Chapter 3

Stella returned to the CEO's office with her heart in her throat.

Fortunately, Alexander had gone to the conference room, so she didn't have to face him - it was practically the luckiest thing that happened to her all day.

But the peace didn't last long. Chase found her and dumped a huge stack of documents in her arms: "These are subsidiaries that need to be acquired or distributed in the near future. Organize Mr. Brown's schedule in order of priority."

Stella knew it - being a secretary was basically just doing odd jobs for the boss! She'd rather just stay in the publicity department!

At least having work kept Alexander from bossing her around. She finally made it to quitting time. Stella was starving. Leaning back in her chair, she sent Elodie a text.

"Elodie, let's go out tonight - shopping, get our nails done, catch a movie..."

Elodie didn't reply.

Because at that very moment, Elodie was sitting in a study room outside campus, completely at a loss.

Alexander had a powerful presence, with the natural authority of someone born to lead - noble, aloof, and intimidating.

Of course, Elodie knew who he was - the evil capitalist in Stella's words, the business elite on TV, CEO of Zhongyi Group, worth billions.

Elodie had secretly watched him a few times before when she was at the Hall Villa.

Up close, he wore a custom-tailored suit that perfectly fit his broad shoulders and narrow waist. With his chiseled features, Alexander showed no signs of aging despite being twenty-eight - instead, he radiated the steady charm of a mature man.

Her eyes unconsciously swept over the Richard Mille on Alexander's wrist and the CHAUMET brooch on his chest.

Every item on Alexander's body reeked of money.

What young girl with a budding heart could stay calm in front of such a perfect man?

Elodie's ears burned hot, her cheeks flushed red, and her breathing became irregular.

Alexander took in Elodie's nervousness completely. His thin lips parted, his voice low and mellow: "I apologize for what happened last night, but I will take responsibility."

Elodie was confused. Alexander's elegant fingers pushed a bank card across to her: "This is five million dollars. You can take it as my compensation."

How much?

Five million dollars?

Elodie forgot to breathe. Alexander crossed his long legs, fingers interlaced on his knee, his dark eyes softening beneath half-lowered lids: "But you have another option - stay by my side. We can get married."

What came out of his mouth so casually was actually a marriage proposal?

Elodie really wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming.

This was Alexander!

So many socialites and actresses threw themselves at him, so many women wanted to climb into his bed - why would he choose plain, penniless her?

Wave after wave of shock hit Elodie, leaving her mind completely blank.

Then Alexander provided the answer: "You don't need to rush to a conclusion."

Alexander's investigation had been thorough. Elodie was adopted by Mason; her father was in prison, and she was only a senior in college, facing job hunting.

Her background was pitiful, but backed by the Hall family, her record was clean.

Chase said Elodie had been job hunting recently. She must have attended the Brown Group team building with Stella and accidentally entered his room.

Without Elodie saying a word, Alexander had already pieced together what happened. He returned her resume, placing it next to the bank card: "My phone number is on the back. Call me anytime."

He left. Elodie sat frozen in the study room for a long time.

The resume, last night's incident?

Connecting these two key elements, Elodie suddenly understood everything.

The resume was prepared by Stella for her. Stella didn't come home last night because she had sex with Alexander.

But Alexander had mistaken Stella, who slept with him last night, for her, and now he wanted to take responsibility?

This kind of luck was no different from winning the lottery jackpot!

Marrying Alexander meant she wouldn't have to live under someone else's roof anymore. She'd become a pampered rich wife, able to buy whatever she wanted. She could replicate Stella's life!

No, she would live even better than Stella!

Elodie admitted she was tempted, but the only obstacle she couldn't overcome was her guilt toward Stella.

She returned to the Hall Villa in a daze.

Stella called out to Elodie several times, but she didn't respond. Stella blocked her path: "Elodie, why are you ignoring me? Did something unpleasant happen at school?"

Elodie snapped back to reality. Seeing Stella's worried expression, guilt almost drowned her.

But this might be her only chance to turn her life around!

Her education was mediocre, her family background was mediocre, and even her tuition was paid by the Hall family. She was sick of living on other people's charity!

Elodie pinched her palm. To make sure Stella wouldn't ruin this opportunity, she asked tentatively: "I'm fine. But Stella, do you have anyone you like? Or someone you want to marry?"

"What? I'm only twenty-three, so why would I get married? It's too early! Besides, do I look like someone who attracts men?"

Elodie breathed a sigh of relief. Stella suddenly understood: "Elodie, do you have someone you like? Are you lovesick?"

"No..."

Elodie avoided Stella's gaze and went along with her words: "I'm going to move out in the next couple of days to... to live with my boyfriend."

She had made up her mind. Five million dollars was indeed a huge sum, but the status of being Alexander's wife was priceless!

"Boyfriend? Who?" Stella's heart sank with a sense of abandonment by someone close.

Elodie was Stella's family and also Stella's best friend!

But precisely because they were so close, Elodie was dating someone and had even reached the point of moving in together, and she was only finding out now!

"Don't ask!"

Elodie felt guilty like a thief and quickly walked into the living room.

Her room at the Hall Villa was on the first floor, behind the kitchen. Though fairly spacious, it couldn't compare to Stella's bedroom with its walk-in closet.

Elodie knew she was an outsider and never asked Mason to give her more. She pushed open her door. Most of the things inside were gifts from Stella.

Stella was generous - if she liked something, she'd pay for it without hesitation.

But Stella didn't know that this very generosity made Elodie look even worse by comparison. In contrast, Elodie's self-esteem had been ground to dust over countless days and nights.

"Elodie, what do you mean by 'don't ask'? I need to know where you're going to live and whether this person is good or not. I'm worried you'll be deceived, okay?"

Stella followed anxiously behind Elodie, looking very worried.

She was completely sincere with Elodie. Even though Elodie had hidden her relationship from her, what she cared about most was whether Elodie would get hurt!

Elodie put down her canvas bag and pulled out a chair to sit at her desk, somewhat irritated: "I'm not a three-year-old child. How could I be deceived so easily? He's handsome and rich, and he treats me well. I don't want to miss this chance. Besides, I can't live off your and your dad's charity forever, can I?"

"Charity?" The word stabbed Stella's heart like a knife: "Dad and I see you as family. How is that charity?"