Chapter 213

Mina clasped her hands together in a prayer position, biting her lip in an exaggerated display of contrition. “I’m so sorry, ma’am!” she pleaded, batting her mascara-coated eyelashes. “I was totally wrong—please don’t be mad! You’re gorgeous and obviously super kind-hearted. You wouldn’t hold this against little old me, right?”

She cranked up the charm to maximum, desperate to save her job. “I really need this position. Please don’t get me fired! Pretty please?”

Just then, the CEO’s private elevator announced its arrival with a soft “ding.” Asher stepped out, followed closely by Matt. Matt shot his cousin a withering look: You absolute moron! You can’t stop the people who should be stopped, but you block the ONE person who matters?

Mina fired back with her own silent retort: How the hell was I supposed to know she’s the CEO’s wife when I’ve never seen her before? This is YOUR fault for not giving me a heads-up!

In those few seconds of silent family warfare, Asher had already reached Thalia’s side. “Lia,” he said, his voice noticeably softer than his usual businesslike tone. “What brings you here today?”

Mina watched the interaction with her jaw practically on the floor. Was this really the same CEO who typically walked around with a permanent ice sculpture for a face? In her three months at Blackwood Group, she had never—not once—seen him speak to anyone with such warmth! With this behavior, who wouldn’t assume they were married?

Thalia handed Asher the document folder with businesslike efficiency. “These need the legal representative’s signature and company seal.”

“Of course.” Asher took the folder and passed it to Matt without taking his eyes off Thalia. “Have you eaten?” he asked, his tone casual but his eyes intent.

Thalia nodded. “Yes. Please get those signed and stamped first. I need to take them with me when I leave.”

“No rush,” Asher said, his gaze never leaving her face, his eyes as soft as spring water. “Come up for some tea?”

“No, thanks.” Thalia glanced at her watch. “I have other appointments.”

Mina didn’t miss the flash of disappointment that crossed the CEO’s face. Holy crap. The ice king actually has feelings? And he seems almost…humble? Mina’s gaze bounced between Asher and Thalia like a tennis ball, her tongue pressed against her cheek as she shamelessly absorbed every detail of the unfolding drama.

Matt shot her a warning glance: Stop staring! Focus on your job if you want to keep it! Mina quirked her mouth in response, her eyes saying: This is the show of the century!

“Matt, take these to Martin for signature and seal,” Asher instructed.

“Right away, sir,” Matt replied.

Since Thalia didn’t want to go upstairs, she waited in the lobby. Asher stayed with her. The lobby had a waiting area with a coffee table surrounded by one long sofa and two armchairs. Thalia sat in one of the armchairs to wait. Asher took a seat on the long sofa, positioning himself as close to Thalia as possible. Though they weren’t on the same piece of furniture, they were still very near each other.

Mina seized the opportunity, quickly preparing a cup of tea and bringing it over with an eager smile. “Tea for the CEO’s wife!”

Asher looked pleased with her initiative, approval flashing in his eyes. Thalia, however, frowned and smiled resignedly. “I told you, I’m not.”

“You will be,” Asher said softly. “The position of CEO’s wife is reserved only for you.”

Thalia knew there was no point arguing with Asher about this, so she changed the subject. “What’s your name?” she asked Mina.

Mina’s heart skipped a beat. Oh god, is she going to get me fired after all? She pressed her lips together nervously, looking up at Thalia with trepidation. “Mina,” she answered, her voice barely audible.

“You’re quite amusing,” Thalia said with a smile.

When Mina heard that the so-called “CEO’s wife” wasn’t scolding her but actually complimenting her, her anxiety vanished instantly. Her face broke into a wide smile. “Hehe, so you won’t fire me?”

Thalia laughed. “Why would I fire you? You don’t even work for me.”

Mina glanced at Asher. “Lia,” Asher said, “she blocked you from entering. If you want her gone, I’ll fire her immediately.”

Mina: ?! So I’m still getting fired after all?

“When did I ever say I wanted her fired?” Thalia gave Asher a sidelong glance. “I didn’t have an appointment, so she was right to stop me. She was just doing her job responsibly. Good employees like that are hard to find—don’t be so quick to fire people.”

Asher’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “All right,” he agreed softly.

Mina let out a breath of relief, her heart finally returning to its normal position from where it had been lodged in her throat.

Asher sat beside Thalia, occasionally trying to start a conversation. “There’s a new Japanese restaurant in West District. Would you like to try it sometime?”

“No thanks, I’m very busy lately.”

“Even busy people need to eat.”

“West District is too far. It would waste too much time going back and forth.”

“I see.” Asher thought for a moment, then tried again. “How about going to Cloud Mountain hot springs this weekend? My friend just opened a new resort there.”

Thalia’s expression remained cool. “I have to meet a client in Harbor City this weekend.”

“I understand.”

Twenty minutes passed. Matt still hadn’t returned.

Thalia checked her watch. “What’s taking him so long?”

Asher had no choice but to call and check. Matt came down quickly after that. He handed the signed and sealed documents to Thalia. “I’m sorry for the wait, Ms. Winters. Mr. Clarke was held up with something.”

Upstairs, Martin Clarke sneezed suddenly. Martin: ? In truth, Martin had signed and sealed the documents quickly. It was Matt who deliberately delayed, leisurely drinking tea upstairs instead of coming back down. Having been Asher’s assistant for years, Matt knew exactly what he was doing. The CEO and Ms. Winters were having some alone time downstairs. Every minute he came down early was a minute less they could spend together. He wasn’t stupid enough to rush back and face Asher’s displeasure. Matt sat in his office, sipping tea and playing with his phone. Only when Asher called to hurry him did he finally pick up the document folder and stroll unhurriedly downstairs.

Thalia took the documents, opened them to check, and nodded when she found everything in order. “Everything looks good. I’ll be going now.”

“Lia, let me drive you,” Asher offered.

Thalia’s refusal was swift and decisive: “No need. Wendy is waiting for me in the car.”

“All right.” Thalia left. Asher watched her retreating figure until she disappeared from view. Mina observed the whole scene, shaking her head with a knowing “tsk tsk.” Looking at the CEO’s behavior, it seemed like he was pursuing his wife. No wonder Ms. Winters said she wasn’t the CEO’s wife. The CEO hadn’t won her over yet.

Upstairs, Lucia had been waiting in the 27th-floor reception room for nearly forty minutes. She had called Asher twice, but he hadn’t answered either call. Growing impatient, Lucia left the reception room and walked to the executive secretaries’ office. The secretarial office had four workstations, all occupied by men in identical gray suits. Some were typing rapidly at their computers, others were on phone calls.

Lucia approached one of the secretaries, tapping on his desk. “Is Mr. Blackwood still in a meeting?”

The secretary paused, glancing up at her. “No, he finished his meeting half an hour ago.”

Lucia frowned. “Then where is he? I’ve been waiting for over forty minutes and haven’t seen him.”

The secretary shrugged. “I don’t know.”