The weather turned on a dime. It had been sweltering that morning, but by noon, dark clouds rolled in, threatening a torrential downpour.
The drainage system on the west side of the city was severely outdated. Whenever
it rained, the streets flooded, soaking through everyone's shoes.
Claire and Dane drove at a crawl, catching snippets of complaints from the pedestrians outside.
It was obvious that not everyone was opposed to the redevelopment. Some residents were clearly fed up with the failing infrastructure and were desperate for someone to step in and change things.
If the redevelopment was going to succeed, these were the people to win over first.
With the heavy rain persisting into the afternoon, they rarely had the chance to step out of the car.
Claire took the wheel on the way back. She noticed Dane was lost in thought and didn't want to disrupt his focus, so she offered to drive him straight to the hotel.
The moment they arrived at the lobby, a group of sharp-suited elites hurried forward to greet them.
"Mr. Green."
Dane offered them a curt nod.
Claire realized that the survey team from Vertex International had finally touched down.
Knowing Dane was about to be tied up with work, she decided to leave the car for him and head to the hospital to see if her aunt needed any help.
"It's getting late," Dane said, stopping her. "I'll run a quick meeting, and then we'll grab dinner. Afterward, I'll go with you to pick up some takeout for the hospital."
Claire had fully intended to just grab something quick near the hospital on her own. She hadn't expected him to be so considerate.
"Alright," she agreed. "I'll take a walk around the area while you finish up?"
"Sounds good." Dane reached out and gently brushed a hand through her hair. "Don't wander too far. I'll call you."
A flush of heat crept up Claire's neck at the intimate gesture, and she quickly stepped away.
He had just done that in front of his entire executive team. What was he thinking?
Sure enough, the moment Claire was out of earshot, the elites exchanged wide- eyed glances, furious whispers breaking out among them.
"Who is that girl?" one woman hissed. "I've never seen Mr. Green look at anyone like that."
"Maybe she's his sister," a male colleague suggested.
"What sister? He's an only child," another shot back. "With a face like that, she's definitely his girlfriend."
"If she is, half the corporate office is going to be heartbroken."
Dane was devastatingly handsome. Countless employees had fantasized about catching his eye, hoping for even a fleeting romance.
But none had ever succeeded.
He maintained a strictly professional, icy boundary with
Por in the company,
every
completely shutting down any
potential rumors.
Because he was completely unattainable, the women of Vertex International had
placed him on an untouchable pedestal.
There was peace in the fact that he belonged to no one.
But the moment he was taken, a
bet
wave of collective devastation swept as if they
through the ranks
at
all
just been simultaneously doned.
During the briefing, one of the bolder senior executives finally
the courage
to ask Mr orked you"
Green Was
that young woman your girlfriend?"
The woman asking was a corporate veteran and a staunch opponent of marriage,
so her curiosity was purely platonic.
Knowing she was just being nosy, Dane didn't take offense. "She's my fiancée," he replied coolly.
Though his tone was casual, the underlying edge of fierce protectiveness and affection was impossible to miss.
The executive practically choked on her own spit. None of them had ever imagined their ruthless boss could sound so tender.
This was definitely not some sterile corporate arrangement!
He was completely hooked on her; it was written all over his face.
The rest of the room was equally stunned.
He had dropped the bombshell so effortlessly. How had word of his engagement
never leaked at headquarters? Was it a secret?