For a moment, Basil didn’t respond to what Alyssa said. She had been so eager to join JK Group. He knew how hard she had worked for it, and now finally her dream came true.

The ones who had a dream deserved respect. Yet those who were determined to strive for their dream were awe-inspiring. They were bound to succeed.

"To be his secretary?"

Basil finally spoke. There was a trace of coldness in his voice. Despite the fact that she couldn’t see him, Alyssa could sense the change of his tone.

She was worried. Basil was careful and sensitive.

"Relax. It’s just a job."

However, Basil wasn’t relieved so easily. In fact, he had been worried ever since the day she had told him that she planned to join JK Group.

Basil and Alyssa were alumni. They had started dating when Alyssa was a senior in high school and Basil was in freshman year in university. Back then, Basil's childhood playmate Desmond Deng had forwarded a set of pictures of Alyssa to Basil. Looking at the pictures of various styles, Basil had been attracted.

So he had asked Desmond for Alyssa's WeChat account and talked to her every day after that. As a smart girl, Alyssa sensed how Basil felt about her.

On the day when she had taken the university entrance exam, the minute she stepped out of the examination hall, a bouquet of red roses was presented to her. The fragrance filled her nostrils, and the romance made her heart flutter.

That was how their relationship started.

"After work I’ll come over to pick you up. Let’s celebrate."

"Yay, I’ll be waiting for you."

Alyssa hung up cheerfully. Now that she had joined JK Group, her career began. Moreover, her relationship with Basil was going well. Her parents were both in good shape. Her life was peaceful.

She was very contented with her life, feeling hopeful. There was a bright future waiting for her.

A few minutes before she was off the clock, she got Basil's call. Once her work was done, she left her desk. Downstairs, in front of JK Group’s office building, Basil leaned against his car, gazing at the magnificent structure with a complicated look in his eyes. He and Aaron saw each other a lot in business. Other companies often lost the bids when JK Group bid against them.

Aaron was harsh to his employees as well as to himself. It was because of his high standards that made him rise in business in a matter of a few years. JK Group had a tendency to become the flagship of the industry.

He was shrewd and deep. The means he used to deal with his enemies were terrifying.

Seeing Basil, Alyssa waved at him at a distance. In a neat suit, she scampered to him like a little girl and hugged him happily.

Basil embraced her with a big smile. She was his treasure, too precious to scold. Her wishes were his purposes. He would do everything to make her happy.

After a moment, Alyssa realized that they were still at the entrance of the office building, and that her co-workers might see them hugging, so she broke away from Basil’s embrace and settled in the passenger seat.

As the new addition to the company, she felt it wise to be discreet.

Basil took her to a seafood buffet. It was in the evening rush hour. The traffic was terrible, but Alyssa wasn’t annoyed at all. She lowered the car window to let the cool, refreshing breeze in.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Felicity Hao, whom she hadn’t seen for a while. "Hi, Felicity, what's up?" she asked.

"Alyssa, can...can you come over? I...need help." Felicity sounded tipsy and inarticulate, but she tried her best to make her point.

Alyssa got a feeling that Felicity was talking in a hushed voice and she seemed scared. She’s always busy. Why is she calling me all of a sudden?

It must be something important.

"Where are you?" Alyssa asked.

"I’m in Emperor Hotel. Our crew is having a party."

"Okay. I'm on my way."

After hanging up, Alyssa looked at Basil and said, "I’m sorry, but it seems we have to have the buffet some other day. Felicity needs my help. Let's go to Emperor Hotel."