Chapter 5

• Selina’s POV
• He fell silent for a few seconds, those few seconds feeling like a century.
• Finally, he spoke, but his voice did not have any emotion. "That’s enough."
• He stood up, his gaze turned over the others casually. "Selina is qualified. The rest can leave."
• He didn’t look at anyone else, not even the pale-faced Fiona, and walked straight out of the meeting room.
• Lisa quickly shot me a look, "Hurry up! You’re his chief secretary now."
• I followed closely behind his tall and stern figure, chasing him into the exclusive elevator to the CEO’s office on the top floor.
• As the elevator doors closed, it was just the two of us in the small space. His presence pressed down instantly, suffocating me.
• He didn't press any floor buttons; the elevator stayed still.
• Maddox turned around, his tall figure completely enveloping me in his shadow.
• "Selina, how did you know how I would answer?" He leaned in closer, his deep gaze scrutinizing me like a searchlight, carrying an unfamiliar edge of inquiry and... a trace of sharpness as if he was inquiring into me. "Since when have you known me so well?"
• My breath caught, my wrist suddenly seized in his grip!
• His fingers were long and powerful, with an unyielding grip, tightly holding onto my wrist bone as if imprisoning a thief trying to peek into his heart.
• "Answer me." His voice dropped low, magnetic yet dangerous.
• I forced myself to stay calm, trembling as I typed with my free hand, the phone screen reflecting my pale face: All high-ranking men use this pressure tactic in negotiations, not just you.
• I saw him staring at the screen intently, the hint of inquiry in his eyes seemed to sink, replaced by a... cold disappointment?
• Disappointment?
• Anger instantly enveloped me. What was he disappointed about? Was he disappointed that this "mute tool" had seen through his usual tricks? Did he think the whole world should revolve around him?
• Knowing him so well was no longer a blessing to me; it was an insult!
• I struggled to break free from his grasp, frantically pressing the elevator's door open button.
• The doors finally slid apart.
• Bright light spilled in, revealing Clara’s face, her bright, fake smile in place.
• She had clearly dressed up on purpose, wearing a sexy casual outfit that showed off every curve.
• "Maddox? I've been waiting for you..."
• I slipped past the narrow gap between him and Clara in a sorry state, head lowered, and hurried out.
• The place on my wrist where he had grabbed me still seemed to retain a scorching heat.
• Walking out of the Torres Building, the evening breeze on my face made me feel alive again.
• I hailed a taxi. When I said "Queen Bar," a long-lost sense of anticipation and unease stirred inside me.
• This should be my life. I should not be trapped between two points, as that infamous yet insignificant wife.
• When I stepped out of the taxi, I felt sharply that someone was following me. But when I turned, there was nothing.
• Perhaps the habit of wearing a mask for too long had made me too alert.
• Inside Queen Bar, the lights were dim and the music pounded.
• As I walked in, the noise seemed to momentarily subside, with many eyes turning toward me with surprise and curiosity. I saw faces once familiar, now distant.
• "Selina?! Oh my god, it's really you!" A hearty voice rang out, and Willis pushed quickly through the crowd toward me, his expression full of genuine surprise and joy.
• He looked more mature since college, still handsome, yet his eyes remained bright. "This is great! You really came!"
• He naturally gestured with his hands: Long time no see! It's great to see you!
• That simple greeting, in such a noisy place, felt like a warm current flowing through my heart.
• I smiled and responded with hand gestures: Long time no see, Willis.
• "Selina, you're here too?" A slightly drunken voice cut in. It was Lily with whom I didn't get along much in college. Sitting next to her was Fiona, the same Fiona I had "defeated" in the HR department that afternoon.
• Fiona held a glass of wine, and a cold smile appeared on her face as she leaned against the man beside her.
• It was Tommy, the man who had once pursued me, now holding Fiona’s waist, clearly hers.
• Fiona stood up, her high heels clicking against the floor as she strode toward me, the strong stench of alcohol surrounding her.
• "Of course, she has the nerve to show up. She just climbed into the CEO’s chief secretary seat." Her nails, painted blood-red, nearly poked at my nose; her voice was too cold. "Relying on her so-called disability, maybe even using some special means."
• She deliberately elongated the end of "disabled", provoking a burst of laughter around her.
• My face instantly turned pale, my fingers curling into fists under the table.
• Willis’s expression darkened. He stepped in front of me. "Fiona! You’ve had too much to drink! Watch your words!"
• "Did I say something wrong? If I remember right, Selina is already married, isn’t she? If her husband finds out that his mute wife is using her disability to climb the corporate ladder, he'll probably kick her out immediately!"
• The more she spoke, the harsher she became, determined to humiliate me. My calm expression only made her more furious with me.
• "Shut up!" Willis tried to drag her away, but Fiona ignored him. With a sharp flick of her wrist, the red liquid in her glass splashed straight at me.
• Gasps were heard from the crowd.
• I instinctively moved aside, but my shoulder and chest were still drenched, the cold wine soaking quickly into my clothes. It was sticky and a bit cold.
• The deep red wine stain spread on the white shirt, like a mark of shame.
• "Oops, slipped." Fiona pretended to be surprised, looking me up and down in my wet, pitiful state, and smiled. "I’m sure you don’t mind, right? After all, in front of Mr. Torres, you're just a woman who climbed up using her body."
• Willis quickly pulled off his coat and draped it over me, his face tight with worry, ready to take me away from the center of the storm.
• However, Fiona’s words successfully stirred up everyone’s gossip. Curious or malicious gazes turned toward me. "Mr. Torres?! The famous Maddox Torres?"
• "Selina actually cheated on Mr. Torres?!"
• I clenched my sleeves tightly, their mocking stares making me want to reveal my marriage to Maddox. But the truth was, I had long been deprived of the right to make this marriage public.
• Suddenly, a commotion rose at the entrance of the bar.
• A tall figure appeared at the dividing line of light and shadow at the entrance. Maddox Torres.
• He was wearing a perfectly tailored dark suit, no tie, the collar casually open with two buttons, exuding a lazy yet aggressive aura.
• Maddox walked calmly yet with commanding steps, straight toward us.
• A few steps behind him, followed by two expressionless, cold, and hard bodyguards, like silent rocks, instantly cutting off the irrelevant noise.
• The entire booth, and almost the entire bar, fell into an eerie hush.