5. The First Man You Slept With

Several employees in the lobby, who had been secretly watching the altercation between Lily and Sonia all along, turned simultaneously the moment Arsen appeared. Thomas, his personal assistant, followed closely behind him.

They greeted their company's leader with utmost respect, yet most of the female employees could not hide their admiration.

Their CEO, who was rarely seen around the office, was now standing in the middle of the lobby—tall, charismatic, and exuding an intimidating aura of dominance.

Sonia, noticing Arsen's presence, quickly altered her expression. Her smile broadened, as if nothing had happened.

"My apologies, Sir. I didn't mean to cause a commotion; I was merely warning her because she seemed unaware of the rules when entering this place," Sonia said in a sweet tone, though her eyes shot Lily a look of sheer contempt.

Arsen gave no reaction.

From the very moment his feet stepped into the lobby, his gaze was focused on only one person—Lily.

The man's eyes studied Lily intently, as if reading her mind.

Conscious of being scrutinized like that, Lily felt self-conscious.

Why is this man looking at me that way?

A faint smile touched Arsen's lips. "What brings you here?"

His voice sounded softer compared to when he spoke to others.

Sonia was utterly astounded.

In all her time working at this company, she had almost never met Arsen in person, except strictly for business matters. Yet now, the man was looking at Lily with a gaze that made every woman there envious.

How could Lily possibly know Arsen?

Sonia could not accept this.

Meanwhile, Lily herself was left stunned.

However, before she could respond, her breath hitched as Arsen casually draped his arm around her shoulder and led her away from the scene.

"Clean up the mess here," Arsen commanded Thomas before heading toward the elevator.

Lily startled.

As the man named Thomas bowed respectfully and acknowledged the order, Lily finally realized something.

Thomas... that man...

Wasn't he the man who had saved her this morning when she was nearly hit by a car?!

Lily glanced at him with a look full of shock, but Thomas remained professional and offered only a faint smile.

Lily wanted to say something, but before her thoughts could wander any further, Arsen had already ushered her into the elevator.

Inside the CEO's office...

Lily remained silent, trying to process the unfolding situation.

Why had Arsen brought her here?

The man walked over to his desk, then looked at Lily with an easygoing demeanor.

"Sit."

Lily unconsciously complied with the command.

Truthfully, she wanted to ask why this man had abruptly pulled her away from the lobby, but something in Arsen's expression made her choose silence instead.

A sense of foreboding rose in her mind.

Did this man want to discuss that night?

A night that should never have happened.

Lily lowered her head, her hands clenching into fists on her lap.

If Arsen exposed that secret... her family would surely be ruined.

However, the man's voice broke her train of thought.

"How is your knee? Does it still hurt?"

Lily jolted.

She looked up, staring at Arsen in confusion.

How did this man know her knee was injured?

As if reading her thoughts, Arsen replied nonchalantly, "Thomas told me."

Lily blinked.

Thomas was Arsen's personal assistant... naturally, the man reported everything to him.

Still, why?

Why were they paying so much attention to her?

Lily drew a breath, trying to stay composed.

"My knee is fine."

After a few seconds, she added, "Thank you for helping me out of that situation earlier."

Arsen nodded.

In the next second, however, his gaze sharpened.

"You haven't answered my question. Why did you come here?"

His tone was deeper now.

The man's eyes scanned the folder Lily was holding.

Lily hesitated for a moment, but finally answered, "I received word that this company had an opening, so I intended to apply."

Arsen knitted his brows.

Applying for a job?

The daughter of the renowned Mahesa family... coming to his company to look for work?

Lily added quickly, "Though I didn't expect you to be the owner..."

Arsen's right eyebrow arched. "If I am the owner, is that a problem for you?"

Lily glared at the man.

A problem?

Was this man seriously asking that right now?!

Her fallout with Bryan, her broken relationship with her father, and... the loss of her virginity...

All of it clearly had everything to do with Arsen!

Yet this man asked as if he knew nothing about it?!

Lily shook her head quickly.

No.

Arsen was indeed involved, but this wasn't entirely his fault.

"It's not a problem for me," she said at last. "However, as you can see, I have bad blood with one of your employees. So, I will look for another company. Excuse me."

Lily gave a polite bow, then turned to leave.

Until—

"Marry me."

Lily's steps halted.

Slowly, she turned around.

"What?"

Arsen leaned back against the sofa, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Marry me, and not only will you have a job, but I can also give you anything you desire.

Including revenge against your treacherous ex-fiancé."

Lily froze.

Arsen... already knew everything?

"If you have reservations, we can enter into a three-year contract marriage. After that, you are free to divorce me."

A contract marriage?

Lily clenched her fists tightly.

"After knowing how Bryan humiliated me with his betrayal, and how I refused to marry an unfaithful man, you're offering me a contract marriage instead? Are you trying to insult me on purpose?!"

Yet Arsen remained calm.

With measured movements, he rose from his seat.

Lily stepped backward.

Her back, however, met the solid surface of the door.

Arsen stood directly before her—closer than Lily ever wanted him to be.

"Are you certain you don't want to get married?"

The man's voice dropped softer, lower.

"Weren't you the one whose first night belonged to me?"

Lily's heart sank into her stomach.

His hand seized her wrists, pinning them above her head.

"Let go of me! Let go, or I'll—"

"I didn't use protection that night."

Lily froze entirely. Her eyes snapped wide, locking straight onto Arsen.

What did this man just say?

Lily's reaction brought a faint smirk to Arsen's lips, and he went on, "Therefore, marry me, Lily Mahesa. Only by doing so can I help you protect your reputation... and exact your revenge."

Arsen leveled his gaze with hers and asked once more, "What do you say?"