After the New Year's holiday had ended, the bustling atmosphere quickly returned, accompanied by the inevitable cold of winter and the hope of a new beginning. On the streets, roads covered in snow or a light winter fog still gleamed with the bright headlights of passing cars. People bundled in thick coats, scarves wrapped tightly around their necks, hurried down street corners with steaming cups of hot coffee in their hands. The sounds of bus and train bells mixed with the rhythmic patter of shoes on the wet pavement, creating a symphony of hasty but familiar footsteps.Inside the office buildings, the lights from tall windows blinked on early in the morning, signaling the return to the rhythm of daily work. Employees were busy organizing meetings for the new year and discussing new strategic plans. The aroma of coffee filled the workspace, accompanied by the constant tapping of keyboards. People chatted about their memories of the year-end holiday while already preparing for a year f
"The key project for this year will be...""I think the profit...""Supply and demand has changed compared to last year, I think we should...""The disbursement rate from the bank for this project..."The New Year's meeting had stretched on for over two hours, yet no solution had been found that could satisfy the demanding and meticulous young boss, Rye Mavis. It was already an hour past lunch, and the employees in the conference room were not only hungry but exhausted. Despite this, no one dared to stop talking. Every time someone paused, Rye's sharp and penetrating gaze would sweep across the room, making everyone feel as though they were being intensely scrutinized.Rye sat at the head of the table, his hands intertwined and resting on top of his notebook. His eyes were focused intently on the reports before him, his expression unreadable. Occasionally, he would jot down a note in his notebook, his face hard and focused. The oppressive atmosphere in the room seemed to weigh heavily
The next day, Sherry stood before the towering Mavis Corporation building, holding a lunchbox wrapped with care. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. As she walked through the grand entrance of the building, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Sherry’s presence immediately drew the attention of several employees in the lobby. Some couldn’t help but admire her polished appearance, while others couldn’t take their eyes off the lunchbox in her hands. She could feel their gazes but chose to ignore them. No one dared to ask who she was, but the curiosity was palpable. Whispers and glances passed between the employees, wondering what brought her to the Mavis building and why she was carrying a lunchbox."Hello, I’m here to see Mr. Mavis!" Sherry said calmly to the receptionist, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of anticipation.The receptionist, a little caught off guard, looked up at Sherry with surprise. She didn’t expect a beautiful wom
"Ms. Willows, please come up!"For nearly two months, the employees at the company had grown accustomed to the sight of the beautiful blonde girl bringing lunch to their president every single day. This routine had become an integral part of the office's daily life, almost like a new habit that everyone had quietly begun to notice. Whenever Sherry appeared, holding her lunch box with a gentle smile before entering Rye's office, the office buzzed with curiosity. Whispers and speculation would immediately follow her, but no one dared to ask. They would simply watch in silence, occasionally exchanging puzzled or inquisitive glances, but no one ever openly discussed the situation.Rye, who was known for his cold and distant demeanor, never seemed to react to the attention from his employees. He didn’t show any irritation or discomfort when Sherry appeared with the lunch. Each time she brought him food, he would smile gently and thank her, though it was never a full or genuine smile. It wa
"Goodbye, Ms. Willows!"The courtyard of Hill Preschool buzzed with the chaotic yet joyful symphony of dismissal time. Laughter rang out from one corner, while sniffles and tiny tantrums filled another, creating a familiar cacophony of young emotions. Sherry Willows, standing by the gate, bent down to wave goodbye to a little girl clutching her mother’s hand. Her gentle smile, warm and sincere, had become a comforting sight for the children and parents alike.Sherry was still relatively new to the school, having started her teaching career only a few months ago. Her journey here was anything but typical. Growing up in a nearby orphanage, she had learned early on how to take care of others. By the age of seven, Sherry was already managing the younger kids with remarkable ease, her steady hands and creative spirit often leaving the nuns in awe.Recognizing her innate talents, the nuns nudged her toward becoming a preschool teacher. Sherry, who had no particular passion for any field, ac
“Please, come in, Ms. Willows.”“It’s been a while, Mr. Arden.” Sherry greeted politely as she stepped into the room.“Is there something you’re unhappy within the contract?” Arden asked, gesturing for her to take a seat.“Yes,” Sherry replied with a calm but firm tone.“I’d like to renegotiate the benefits stated in the agreement.”Arden leaned back slightly, raising an eyebrow with a knowing smile. “Not enough, huh? I’m not surprised. Let me tell you; our boss isn’t exactly known for being generous. Since we work together for a long time, I might as well be upfront with you—our boss is a hardcore workaholic. Did you know I once had to pull an all-nighter on Christmas Eve? Christmas!” He sighed dramatically before adding, “My girlfriend broke up with me that night because of it.”Sherry couldn’t help but let out a small, awkward laugh. “That sounds awful. I’m sorry to hear that!” she said, not knowing what else to say to his unexpected confession.Arden chuckled wryly and shrugged. “W
