7. A CEO’s Deal

It was already late at night when Emma stepped out through the gates of the grand house.

The sky hung dark above her, the cold air creeping in slowly, making her shoulders shiver.

She stood by the roadside, waiting for a taxi that never came.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Ten minutes passed.

Not a single vehicle stopped.

Emma let out a long breath. With heavy steps, she began walking along the sidewalk. Her heels clicked softly against the damp asphalt, keeping time with her chaotic thoughts.

Step by step, her mind drifted far back into the past.

She had been only ten years old when her first world collapsed.

Her mother died.

Not even a full week into mourning, her father brought another woman home—Sophia—along with a young girl named Rose. From that day on, Emma’s life changed drastically.

The father who had once been gentle and always defended her slowly grew distant. Every decision sided with his new wife. Every accusation directed at Emma was believed without question.

Sophia and Rose never hurt her openly. They were far too skilled at putting on an act. In front of her father, they were sweet and attentive. Behind his back, Emma was nothing more than a nuisance that had to be removed.

Provocation after provocation continued.

Until that night.

The night she was accused of stealing her stepmother’s jewelry.

Emma still vividly remembered her father’s gaze—cold, filled with disappointment. There was no defense. No trust. Just one short sentence that drove her out of the house.

From that moment on, she learned one thing: she never truly had a home.

Emma’s steps slowed. Her chest felt tight, her eyes burned, but she held herself together. Crying in the middle of the street would only make her look even more pitiful.

Suddenly—

HOOONK!

The sound of a car horn shattered the silence. Emma flinched and instinctively stepped back. A luxurious black car stopped right beside her.

She frowned, ready to snap in irritation.

The window slowly rolled down.

And in the next second, Emma’s breath caught.

Alex.

Her boss.

The man looked at her from behind the wheel, his expression cold, nearly emotionless. The streetlights reflected in his sharp gaze, making Emma’s heart race uncontrollably.

“Get in,” Alex said shortly—flat, firm.

Emma froze. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be him?

“I… can get home on my own, sir,” she replied softly.

Alex studied her for a few seconds, as if assessing her. Light rain began to fall, dampening Emma’s hair and shoulders.

“Do you want to get soaked?” he asked, without a trace of sympathy.

Emma fell silent. Her legs were tired, her mind was in turmoil, and tonight’s rain felt like a reflection of her life—cold and lonely.

With slightly trembling hands, she opened the car door and got in.

Silence filled the cabin as the engine started again.

Without looking at her, Alex handed her a pack of tissues. Emma took it, wiping the rain from her face and hands.

“Is there a problem?” Alex finally asked.

Emma swallowed hard. Her fingers clenched tightly on her lap. Once she said this, there would be no turning back.

“I need money,” she said quietly.

Alex glanced at her briefly. “How much?”

“Ten billion,” Emma answered quickly, before her courage could collapse.

The car continued moving steadily. Alex didn’t look surprised at all.

“All right,” he said simply.

Emma turned to him sharply. “Ten billion, sir,” she repeated, hardly believing it.

“Whatever amount you ask for, I will give it,” Alex replied calmly, “as long as you agree to my condition.”

“Condition?” Emma frowned.

“You’re joking, right? There’s no such thing as a personal secretary paid ten billion,” she said bitterly.

Alex stopped the car at a red light and looked straight at her. “I never joke.”

Emma’s heart pounded violently. That money could save her mother’s house—the only memory she had left.

“I’ll pay it back in installments from my salary, sir,” she said hopefully.

“You don’t need to pay it back.”

Emma froze. “Then…?”

“You just need to fulfill my condition.”

Emma took a deep breath. “What condition, sir?”

“Become my personal secretary,” Alex replied softly.

Emma was silent for a moment. Then she nodded. “All right.”

Alex added, “A personal secretary who handles all my needs.”

“Of course, sir,” Emma answered, even though her heart was pounding for reasons she couldn’t explain. “I won’t disappoint you.”