Chapter 4

Elodie realized she had spoken what had been weighing on her heart. She let out a long breath and corrected herself: "I used the wrong words, but I hope you can understand me."

Stella was speechless.

She had planned to work hard together with Elodie, and when she took over the Hall Group in the future, arrange a good position for Elodie.

Since Elodie wanted to break away from the Hall family, she had no reason to try to stop her anymore.

The room fell silent, both of them feeling down.

After half a minute, Stella was the first to break the awkwardness: "So what do we tell my dad?"

If Elodie suddenly moved out, Mason would definitely ask even more questions than Stella!

"Help me out."

Elodie turned to face Stella: "I've covered for you plenty of times. Just tell him I'm staying in the dorm to focus on getting my degree."

Suddenly, Stella's eyes turned red: "Do you really have to move?"

For ten years, she had gotten used to Elodie's company. They talked about everything - school gossip, popular TV shows, frustrating moments in life, happy memories - they shared it all.

She really didn't want her to go.

Elodie smiled: "Stella, everyone grows up. If I'm happy, you'll be happy for me, right?"

Stella's voice caught as she nodded, rubbing the corners of her stinging eyes with the back of her hand.

She was happier than anyone that Elodie had found someone good.

But still...

A moment later, Stella looked up with moist eyes and put on a fierce expression: "If he dares to bully you, I'll be the first to make him pay! I'll break his damn legs!"

A hint of pity crossed Elodie's face. Stella wouldn't dare break Alexander's legs - when Stella saw him, she ran faster than a mouse from a cat!

Stella, being optimistic, accepted reality and suggested, "Why don't I help you move your stuff over and meet your boyfriend while I'm at it? He's stealing my friend away, he owes me!"

Elodie fiddled with the paper and pen on the desk, distracted: "He's really busy lately. I'll arrange it when there's a chance..."

How could she dare let Stella know the truth? She'd put it off as long as possible.

Once she and Alexander got their marriage certificate and she was secure as Alexander's wife, it wouldn't be too late to apologize to Stella then.

As Elodie was scheming, Stella's phone rang.

Looking at the caller ID, Stella's hair stood on end. She quickly raised a finger to her lips: "Quiet! It's Alexander!"

Elodie's heart skipped a beat. She panicked.

Stella panicked even more, holding her phone like a hot potato, pacing around the room: "What do I do! What do I do? Why is he calling me now?"

Could there already be a problem with her first day as secretary?

That shouldn't be possible!

Elodie's face had turned pale. Stella paced anxiously back and forth. As the ringtone was about to end, she finally answered nervously: "Hello, Uncle Alexander."

Alexander's contact information had been given to Stella the day Mason entrusted her to Alexander for training.

But Alexander had never called Stella before.

The "Uncle" title was Stella's way of showing respect.

Although Alexander wasn't much older than Stella, since he worked with Mason, his status was naturally elevated.

"Stella." Through the phone, Alexander's voice sounded even deeper and richer: "Are you trying to kill me? A meeting at nine PM?"

Stella thought back to the schedule she'd arranged for Alexander and awkwardly scratched her temple: "Tomorrow's Apex Global Enterprises merger requires equity transactions, so..."

"That kind of thing can be handled by the planning department. Do I need to show up for every little thing? What do you think I am?"

Taking Alexander's anger over the phone, Stella grumbled internally. In her impression, Alexander was a workaholic - wasn't overtime his hobby?

"Uncle Alexander, it won't happen again."

As soon as Stella finished speaking, the line went quiet.

Stella had to admit, she really didn't want this CEO secretary job. When scheduling too many appointments, she did have a bit of a mean streak.

After a few more instructions from Alexander, Stella hung up.

At some point, Elodie had actually stood up and moved close to Stella.

When Stella turned around, she saw Elodie's face right in front of hers, startling her: "Elodie, what are you doing?"

Elodie hadn't heard any of the phone conversation and asked nervously, breaking out in a cold sweat: "Aren't you in the publicity department? What would Mr. Brown want with you?"

Speaking of this, Stella sighed: "I sent you a message, don't you even read them?"

Elodie felt guilty. Stella was a bit disappointed: "You really do forget your friends when you get a boyfriend. I was transferred - I'm Alexander's secretary now."

But as she walked out the door, Stella paused, her tone softening: "I'll keep it from Dad and tell him you moved into the dorm."

Secretary?

Didn't that mean Stella would be with Alexander every day?

Elodie was terrified. If Alexander recognized Stella as the person from that night, how could she become Mrs. Brown? How could she marry into wealth?

Early the next morning, after Stella left for the Brown Group, Elodie contacted Alexander.

She was going to Vanguard Villa to marry Alexander!

Chase drove to the school entrance in a Cullinan, attracting constant attention from students.

Elodie got in the car. Chase observed Elodie several times through the rearview mirror. She touched the leather seats, examined the door handles, and from time to time showed a delighted smile - no matter how you looked at it, she seemed like someone suddenly coming into money, with an air of being small-minded.

How could Alexander have fallen for this kind of woman?

With this doubt, Chase delivered Elodie to Vanguard Villa - a standalone mansion with a garden in front and a pool and helipad in back.

Elodie's eyes lit up. She had thought the Hall family and Brown family were evenly matched, but looking at this, Alexander's power and wealth completely surpassed the Hall family by several levels.

"Good morning, Mrs. Brown."

The servants at the entrance stood in a neat row, greeting her respectfully. At this moment, Elodie felt like a princess in a fairy tale.

From now on, she would have her own walk-in closet, and it would be bigger than Stella's!

When Stella arrived at the Brown Group, Alexander predictably summoned her to the CEO's office.

In the huge office with its gray and white tones, the stern and rigid Alexander made even the decor seem cold and austere.

"Mr. Brown, good morning." Stella stood by the desk, nervously clasping her hands, her palms damp with hot sweat.

Alexander glanced at her, then lowered his eyes to continue his work, flipping through document pages. His thin lips parted as he said coldly: "Wait."

Stella watched him holding his pen, signing his name at the end of documents - his handwriting strong and flowing.

His hands were really nice - defined knuckles, smooth nails. Following his hand upward, his shirt cuff showed beneath his suit sleeve...

Stella remembered his arm muscles were firm and tight, his chest muscles hard too, dotted with two pinkish-purple nipples.

Just as Stella's thoughts were wandering unconsciously, Alexander suddenly spoke: "Where are you looking?"

Stella snapped back to reality, shocked to find her eyes had unconsciously drifted toward his lower abdomen.