"Ms. Willows, holding the cup like that is not elegant.""Ms. Willows, you’re using the wrong knife.""Ms. Willows, your steps are too long. Start again!""Ms. Willows, Ms. Willows, Ms. Willows..."Sherry jolted awakes from the nightmare. Since moving into her new home, she had been subjected to relentless training sessions designed to transform her into a refined lady—or at the very least, someone who wouldn’t embarrass Rye Mavis. The grueling sessions, stretching until 11 p.m., had left her utterly exhausted. Even after her nightly skincare routine with a professional, she barely made it to bed before the weight of it all invaded her dreams.Her eyes flicked to the clock: 8 a.m. sharp. In just 30 minutes, the lessons would resume covering what remained unfinished the day before. At 3 p.m., stylists and designers would arrive to finalize her look, and by 6 p.m., she would be attending the much-anticipated party. Sherry sighed, the weight of the day ahead pressing down on her like an
Following Rye’s guidance, Sherry accompanied him as he greeted the distinguished guests of the evening. The focal point of the gathering was Lady Katherine, a woman of notable influence and stature. Arden had once described her as exceptionally talented, someone who had stepped into the role of leader with grace and resilience after her husband’s untimely death. Not only had she successfully taken over the family business, but she had also made waves in political circles, earning her a reputation as a formidable figure. Lady Katherine’s backstory was the kind of tale that circulated endlessly in high society. Her husband had tragically passed away during a vacation with his mistress—a woman famed for her beauty, allure, and the obsessive infatuation she had stirred in him. Katherine, in stark contrast, came from a traditional, aristocratic lineage. With a grandfather who was an earl, she had been raised in a household that prized discipline and propriety above all else. Her personali
"Ms. Willows, please come up!"For nearly two months, the employees at the company had grown accustomed to the sight of the beautiful blonde girl bringing lunch to their president every single day. This routine had become an integral part of the office's daily life, almost like a new habit that everyone had quietly begun to notice. Whenever Sherry appeared, holding her lunch box with a gentle smile before entering Rye's office, the office buzzed with curiosity. Whispers and speculation would immediately follow her, but no one dared to ask. They would simply watch in silence, occasionally exchanging puzzled or inquisitive glances, but no one ever openly discussed the situation.Rye, who was known for his cold and distant demeanor, never seemed to react to the attention from his employees. He didn’t show any irritation or discomfort when Sherry appeared with the lunch. Each time she brought him food, he would smile gently and thank her, though it was never a full or genuine smile. It wa
The next day, Sherry stood before the towering Mavis Corporation building, holding a lunchbox wrapped with care. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. As she walked through the grand entrance of the building, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Sherry’s presence immediately drew the attention of several employees in the lobby. Some couldn’t help but admire her polished appearance, while others couldn’t take their eyes off the lunchbox in her hands. She could feel their gazes but chose to ignore them. No one dared to ask who she was, but the curiosity was palpable. Whispers and glances passed between the employees, wondering what brought her to the Mavis building and why she was carrying a lunchbox."Hello, I’m here to see Mr. Mavis!" Sherry said calmly to the receptionist, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of anticipation.The receptionist, a little caught off guard, looked up at Sherry with surprise. She didn’t expect a beautiful wom
"The key project for this year will be...""I think the profit...""Supply and demand has changed compared to last year, I think we should...""The disbursement rate from the bank for this project..."The New Year's meeting had stretched on for over two hours, yet no solution had been found that could satisfy the demanding and meticulous young boss, Rye Mavis. It was already an hour past lunch, and the employees in the conference room were not only hungry but exhausted. Despite this, no one dared to stop talking. Every time someone paused, Rye's sharp and penetrating gaze would sweep across the room, making everyone feel as though they were being intensely scrutinized.Rye sat at the head of the table, his hands intertwined and resting on top of his notebook. His eyes were focused intently on the reports before him, his expression unreadable. Occasionally, he would jot down a note in his notebook, his face hard and focused. The oppressive atmosphere in the room seemed to weigh heavily
