and effort than before. As she exited the taxi, Abigail saw a luxurious black Bentley slowly pull up in front of the building. She rushed over to open the door for her boss, Xander, and greeted him with a cheerful "Good morning, Mr. Zane!" Xander nodded in acknowledgment, though he didn't look particularly happy. Abigail didn't want to assume anything and simply followed him into the private elevator, where she dutifully reported on their schedule for the day. In the morning, Xander had planned to golf with Peter Ruddy, the CEO of EdgeTech. He seemed to have fully recovered his good mood by then, engaging in friendly conversation and carrying himself gracefully. However, Keith and Abigail, who were waiting on the sidelines, still felt an underlying tension. Keith had been working alongside Xander for many years, yet this was the first time he had seen his boss emotional. He turned to Abigail and asked, "Do you have any idea what's wrong with Mr. Zane?" Abigail shook her head. "How would I know? You're the one who's been with him for longer." Keith pondered it for a while, then suddenly had a thought. "Could it be...that Mr. Zane was sexually frustrated with his wife last night?"

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Abigail was speechless at Keith's words. She thought, "Is it really appropriate for us as subordinates to discuss such matters?" But when she recalled Xander's smile when he had mentioned his wife the day before and his stern expression this morning, she couldn't completely dismiss Keith's theory. Abigail glanced at Xander, who elegantly swung his golf club and smoothly sunk a ball into the hole. Peter, on the other hand, was not as lucky, taking several swings before missing his shot. After a few rounds, Peter beckoned for someone to bring them refreshments. Abigail immediately handed Xander a bottle of water and a towel. Peter's gaze shifted toward Abigail, his eyes blatantly ogling her. Abigail wore a white shirt and a knee-length skirt with sleek, black hair tied up in a bun, revealing her slender, fair neck. She wore light makeup and was dressed professionally, a completely ordinary outfit for the workplace. Peter, however, kept staring at her chest, his gaze lecherous as if Abigail was wearing nothing at all. He exclaimed, "Mr. Zane, your new assistant is not only young and beautiful, but she also has an amazing figure." Xander calmly replied, "Mr. Ruddy is too kind." Peter smiled and asked Abigail, "Ms. Renee, do you know how to play golf?" As the CEO's assistant, Abigail had some knowledge, but she wasn't an expert. Plus, it wasn't her place to participate in the game. "I don't know how to play," said Abigail. She didn't like the way Peter was looking at her, but didn't want to cause a scene. She took Xander's empty water bottle and prepared to step aside. Unexpectedly, Peter reached out and slapped her on the butt. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and said, "Ms. Renee, I can teach you!" Abigail instinctively lifted her foot and stomped down hard on Peter's foot. He winced in pain and released his grip on her. After taking the chance to quickly step away, she felt guilty for offending their potential business partner, so she looked at Xander with a worried expression, concerned that she might lose her job for causing trouble during such an important business negotiation. To Abigail's surprise, Xander's low, deep voice suddenly rang out, "Mr. Ruddy, she's my staff." Xander looked at Peter, his perfect handsome face showing no emotion, but his narrowed eyes behind his silver-framed glasses were indicating his displeasure. Peter had a look of sudden realization on his face and quickly tried to make amends, "Mr. Zane, I'm sorry. Let me make it up to you by treating you to lunch later. Consider it my apology." Although Peter was apologizing to Xander, his creepy gaze never left Abigail. He continued, "Mr. Zane, I really thought you were the kind who didn't touch women. But now that I know you're not tired of playing with her yet, I'll wait a bit longer.""Mr. Ruddy, apologize to her right now!" Xander twirled the golf club in his slender fingers, his half-smile still masking his true emotions. Peter was taken aback at first, but then laughed and said, "Mr. Zane, we're partners. And she's just your plaything..." The word "plaything" stabbed Abigail's heart like poisonous needles. Bad memories from the past flooded her mind again. She thought to herself, she didn't steal or cheat, she earned her job with her own abilities, and earned her money with her own skills. Why should she be humiliated like this just because she was a girl and happened to look good? This time, without Xander's intervention, Abigail stood up for herself. "Mr. Ruddy, don't you have women in your family? Weren't you born from a woman's womb? Or do you think you have to humiliate a woman to prove yourself?" She stood tall and confident, showing off her quick wit as well. Keith also approached, "Mr. Ruddy, Zane Corporation doesn't need a partner like you. Our company values and respects every employee." As both assistants spoke out, Peter finally realized the gravity of the situation, "Mr. Zane, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have spoken ill of your people..." He trailed off as he realized something, then turned toward Abigail. "Ms. Renee, I'm sorry for my behavior as well." Xander swung his golf club with force. The small white ball flew out and hit a nearby tree, narrowly missing Peter's head as it bounced back toward them. Peter's legs gave out from underneath him as he was scared stiff. "Mr. Zane, I was wrong. You're a bigger person than I could ever be..." Xander remained silent, his cold gaze flickering to Peter's right hand before he turned and walked away. Abigail quickly grabbed her laptop bag and hurried to keep up, "Mr. Zane, thank you for helping me!" Xander walked ahead of Abigail, towering over her by a whole head with his six-foot-two frame compared to her five-foot-eight. Abigail couldn't see his facial expression, but heard his smooth yet powerful voice say, "The one in the wrong is the person who sexually harassed you, not you. In the workplace, if you ever get bullied or mistreated, stand up for yourself in any situation, and never be afraid. You have the Zane Corporation backing you up." It was the first time Abigail had heard Xander say this much at once. His deep voice and reassuring words gave her a sense of security she had never felt before. "Thank you, Mr. Zane," she responded. "Now I know what to do in the future." Xander turned around and noticed Abigail's eyes were starting to water. He thought to himself, 'She didn't look scared when she was being harassed, but now she seems on the verge of tears.' He softened his voice and said, "You're representing me by working by my side. You have no reason to fear anyone.""Yes," Abigail agreed with a slight sniffle, "thank you." She wasn't scared, but grateful. Back when she was bullied, if someone had stood up like Xander did now, calling out the bully's behavior instead of blaming Abigail, the victim, she might not have lost her reputation and home. Xander added, "You did really well just now." Abigail's heart warmed at his words. "Thank you!" Just then, Keith caught up. "Mr. Zane, I've informed the relevant department to cancel the collaboration with EdgeTech." In recent years, Zane Corporation had been busy with chip research and achieved good results. But due to the patents not yet being filed, the company had to partner with chip-proven manufacturers like EdgeTech for some of their products. Now that the partnership had fallen through, it would be a considerable loss for Zane Corporation. Abigail knew that Xander's actions weren't just to protect her, a lowly employee, but also to maintain Zane Corporation's reputation. Her admiration for him grew even stronger. In an age of rampant capital, being able to work in such a company and have such a boss who was willing to defend subordinates was her good fortune. Due to the end of their partnership with EdgeTech, Zane Corporation had to find a new chip manufacturer. Abigail and the team flew to Valtara with Xander in the afternoon to negotiate with the new company. After two weeks of intense negotiations, they finally reached a partnership agreement. Abigail finished dinner early and saw that it was still early. Their flight would be in the next morning, so she planned to buy some Valtara specialties to bring back to Felix and Melody now. Keith heard that she was going alone and asked, "Abigail, do you want me to go with you?" He thought that a pretty girl who was unfamiliar with the area would be unsafe to go out alone at night. He then asked Xander, "Mr. Zane, do you want to buy Mrs. Zane some gifts?" Xander thought of the man's voice from the phone call that night and furrowed his brow slightly. Upon closer thought, just because he heard a man's voice on the phone last time didn't mean anything. What if it was a misunderstanding...? So he nodded, "You pick out something." Abigail piped up, "Mr. Zane, it's more sincere to pick out the gifts for your wife yourself." Not long after, Abigail regretted her impulsiveness as she found herself awkwardly wandering around the mall with her boss. Originally, all three of them came together, but due to the lack of available parking spots, Keith went off to find a spot while Abigail and Xander were left behind.