Back at Vels Mansion, the morning light poured through the wide arched windows, scattering gold across the marble floors. The mansion, elegant and serene, seemed to breathe luxury ,fresh lilies scented the halls, and the faint sounds of polished cutlery echoed from the dining room.
Scarlett descended the stairs, her soft perfume lingering in the air. She was a picture of refined beauty, dressed in a pearl-white silk blouse neatly tucked into a high-waisted black pencil skirt that hugged her curves effortlessly. Her heels were Louboutins, crimson beneath, and her diamond-studded earrings caught the light whenever she turned her head. Her designer handbag swung lightly in her grip—everything about her screamed wealth, confidence, and grace.
As she moved, the household staff paused briefly, offering their greetings with admiration.
"Good morning, Miss Scarlett," one of the housemaids said, bowing slightly. "You look stunning today."
Scarlett gave a small nod, her crimson lips curving faintly. "Thank you, Clara. Tell Mother I'll be out for a while."
"Yes, Miss Scarlett," Clara replied, hurrying off toward the living room where Amelia, her mother, was already seated, sipping tea.
Amelia lifted her eyes from a stack of magazines and smiled. "Going somewhere, dear?"
"VELS Corporation," Scarlett replied smoothly, fastening the buttons on her blazer. "I'm dropping by to surprise Andrew. It's been days since he's shown up here."
Her mother sighed, setting down her cup. "That boy works too much. If he doesn't learn to rest, he'll wear himself out. Tell him his mother misses him."
"I'll make sure he gets the message," Scarlett said with a light laugh, then turned gracefully and made her way toward the front entrance.
Moments later, her sleek black BMW pulled out of the mansion gates, the morning sun glinting off the windshield.
.........
At VELS Corporation, the towering glass building stood tall, the sun glinting off its mirrored surface. Inside, the air buzzed with quiet energy , footsteps echoing on marble floors, employees shuffling through stacks of documents, and the low hum of conversations that stopped the moment a superior passed by.
Selina Whyte had just returned from a brief errand, clutching a few documents to deliver to the CEO's office. Her pace was quick, her head slightly lowered she didn't want to attract unnecessary attention. It was her first official day as Andrew Vele's secretary, and already the pressure was suffocating.
As she approached the office door, it swung open. Standing before her was a woman so strikingly beautiful that Selina momentarily forgot to breathe.
The woman's hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, her eyes gleaming with confidence, her clothes a masterful blend of elegance and luxury. Scarlett.
For a heartbeat, Selina froze, her thoughts tumbling. Who is she? Is she… his girlfriend?
The woman tilted her head slightly, arching one perfectly shaped brow. "And who might you be?" she asked, her voice calm yet commanding.
Selina blinked, snapping out of her daze. "I should ask you the same," she said, though her voice came out more defensive than intended.
Scarlett's lips twitched in amusement. "Interesting. You're quite bold for a secretary."
The title stung slightly, but Selina straightened her back. "I'm Mr. Vele's secretary, yes. And you are?"
Scarlett leaned against the doorway, clearly enjoying this exchange. "Oh, me? Let's just say I'm someone… important to him."
Selina's heart skipped. "Important?" she repeated quietly. Her eyes flickered toward the office, then back to Scarlett. So, she's really his girlfriend? Of course she is, she thought bitterly. A man like Andrew Vele could have any woman he wants.
Scarlett, catching the flicker of emotion in Selina's eyes, hid a sly smile. She wasn't about to reveal she was Andrew's younger sister — not yet. There was something oddly entertaining about this misunderstanding.
"Well," Scarlett said at last, brushing a strand of hair from her shoulder, "I should probably wait for him in his office. Or… maybe you'd like to tell me where he is?"
Selina hesitated. "Mr. Vele stepped out for a meeting at Lang Corporation," she said politely, her voice carefully neutral. "He'll be back soon."
Scarlett nodded slowly, her sharp eyes scanning Selina's face, her attire, even the nervous way she held the folder. She could see the sincerity and nervousness written all over her. "You're new here, aren't you?"
"Yes, ma'am," Selina replied.
"Well," Scarlett said with a faint smirk, "you might want to relax a little. My brother—" She stopped herself just in time, replacing the word quickly, "—Mr. Vele, doesn't like people who tremble in front of him."
Selina blinked, confused for a moment. "Right. I'll… I'll keep that in mind."
Scarlett laughed softly. "Good. I like you already." She glanced at her wristwatch and turned. "I'll come back later. I have other things to attend to."
As she walked away, the faint click of her heels echoed down the corridor, leaving Selina standing in the doorway, her heart still racing.
Important to him… She said that so casually, Selina thought, pressing her lips together. She must be his girlfriend. The way she carries herself ,her confidence, everything about her screams that she belongs in his world. But me? I'm just… me.
She sighed, adjusting the documents in her hand before stepping back into the office.
.........
Meanwhile, at Lang Corporation, Andrew Vele and his assistant Aiden entered the boardroom, the air thick with formality and expectation. The CEO of Lang Corporation, Ivan Lang, stood to greet them.
"I must say, Mr. Vele," Ivan said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "you've built quite a reputation for efficiency. I admire that."
Andrew gave a polite nod, taking his seat. "Efficiency is a habit, not a reputation, Mr. Lang. I prefer results over words."
Ivan chuckled softly. "Direct as always. That's what makes working with you interesting."
Aiden silently handed Andrew the file containing the proposal documents. The meeting went on for over an hour — contracts reviewed, clauses discussed, and deadlines negotiated. Finally, Ivan rose to shake hands.
"I believe we have an understanding," Ivan said.
Andrew nodded. "We do. My team will begin coordination immediately."
As they exited the conference room, Aiden handed Andrew his phone. "Sir, Gabrielle texted. He said he'll be back in town this evening and would like to meet you."
Andrew gave a short nod. "Tell him we'll meet at Café Noir at seven. Make sure it's private."
"Yes, sir."
Andrew stepped into the waiting elevator, his reflection mirrored in the polished glass. But his thoughts weren't on business. For some reason, the image of Selina , her anxious eyes, her trembling hands — flickered in his mind again.
He clenched his jaw slightly, trying to shake it off. Why do I even care? She's just a secretary. That's all.
Yet, for reasons he couldn't explain, the thought of her nervous voice lingered long after the elevator doors closed.