After the New Year's holiday had ended, the bustling atmosphere quickly returned, accompanied by the inevitable cold of winter and the hope of a new beginning. On the streets, roads covered in snow or a light winter fog still gleamed with the bright headlights of passing cars. People bundled in thick coats, scarves wrapped tightly around their necks, hurried down street corners with steaming cups of hot coffee in their hands. The sounds of bus and train bells mixed with the rhythmic patter of shoes on the wet pavement, creating a symphony of hasty but familiar footsteps.Inside the office buildings, the lights from tall windows blinked on early in the morning, signaling the return to the rhythm of daily work. Employees were busy organizing meetings for the new year and discussing new strategic plans. The aroma of coffee filled the workspace, accompanied by the constant tapping of keyboards. People chatted about their memories of the year-end holiday while already preparing for a year f
Rye reached for the lunchbox, and as soon as he gently lifted the lid, the delightful aroma and warmth of the food quickly filled the room. Even though Sherry was well aware that Rye would praise her cooking, a sense of nervousness and anticipation bubbled inside her, and she couldn’t help but feel uneasy."I remember you mentioned before that when you were a child, you liked a cute character, so… so this time, I made the lunchbox a little more childish." she explained, her voice laced with uncertainty. Indeed, the lunchbox was reminiscent of something a child might bring to school, with vibrant colors and a playful design, just like those lunchboxes from the cartoons Rye had watched as a child. He had always admired the way mothers would prepare colorful, carefully packed lunchboxes for their kids to take to school. However, he had never experienced that himself, as his own mother never had the chance to prepare such things for him. It was something Rye had always longed for, though h
Sherry stood in the elevator, the confined space filled with a heavy silence that seemed to amplify every sound. The soft but steady beeping marked the passing of each floor, a rhythm that only heightened her awareness of the moment. Her hand clung tightly to the strap of her bag, where a carefully packed lunchbox lay inside. She held onto it as if loosening her grip would make everything within her unravel, spilling into the world in a mess she couldn't control.The sterile white light of the elevator cast an unyielding glare on her face, accentuating the tension in her features. Her eyes flicked toward the digital display, watching the numbers climb steadily higher. She silently counted along, floor by floor, second by second, each moment bringing her closer to the one person who had turned her thoughts into a whirlwind.Her breath escaped in shallow puffs, faintly fogging the sleek steel walls of the elevator. Sherry adjusted the hem of her blouse, her fingers smoothing over the fab
"No need, thank you." he said, his voice calm and composed. He walked over to the bed, sitting down gently. His slender hand continued to delicately dry his hair with a towel, each movement unhurried, exuding an effortless grace. The tranquility in his demeanor only deepened Sherry's self-consciousness, making her feel like a clumsy child in comparison."Well… I’ll head out now. Good night!" she said quickly, her voice almost a whisper as she tried to steady herself. She dared not stay longer, fearing she might stumble over her words or betray her nervousness. Yet as she turned to leave, Sherry could feel it—that subtle, fleeting gaze from Rye. It wasn’t intrusive or heavy, but like a soft breeze that brushed past her, delicate yet undeniably stirring. It was enough to make her heart race uncontrollably, the sound of its pounding filling her ears."Good night!" Rye replied, his deep, velvety voice wrapping around the words, making them seem far more profound than a simple farewell. Eac
"I'm deeply sorry for troubling you so late!" Rye said softly, offering a gentle smile to the young woman standing before him. With a warm meal settling in his stomach, the tautness in his features had eased, but the shadows under his eyes betrayed the toll of endless sleepless nights. The weight of exhaustion clung to him, no longer something he could hide.Sherry’s heart clenched at the thought of him stepping back into the cold night. The image of her own accident haunted her—the loneliness, the chill, and the fear. She couldn’t let him leave, not like this. Standing frozen in place, she watched him gather his things. Her hands curled into tight fists by her sides, a subconscious attempt to anchor herself, to summon the courage to act. Her entire frame radiated a shy tension, but her eyes shone with something unshakable.“You… you don’t need to go!” Sherry’s voice broke through the quiet, a hesitant but resolute plea. It was barely above a whisper, yet it carried a depth of emotion
Caroline had the happiest years of her life after marrying the man she loved. Her husband, who was equally loving and devoted to her, treated their son with the same care. Her in-laws, too, welcomed her with open arms and loved her like their own daughter. After a year of marriage, Caroline gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Dylan, and their family was blissfully content. With Rye’s help, her husband’s family business gradually began to recover and thrive, and this success made Caroline’s life in her new home increasingly pleasant and fulfilling."Why did you call me?" Rye, deep into his work as the New Year approached, answered the phone to hear his sister's voice."This year, I have to go with my husband to an important New Year’s party abroad, so I won’t be able to come home for the holidays. I hope you have a joyful New Year.""I’m not a child, you could have just had someone tell me.""Rye!!""What?""I heard you have a girlfriend.""You heard correctly.""I knew it, Rye. I’v