CHAPTER 4: A Dangerous Plan

Meanwhile, inside the elevator, Victoria silently prayed that there wouldn't be a termination letter waiting for her on her desk.

That was the only thought that had occupied her mind since she left Ray's bedroom that morning.

How was she supposed to explain to her parents that she had followed her best friend's advice to celebrate her promotion at a club, only to end up losing her job on her very first day because she overslept?

She could already picture the disappointment written across their faces.

Her fingers tightened around her handbag strap as the elevator doors opened. For a second, she considered pretending she had forgotten something downstairs.She still hadn't come up with a believable excuse, something that would at least make them forgive her mistake.

Her mind scrambled for ideas as she stepped out, turned left as the receptionist had instructed, and made her way down the hallway.

“Miss Conrad?” Maurice called out, instantly making every excuse she had just been thinking of vanish from her mind. Victoria turned toward him, her heart sinking. Did someone already know her? Wonderful. Just what she needed.

She forced a polite but confused smile onto her face as she studied the man standing before her.

“Good morning, Mr…?” she greeted, hoping he would fill in the blank.

“Maurice Nicholas.”

Her eyes widened slightly, and she quickly lifted a hand to her lips to hide the gasp that escaped.

“Mr. Maurice Nicholas?”

Of all the people she could have run into on her first day, why did it have to be him?

Everyone at her former office knew Maurice. He was the intimidating boss who often visited for inspections, and he was known for being ruthless when necessary. Every time he visits, at least one employee ends up losing their job.

And now, he was standing right in front of her.

Had she just ruined her first impression badly enough to lose her job before she could even get started?

Maurice didn't need anyone to tell him what was going on in her mind. The panic written all over her face was obvious, so he offered her a reassuring smile.

“I see you're just arriving at…” He glanced at her wristwatch. “What time does your watch say?”Victoria immediately felt her stomach tighten.

“I’m sorry I’m late Sir,” she said quickly. “My fiancé was involved in a terrible car accident.”

Maurice's expression changed slightly, but before he could ask anything, she continued.

“It happened last night. I had to stay with him at the hospital until this morning. He was in really bad shape, and I couldn’t bring myself to leave him there alone. I only arrived in the city a few minutes ago. I would have called, but I didn’t have the office number, and I didn’t know who I was supposed to contact.”The lie came out smoothly enough to make Maurice raise an eyebrow.

“Your fiancé?” he repeated. “And you stayed at the hospital with him all night?”

“Yes,” Victoria replied, nodding. “It was horrible.”

As if to make her story more convincing, she lowered her head, released a shaky breath, and covered her face with one hand, forcing out a few fake sobs.

Maurice watched her carefully.

Either Ray had met the wrong woman at the club, or the woman standing before him was an exceptionally talented actress. He wasn't sure which was more impressive the creativity of her excuse or the performance that came with it.

“However, we won't tolerate this kind of lateness again,” he said after a moment. “Fortunately, the meeting was canceled. I’ll show you to your office and introduce you to your team.”He turned and began walking, expecting her to follow.

The meeting had been canceled?

The tension in her shoulders finally disappeared. She released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Just like that?

She had spent the entire morning panicking over something that no longer mattered. If she had known the meeting would be canceled, she wouldn’t have rushed out in such a desperate hurry.

Then, the memory of her chaotic escape from Ray’s apartment returned.She had left her underwear behind.Victoria quickly shook the thought away.

Enough about last night. It was time to forget the past and focus on her present and her future.

With that decision made, Vicky hurried after Maurice.

At the CEO's office…….

“She really told you that?” Ray asked, bursting into laughter as Maurice finished recounting the excuse Victoria had given him.

Maurice shook his head, amused. “She’s really not what I expected. I let her off the hook because of you… or maybe because she looked genuinely terrified when I introduced myself.”

“Thanks. I hope she settled in well?” Ray asked once his laughter finally died down.

“She did.”

“Good.” Ray leaned back, a thoughtful look crossing his face.

Maurice immediately narrowed his eyes. “That expression never means anything good.”

Ray chuckled. “I was thinking…”

“No. Whatever comes next, I already know it’s going to be a bad idea.”

“Well,I need a job and a house.”Maurice stared at him.

“You have a mansion,” he reminded him. “And you don’t just have a job. You own the most successful company in the country.”

“Exactly. So find out where Victoria lives and get me an apartment close to hers.”

Maurice blinked.“What?”

“I want to get to know her. Not as Raymond Wright, but as someone she can be friends with without knowing anything about my wealth or status.”

“And what if she’s already in a relationship?” Maurice asked skeptically.

Ray smiled. “Then I’ll find that out while getting to know her.”

Maurice sighed, already knowing he wasn’t going to change his mind.

“And the job?”

“I want to be her personal driver. Give her an official car and tell her it’s part of her promotion package.”Maurice’s mouth fell open.

“There is absolutely no way I’m letting you do this. You’ve lost your mind.”

“Maybe.” Ray grinned. “But humor your crazy friend and make it happen.”

“What exactly are you hoping to achieve by becoming her driver?”

“That’s part of getting to know her.” Ray’s smile widened. “Make it happen before the end of the day.”

Maurice stared at him, completely speechless.

“I still think this is the craziest thing you’ve ever done.”

Ray smiled as he thought about Victoria.

“And that’s exactly why I want to do it.”

She had caught his attention in a way no one else had. She intrigued him and stirred his curiosity. He wanted to be close to her without her knowing his true identity.

“I’ll get to it then.”

Ray looked out the window, already imagining Victoria’s reaction when she sees him again.

Victoria thought the night was nothing more than a drunken mistake she could simply forget.

Not knowing the man she had shared that unforgettable night with was about to become the first person she would see every morning.