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Abigail thought her boss didn't seem like the type to buy cheap things, but she also knew that what she wanted to buy wasn't something expensive. After weighing her options, Abigail decided to prioritize her boss's needs and escorted him into a luxury department store. As Abigail followed Xander from behind, she noticed that he didn't seem interested in browsing any of the shops. She thought that if he kept aimlessly wandering around, he might not end up buying anything. Abigail picked up her pace and caught up with Xander. "Mr. Zane, would you like to check out the stores?" Xander nodded and headed toward the nearest store. When they reached the entrance, a store employee stopped them. "Excuse me, sir. Please line up over there." Abigail thought to herself, 'Someone of Xander's status probably has high-end luxury brands catering to him at his doorstep, and he may not even be aware that regular customers have to queue for a bag.' Therefore, she quickly brought out the company's VVIP card. As soon as the staff saw it, her attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. She led them to the VIP lounge and treated them like royalty. She offered them bags that were so exclusive, even regular customers couldn't book them for months. "Please, Sir and Madam, feel free to choose," she said graciously. When Abigail heard this, she was so embarrassed she could have crawled under a rock. "He's my boss." Xander also frowned. He had been back home for over two weeks, but he still hadn't had the chance to see his wife. He didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea, so he rarely bothered to explain himself. "She's just helping me pick out a gift for my wife.""I'm sorry!" The staff member who dealt with customers every day, knew better than to make such a simple mistake. But seeing Abigail and Xander sitting together like a perfectly matched couple in a painting, looking great together with their matching temperament, made her inexplicably assume they were married. Xander was clueless about women's bag preferences. He thought, 'Why not just buy them all? There's bound to be one she will like.' So he said, "I'll take all of them.' The total cost of the four bags came up to over thirty thousand dollars. Later, Abigail accompanied him to a fancy jewelry store, and the salesperson took them straight to the Valentine's Day collection "Sir, this necklace is our special edition for Valentine's Day. It will make your wife look stunning," she said. Xander said, "Hmm, I'll take it." The salesperson liked straightforward customers like him and smiled at Abigail. "Ma'am, would you like to try it on?" "He's my boss," Abigail explained patiently, though she was cursing inside. She thought, 'Do these salespeople have any sense? Have I given off any signals that would suggest that Mr. Zane and I are anything more than just a boss and his assistant? I know my place and I always tread carefully around Mr. Zane. I can't afford to mess up and lose this well-paying job. So, there's no way I'd ever act like I'm interested in becoming Mrs. Zane.' Abigail gazed at Xander, but he remained silent and stoic, although she could sense his displeasure. In the end, Xander picked out two necklaces that totaled tens of thousands of dollars. While Abigail helped him with the credit card transaction, her heart sank. She had been working relentlessly day and night, but still hadn't saved enough for a house down payment. Meanwhile, Xander's splurges on multiple bags and jewelry items amounted to more than her accumulated savings in the past few years. She reminded herself, 'Comparison steals your happiness.' After packing up the items, Abigail naturally took responsibility for carrying them, since the other assistant Keith was still looking for a parking spot. As they left the mall, Xander asked coldly, "Haven't you made your purchases yet?" Abigail pointed to the left front and said, "The things I want to buy are not in this mall. We'll have to walk a few hundred meters that way." "Lead the way," Xander said, taking big strides and walking ahead. Abigail was struggling to carry two big bags, filled with small bags and jewelry boxes. However, the packaging was way bigger than the items themselves, making it a bit of a challenge. She looked like a Christmas tree adorned with lots of gifts, which was amusing. As she struggled to keep up with Xander's long strides, it became apparent that she was having a hard time. After the salesperson mistook Abigail for Xander's wife, he became distant. Abigail assumed he was worried about being mistaken again, or maybe he was afraid that she had feelings for him. Abigail appreciated Xander's awareness as a married man. After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived at their destination. It was a gift shop that Melody had been wanting to check out for a long time. She wanted to buy a teddy bear from there, but she never had the chance to visit Valtara. Abigail ran after Xander and said, "Mr. Zane, the things I want to buy are inside." Xander nodded and said, "I'll wait for you outside." Abigail didn't want to keep the CEO waiting for too long, so she decided to buy Melody's gift first. She also planned to pick out a few items she liked for herself. But when Abigail saw all the cute little things, her girly instincts kicked in and she started meticulously picking out each item. Xander, on the other hand, didn't have much patience for waiting around for anyone. He was only there to return the favor to Abigail for helping pick out gifts for his wife. Standing on the sidewalk, he lit up a cigarette and took a few puffs. Through the thin smoke and the glass windows, he saw Abigail picking out accessories. He thought to himself, 'Do all girls like these little trinkets? I wonder if my wife would like them too?' Before he knew it, Xander found himself inside the store, holding a fluffy plush toy, trying to envision what his wife would look like holding it. However, he couldn't quite remember what his wife looked like. He only had a vague memory of her having a clear and fair complexion. When he caught a glimpse of Abigail, her face blended into his wife's in his mind. He quickly pushed the absurd thought away from his mind. Xander had never paid much attention to a woman's appearance. He tended to forget many faces easily. He thought that he had subconsciously imagined Abigail's face when he thought of his wife because Abigail was always around him. Abigail noticed Xander and said, "Mr. Zane, do you want to buy a plush toy for your wife?" Xander replied, "I don't know if she'll like it." Abigail smiled and said, "Mr. Zane, it's not the gift itself that women care about, but the thought behind it. You clearly care deeply about your wife, so anything you give her will bring her joy and happiness." "Really?" But he couldn't shake the thought that his wife hadn't even saved his phone number, so how could she possibly like anything he bought for her. Xander thought for a moment, 'I left her right after we got married and didn't even contact her for a year. But now I want to bring her back home with just one phone call. It's not going to be that easy though. I should buy her some more gifts and personally go pick her up...' He then said, "I'll choose some." Xander did his best to choose thoughtful gifts, but he was at a loss when it came to what young women liked. He turned to Abigail and said, "Just buy whatever girls are into these days." Abigail was at a loss for words. She knew Xander had no shortage of money. Even if he bought out the entire store, it would just be a matter of words. But as his assistant, she had to rein him in. Despite her gentle suggestions to buy less, Xander insisted on purchasing numerous items. As a result, Abigail had to buy an extra suitcase just to hold all the gifts Xander had bought for his wife. These were all gifts that her boss had purchased for his wife, and they had to be handled with utmost care during transit to avoid any scratches or damage.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

