CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: THE MADAM IS ABOUT TO CATCH THEM IN THE ACT

She walked up to the massive floor-to-ceiling window.

Standing here, she truly understood what it meant to "have a commanding view of all beneath."

Looking beyond the rows of bustling skyscrapers, she could actually see her own apartment building and even her balcony.

That tiny place, filled to the brim with flowers and plants that she had planted herself.

Her heart suddenly felt empty!

She wondered, had Aiden Fordham also stood here countless times, looking in that direction?

Perhaps, in those days when she had no idea, their gazes had crossed from afar like this?

How ridiculous!

She withdrew her gaze, her eyes drifting to the other side of the office.

A massive bookshelf occupied the entire wall, filled with all kinds of hardcover books, most on economics or management, with a few original French editions.

Her gaze slid past the west wall beside the bookshelf. There... seemed to be something different.

She walked closer, and only then did she notice a barely visible seam in the wall.

A hidden door.

As if drawn by some unseen force, she stretched out her hand and gently pushed it.

[Click].

The door swung open at the sound, unlocked.

She poked her head inside for a look.

The space inside was entirely different.

Not a storage room, but a fully equipped small suite.

A large bed made up with dark gray bedding.

There was even a separate washroom.

Was this Aiden Fordham’s private lounge?

The oversized black wardrobe was hung with a row of custom-tailored suits, dress shirts, trousers, and even neckties...

As always, he favored deep hues, never fond of showy colors.

On the open cabinets nearby, dozens of watches, sleeve buttons, and other expensive accessories were neatly displayed—a full collection.

She remembered, a year ago, she had given him a pair of sapphire sleeve buttons, a design of her own, but sadly he’d never worn them.

She opened that small drawer; inside lay a blue velvet box—precisely the pair she had given him.

Brand new, gleaming!

Suddenly, as if inspired, she rifled through her bag...

She nodded in satisfaction, ready to leave.

Suddenly, footsteps and voices sounded outside the office, coming closer and closer.

Steady footsteps mingled with a woman’s playful teasing!

Her heart seized, and almost instinctively, she darted into the hidden door, gently pulling it almost shut, leaving only a hairline gap.

She held her breath, peering out through the sliver.

The office door was pushed open.

Aiden Fordham’s tall figure appeared, beside him, Corinne Kensington was intimately clinging to his arm.

Corinne Kensington wore a beautiful dress; though her face was tinged with paleness, it was more marked by pampered coquettishness.

"Aiden, you promised to pick me up at the hospital yourself, but ended up sending your driver. I was so disappointed."

Corinne Kensington shook Aiden’s arm, her voice syrupy to the point of cloying.

Aiden Fordham’s expression didn’t change, though his tone was gentle enough.

"There was a last-minute international meeting this morning, delayed me. Be good, have a seat for now."

He withdrew his arm and went behind his desk to sit down.

"Then when you’re done, you have to take me to that Japanese place you promised last time."

Corinne followed him, her tone with a willful, irresistible whine.

"Alright," Aiden replied offhandedly, opening his laptop.

"I knew you were the best, Aiden. I promise to be really, really good and not bother you."

Corinne spoke as she tried to snuggle up to him!

Standing here, she felt a genuine sense of being the CEO’s woman.

Just then, [knock, knock] at the door.

Keegan Lindsey walked in, carrying a cup of coffee.

When he saw Aiden Fordham at his desk and Corinne Kensington practically hanging onto him, his heart skipped a beat.

Shit!

Where’s the madam?

Wasn’t the madam still here just now when he left?

Could it be... that, seeing Miss Kensington arrive, she hid?

Keegan’s forehead broke out in a film of sweat.

What a mess!

If, if Miss Kensington and President Fordham were here... madam would be catching them in the act!

Anyway... what a sight for sore eyes!

Would the agreement still be handed over successfully?

No, he had to warn the boss!

Keegan steadied himself, and bracing up, went forward: "President Fordham, your ten o’clock appointment with Miss Grant is almost here."

He deliberately clung to the words "Miss Grant."

Corinne Kensington instantly pouted in displeasure, reaching for the coffee in Keegan’s hand:

"Is this for me? Assistant Lindsey, at least you have some sense."

She shot Keegan a look of triumph, as if the coffee were always meant for her.

Keegan: "..."

This coffee was for the madam!

Corinne took a sip, her features scrunching up, "Why is there no sugar, no milk—how am I supposed to drink this? It’s too bitter!"

Keegan: "..."

Because the madam doesn’t like sugar or milk.

"Miss Kensington, I’ll go get you a fresh cup!"

Aiden Fordham’s gaze shifted from the laptop and swept over Keegan—in that bland look Keegan instantly shut his mouth.

Then Aiden said to Keegan:

"Have someone go down to the dessert shop downstairs, get some macarons and cakes Corinne likes. She hasn’t had breakfast yet."

Completely ignoring Keegan’s earlier reminder about the "ten o’clock meeting" and "Miss Grant."

"You’re the best, Aiden!"

Corinne instantly broke into a radiant smile and promptly leaned over to plant a loud kiss on Aiden’s cheek.

Keegan was basically invisible!

Then, as if no one else were present, she sat herself right on Aiden’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Aiden, the trending topics have all been taken down now, thank you! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know what to do!"

... Keegan’s eyelids twitched, signaling his boss frantically.

President! Madam! The madam might be watching!

Aiden caught Keegan’s signal, but only glanced at him blandly, his tone flat:

"If the guest arrives, bring them directly to Conference Room Three."

Guest.

Not "Miss Grant," but "guest."

The implication was all too clear—Stella Grant didn’t need to come to his office.

Or rather, right now, she wasn’t suited to appear here at all.

Keegan’s heart sank into the abyss.

He understood now.

The boss was clearing the field, or rather, deliberately keeping them apart.

Behind the hidden door, Stella Grant watched all of this, her face expressionless.

’Guest.’

Her fingers gripping the doorframe had turned pale from how tightly she clenched.

So, she was only a "guest" who should be taken to the meeting room.

While that woman could openly sit on his lap, accepting his indulgence and tenderness.

The name she had just signed a moment ago now seemed to scorch her fingertips with its heat, making them go numb.

She looked at the pair outside, locked in their shameless intimacy, at the unconcealed pampering on Aiden’s face that she had never seen before.

Her heart seemed to slowly freeze over—gone was the old longing, replaced only by numb indifference!

Keegan dared say no more, murmured a low "Yes!"

He turned and quickly left the office.

"Ah!"

Corinne Kensington gave a shrill cry—she had accidentally knocked over the coffee, which spilled out and landed squarely on Aiden Fordham’s expensive shirt, quickly staining it a deep splotchy color.

Fright drained the color from her face, her voice on the verge of tears.