The Forgotten CEO のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 51 - チャプター 60

The morning of the outing arrived with a strange heaviness. Jacyn stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her simple blouse. Her reflection looked fragile, but her eyes carried a quiet determination. The dream still lingered in her chest, but she refused to let it dictate her reality.Downstairs, Liam was already waiting. He gave her a brief nod, his usual calm masking any concern. “Ready?”She swallowed hard. “As I’ll ever be.”The drive to the resort was quiet. Jacyn stared out the window, watching the city fade into open roads and greenery. Every passing mile reminded her of the dream—the bus, the laughter, the sudden terror. She clenched her fists, whispering to herself, It’s not real. This is different.When they arrived, the atmosphere was festive. Employees gathered in groups, chatting, laughing, setting up games. The air smelled of grilled food and sea breeze. For a moment, Jacyn felt relief. No flames, no blood, no accusing eyes—just ordinary people enjoying a day away from w

The week after the outing passed in a rhythm that felt both comforting and unsettling. Jacyn carried with her the small victories of laughter and camaraderie, but the memory of her dream still lingered like a shadow. She knew the next test was coming—the gala. Unlike the outing, this wasn’t a casual day at the resort. This was Liam’s world at its most polished, most scrutinized.On Monday morning, Liam placed a sleek envelope on the dining table where Jacyn was sipping her tea. “The gala,” he said simply.Jacyn lifted it, her fingers brushing the embossed lettering. Horizon Group Annual Gala. The words gleamed in silver, heavy with expectation. Horizon Group was a rival company, ambitious but not quite at Lee Group’s level. Still, their gala was known for its spectacle, and the guest list was a battlefield of reputation.Jacyn exhaled slowly. “So soon.”“Yes,” Liam replied. “Friday night—we’re going.”Jacyn nodded. “Of course. I’ve attended galas before.”Liam’s gaze lingered on her,

The doors opened with a soft sigh, and Liam guided Jacyn outside. The sudden coolness of the night air brushed against her skin, chasing away the heavy warmth of the ballroom. She gripped the railing, staring at the city lights scattered below like fallen stars.For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t awkward — it was grounding. Jacyn let out a shaky breath, her voice trembling but steady.“When you said I wasn’t alone…” She paused, swallowing hard. “It meant more than you know. I’ve carried so much shame from Lou Group. Tonight, for the first time, I felt like I belonged again.”Liam turned toward her, his gaze steady, tender. He reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek with a gentleness that made her chest ache. “You’ve always belonged. It’s the world that failed to see it. My only wish is that you see yourself the way I see you.”Her chest tightened. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she laughed softly, almost shy, trying to break the tension. “Careful,

The morning sun spilled softly through the tall windows, painting the kitchen in gold. Jacyn leaned against the counter, still in Liam’s shirt, sipping juice with a mischievous smile. Her hair was loose, her bare feet tapped lightly against the tiled floor. Liam watched her from across the room, amused, as if she had turned his orderly world upside down.“Get dressed,” he said, folding his newspaper with deliberate precision. “We’re going out.”Jacyn tilted her head, her eyes narrowing playfully. “Out? Where?”“You’ll see,” he replied, his tone deliberately vague.She smirked. “You’re terrible at surprises. You always look smug when you’re hiding something.”“Maybe I am smug,” he said, sipping his coffee. “But you’ll thank me later.”Jacyn rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered.An hour later, Jacyn found herself walking beside Liam through a quiet shopping district. The air was lighter here, filled with the scent of fresh bread and flowers from the stalls. The cobblestones echoed so

The lobby’s glow softened into evening shadows, and the air felt heavier with each word exchanged.Yan’s smile lingered, his tone smooth. “It seems Lee Group has grown even more formidable. I expected nothing less from you, William.”Liam’s reply was clipped, precise. “Formidable is necessary. Weakness has no place here.”Jacyn shifted slightly, her hands folding together in front of her. She sensed the sharpness in Liam’s words, though she didn’t understand why. To her, it was just business talk — two men measuring each other with polite phrases.Yan’s gaze returned to her, warm and curious. “And you, Miss Jacyn… you must be adjusting well. It’s rare to see someone bring light into this building.”Jacyn offered a polite smile, nothing more. Why does he speak as if he knows me? She didn’t care for his familiarity, nor the way his eyes lingered. Her attention drifted back to Liam, the only person whose words mattered.Liam’s hand brushed hers again, steadying her. His voice was calm, b