The next day, they were on a 9:00 a.m. flight back to Florivera. Traveling with the CEO, they all enjoyed the comfort of business class. Xander sat by the window, Abigail in the aisle seat, and Keith in the row behind them. As they settled in, a flight attendant approached. "Sir, ma'am, would you like something to drink?" Abigail replied, "Two bottles of mineral water, please." Knowing her CEO was quite particular about his beverages, she opted for the safest choice since hand-ground coffee was not available on the plane. The attendant nodded but did not leave, her gaze lingering on Xander. "Sir, we do have coffee on board. Would you like some?" Without even a glance at the attendant, Xander spoke to Abigail, "Tonight, I'm taking my wife out for dinner. Make sure to reserve a table in advance." Abigail nodded. "Understood." Turning to the attendant, whose smile was faltering, she added, "Could I have a copy of today's newspaper?" As an executive assistant, staying informed was essential, and with no internet access on the plane, Abigail had to rely on the printed news. Reading through various articles, she stumbled upon a piece about EdgeTech. [EdgeTech CEO investigated for corruption, suffers car accident while fleeing to the airport, right hand disabled.] Abigail unconsciously glanced at Xander, who was resting with his eyes closed, his long eyelashes fanning out from beneath his silver-rimmed glasses. Sensing her gaze, Xander raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Abigail cautiously asked, "Mr. Zane, are you aware that Mr. Ruddy of EdgeTech has had an accident?" Xander scoffed. "He should be grateful it was only his hand." His tone was casual, as if commenting on the weather. Yet, Abigail felt a chill down her spine and swallowed nervously. There were many rumors about the young CEO of Zane Corporation: ruthless, cold-hearted, and uninterested in women, to name a few. Twelve years ago, before he was even of age, he had managed to overthrow the cunning shareholders of Zane Corporation and restore the company to its former glory. Since then, the mere mention of Xander struck fear into the hearts of many in the business world, as his name became synonymous with terror. Xander slowly opened his eyes and fixed his icy gaze on Abigail. "Are you scared?" Feeling flustered, she nodded and shook her head. "No.""Really?" He clearly did not believe her but did not push further, closing his eyes again. Abigail thought to herself that despite the rumors, she could not deny the Xander she knew showed a tender smile when speaking of his wife, took the time to select gifts for her amidst his busy schedule, and protected his subordinates. 'I'm his assistant, not his enemy—why should I fear him?' With that realization, she exhaled and closed her eyes to rest. As the plane entered a smooth cruising altitude, Abigail drifted off, only to be awakened by a chilling voice. "Do you think I appear promiscuous, or do you believe I'm a man you can have?" The coldness of his words sent a shiver down her spine, and she opened her eyes to see the flight attendant who had been flirting with Xander earlier sheepishly retracting her phone. It was rare for a man as wealthy and attractive as Xander to resist the numerous temptations thrown his way. Abigail could not help but wonder what kind of woman his wife was, to have captured the heart of a man who never spared other women a second glance. The flight took two and a half hours. Upon landing in Florivera, the group headed straight for the office and resumed their busy schedules. Abigail juggled both company tasks and Xander's personal affairs, such as purchasing flowers, reserving a restaurant, and arranging post-dinner entertainment. She put extra effort into this particular date, knowing the CEO's wife's satisfaction would directly affect Xander's mood, which in turn would impact her own workload. At the end of the day, Abigail handed Xander the flowers and watched as he got into the car his driver had waiting for him, her duties for the day completed. Relieved, she prepared to hail a cab home when a message popped up in her three-person WhatsApp group chat from Melody. [Caterpie, tonight's matelote. Can you grab a bottle of olive oil for matelote from the supermarket downstairs on your way home?] Abigail replied, [Sure.] As Xander's car made its way to Abigail's residence, Margaret called again. "Xander, you have to understand, after you registered the marriage and immediately went abroad for work, leaving your new bride behind, I haven't had the nerve to face Abigail all year. If you don't bring her home soon, I'll die of frustration." Margaret rambled on, but Xander latched onto one crucial detail. "Grandma, what did you say her name is?" Margaret, fuming, shouted, "Abigail! Her name is Abigail! You rotten kid, you can't even remember your own wife's name. You're trying to kill me, aren't you?""Abigail?" Xander repeated the name, picturing Abigail's fair face. No wonder he had found her name familiar when selecting his new assistant. She shared a name with his wife. He chuckled. "Grandma, I'm on my way to pick her up. I'll bring her to see you first." Margaret's mood lifted. "This time, keep your word. If you don't pick her up, don't bother coming to see me. Abigail is a good girl, and it's your fortune to marry her. Cherish her." Xander had only met his wife once, on the day they registered their marriage. They had hardly spoken. He did not know her well but trusted his grandmother's judgment. Besides, they were already married, so he was determined to cherish her. He nodded. "Okay." After ending the call, the driver pulled up outside Abigail's apartment building. "Mr. Xander, shall I pick up the young lady, or—""My wife, of course I'll pick her up myself." Xander exited the car, holding the bouquet of roses, and strode toward the building. The complex housed mostly renters, and security was lax. Perhaps it was his imposing aura, but the guards let him in without question. Xander found building 10, unit 1, and took the elevator to the 15th floor. He arrived at apartment 1501 and knocked on the door. Shortly after, the door opened, revealing a man wearing only shorts, his bare chest exposed. "Who are you looking for?" The man held the door handle with one hand and a T-shirt with the other. His hair was still damp, suggesting he had just showered. Xander's eyebrows twitched, but he calmly asked, "Does Abigail live here?" The man nodded awkwardly. "Yeah." Xander's voice turned colder. "What's your relationship with her?" Before the man could answer, a soft female voice came from behind him. "Fee, who is it?" Then, a somewhat delicate face appeared within Xander's view. The woman wore casual loungewear, her hair also wet. It was not hard to deduce that the two had showered together – and it likely was not just a shower. She craned her neck to see outside, her eyes lighting up when she saw Xander. "Who are you? Who are you looking for?" Xander coldly eyed the woman before him, a stranger's face yet the one registered as his wife. 'Not only is she fooling around with another man, but she also doesn't recognize me,' he thought to himself.

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

Xander's eyes turned icy cold, a menacing aura emanating from him. "What's the deal between you two?" The man suddenly puffed out his chest and pulled the woman into his embrace. "What's it to you? Mind your own damn business. I'm warning you, don't bother us again, or you'll regret it." With that, he slammed the door shut. As Xander stared at the closed door, thoughts of their intimate encounter in the room and the man's embrace filled him with revulsion. Until now, he could have found excuses for her or deceived himself. But faced with undeniable evidence, he had no choice but to accept that his wife had been with another man and that he had been cuckolded. He turned away, tossing the bouquet of roses into a trash can before stepping into the elevator without looking back. Felix, watching Xander leave through the peephole, breathed a sigh of relief. "Mel, do you know that terrifying man?" Melody shook her head vigorously, muttering, "So scary! So scary!""Oh no, Caterpie should be back from the supermarket by now!" The pair dashed out of the apartment just as another elevator opened. Abigail, carrying gifts for them and the freshly bought olive oil, looked at the flustered couple. "What's going on with you two?" Felix scrutinized Abigail to make sure she was alright, then relaxed. "You didn't run into any strange people, did you?" Abigail, puzzled, replied, "No, why?" Felix pulled her inside, closed the door, and peered through the peephole before explaining. "Some guy just knocked on our door. He seemed like bad news. I answered his questions honestly, but luckily I snapped out of it and chased him off." Melody nodded vigorously. "Yeah, the way he looked at me was like he wanted to devour me alive. So scary! Good thing Fee was quick to react." Hearing their account, Abigail hugged Melody. "Our neighborhood has a high turnover of residents. I heard there was a theft recently. We all need to be careful." Felix pulled out his phone. "I'll order a security camera for our door right now. If you're working late, call me beforehand, and I'll meet you downstairs." Abigail agreed. "Okay." Melody sighed. "What a waste of such a handsome face!" Abigail and Felix chimed in together. "Miss, don't be fooled by a man's good looks." Melody persisted. "But he was really, really handsome." Abigail and Felix just stared at her, speechless. Downstairs, Xander climbed back into his car, instructing the driver to head to Southcrest Residence. After more than two hours on the road, they arrived at Southcrest Residence late into the night. The villa was still brightly lit. Before Xander could step out of the car, he spotted a frail figure in the courtyard. The elderly woman, seeing his car, excitedly shook off the butler's support and hurried toward him. Xander quickly got out of the car and rushed to support her. "Grandma.""Xander, where's Abigail?" The elderly woman craned her neck to look past him into the car, and her bright eyes dimmed when she did not see who she was hoping for. "If you didn't bring her, why are you here?""Grandma, I came to talk to you about the situation between her and me." Xander helped her into the house and asked the butler to leave them alone. Sensing something was wrong, the elderly woman felt uneasy. "Is Abigail mad at you and doesn't want to see you? Should I call her to explain on your behalf?" Xander's sensual thin lips curved with a touch of coldness. "She's seeing someone else.""What? What nonsense are you talking about?" Margaret angrily snatched a cushion from the sofa and threw it at Xander. "Abigail isn't that kind of person; she would never do such a thing. Don't tarnish her reputation." Xander sneered. "I saw it with my own eyes. Do you think I'm lying?" Margaret hesitated. "Xander, could it be a misunderstanding? Should I call her and ask?" Xander spoke gravely. "I called her the day I returned, and I heard a man's voice in the background. I lied to myself that it might be a misunderstanding. But today, when I went to her place to pick her up, I saw her hugging and holding that man. Do you still think it's a misunderstanding?" Infidelity is unbearable for anyone, especially for Xander. Even though his marriage to Abigail was not built on love, Margaret knew he could not swallow this bitter pill. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her emotions were hidden. "What do you plan to do now?" Xander coldly uttered, "Divorce." The divorce was the last thing Margaret wanted, but Abigail had found someone else, and that left her no choice. She continued. "Xander, I know you're furious, but try to think from Abigail's perspective. A girl marries a man she's only met once, and after registration, her husband disappears. She has no feelings for him, so if she meets someone suitable, it's not entirely wrong." Xander raised an eyebrow. "And?" Margaret continued. "Maybe we should wait for her to initiate the divorce, giving each other some dignity.""Dignity?" Xander removed his silver-rimmed glasses and casually wiped them, his expression a mix of amusement and bitterness. "Grandma, if it weren't for your sake, I would have made that pair of lovebirds disappear from Florivera. And you still want me to give them dignity? Did she consider my dignity when she slept with another man?" Margaret sighed. "Before you registered your marriage, I met Abigail a few times. She's an excellent girl, and I thought you'd be happy together, which is why I arranged the marriage. It's my fault for pushing you into marriage when you didn't want to, or this wouldn't have happened." Once a powerful and influential businesswoman, who had weathered countless storms and faced formidable opponents with a steely resolve, Margaret now found herself apologizing to a young upstart for the sake of a blonde bimbo. Xander's heart ached as he watched this scene unfold, and the anger he had been suppressing boiled up once again. "Grandma, no one can push me around, and no one can betray me." He had lived for over two decades without ever meeting a girl he liked, nor had he ever considered falling in love with anyone. When his grandmother wanted him to get married, he felt it did not matter who he married, so he agreed. The marriage was not built on love, but from the moment he decided to marry her, he was prepared to spend a lifetime with her, never once considering betraying her. He never imagined that when he arrived at her place with a car full of gifts, he would be greeted by the sight of her living with another man. Margaret knew him well enough to blame herself for what had happened, even if it was just to protect the girl. "Xander, I made a solemn promise to Abigail's grandmother that my grandson would treat her granddaughter well. She trusted me and agreed to the marriage. I don't want to face my old friend with shame. Please, do me one last favor, and I won't interfere in your love life or future marriages." Xander could not stand to see his grandmother so humbled, and agreed. "Fine, I'll let her save face." With the crisis averted, Margaret barely had time to catch her breath before Xander called his private lawyer. "Michael, prepare the divorce papers." Margaret, alarmed, asked, "Xander, what are you...?" She still did not fully understand him. After hanging up the phone, Xander said, "Grandma, you should rest. I'm heading back to Florivera." As she watched his tall, lonely figure walk away, Margaret realized for the first time that she might have made a mistake. She did not want her grandson's marriage to be like his parents', a union built on exchanging interests. So, she arranged for him to marry a girl from an ordinary background, hoping their love would be pure and unblemished. Unfortunately, she overlooked the fact that a good marriage required emotional connection.

Chapter 8 Chapter 8

In the dead of night, Abigail slept peacefully, lost in her dreams, when an unexpected phone call jolted her awake. Groggy and disoriented, she fumbled for her phone and saw 'Mr. Zane' on the screen, immediately snapping herself to attention. She sat up straight and answered the call with utmost respect. "Hello, Mr. Zane." However, a mysterious male voice responded instead. "Your Mr. Zane is wasted. You need to come pick him up at Plaid Luxe.""Who are you?" Abigail asked, her mind racing. 'Mr. Zane should have been with his wife at this hour. How on earth could he be drunk at Plaid Luxe, with a stranger calling from his phone?' "I'm Malcolm. Get over here ASAP." And with that, he hung up. Malcolm hailed from the affluent Cobain family, one of Florivera's four most prominent families. Abigail knew he was a close childhood friend of Xander's. Picking up a drunk CEO was part of her duties as his personal assistant. With no time to waste, she slipped into her work clothes, hailed a cab, and dashed to Plaid Luxe. Plaid Luxe was an exclusive, members-only club in Florivera. Malcolm had informed the staff of her arrival, so a dedicated attendant escorted her to a private room named AureaFide. "Ms. Renee, Mr. Cobain and his party are inside." Abigail thanked the attendant, knocked, and stepped in. She found two couples drinking on a plush couch, while Xander sat alone in a shadowy corner, clutching a nearly finished cigarette. All four stared at Abigail, their gazes shamelessly scrutinizing her. "You must be Xander's new assistant," Malcolm said. "Seems like a waste for someone as beautiful as you to be working for a stoic guy like him." Abigail recognized Malcolm from online photos. This man, born into immense wealth and blessed with striking good looks, was a constant fixture in the headlines, and gossip columns thrived on his exploits. This notorious playboy had a long list of celebrity ex-girlfriends and was known for his debauchery in Florivera. Despite his flirtatious tone, Abigail greeted him with forced politeness. "Hello, Mr. Cobain. I'm here to pick up Mr. Zane." Malcolm, with one arm wrapped around a woman and a drink in his other hand, looked Abigail up and down, his eyes lingering. "Ms. Renee, do you have a boyfriend?" Abigail bristled at his brazen gaze. "Whether I do or not is my personal business." Malcolm laughed, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Well, if you don't, I could be your boyfriend.""Sorry! I have no interest in you, Mr. Cobain." Abigail detested playboys like him, but she tolerated him only because he was Xander's friend. Unfazed by her blunt rejection, Malcolm smirked. "So, you're not into me. Does that mean you're into Xander?" Upon hearing these words, a wave of fear washed over Abigail. She was terrified that Xander might misunderstand, jeopardizing her well-paying job. Instinctively, she glanced over at him, but he seemed oblivious to her arrival, lost in his own world as he smoked. Malcolm chuckled. "Silence speaks volumes, doesn't it?""Is it really that difficult for you to show some respect, Mr. Cobain?" she retorted, her voice laced with indignation. It was infuriating how men like him were so full of themselves, believing that every woman on earth would fall for their privileged charms. She could not help but wonder how he would fare without his family's wealth and influence. 'Perhaps he would struggle even more than I to make a name for himself in the world,' she thought to herself. "Xander, your new assistant has got some nerve. Who gave her the courage?" Another man spoke, his piercing gaze unfriendly. Abigail did not recognize him but guessed he was Max Guzman, a member of the Guzman family, another one of the four influential families in Florivera. The Zane, Guzman, Cobain, and Cooper families led the elite circle. Xander, Malcolm, and Max had grown up together, sharing a strong bond since childhood. "What's the problem with me giving her the courage?" Xander's deep, velvety voice echoed, commanding everyone's attention. He extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray with a nonchalant air. Malcolm intervened swiftly. "No, no issue at all, of course not." Max cast Abigail a frosty, hostile glance. Abigail could not fathom the source of his animosity, given they had just met and did not know each other. Deciding not to dwell on it, she approached Xander, who smelled strongly of alcohol but appeared sober and clear-headed. "Mr. Zane, do you want to head home?" she whispered gently. He gazed up at her. "Who sent you?" Abigail replied truthfully, "Mr. Cobain called and asked me to pick you up." Xander shifted his gaze to Malcolm, who chuckled nervously. "Xander, life is fleeting, and we must seize our moments of pleasure." Xander scowled at him, and Malcolm abruptly ceased laughing. "I accidentally dialed the wrong number when I intended to call your driver." He was not buying Malcolm's flimsy excuse but was too weary to argue. Xander rose and strode toward the exit, with Abigail trailing anxiously behind. As they were leaving, Malcolm hollered, "Ms. Renee, you ought to choose a man like me—good-looking and useful. Your Mr. Zane is just a pretty face with little substance." Abigail suspected Malcolm was recklessly provoking