Chapter 2: CHAPTER TWO

I built him. For three years, I stood by Logan’s side, guiding him, strengthening him, making him untouchable. With my expertise, his company rose from a small firm in Dream City to a national powerhouse. Three years. Three years of fighting battles together, winning wars side by side, building an empire with our own hands. Three years of love. Of passion. Of devotion. And yet, not once has he mentioned marriage. I’ve thought about it lately—how I’ve begun to dream like a foolish girl. Waiting. Hoping. But I keep my promise. I never use hypnosis on him. Not even when I want to know what he truly thinks of me. I understand his caution. Love and suspicion can coexist, especially for a man like him. A man in power trusts no one completely. Not even the woman he shares his bed with. I accepted that when I fell for him. I believed we were solid. And then… she appeared. I wanted to understand. I needed to know who she was, what she meant to him, and how far they had gone. Lily Grant. She wasn’t a heiress. Not a socialite. Not someone powerful or untouchable. Just an ordinary woman making 3,000 yuan a month. How could I possibly lose to her? Three years of loyalty, of battles fought and won together— Could he really throw it all away for a woman he’s only known for a month? — I arrived at his office unannounced. Lily froze. For a moment, she looked like a deer caught in headlights, but she quickly composed herself, shifting into a fragile, delicate act. I knew that look. She was sizing me up. Everyone in the company knew what I was to Logan. The woman at his side. The woman he cherished. And yet, she stayed. Before either of us could speak, Logan entered. His eyes softened the moment he saw me, his voice low and indulgent. “Why did you come?” But his body… He positioned himself in front of her. Shielding her. Protecting her. A pang of something cold and sharp lodged in my chest. He turned to Lily. “You can go now.” She nodded and hurried away. I let her. Because I wasn’t done yet. Not even close. Logan and I locked eyes. Silence stretched between us. Then, I let out a soft, amused laugh and lifted the thermos in my hand. “I brought your favorite ginseng chicken soup. You’ve been so busy lately, barely coming home… so I thought I’d bring some to you.” For a fleeting second, relief flashed in his eyes. He smiled. “Thank you, Olivia. Let’s have some together.” He took my hand, leading me into his office, just like always. Like nothing had changed. I let him. I played my role. Casually, I asked, “That girl earlier… I haven’t seen her before. Is she new?” His hand paused mid-step. But the hesitation was brief. “A new secretary,” he said smoothly, already pouring the soup into a bowl and handing it to me. “Here, you drink first.” I smiled. "Making soup is time-consuming. From now on, let Wang Shu handle it. Don’t tire yourself out.” “It’s fine,” I replied lightly. “I’m just an idle woman now. The company is stable, and you don’t need me as much. I can just focus on being a housewife.” I let out a teasing laugh. “If I don’t lock down your stomach, one day you’ll get tired of me and fall for someone else. What would I do then?” Logan’s grip on his spoon tightened. He set it down, taking my hands in his instead. His gaze locked onto mine. “Olivia… no matter what the future holds, there will only be you by my side.” His voice was steady. His eyes gentle. And I would have believed him. If I hadn’t already heard his true thoughts from Lily. I held his gaze, my voice soft. “Then, Mr. Lu… when will you marry me?” He froze. I saw it. The hesitation. The alarm. He hadn’t expected the question. He let out a slow breath. “Olivia, we’ve come so far together. We’re just one step away from reaching the pinnacle. Once we achieve that, we can have a double happiness.” His voice lowered, almost pleading. “You understand me, don’t you?” I understood him perfectly. Too well. “Even though we’re not married,” he continued, “we live together. I only have you by my side. It’s no different from being husband and wife.” Love makes people blind. Desire makes them foolish. If I hadn’t hypnotized his assistant, if I hadn’t forced the truth out of Lily, I might have believed the sincerity in his voice. I might have waited for him. Like a fool. But I was no fool. I smiled, pulling my hand from his grip, my touch light and affectionate as I patted his fingers. “I understand you best,” I said. “I’m willing to wait.” Logan sighed, relieved. He lifted the spoon and brought it to my lips. “Olivia, you’re understanding and sensible. That’s what I love most about you.” I took the sip he offered, letting the warmth of the soup spread through my chest. But in my mind, my thoughts were already moving. I wanted to know what she was to him. I wanted to know if she was just a passing distraction… Or if he was willing to throw me away for her. And if he was… Then he would lose everything. Including me. Just as I was lost in thought, Logan leaned in. Before I could react, his lips captured mine. Warm. Possessive. Devouring. The lingering taste of ginseng soup melted between us as his tongue slid against mine, coaxing, demanding, taking. His grip on my waist tightened, his breathing deepening. I felt the heat of him, the intensity, the desperate need that always seemed to consume him when he touched me. But this time… I didn’t let myself get lost in it. Because while Logan was trying to make me forget, I was already planning my next move. ________