After taking a shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and walked into my best friend's room. I took out a row of tops and asked her which one looked better with my new red dress. My best friend didn't respond for a long time. At that moment, a deep male voice came from my phone. "The black one looks good."
After a shower, wrapped in a towel, I walked into my best friend's room, holding up a few different camisoles and asking her which one would look better with my new red dress.
No response from her.
Then suddenly, a deep male voice came through her phone.
"The black one looks best."
1
Tomorrow is my big interview at Infinite Technologies. To give myself a confidence boost, I dragged my best friend to the mall to help pick out a red dress.
Red had always brought me luck – I wore it for big presentations, important meetings, and even on the day I finally broke things off with my ex.
While we were eating, my friend, Ruby Roberts, got a call. The color drained from her face, and even her new limited-edition handbag couldn't lift her mood.
"Mia, Uncle Jerold is back, and I'll need to crash at your place tonight."
My appetite instantly waned as a tall, intense figure flashed through my mind.
Oblivious to my thoughts, she took an aggressive bite of her food, mumbling, "Mia, you're so lucky you don't have an Uncle Jerold."
Umm...
I couldn't respond to that.
I shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze, and quietly moved all the steak from my plate to hers as a peace offering.
"Mia, you're the best!" she sighed. "If Uncle Jerold wasn't so distant with women, I'd have pushed you to be my aunt long ago."
What?
Distant with women?
Uh... I held back a laugh.
My thoughts were definitely headed in a less innocent direction.
Trying to look composed, I replied, "Ruby, your uncle is way too old for me. I'm more into younger guys, remember?"
She nodded seriously. "True enough."
Finally, the topic moved on.
Our apartment has two bedrooms and a shared living room, with one room for each of us.
After a few failed attempts at sharing, in which she found herself kicked off the bed one too many times, Ruby declared that separate rooms were necessary. I begrudgingly accepted the added rent, and we moved in together.
Most days, it's just me at home.
The moment we stepped inside, she threw herself onto her bed.
"I'm heading for a quick shower," I called out. "By the way, I think the red dress might be a bit sheer. I'll try it on, and you help me pick which undershirt works best."
"Sure thing!" she shouted back.
...
About half an hour later, wrapped in my towel, I headed back to her room with a selection of camisoles in hand.
"Ruby, which one do you think looks best?"
My friend didn't respond for a while.
As I looked up, a low male voice answered, "The black one looks best."
What...?
Right in the center of her bed lay her phone, camera angled perfectly to capture me in my towel-clad state.
My heart leapt.
"What's going on?" she asked, coming in with a box of half-eaten spicy chicken wings in her hand. She looked from me to her phone, her eyes going wide.
"Oh... crap." She slapped her forehead and hung up the video call.
"Mia, I was starving, so when Uncle Jerold called, I just answered it. I didn't think... thank goodness you're not a fan of streaking."
Some best friend.
2
Recalling that intense look and deep voice from last night, I could feel my face heating up.
Ruby looked at the camisoles I held, then picked up the black one, holding it out to me playfully. "Black is definitely the way to go."
"... Right."
That night, she sulked because I didn't make her the usual late-night snack.
Serves her right.
Back in my room, I saw a message waiting for me on my phone, "If you're unsure, you could always ask me directly."
I rolled my eyes.
As if!
It's not like I was planning to wear it for him.
I buried my face in my hands, still warm from embarrassment, and curled up in bed. Images from last night flickered through my mind until I finally drifted off.
At the first ring of my alarm the next morning, I was up. After a quick makeup routine and preparing breakfast for my still-asleep friend, I headed out.
Infinite Technologies was a leader in Cloudhaven's tech world. Like any computer science grad, I'd been dreaming of a job there.
When I arrived, the waiting area was packed, with everyone looking equally prepared for a tough competition.
I clutched my resume, took a seat, and overheard a few of the others chatting nearby.
"Did you hear? The CEO's here today, and he's hand-picking someone for a spot at headquarters."
"Yeah, they bring in a few of the top candidates each year, but it's always super competitive."
"Oh, that makes sense..."
I didn't pay much attention; my focus was on this R&D role. I'd done all my homework on the department, not on the CEO or headquarters.
Half an hour later, the interviews officially began. A man who appeared to be an assistant began calling candidates in for their interviews.
I felt a bit nervous – this was my first formal interview since stepping into the professional world.
My turn came.
Holding my resume, I followed the assistant into the conference room.
Seeing the man seated in the center, exuding authority, I froze in my tracks.
"Mia Nash."
His deep, resonant voice made my heart skip a beat.
Prompted by the other interviewers, I sat across from him and began the self-introduction I'd prepared.
As I spoke, my gaze rested on the other interviewers, but I could still feel that intense, playful stare fixed on me.
That scoundrel.
No wonder he sent me that message last night.
After my introduction, the other interviewers asked me several technical questions.
I answered each one confidently.
Since I had entered the room, the man in the center had only spoken my name and said nothing else. He simply sat back in his large chair, a casual smile playing on his lips, his slightly bent fingers tapping the table rhythmically. Under his palm was the photo I'd attached to my resume.
I felt my ears burning.
This was pure torture.
Having been around him for nearly half a year, I knew that whenever he smiled like that, it usually didn't end well for me.
3
The room was filled with a tense silence.
With Jerold Roberts keeping quiet, none of the other interviewers dared to make a decision, their eyes darting between him and me.
This was Jerold's doing, of course.
That petty man – if anyone had a right to be upset, it should've been me.
He knew I was coming to interview at Infinite Technologies, yet I had no idea he was the CEO.
Fine.
Straightening my back, I met his gaze directly, refusing to be the one who looked away first.
Jerold's mouth curved into a slight smile. Then, abruptly, he stood up. The other interviewers quickly followed suit as he walked toward the door, his voice floating back as he left. "She's hired. Have her report to headquarters tomorrow."
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."