Xander. Upon exiting Plaid Luxe, she spotted a sleek black Bentley parked out front. Opening the car door for Xander, she waited until he settled in before sliding into the driver's seat. "Mr. Zane, where to?" Abigail was aware that Xander owned several opulent residences in Florivera. "The HC Residences," he replied. The HC Residences was a renowned, exclusive seaside property in Florivera, boasting astronomical prices, ranging from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand dollars per square foot, that deterred most potential buyers. Xander, however, had several units to his name. "Understood," Abigail responded, starting the car and driving away from Plaid Luxe. The deserted streets allowed for a smooth, uninterrupted journey to The HC Residences. Abigail parked the car and assisted Xander out. "We've arrived, Mr. Zane." As Xander exited, he stumbled, nearly toppling over. Abigail steadied him, alarmed by the feverish heat emanating from his body. "Mr. Zane, what's happened?" Up close, she noticed his face was an unnatural shade of red, resembling an allergic reaction rather than the flush of intoxication. "Help me inside. There's medicine at home," Xander murmured, unable to stand upright as he leaned heavily on Abigail. Summoning all her strength, Abigail supported him to the elevator, despite their stark height difference. Their destination was a private unit, accessible solely by a direct elevator. Once inside, she eased him onto the couch. "Mr. Zane, where's the medicine?" He weakly gestured toward a cabinet. "Over there, second compartment, red pills." Abigail quickly located the red pills, fetched him a glass of water, and urged him to take them. "Please, take these. You'll feel better soon." As she fussed over him, Xander broke into a smile. "Abigail?" It was a rare occurrence for him to address her by her first name, and his voice sounded even more entrancing with a touch of inebriation. Abigail nodded. "Yes, Mr. Zane, how can I help you?""Why do you have such an unfortunate-sounding name?" he asked. Abigail was taken aback. Her grandmother had given her the name, and she had always found it lovely. She did not understand why Xander would suddenly consider it unfortunate-sounding. Deciding to chalk it up to his drunken state, she brushed off his comment. "Mr. Zane, you should focus on resting and taking your medicine." Xander swallowed the pills and spoke again. "Do you know how to make hangover soup?"

Chapter 9 Chapter 9

Abigail did not know how, but Xander did not give her the chance to admit her inexperience. "In the kitchen, you'll find the recipe and ingredients for a hangover soup. Whip it up and call me when it's ready." With no choice, Abigail tackled the challenge head-on. Having done household chores her entire life, this task was nothing she could not handle. Following the recipe, she swiftly created a steaming, aromatic bowl of hangover soup. As she emerged from the kitchen, she realized Xander had vanished from the living room. Glancing around, she noticed the master bedroom door slightly ajar, warm light spilling through the gap. Setting the soup down, she texted Xander: [Mr. Zane, your hangover soup awaits. If you don't need anything else, I'll be on my way.] Just as she hit send, the doorbell rang, shattering the silence. The sound sent a shiver down her spine. Her mind raced to the possibility of it being Xander's wife. Although her relationship with Xander was strictly professional, she could not help but worry about any misunderstandings that might arise from their late-night encounter. As she hesitated, Xander emerged from the bedroom wearing only a bathrobe. "Go answer the door," he said, clearly having just showered. His bathrobe hung loosely on his frame, water dripping from his tousled hair. His smoldering gaze, combined with his overall appearance, exuded an irresistible masculine charm. Abigail swallowed nervously. "Mr. Zane, should I hide?" Xander replied, "Why would you hide?" Abigail explained. "I don't want your wife to get the wrong idea.""Don't worry, she won't misunderstand, and I have no interest in you." Xander bluntly repeated her words from earlier that evening. Abigail knew he was not interested, but she did not want to cause any unnecessary trouble. Since he was not concerned, she decided not to be either. Approaching the door, she opened it to reveal a man and a woman. The woman carried a medical kit, appearing to be in her 40s, while the tall, muscular man sported a distinct scar beneath his left eye. Abigail recognized him from a recent shopping trip to Valtara, where he had been shadowing Xander. Surprised, the woman said, "Ms. Renee, what are you doing here?" Abigail did not know either of them, but they seemed to know her. "Who are you?""I'm Mr. Zane's personal physician, Dr. Sander, and he is my son, Paxton," the woman said. "Nice to meet you," Abigail said, stepping aside to let them in. Dr. Sander smiled warmly at Abigail and walked straight to Xander, skillfully opening her medical kit and administering an injection. "Xander, you know full well that you—" she began to admonish Xander but stopped, glancing back at Abigail. Xander lounged on the sofa, nonchalant. "Don't worry. If she dares to reveal my weakness, I'll have Paxton feed her to the fish in The Florivera." Abigail's heart raced with indignation. 'Who have I angered tonight? I had been sleeping soundly when Xander called, then rushed to Plaid Luxe before driving him home and making him soup. After all that, not even a thank you, and he wants to feed me to the fish!' "Mr. Zane, I've left the hangover soup on the table. If you don't need anything else, I'll be going." Abigail knew that sometimes less knowledge meant more safety, so she decided it was best to leave. Xander paid her no mind, and as she turned to leave, she found her exit blocked by the towering figure of Paxton, standing like a sentinel at the door. Abigail shot a desperate look at Xander. "Mr. Zane, I don't want to know about your weaknesses you don't want outsiders to know about. Please, just let me go." Xander raised an eyebrow. "You think you're an outsider?" He challenged her, implying that as his personal assistant, she should expect to be involved in his affairs. Abigail hesitated, realizing that her role did bring her closer to him than most. Reluctantly, she took a seat nearby, determined to focus on her phone and avoid getting involved in their conversation. However, their voices resonated in the room, their words seeping into her ears, making it impossible to ignore their discussion. Dr. Sander admonished Xander with concern. "You know better than to mix drinks, but you still do it. It's like you're playing with your own life." Xander responded defensively. "I was upset, alright? So, I had a few drinks." Dr. Sander pressed. "What's got you so down?" Abigail, too, was eager to know what could possibly trouble the enigmatic CEO. She listened closely, but Xander remained tight-lipped. 'The last time he met his wife, he came back all moody. Is there trouble in paradise? And why didn't the Zane Corporation Executive Assistant Handbook mention his alcohol allergy?' It suddenly clicked—no one in their right mind would expose their own vulnerabilities in a document accessible to all. As the captain of Zane Corporation, Xander had to navigate a sea of risks, so being guarded made perfect sense. The intel she had previously gleaned from the handbook was likely a decoy. Dr. Sander unexpectedly beckoned Abigail over. "Ms. Renee, could you please lend a hand here?" Abigail swiftly pocketed her phone and approached. "Dr. Sander, what do you need me to do?" Dr. Sander told Xander. "Take off your shirt and let Ms. Renee help apply the medication." Xander not only refused to disrobe but also gripped his collar tighter, as if terrified Abigail would take advantage of him. "I've taken your pills, and I'm fine. I don't need any topical treatment." Dr. Sander shot back. "You know your body better than I do. Without topical treatment, that rash will plague you for weeks. If you won't listen, I'll have to call your grandma." Xander's icy gaze cut through Dr. Sander, but she stood her ground, unshaken by his intimidating stare. With a defiant murmur, she said, "You neglect your own body, yet won't let anyone else speak up about it." Then, Abigail chimed in. "Mr. Zane, it's best to follow Dr. Sander's advice." She did not grasp the whole picture, but she knew that patients should heed their doctors' guidance. Xander shot Abigail a look that screamed "mind your own business" before turning to Paxton. "Paxton, come here." Dr. Sander interjected. "Xander, Paxton's hand is injured and hasn't healed yet. Let Ms. Renee do it instead." Without further protest, Xander relented and began to untie his robe. As it slid off, the fiery rash on his torso stood out more than his chiseled abs. It resembled a searing hot iron, leaving Abigail feeling shocked and concerned as she gazed upon his afflicted form. Dr. Sander handed Abigail some medical gauze. "Ms. Renee, please apply the medication to the inflamed areas." Abigail nodded, but her inexperience and fear of causing Xander pain made her clumsy. She reassured him. "Mr. Zane, I'll try not to hurt you." Xander looked at her with unmistakable contempt. Abigail fumed inwardly. 'Does he think I want to do this? If it weren't for the promise of double pay, I wouldn't even help him if he begged on his knees.'

