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Chapter 63
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Not Your Second Choice Chapter 64
Upon receiving the desired response, Linda's smile deepened. "When do you think you'll have time, Deidre? I'd like to arrange the meeting accordingly."Deidre folded her hands lightly on the desk, her smile calm and composed, her gaze gentle as it rested on Linda. "Since we need Damon's assistance, it's only natural we adapt to his schedule. It wouldn't make sense to have him coordinate around us."That was precisely the answer Linda had hoped for. She was thrilled, though inwardly she scoffed at Deidre. What a fool—walking straight into a trap and even offering to accommodate. Clearly, Deidre didn't deserve the position of the CEO's assistant.Only Linda was truly fit for that role."No wonder Mr. O'Reily went out of his way to introduce you to all the senior executives. I don't think anyone could be more suitable for the position than you," Linda said, her words sugary yet hollow.While saying what she herself didn't believe, she rose from the chair with a practiced smile. "Well
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 65
The screen of Deidre's phone lit up, displaying a message notification. A chat window popped up—it was a message from Sandy.Unlocking her phone, Deidre read the text.Sandy: [Class reunion tonight, let's go together.]Although Deidre and Sandy had met while studying abroad, Salve City was known for attracting many returnees. A class reunion here didn't strike her as unusual.Still, back in her first two years of overseas study, Deidre had been quiet and reserved, burying herself in her studies. She hadn't considered herself particularly close to her classmates. After a moment of hesitation, she typed a reply: [I'll skip it. I wouldn't want to ruin the fun for everyone.]Most of her classmates had studied finance or accounting, and those still in Salve City were likely well-acquainted with the local elite. Considering her recent return and the buzz surrounding her on social media, Deidre was certain they were aware of it. Attending such a gathering might only invite unnecessary co
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 66
"I should have known better than to trust Dolly's words. She told me Cameron had returned to join the reunion. And now, look! Instead of him, we've got Micah, the unwelcome guest," Sandy muttered, her tone brimming with disdain.Deidre knew exactly who Dolly Klington was—one of their old dormmates, someone they'd been on decent terms with back in the day. Dolly was currently immersed in a game of pool, entirely unaware of Deidre and Sandy lingering outside the private room.Approaching them was Calvin Anton, one of the more lively and social members of their class."We're not going in," Sandy said flatly, her mood sour. "Something else came up. We're leaving."Sandy's distaste was evident. The mere sight of Micah seemed to drain her energy. Sharing a room with him, breathing the same air—it was unbearable."Oh, come on. You're already here, and it's been years since we last met," Calvin insisted. In a few quick strides, he blocked Sandy's path, then turned to Deidre. "Right? Every
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 67
Those present at the reunion were among the elites in Salve City's financial circles. They were all adept at reading the room, and the tension hanging in the air was unmistakable. Even the ever-jovial Calvin had pulled Sandy aside for a private conversation, leaving the remaining attendees to scatter awkwardly into small groups, pretending to find distractions as they awaited his explanation. It seemed the dinner could only proceed once the storm settled."You're working at Veilner Corp now, I see," a voice said from behind.As Deidre turned to leave for another seat, the low, measured tone froze her mid-step. She paused and looked back, raising an eyebrow.Micah had already risen, standing at a distance. Their gazes locked."Yes, as an executive assistant," Deidre replied, her tone light, almost casual, as if there was nothing to hide.She knew well enough that Micah wouldn't ask if he didn't already know. Such information wasn't exactly classified.Her composure, however, s
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 68
Casey had always been stubborn and arrogant. Back when Deidre was engaged to Micah, Casey had made it her mission to make life difficult. Yet, Deidre had played the fool then, absorbing every blow for the sake of love and to preserve the bond between the siblings. She hadn't even told Micah about the countless humiliations she endured."But do you even know," Deidre said with a faint smile, her eyes calm yet piercing, "the things your sister has done to me? An apology is due for far more than just that trending scandal."Deidre let out a faint laugh, her gaze resting on Micah. "Besides, I don't believe that an apology from you on behalf of your sister actually means anything."She had her own way of making Casey pay the price.Did they think a casual apology could just brush aside the harm she had endured? How naive."Deidre, she didn't mean it. She only did it because of me," Micah said in a lowered voice. "Whatever her faults, she's still my sister."A bitter laugh rose in De
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 69
