THE CEO AND HIS SECRETARY

she felt like things were finally falling into place. Her job with Mr. Norman, while challenging, had brought stability, at least now she could afford to

her phone rang, vibrating insistently in her pocket. She gl

ng his usual casual greeting. But there was only silence on th

anicked, his voice barely above a wh

she breathed, gripping the pho

and then-she just collapsed," Jil's voice broke. "The a

in her throat as she tried to process the

it was closest," he replied

e promised, her heart pounding as sh

at her chest. Images of her mother-fragile, lying pale and unconscious-flashed in her mind, and she fought to keep herself t

her pulse pounding in her ears, scanning the waiting room for Jil. She spotted him sitting on one of the hard plasti

whispered, his

"It's okay, Jil. We're here for her. She's going to

her expression sympathetic but ten

lling back from Jil, her voice

condition is critical. She's been moved to the ICU

il's hand as they sat down

he machines was steady, but the color had drained from her mother's face, and her breathing was shallow. The doctor's wo

ever hope to save up. The small sum she'd managed to earn in the past few months as Norman's ass

he'd go to Norman and ask for help. The idea made her uneasy, yet she knew he had the resources and, maybe now,

deep breath, feeling her hands tremble as s

softening as he saw the tension in her

a kidney transplant immediately, but... I can't afford it. The surgery is expensive, and I'

er, weighing her request. Then, he finally nodded, pulling out a checkbook a

mixture of relief and c

bring someone to dinner. She's... quite insistent about family matters. She wants to meet you." H

uest, but then nodded. "If that's what

his mouth, and he handed her the check

mply but elegantly. The sprawling mansion loomed, its lights warm against the evening sky. Sh

oval. Dinner flowed smoothly, and Rachel found herself enjoying the evening more than she expected. Norman was attentive and, surprisingly, easy

d to relax, a voice slice

t know we'd be having din

an with piercing eyes and a perfect smile strolled into the

e-Norman's e

ht, his expression immediately t

eat beside Norman, her fingers grazing his arm. "I thought I'd drop

e looked away, hoping to avoid Claire's sharp

with feigned innocence, though her e

aid flatly, his voice colder than

t filled with venom. "How nice. Norman, you alway

cheeks burning, but

his voice low with wa

across the table to rest on his. "Oh, don

ted look. "Claire, we're glad you joined us, but perhaps t

ned back, taking a sip of her wine. Her eyes flitted to Rachel again, cold and c

g to be baited. "I'm just here

be amused. "No need to be so humble. It's cl

n darkened. "Clair

became icier. "Well, you know me, darling. I'm

s were clear. She wasn't here just to interrupt a dinner-she was

er topics, but Claire kept up her passive-aggressive remar

he gave him a tight smile, her nerves frayed but her gratitude gen

his eyes lingering on hers. "

g a moment of strength. "It's

back and saw Claire watching from

eats undermine her purpose. She'd come here for her mot