Chapter 10 Chapter 10

As Dr. Sander diligently mixed the topical medication, Abigail carefully applied it to Xander with unwavering focus. Despite never having been so intimately close to a man, she remained composed and determined, reminding herself that he was a patient in need of her help. Xander, however, could not help but blush, though his severe allergic reaction hid it well. Having been married for over a year, he had only met his wife once and never experienced such closeness with another woman, leaving him feeling unexpectedly vulnerable. As Abigail applied the medication to his back and chest, her smooth forehead danced in his line of sight, while her delicate fragrance tantalizingly filled his nostrils. "I can handle it myself." He suddenly interjected, his voice deep and somber, startling the intently focused Abigail. Bewildered, she looked at him. "Mr. Zane, did I press too hard and hurt you?" Xander maintained a stern expression. "Paxton, take her home." Abigail glanced out the window at the faint light of dawn, not wanting to inconvenience anyone. "No need, I can just take a cab home." Xander replied dismissively, "Suit yourself." Abigail thought to herself, 'Men's hearts are as deep and inscrutable as the ocean floor.' After Abigail left, Dr. Sander could not help but remark. "Xander, that Ms. Renee seems like a genuinely nice girl." Xander shot back. "You want her to be your daughter-in-law?" Dr. Sander defended herself. "Did I say that?" Xander pressed. "Then what did you mean?" Dr. Sander hesitated, questioning why she had felt compelled to speak up in the first place. Over the next several days, Abigail's life turned into an emotional rollercoaster, each moment feeling like she was treading on thin ice. She meticulously analyzed her recent work, confident she had executed everything flawlessly, but the once approachable CEO had transformed into a nightmarish boss. Not only Abigail, but Keith also sensed Xander's growing discontent. During lunch in the cafeteria, he could not help but ask, "Abigail, what on earth did you do to upset Mr. Zane?" Abigail sighed, desperate to confide in someone. "If I knew where I went wrong, I'd change. But for the life of me, I can't figure out what I did to upset him." Keith, having worked alongside Xander for many years, had never seen him behave like this. In the past, when employees made mistakes, Xander would just fire them. If any female employees had designs on the title of Mrs. Zane, they would be sent packing without hesitation. The enigma was that Abigail's work performance was outstanding, and she harbored no ulterior motives. Xander's attitude toward her was genuinely baffling. After pondering for a moment, Keith sympathetically patted Abigail on the shoulder. "Think carefully. Maybe you'll figure out what made him so unhappy." Abigail racked her brain and realized Xander's displeasure had started after she had helped him with his medication. 'Could it be that word got back to Mr. Zane's wife about the day I drove Mr. Zane home? Is his wife uneasy about her husband being too close to a young assistant like me, and that's why he has been giving me the cold shoulder? This seems like the most plausible explanation.' With this hypothesis in mind, Abigail became even more cautious in her behavior, ensuring there was no contact with Xander outside of work. One afternoon, as per usual, Abigail placed a cup of coffee on Xander's desk. "Mr. Zane, this afternoon—" Xander suddenly interrupted her. "From now on, have someone else bring me coffee." Abigail felt her suspicion had been confirmed. She acknowledged his request and diligently briefed him on his upcoming schedule. "Mr. Zane, you have a Western Investment Task Force meeting at 2:30 p.m. Tonight, you'll attend Mr. and Mrs. Cobain Sr.'s golden wedding anniversary celebration. I've prepared the gift list for your review." Without looking up, Xander said, "Leave it here." Abigail handed over the gift list. "Since it's a golden wedding anniversary, couples are expected to attend. Will you be going with your wife, or should I arrange for a female companion?" As she spoke, Xander suddenly looked up at her, his icy gaze piercing through her. "Get out." Abigail had no idea that Xander's sudden burst of anger was because she had mentioned his unfaithful wife. After leaving his office, she headed to the restroom to wash her face and regain her composure. Unexpectedly, she encountered David. He blocked the restroom entrance, seemingly waiting for her. "What's the matter? Has your charm lost its effect on Mr. Zane?""David, you never have anything nice to say." Abigail retorted, unafraid of anyone but her paycheck-provider, Xander. David sneered. "You can insult someone without using a single curse word. Impressive. But Abigail, life is long, and we'll see who has the last laugh." With a radiant smile, Abigail replied, "Alright, let's see how it unfolds." The afternoon's task force meeting went smoothly, and after it concluded, Xander received a call from his lawyer, Michael Quinn. "Mr. Zane, I've drafted the divorce agreement you requested and sent it to your email. Please let me know if anything needs to be added.""Alright," Xander replied. Michael made sure Xander would not be at a disadvantage, not only ensuring his soon-to-be ex-wife would leave with nothing but also demanding she compensate him for emotional damages. In all honesty, Xander was not particularly concerned about the money, but it was a satisfying outcome. Anyone who dared to betray him would have to face the consequences of their actions. After reviewing the agreement, Xander called Michael back. "Contact her tomorrow and have her initiate the divorce proceedings." He had promised his grandmother he would wait for his wife to ask for a divorce, but he never said his lawyer could not give her a little nudge. With his mood lifted, Xander's view of Abigail improved significantly. "Tonight, you'll accompany me to Mr. and Mrs. Cobain Sr.'s golden wedding anniversary celebration." Abigail was elated. "Mr. Zane, are you not upset with me anymore?""Was I ever upset with you?" Xander asked. "Never?" Abigail thought, 'Though he had been cold to me for days, maybe he didn't see it as being upset.' Mr. and Mrs. Cobain Sr. were not fans of extravagant banquets. There were not many guests, but their status was undeniable. Many people desperately wanted to attend, so the celebration was still quite crowded. As soon as Xander arrived, he instantly became the center of attention. Moreover, it was rare for him to bring a female companion to any event, so Abigail also drew the crowd's attention. Having attended numerous high-profile events with Xander, she was able to confidently handle the scrutinizing gazes. As Xander went to greet Mr. and Mrs. Cobain Sr., Abigail found a quiet corner to enjoy some refreshments. Malcolm, holding a glass of wine, approached her. "Ms. Renee, may I have the pleasure of a dance with you?" Abigail smiled. "Mr. Cobain, I'm sorry, but I don't know how to dance." As a high-level executive assistant, she certainly knew how to dance, but this was merely her way of politely declining Malcolm's invitation. Both understood the situation perfectly. Malcolm, feigning ignorance, insisted. "I could teach you." Abigail replied, "Last time, you asked me if I had a boyfriend. How about I give you an answer today?" Malcolm asked, "Are you going to use the 'I have a boyfriend' excuse to refuse me?" Abigail smiled. "I don't have a boyfriend." Malcolm queried. "So, I can pursue you then?" Abigail responded. "I have a husband."

