The weekday morning buzz returned with the usual chatter in the office, but something felt off. Sophie noticed it the moment she stepped in the office. The atmosphere was stiff, and her colleagues whispered in corners, but all eyes occasionally darted toward the department manager's room.
Vivian wasn't in a good mood.
She entered the office with her heels clicking sharply across the floor and a scowl firmly in place. No morning greetings. Just icy silence. Sophie slid into her seat quietly.
May popped over with a hushed whisper. "Did you hear?"
Sophie blinked. "Hear what?"
May leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with gossip. "Word is… the CEO's already married. Vivian's been in a foul mood ever since. Guess she finally realized she's not the one."
Sophie blinked, feigning surprise. "Oh?"
"Mmhmm," May nodded. "Apparently he kept it low-key. No one knows who she is yet."
Sophie's heart skipped. She tried to act natural, but her fingers clenched slightly over her mouse. What would happen when they found out the truth—that she was Mrs. Yan? Especially with the wedding coming in two months.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Vivian appeared at her desk, her face unreadable. "Sophie, bring this to the CEO's office for endorsement," she said coldly, placing a folder down without a glance.
Sophie nodded quickly. "Yes, Ms. Xia."
She stepped into the elevator with the folder in hand, heading straight to the top floor—a place most employees only imagined seeing. As the doors slid open, the atmosphere shifted. It was quieter. Cooler. Everything felt sleek and untouched, like another world entirely. The usual office noise was gone, replaced by a calm stillness that made Sophie instinctively soften her steps, not wanting to break the silence.
At the end of the corridor, Sophie spotted a sleek, dark wood desk outside the CEO's office. Seated behind it was a poised woman in a fitted navy blouse and pencil skirt, her hair neatly styled and nails perfectly done.
The secretary looked up at Sophie with a raised brow—polite, but distant.
"Document for Mr. Yan to endorse," she passed the folder to the secretary with a polite smile.
Just then, the door to Leonard's office opened, and a few managers stepped out, quietly exchanging farewells. Sophie caught a brief look inside. Leonard was at his desk, sleeves rolled up, eyes locked on the documents in front of him with unwavering focus. Her heart skipped a beat. There was something undeniably captivating about him like this—composed, confident, completely in command.
When Sophie turned to leave, she collided with a colleague holding a hot drink.
The hot liquid splashed onto her forearm and soaked part of her blouse, burning her skin and darkening the fabric with a sharp sizzle.
"Ah!" Sophie winced, the burning sensation making her drop the file.
"I'm so sorry!" the staff gasped, scrambling to help. Sophie winced, clutching her arm, pain blooming beneath her skin.
Before anyone else could react, the door to the CEO's office slammed open. Leonard appeared instantly. "Sophie?"
He was across the room in seconds. The moment he saw her reddened skin and the grimace on her face, his jaw tightened. Without hesitation, he took her uninjured hand and gently guided her down to the pantry. He turned on the tap and guided her arm under cool running water, his fingers cradling her wrist protectively.
"Leonard, I'm okay—really," she murmured, trying to avoid his eyes as heat rushed to her cheeks.
He didn't reply. Instead, he opened the pantry door, flipped on the tap, and eased her arm beneath the stream of cool water, his touch firm but tender as he cradled her wrist. The water hissed against her skin, sending a shiver through her.
"You should've been more careful," he said softly, but his tone lacked reproach. It was low, controlled—but laced with worry. His gaze flicked to her face. "Does it hurt a lot?"
Sophie shook her head slightly, trying to downplay it. "It's just a little sting. You don't have to fuss."
Leonard's brows drew together, his voice quiet but insistent. "You're not just anyone here, Sophie. You're my wife."
She looked up then—and saw it in his eyes. The guilt. The protectiveness. The way his thumb brushed lightly against her wrist as if to soothe both her skin and his own anger at not getting there faster.
But Sophie, still conscious of her surroundings, glanced nervously toward the hallway. "I need to go," she said softly. "I don't want anyone to see us like this."
Leonard's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. "So you're hiding from me now?"
"It's not that…" she whispered, stepping back and drying her arm quickly.
Leonard didn't say anything, but the frown on his face said enough. He hated that she felt the need to stay away from him, and even more so that she was leaving so quickly.
When Sophie returned to her desk, her colleague May immediately noticed the damp patch on her blouse and the slight redness on her arm.
"Oh no, what happened?" May asked, concerned. "You look like you've been splashed."
Sophie forced a small smile. "Just an accident. I bumped into someone with coffee."
May frowned sympathetically. "You need a change of clothes. That looks uncomfortable."
"I'll get a spare top during lunch," Sophie replied calmly, though her mind was still replaying the way Leonard had looked at her.
Half an hour later, a delivery staff appeared beside her desk, holding a small shopping bag.
"For Ms. Lin," he said politely before walking off.
Surprised, Sophie opened the bag and found a soft, elegant blouse in her size—neatly folded with the tag still attached. Her lips curved into a warm smile. Only one person would've thought of this.
She quickly pulled out her phone and texted him.
Sophie: Thank you for the shirt. That was really sweet of you.
Leonard: My heart broke when you rushed off like that.
Sophie: I'm sorry… I didn't want anyone to see us together.
Leonard: You're my wife. Soon, everyone will know you're Mrs. Yan. And right now, I'm really not happy.
Sophie: Then what can I do to make you happy again?
Leonard: Come see me during lunch. I need to recharge.
Sophie's cheeks flushed slightly as she read his last message.
Sophie waited until most of the staff left for lunch before slipping quietly back into the elevator. Her heart raced as she reached the top floor. She knocked gently.
"Come in," Leonard's voice called.
She stepped inside, and the moment their eyes met, the tension melted. Leonard rose from his chair, pulled her in by the wrist, and guided her onto his lap. Sophie's cheeks flushed as she sat atop his thighs, her arms instinctively circling his neck.
"You're late," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear.
"I had to make sure no one saw me," she replied breathlessly.
Leonard leaned in, his mouth capturing hers in a deep, slow kiss. His tongue slid past her lips, coaxing hers to move with him until she was breathless. They kissed for a while, lost in each other, the world outside forgotten. Sophie melted against him, her fingers gripping his shoulder as his arms locked tightly around her waist, holding her like he couldn't bear to let go.
"I ordered lunch for you," Leonard said, finally pulling away, his voice a low murmur against her ear. He handed her a sleek black bag embossed with the logo of her favorite Japanese restaurant. "Bento. Your favorite."
Sophie's eyes lit up as she peeked inside. "Thank you," she said, her smile bright, cheeks still warm from the kiss.
But before she could turn to leave, Leonard caught her hand again, his fingers lacing through hers. He leaned in and brushed a soft kiss against her cheek, his voice teasing, yet laced with longing. "Go before I decide to keep you here for the rest of the day."
Blushing, Sophie slipped out of his office, her heart fluttering. She returned to her desk, the bento warm in her hands, and carefully opened it. Inside were all her favorites—teriyaki salmon, tamago, pickled vegetables, and even a small strawberry mochi tucked in the corner. Her lips curved into a quiet, contented smile. He remembered everything.