CHAPTER 1: CHAPTER 1: IS YOUR BOSS HERE?

The early autumn rain pitter-pattered, still lingering with the heat of summer, both muggy and damp. Nina just stepped out of the library when she received a call from home.

Friday, a blind date with the son of the Thorne Family.

Nina was spoiled since childhood, cherished like something so precious it might melt in the palm of the hand. She was so pampered that no rich kid in Astra City dared to provoke her lightly. She didn’t want to disappoint her parents’ love, so she diligently played the role of the obedient little princess, aligning with their wishes in everything.

But to be honest, she never had to do anything she didn’t want to do.

This call from her dad was unusually firm, hanging up before she even had a chance to act spoiled. Knowing her father wouldn’t treat her this way, Nina suspected it was James Vaughn’s doing.

So, the eldest daughter of the Vaughn Family directly took a taxi to the Vaughn Group building.

Nina rarely visited the company, so the receptionist didn’t recognize her. She had very beautiful eyes, almond-shaped, dark and bright, looking at people as if they could speak. Although her emotions were not clear, they always made people feel she was pitiful.

Even though she was unhappy now, with a cold face, the receptionist found this young lady so endearing she couldn’t help but soften her voice.

"Miss, do you have an appointment?"

Nina lightly tapped the desk with her fingers, a gesture she did every time she tried to suppress her irritation.

"I’m here to see your president."

Nina’s tone was not very pleasant, with a hint of coldness in her eyes that stunned the receptionist for a moment.

"Miss..."

Out of patience, Nina was about to take out her phone to call James Vaughn when the president’s assistant walked in. Seeing Nina, he was taken aback.

"Miss Vaughn, what brings you here?"

Nina glanced at him without speaking, slightly lifting her chin to signal him to lead the way. The assistant quickly bent down and gestured for Nina to enter the private elevator, knowing well who the eldest daughter of the Vaughn Family was.

Someone held in the palm of their hand cannot be neglected in the slightest.

Just reaching the office door, they saw James Vaughn accompanied by several managers coming out of the meeting room. Seeing Nina, James wasn’t surprised at all and handed the documents to the assistant, raising an eyebrow to personally open the door for Nina.

"Came over so quickly?"

Nina was silent. Once inside the office, the moment James closed the door, she used her core strength and directly kicked forward. James swiftly dodged Nina’s attack, raising an eyebrow.

"Angry?"

James brushed off his clothes, looking at Nina’s pursed lips with a doting smile, reached out, and ruffled her hair.

Nina didn’t plan to continue attacking. She learned karate from James, and seriously, she couldn’t even touch him.

She unceremoniously swatted his hand away.

"I want a reason."

Despite her anger, what needed to be thought through had already been figured out on the way here. The family wouldn’t suddenly arrange a blind date for her without any prior notice.

On the table were fruits and milk, prepared by James in advance knowing Nina would come.

Handing the milk to Nina, James finally sat down.

"You’re almost 24; it’s time you considered the important matters of marriage."

Nina snorted coldly, as if hearing a joke.

"How come you turned into an old stick-in-the-mud after turning 30? Surprised your wife hasn’t kicked you yet?"

James was the only one in the family who truly understood Nina’s character. She excelled at using her appearance to deceive others, with their parents and even the family fool thinking she was obedient, gentle, and sensible. Yet, in reality, she was proud and stubborn. It was fine in school, but in society, this character could lead to setbacks.

In the Vaughn Group, James could protect her, but he didn’t think Nina would obediently join the family business. That’s why when he learned their parents were arranging a suitor for Nina, he didn’t stop them and even recommended the son of the Thorne Family.

He had met Zane Thorne once in Altara and heard some things about him. Among the single men in their circle, Zane was the only one capable of handling Nina’s character.

"Nina, being a daughter of the Vaughn Family, you should know that the person you choose must be within your circle."

Nina fell silent.

Indeed, at 24, children in their circle should be considering the significant events of marriage. The lack of any activity in the past two years was merely because she was still studying. Now, in her final year of her master’s program, what’s meant to come must come.

Still caring for his sister, James took out a manila envelope and handed it to Nina.

"Zane was once a racecar driver, and now he runs a racing club. Didn’t you always tell me that men nowadays are boring? Isn’t it embarrassing to be 24 and have never had a proper relationship? Trust your brother, he’s different from the people you know."

Nina furrowed her brows, drinking her milk in silence, thinking the idea of dating was amusing.

Those men all shouted love at first sight, spun sweet words like they were bound to fall for her for life, yet before she showed any effort, they realized she wasn’t as easy to deceive as she appeared and ran faster than anyone else.

Boring.

Finishing the glass of milk, Nina finally took the manila envelope.

In those few pages of information, Nina caught a familiar string of words.

Zane Thorne, rally race champion six years ago....

That year she was a senior in high school, and her best friend Phoebe Quinn was particularly obsessed with racing at the time. They skipped an exam to watch a rally race.

Nina squinted her eyes slightly, a vague shadow flashing through her mind.

....

At 9 PM, darkness had completely set in, but in Astra City, night was the main theme, bright as day.

Nina wore a white knee-length dress, delicate small heels, her hair casually draped over her shoulders. The fine drizzle soaked her bangs, sticking messily yet harmoniously to her face, with tiny droplets clinging to her eyelashes. She looked slightly slender standing by the roadside, like a small white flower about to be shattered by wind and rain.

Looking up at the bar sign in front of her.

Single word: Mountain.

This street was the busiest and most glamorous part of Astra City at night, filled with countless bars and entertainment venues, and had seen many astonishing friction incidents, a charming yet dangerous existence.

Compared to those other slightly tacky bars, just the name of this bar made it unique.

This was Nina’s second visit; she hadn’t expected that her favorite unique bar was run by the Thorne Family.

Nina casually brushed off the raindrops from her dress, placed the unopened umbrella aside, and from the mirrored door caught sight of her reflection. Pausing, she took tissue from her bag to wipe her bangs, satisfied with the broken, fragile look that emerged.

She never forced herself into anything, and with several days until Friday, she wanted to see what kind of person could make James take notice.

Nina’s outfit and proper young lady demeanor were out of place in the bar. Luckily, the staff were professional enough not to scrutinize her, which pleased Nina greatly.

Sitting at the bar, the bartender had a free moment. Nina reasonably used her appearance to strike up a conversation with the bartender.

The bartender handed her a drink.

"This drink has a sweet-tart taste, not too strong, perfect for a girl like you."

Smiling, Nina took a sip, indeed feeling the cool, sweet-tart taste with a minty aromatic sting, pleasantly mild.

She praised it, then gestured for the bartender to lean closer.

The bartender couldn’t resist Nina’s gaze and leaned in.

Nina chuckled softly and asked,

"Is your boss around?"