Chapter 11 Chapter 11

Malcolm burst into laughter. "I've never heard a woman use such a wildly inventive reason to turn me down before." Abigail grinned. "Well then, should I feel honored?""The more you act like this, the more I'm drawn to you." Malcolm admitted playfully. "And the more you act like that, the more repulsed I am." Abigail's grin vanished as she replied with a serious tone, "Mr. Cobain, I have zero interest in you, now or ever. Don't waste your energy on me." Malcolm found her candidness amusing. "Abigail, you really remind me of your boss, Mr. Zane. You both reject people without any regard for their feelings, leaving them absolutely mortified." Abigail shot back. "But I don't see Mr. Cobain losing face at all." Malcolm was speechless. 'Dang! I lost a verbal battle to a woman.' "Why are you hiding here chatting with my assistant instead of attending to your guests as the host?" Xander's rich voice suddenly sounded behind them. Abigail turned around and saw him standing a few steps away. She did not know how long he had been there or how much of their conversation he had heard. Her feisty demeanor vanished instantly, and she obediently walked to his side. "Mr. Zane." Seeing Abigail become compliant, Malcolm found the situation even more fascinating. "Xander, your assistant is always picking on me. You should do something about it.""Did you pick on Mr. Cobain?" Xander asked with a barely concealed smile. "No, I didn't." Abigail shook her head vigorously. "I wouldn't dare to mess with Mr. Cobain on his own turf." Malcolm loved stirring the pot. "Xander, who do you believe, her or me?""Tonight, you're the host, and she's the guest," Xander didn't directly take sides, but the implication was clear: even if Abigail teased Malcolm, as the host, he had to bear it. Malcolm clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Xander, you've changed. You're putting romance before friendship now.""Xander would do that?" Max joined the conversation, holding a glass of wine. When he saw Abigail, his eyes darkened. "Why are you here?" Abigail thought to herself, 'I didn't provoke this guy, but every time we meet, he's never friendly. People might think I insulted his ancestors in a past life.' Xander raised an eyebrow. "Do I need your permission to bring someone?" Max laughed awkwardly. "Xander, I didn't mean it like that." Malcolm quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Now that you're here, Max, let's all have a drink.""Mr. Zane, you can't drink tonight." Abigail remembered Dr. Sander's warning to keep an eye on Xander and not let him touch alcohol after he stopped taking his medication. Malcolm clicked his tongue again. "Xander, your assistant is as controlling as a wife." Abigail glared at him. "Mr. Cobain, if you don't talk nonsense, nobody will mistake you for a mute." Malcolm complained. "Xander, look, she's picking on me again." Xander suggested, saying, "I'm not in the mood for drinking tonight. Let's do something else." Abigail finally relaxed upon hearing this. "Dancing? Poker? Or something more thrilling?" Malcolm proposed. Xander was not interested in any of those, but since it was Mr. and Mrs. Cobain Sr.'s golden anniversary, he could not leave too early. He settled for a compromise. "Let's play poker.""Great idea." Malcolm agreed. "We have the perfect number for a game, four players." The four of them left the bustling banquet hall and made their way to the game room, eager for some excitement. Abigail knew the basics of poker, but she was far from an expert, which often resulted in her losing. Felix and Melody constantly teased her, joking that if she only used a fraction of her intelligence on playing cards, she would not look like a rookie every time. Malcolm, always up for a challenge, was particularly interested in the stakes. "How much do you want to play for tonight?" Abigail had seen wealthy people play cards before and knew that some could lose enough money to buy a house in a single night. She could not afford that, as she still had not saved up enough for a down payment. "Mr. Zane, I'd rather not play. Can't you find someone else?" Malcolm quickly shot back. "Xander, you can't keep indulging her like this. Otherwise, she'll end up walking all over you." Xander stayed silent, and Abigail knew she had no choice but to join the game. Max kept casting glances at her and suggested, "Let's play Truth or Dare tonight." Malcolm chimed in with enthusiasm, "I'm in. What about you, Xander?" Xander glanced at Abigail, who nodded eagerly. "As long as we're not playing for money, I'm up for anything," she said. Malcolm laughed at her response. "So, you didn't want to play because you were afraid of losing money? Just look at the three of us. Who cares about winning your pocket change?" Abigail thought to herself, 'I know you all are loaded, but do you really need to rub it in?' The card game began, with dealer Malcolm playing the first hand. Abigail followed suit and played a card, only to hear Max triumphantly declare, "Four of a Kind." Abigail sighed. "Max, can't you go easy on her for once?" Malcolm teased. Max glanced at Abigail and replied, "I don't see Ms. Renee as a delicate girl. She's Xander's competent assistant; she doesn't need our pity." While Max's words were technically correct, he deliberately emphasized "Xander's assistant," as if to remind Abigail of her status. Abigail had never felt inferior because of her position, so she stayed silent and continued to play. After several rounds, Abigail still had not won a hand. Max finally won, capitalizing on her mistake. Malcolm looked at Abigail with a sly grin. "Truth or Dare?""Truth," Abigail replied. "Was what you told me earlier true, or just an excuse to turn me down?" Malcolm asked. "It's true," Abigail answered. Max interjected. "I'm the winner; I should be the one asking. Ms. Renee, regarding you and Xan—" Malcolm interrupted him. "Max, I already asked. If you want to ask something, win the next round and ask her then." They continued to the next hand, with Abigail not feeling the underlying tensions at the table. The round was almost over when someone finally won. This time, Xander emerged victorious, with Max losing. Max chuckled reluctantly. "Xander, why did you have to win against me?" Ignoring Max's question, Xander asked, "So, Truth or Dare?" Max replied with a hint of defiance, "Truth." Malcolm was just about to fire off a question to Max when he caught Xander's cautionary glance. He quickly turned to Abigail. "Ms. Renee, your turn to ask." Not one to hold back, Abigail jumped in. "Mr. Guzman, we've never met before, so why do you seem to have it out for a lowly assistant like me?" Max's face flushed with embarrassment, clearly not expecting her to be so direct. "Ms. Renee, why do you have such a misunderstanding about me?" Max dodged the question and Abigail did not really expect an answer. Anyway, she was just reminding him that she was only a humble assistant, and no threat to him. There was no reason for him to be so hostile. The game went on, and Xander clinched another win. This time, Malcolm was the one to lose. Surprisingly, he opted for Truth without hesitation. "Ask me any secret you want to know, and I'll spill the beans." Neither Xander nor Max showed interest in Malcolm's truth, so they looked at Abigail. Abigail gleefully took on the task. "Mr. Cobain, rumor has it you're dating the entertainment world's sweetheart, Christina Martinez. Is there any truth to that?" Abigail was mainly curious because Christina was Felix's favorite actress. Malcolm smirked. "Well, I just rolled out of her bed this morning. You tell me." Abigail thought, 'Did he really need to be that explicit? Christina's studio issued a statement earlier this evening, threatening to sue those spreading rumors. So much for trusting celebrity press releases.' Malcolm teased. "Are you asking because deep down, you've got a thing for me?" Abigail just chuckled. "Ha, not in a million years." Following that, Xander continued his winning streak, and Abigail enjoyed asking more gossip-related questions. Xander glanced at her, puzzled by what she found so amusing. Malcolm grumbled. "One more round. There's no way Xander's luck is that good, beating me every single time." Xander adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses and replied coolly, "As long as I don't want to lose, no one can beat me." Malcolm scoffed. "You've lost before, so quit showing off." In the next few rounds, Xander proved to Malcolm that if he did not want to lose, no one stood a chance against him. Abigail could not help but gaze at Xander in awe. 'This man isn't just a man; he's a god!' Malcolm, unable to contain his frustration any longer, decided to bend the rules. "I don't care, Xander. Even though you've won, you still have to answer one of my questions to soothe my bruised ego." Not waiting for Xander's agreement, he pushed on. "Spill the beans, what's the real deal between you and your wife?"

