Chapter 1

"In the opitive world of billionaires, where wealth and power reign supreme, one man stood at the pinnacle of success—Richard Beaufort Cooper, the enigmatic and ruthless CEO of Cooper Corporation." 

Edward read the introduction of the article written about his grandson, who was sitting in front of him. He scoffed, "Ruthless? This is an understatement, mi ijo." He was sarcastically laughing.

Richard, on the other hand, was fuming mad. At the back of his head, he was already planning how to destroy the writer—or the whole publishing company. 

"It's not funny," he said, still enraged.

"Yes, it's not," Edward said seriously, and Richard flinched when his grandfather suddenly flicked his forehead. He wanted to glare at him, but then he saw how Edward was looking at him with clear frustration.

"I don't know what to do with you. Richard, you're not a child anymore—firing over a hundred employees and ruining a couple of publishing companies won't do you any good." Edward said in a strict voice. "You are my grandson, and I will pamper you as much as I can, but what you're doing isn't moral anymore."

Instead of accepting defeat, Richard countered, "What do you want me to do? Those employees and publishing companies suck. I'm just doing everyone a favor by removing those undeserving mongrels."

Edward could only massage the back of his neck in too much stress. He sighed, "I wish you had learned morals before business tactics." He whispered, but Richard heard him clearly, so he snorted.

"How about you get yourself a wife? You're not getting any younger," Edward suddenly suggested.

There was a deafening silence afterward, and Edward thought his grandson was finally getting his concern but oh boy, how wrong he was. 

Richard let out a loud laugh. "You think a wife would fix me? You think I'm some kind of project that needs to be fixed?" He shook his head, still chuckling. "You really don't get it, do you? I'm not some broken toy that needs to be repaired. I'm a force to be reckoned with, and I won't be changed by some woman."

Edward's expression turned stern, and he leaned forward, his eyes locked on Richard's. "I'm not talking about just any woman, Richard. I'm talking about someone who can see past your facade, someone who can bring out the good in you. You need someone who can humanize you, because right now, you're nothing but a ruthless machine."

Richard's smile faltered, and for a moment, Edward saw a glimmer of uncertainty in his grandson's eyes. But it was quickly replaced by his usual arrogance.

"I'll think about it," Richard said, only to appease Edward.

"But those employees? I'm never going to regret my decision. They're out because they deserved to be out."

"Those employees have families they have to feed!"

"And I don't?" Richard snapped back.

His grandfather blew a loud breath. "We're the only ones left in the family. You've experienced hardship; don't make others experience it too." He reprimanded.

Richard still didn't agree, but he didn't like talking about their family, so he just nodded and looked away. Edward tapped his shoulders. "I have to go now; take care of yourself and don't forget what I told you."

Richard nodded again and casually waved his hand to bid his grandfather goodbye.

Now, his grandfather was gone, and he was all alone in his office. He discarded all the train of thoughts trying to enter his mind and instead focused on analyzing a certain document—an investment contract. The contract involved charity for orphaned children.

 He couldn't help but scoff again; it felt like everyone was reminding him he lacked empathy towards others.

He clicked his tongue and checked all the terms and conditions. He sighed; it was a good offer, but it included traveling for charity events—the only thing Mr. Ramirez was requiring was his presence. 

He was a businessman, not a good samaritan. But since he was indeed a businessman, his earnestness came with money.

He was about to sign it when his room telephone rang. The front desk personnel was calling him—directly. His eyebrows were tied into a knot.

'Just who in their right mind would call the CEO directly from the front desk? Don't they have to ask my secretary first? Isn't my identity at least supposed to be treated as confidential?'

He was about to lash out when the person on the other line spoke. "Good afternoon, sir. Someone is looking for you, and she said she is applying to be your secretary."

Richard was taken aback; he had totally forgotten about firing his secretary just a day ago. 

In Richard's defense, he was being reasonable. The last secretary he had brought him the wrong flavor of coffee, misplaced an important document, and slept during work hours. 

He was just being considerate, so he fired him and told him he could now sleep on time since he had no work to attend to from now on. 

"Let her in, guide her to my office," he instructed.

The personnel agreed, and a few minutes later, someone was knocking at his door. 

"Come in."

One of his staff slid through the door, talking to someone behind it and told that person to enter. 

Richard was still looking down at the document, still not signing it.

"Hi!" 

He looked up, hearing that cheery voice. No one – literally no one – on his staff dared to talk to him using a bubbly voice and showing a lively personality, probably because they knew his temper. But the woman in front of him was smiling from ear to ear, as if she was glad to meet him. 

He frowned, seeing all that.

The woman didn't waver, even after seeing his cold exterior. "I'm Emily, sir, Emily Castillo. Nice to meet you." Emily was still beaming as she extended her hand for a handshake, but he didn't accept it and simply nodded instead. 

He thought Emily would find it awkward or embarrassing, but she only took back her hand and continued talking to him.

"Oh? Not fond of a handshake?" She looked so chatty, and Richard should have been annoyed by now, but he found her pretty confident and entertaining, so he just let her. 

She smiled at him, and her blue eyes made contact with his. 

"That's alright with me. By the way, sir Richard, I am applying to be your secretary." She informed him again, "I am a very hardworking, passionate, creative, and flexible individual." She just kept talking, and Richard was just looking down again at the pile of documents. To Emily, it seemed like he wasn't listening, but he knew better, so she continued.

"I am very good with time management; I also have experience with corporate tasks and personal assistance – I can even cook for you. I can assist you wherever and whenever—"

 "Stop." 

She was taken aback by Richard's interruption, but she still managed to smile, even though she was actually consumed by nervousness, fearing that the man in front of him might devour her whole.

She only froze when she saw a lopsided smile playing on Richard's face. "Wherever and whenever, huh?" He asked, and he suddenly picked up his pen and signed the paper he had been staring at for a long time. 

"You're hired."

Richard's intimidating stare got to Emily, but she tried to fight it and showed him how glad she was that she had a job now. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" 

Richard then just nodded and asked her to get him a coffee. "Black coffee, no sugar, no cream. Just straight, bold, and bitter." 

She eagerly nodded in response. "Coming right up," she said, smiling as she got up and headed towards the door. Before actually doing the task she was asked to do, she slid through the door and caught a glimpse of Richard – Mr. Cold Exterior-Cooper.

Even though she was quite reluctant and constantly asking herself what she had gotten herself into, she couldn't help but feel happy. She really needed a job; she had a huge debt to pay and didn't have a choice but to be patient.

A few minutes later, she returned to his office bearing a steaming cup of black coffee. She carefully placed it on the table. "Here's your coffee, sir."

Richard looked up but didn't say anything. She just stood there silently, waiting for him to take a sip or ask her anything, but he didn't. 

He was just staring at her until he chuckled. That alone made Emily shiver where she stood.

"You're still here," he said.

"Y-yes, sir. I'm waiting for your next instruction," she replied, still stunned to see him lightly laughing. But he chuckled once again, causing her to grimace.

"Go now. Just come back here at eight in the morning. I don't accept any reasons for being late."

Emily nodded, feeling a mix of relief and astonishment. "You're handsome, sir, when you smile," she suddenly said, then turned her back. "See you tomorrow, sir Richard."

Richard sneered, contemplating things about his new secretary. Unbeknownst to him, Emily went home actually beaming, jumping, and walking sideways, as if she had won a lottery jackpot.