"Deidre, surprises always come late but surely. Didn't I promise you a surprise?" Sandy leaned in close to Deidre's ear, her voice low, her gaze darting swiftly between Deidre and Cameron.Deidre turned her head and cast a sidelong glance at Sandy.She merely smiled, saying nothing in response to Sandy's words.Undeterred, Sandy tugged Deidre's arm, pulling her back toward the room. Smiling brightly, she said to Cameron, "We weren't leaving. Since you're here, Cameron, of course, we'll all stay and catch up. It's been two or three years, hasn't it?"The commotion by the door quickly drew the attention of everyone in the private room.Micah, however, retracted his gaze, his dark eyes harboring a cold sharpness that was difficult to decipher. What was Deidre's relationship with this "Cameron" dude?"Ah, Cameron is here too! That means everyone's here now!" Calvin was always good at reading the room. Seeing Deidre and Sandy return, his excitement bubbled over as he started orchestra
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 70
"Calvin, that's just not fair," Sandy protested, her voice carrying a hint of indignation. "This is our class reunion, yet you're asking him instead of us? Why don't you go hang out with him and leave us alone?"The room was filled with people entrenched in Salve City's financial circles. Most had heard, in one way or another, about the complicated history between Micah and Deidre. Sandy, being both a confidante and a close friend of Deidre, voiced her opinion freely, leaving the others hesitant to chime in."I'll go with the flow," Micah finally said.Sandy snorted but didn't press further. Deidre, her expression as placid as still water, didn't seem eager to engage. Leaning closer, Sandy whispered urgently, "Deidre, you can't back out now. Worst case, just drink. No one here can outdrink you anyway."Deidre raised an eyebrow. "You've got me pegged."She understood well enough—this wasn't the time to dampen the mood. "Since I suggested playing a game, I'll go first," Calvin
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 71
"Why you!"Sandy couldn't help but laugh in frustration.Micah truly lived up to his reputation as a businessman—shrewd, calculating! Even his words had a certain edge to them, the way he twisted them around."Since Micah has a question for me, go ahead and ask."Cameron's handsome face remained calm as he stood up, his gaze locking with Micah's.Sandy, initially wanting to say something, paused when she saw the two most good-looking men in the room facing off. She raised an eyebrow but remained silent.There was something oddly amusing about the situation.The eyes of everyone in the room swept back and forth between the two faces, taking in the sight. Both Micah and Cameron, back in school, had been indisputable heartthrobs. And now, in the business world, they were both thriving. Watching them clash like this, everyone in the room felt a strange, heightened tension, as though they were all suspended in mid-air.It couldn't help but make one wonder...The crowd's gaze shif
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Not Your Second Choice Chapter 100
"YOU!"Daisy watched the atmosphere between the two shift. As she saw Micah stand up, she put on a look of feigned concern and hurried over. After all, the president of the Landon Group had just been knocked down by the assistant of a competitor—certainly not a dignified event."Deidre, I finally found you! Mr. O'Reily called me earlier, said he had something urgent to discuss with you, but couldn't reach you."Daisy had only made up an excuse. When it came to Micah, using Benedict's name was the most legitimate tactic.Unexpectedly, as she spoke, Deidre's phone rang.Daisy's eyelids twitched and she instinctively looked over.And there it was...Caller ID: It really was Mr. O'Reily.Daisy turned speechless. She could probably win the lottery today, with this luck!With Daisy present, Micah knew he couldn't continue the conversation with Deidre.In fact, even without Daisy, the discussion wouldn't have gone anywhere.Micah's handsome face regained its calm demeanor. The prev
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 99
"I'm not drunk," Micah said.Deidre didn't reply. His face was serious, but his eyes—behind those frameless glasses—held a slight haze, as if they were blurring into a soft kind of fog.After spending two years with him, Deidre knew very well that Micah was, in fact, drunk. A sober person couldn't possibly argue with someone who was so clearly intoxicated, especially not over something so trivial as whether or not they were drunk.She glanced at the door to her room, which Micah was blocking, then turned away.On a luxurious yacht like this, it was ridiculous for all the rooms to be occupied. She could easily switch rooms. Even if they were all taken, she could squeeze in with Daisy for one night.In any case, Deidre had no intention of wasting another word on Micah."Don't go!"Micah, seeing her intention, stepped forward. His arm reached out and grabbed her wrist."Are you going to find Cameron?"With a forceful pull, he turned her back toward him, his hands gripping her s
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 98
Deidre paused for a moment, quickly tapped the send button on her phone, then shut off the screen and set it aside. She smiled at Daisy, signaling for her to sit beside her. "I know, I owe you one for helping me out with Mr. O'Reily on the dance floor."Daisy, still looking a bit shaken, leaned in close to Deidre's ear and whispered, "God knows, just dancing with Mr. O'Reily was enough to make my scalp tingle in shock. And then he had that cold, deathly stare... I mean, he's handsome, but I guess they don't call him 'The Godfather' for nothing. After just a short dance, I was practically shoved away."Deidre, ever considerate, gently patted Daisy's back to reassure her. "Once this seven-day yacht trip is over, I'll treat you to a big meal.""Not that I'm just looking to freeload off your dinner, Deidre!" Daisy laughed. "I mean, getting to dance with a handsome guy—can't complain."Daisy, a post-2000s girl, had the natural optimism and straightforwardness typical of her generation.