Chapter 12 Chapter 12

Only a select few were privy to the secret of Xander's whirlwind marriage – his family and a tight-knit circle of friends, including Malcolm and Max. When Malcolm would inquire about it over the phone, Xander would always laugh it off, saying, "When I get back to the country, I'll bring her home." But after experiencing the gut-wrenching betrayal, the mere thought of that woman filled Xander with disgust, making him unwilling to even mention her to anyone. "What do you think?" he replied. "Xander, come on, satisfy my curiosity, will you?" Malcolm begged. "Malcolm, you know Xander's personality, right? If he doesn't want to talk, it probably isn't good," Max answered casually, trying to figure out the true state of Xander's marriage. Abigail was also dying to know what was going on between the CEO and his wife, since Xander had not mentioned her in ages. Xander saw right through Max's little scheme. His mood spoiled, he turned to Abigail. "We're out of here.""Already?" Malcolm asked. Xander replied, "You guys killed my vibe." Malcolm shot back, saying, "Is there anything you care about besides work?" Without responding, Xander made for the exit with Abigail hot on his heels. They reached the hall, where a throng of people gathered, each hoisting a wine glass for a toast. Abigail finally got why Xander had taken refuge in the card room – attending others' banquets meant putting up with these business folks, which was seriously annoying. "Apologies! Mr. Zane isn't feeling well, so no drinks for him tonight," Abigail announced, positioning herself in front of Xander to shield him from the toasts. Anyone who dared to offer him a drink would have to go through her first. When she could not block them, she drank on Xander's behalf. His high-profile position attracted people wanting to cozy up to the CEO of Zane Corporation, making the toasting seem never-ending, as if he was the main attraction. Once they had completed their social obligations and left the Cobain residence, Abigail's head spun from all the booze. She asked Xander, "Do you think we're like some monk escaping a magical cave?""Dork," Xander replied sharply. 'I've fended off so many drinks for him, and he still calls me a dork.' Abigail felt miffed but dared not show it. "If you think I'm a dork, then I'll be a dork." she conceded. Xander glanced down at her. For tonight's banquet, she had swapped her usual simple workwear for a sky-blue dress and styled her hair in a bun. The dress was plain, but her figure was killer, and the dress showcased her perfect curves. Blushing from the alcohol, her delicate face and slender neck were flushed with red, adding a hint of sexiness to her innocence. This was worlds apart from her usual efficient work image. The men who initially toasted Xander later turned their attention to her, their gazes greedy and sleazy. Unaware, she naively chugged drink after drink. Xander could have stopped them but chose not to, wanting to see just how clueless she could be. If she did not smarten up, she would eventually be left in the dust in his world. Xander looked away. "Who said anyone's worthy of drinking with me? As long as I don't drink, who can force me?" Feeling tipsy, Abigail grew bolder. "Mr. Zane, why didn't you say so earlier? I drank so much because of you!" Blaming her own silliness on him, Xander raised an eyebrow. "Are you the assistant, or am I?" Abigail clammed up. She had been so focused on ensuring he did not drink that she had dashed to shield him from the others, making sure no one could even get close. She had forgotten that a single glare from him would have been enough to send them packing. She laughed, using the laughter to mask her embarrassment. Paxton had been waiting in the car outside, and when he saw them coming, he quickly hopped out to open the door. Xander sat in the backseat, and Abigail took her place in the front passenger seat. Xander's gaze instinctively swept over the empty spot beside him before asking, "Where do you live? Paxton can drop you off on the way." Abigail hiccuped rather dramatically, waving her hand. "Thanks for the offer, Mr. Zane, but don't worry about it. Someone's coming to pick me up. Just drop me off on the side of the road outside the gated community." Last time she left late at night without telling Felix and Melody, they gave her the cold shoulder for a whole day. So when she found out she would be attending the dinner with Xander, she sent them a message. Felix immediately offered to pick her up in the evening. Xander casually asked, "Your husband?" Abigail paused, realizing that he must have overheard her conversation with Malcolm. Her so-called husband was long gone, and it was impossible for him to pick her up. Abigail only smiled, and Xander took her silence as confirmation. The car quickly left the gated community, and Paxton found a spacious spot to park. "Ms. Renee, should we stop here?" Abigail nodded, opening the door and waving goodbye to them. "Goodbye, Mr. Zane! Goodbye, Mr. Spencer!" Xander pressed the window button, and the window rolled down. "Take care of the stuff in the trunk for me.""Yes, sir." Abigail was quite tipsy and unsteady on her feet, but she had to do what the boss ordered. She wobbled to the back of the car and opened the trunk. It was full of beautifully wrapped gifts, some even packed by her, all intended for the boss's wife. The presents should have been given earlier, but they were all still there, lying in the trunk. Abigail returned to Xander's window. "Mr. Zane, aren't these all gifts for your wife? Why haven't they been given?" Xander lit a cigarette and took a drag. "They won't be needed anymore. Toss them, sell them, or use them yourself—do whatever you want with them." Abigail felt an inexplicable pang in her heart. "Mr. Zane, what happened between you and your wife? You love her so much; please don't let pride get in the way." 'His gaze had been tender and resolute when he spoke of his wife before, but now, after just a couple of weeks, it has changed—cold and disdainful. Something must have happened,' she thought to herself. Xander's voice suddenly turned cold. "Get rid of the stuff, and don't mention her in front of me again." Abigail did not dare to ask further since Xander did not want to talk about it. She went back to the trunk to move the items. As she bent down, a wave of dizziness hit her, and her stomach churned. She tried to hold back; she had to wait for Xander to leave before letting herself throw up. As his personal assistant, she could not show such a disgusting behavior in front of him. She took a deep breath and was about to try again when Paxton intervened. "I've got it." He was tall and strong, and it took him only a few moments to move the items from the trunk to the ground. Abigail could not hide her gratitude. "Mr. Spencer, I really can't thank you enough." Paxton shot her a nonchalant glance before heading back to his driver's seat, ready to hit the road. Xander spoke up, "Hold up, I'm going to have one more smoke." Paxton did not get why Xander needed to stop the car to light up, but he went along with it. Xander sparked a cigarette, not actually smoking it, resting his hand on the window while casually tapping it. Seeing Xander still there, Abigail figured he needed something. Fighting her queasiness, she asked, "Mr. Zane, is there anything else you need?" Xander raised an eyebrow. "Your ride hasn't shown up yet?" Abigail replied, "There's been some traffic tonight. He's been stuck for a bit but should be here soon." As she spoke, a modest sedan pulled up in the opposite lane. Her eyes lit up. "Mr. Zane, my ride is here. Catch you later!" Excited, she walked toward the budget-friendly car, her sweet voice echoing through the quiet night. "Fee, I'm over here!" Xander glanced briefly at the driver's seat of the affordable car, but the darkness made it impossible to see the man's face. He snapped the cigarette in his hand and instructed Paxton. "Let's roll." As Paxton drove away, he caught a glimpse of the man picking up Abigail in the rearview mirror. His back was turned, and it looked like he was embracing her. Paxton remarked. "Mr. Zane, Ms. Renee and her hubby seem like they're really tight." Xander closed his eyes, not responding, but every word Paxton said echoed in his mind. He could not help but hear Abigail's tender voice as she spoke to her husband, so unlike the strictly professional tone she reserved for him. "Heh..." he scoffed. Paxton, feeling puzzled, stole a quick glance at Xander through the rearview mirror, but his expression revealed nothing. Over with Abigail, Felix gently patted her back. "You big goof, just let it out if you need to hurl. You'll feel better once you do." Feeling dizzy and barely able to stand, Abigail leaned on Felix. "Has my boss taken off yet?""He's gone." Felix poked her forehead, clearly annoyed. "You're such a silly girl, pushing yourself to the limit for that double salary.""It's because money gives me a sense of security," Abigail said, grinning at him. But as she smiled, tears unexpectedly welled up in her eyes.