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 97
"I can tell, Bobby, that your company is sincere in wanting to collaborate with us on this project. Otherwise, we wouldn't be having this conversation."Benedict's deep voice broke the silence, pulling the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Bobby, you know, of course, that the Dobinsky project is intended for our technology city. Now, as for the five percent price increase you proposed, I will say this clearly: Such a concession agreement is not something we can sign."Upon hearing this, Bobby's heart sank, though he maintained his composure on the surface. "Benedict, wouldn't you reconsider? After all, the returns from the technology city once it's completed will be substantial."In business negotiations, attention to detail is key, especially when it comes to reading the room. Both Benedict and Deidre had picked up on the subtle shift in Bobby's demeanor. The calm confidence he had initially shown was now replaced by a quiet sense of urgency.Once the defensive line begi
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 96
Benedict swirled the wine glass in his hand, his gaze not meeting Bobby's. His voice was cool. "I can tell, Bobby, there's more to your words than what you're letting on.""Benedict, as expected of you," Bobby's smile deepened. "You must know, when the Dobinsky project first went to bid, Veilner Corp didn't make the cut. The Landon Group took the lead. Now, as we approach the second round of bidding, although your company's proposal is the best, it's a bit tricky for us."In business, there are ways to say things. Sometimes, the true meaning lies not in the direct words, but in the subtle layers beneath them. Bobby's words were clear enough. He was asking if Veilner could increase its offer, especially in terms of the price.Deidre's eyes glinted as she glanced at Benedict.His fingers tapped softly on the armrest of the sofa, his expression unchanged, but the faintest sound of his knuckles brushing against the wood seemed to fill the air. His voice remained calm and measured. "T
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 95
The tempo slowed and finally returned to silence as the dance came to an end. The men and women in the ballroom nodded to each other in mutual respect.Benedict, with a cold and composed expression on his handsome face, stepped out of the dance floor without a word.Deidre raised an eyebrow and was about to follow him when she heard Micah's voice from behind. "Do you hate me?"She turned back to see Micah looking at her with a deep gaze. The question struck her as absurd. "Mr. Landon, you have quite the short memory. Who was it that looked at me with disdain at the wedding, dropped me without a word, and walked away without a second glance? And now you're asking me this?"Some things, Deidre thought, if left untouched, would fade away with time. She was certain that given enough time, everything, even the most painful memories, would eventually be forgotten. Yet, there were always people who took great pleasure in reminding her of the moments she wished to forget.Especially when
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 94
Deidre smiled wryly to herself. The music lifted in tempo once again, forcing her, though unwilling, to raise her hand and follow the rhythm in a solitary spin.As she twirled, her eyes quickly flicked toward Cameron.Cameron was waiting for the beat, planning to reclaim his partner.Micah maintained his gentle, composed smile, but there was a chill in his eyes. He hadn't missed the subtle exchange of glances between Deidre and Cameron. No, he had been watching closely, noting exactly where Deidre's gaze had lingered.She was flirting with him again, right in front of him.So she wanted to switch back?A sliver of coldness flashed in Micah's eyes.He knew very well—he didn't want her to switch back.As Cameron neared them, preparing to take Deidre away, Micah intentionally took a misstep, stepping into Cameron's path.Both Deidre and Cameron understood immediately what this meant.Deidre's smile remained, her tone gentle, but her eyes burned with a cold gleam.She couldn't w
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 93
The waltz gradually shifted from its gentle rhythm to an upbeat tempo, unveiling its inherent charm and complexity.Micah's gaze didn't linger on Natalie. He maintained perfect synchronization with her steps, seamlessly adapting to the beat, while his eyes discreetly swept toward Deidre again. Around them, most dancers had begun showcasing their partners, spinning them gracefully across the floor.Matching the tempo, Micah maneuvered with subtle precision, guiding Natalie closer to Deidre and Cameron without breaking stride.Deidre, no fool, couldn't possibly miss Micah's frequent glances in her direction. She smirked inwardly, instantly grasping his intent. He was moving their way.The music surged, and following Cameron's lead, Deidre executed an elegant pirouette. Her red evening gown, delicate as butterfly wings, flared into cascading waves of crimson, drawing all eyes to her. Her movement was mesmerizing, a perfect harmony of grace and poise.Cameron's face held its usual g
Not Your Second Choice Chapter 92
"Ah…" Natalie gasped softly as her hand was enveloped by Micah's warm, steady grasp. Her cheeks flushed, her heartbeat quickening like a drumroll, as she followed him into the dance floor.Within the crowd, Deidre stood out effortlessly in a custom-made crimson gown. Her movements flowed seamlessly with the rhythm, rising and falling with the melody, her figure spinning gracefully like a fiery phoenix in flight. Opposite her, Cameron, equally striking with his sharp features and composed demeanor, lifted his long, elegant hand to guide Deidre through a perfect turn. A gentle, unguarded smile lingered in his eyes."I remember back in school dances, you always attended with Sandy," Cameron remarked, his deep voice carrying an air of teasing admiration. "But I don't recall ever seeing you dance. Seems like you've been keeping this talent hidden all along."A faint smile curved Deidre's lips. "If you keep looking at me with such a gentle expression, I'm afraid I might misstep." She fi
