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Chapter 4: Acquisition

last update Huling Na-update: 2024-11-16 16:57:51

Seraphina Arden returned home, and her mother asked, "How was the blind date today?"

Seraphina replied, "The guy was really handsome, like a movie star."

Her mother, already sensing it didn’t work out, consoled her, "Never mind. I made some fish soup. Come eat—think of it as seeing a celebrity for free, without even buying a ticket."

The little bit of disappointment in Seraphina’s heart instantly dissolved after hearing her mother’s words.

Since she rarely got home early, Seraphina had dinner and then went out arm in arm with her mom to browse the shops.

Meanwhile, Leon Everhart also arrived home earlier than usual. Dinner was already prepared by Ava, a young woman from TerraVantage Group’s administration team.

Ava was 24 years old. Her parents were divorced, and her mother worked as a cook in Leon’s family home. The house was massive, with separate quarters for the staff. Ava had grown up in the vicinity, attending a nearby school.

When Ava was 17, she started being involved with Leon Everhart. Though she worked hard, she only managed to get into an average college, where she majored in economics. After graduation, she joined Leon’s company.

By day, Ava was one of Leon’s employees; off-hours, she was his housekeeper.

Ava was reasonably attractive, above average among the staff at TerraVantage Group. She was hardworking, obedient, and accommodating—perfectly fitting Leon’s requirements. Leon, being pragmatic, had provided Ava’s mother with a steady salary and even gifted Ava a modest apartment, all while keeping her firmly under his control.

Ava was like a bird kept in a gilded cage.

When Leon messaged, "I’ll be home by 8," Ava sprang into action. She made soup, bought groceries, and had everything ready on the table by 7:30.

Leon came home shortly after 8, washed up, and sat down for dinner. Even during the meal, he was taking business calls. Once he finished eating, he went straight to his study, leaving Ava to clean up alone.

Later that night, Leon came to bed and slid his hand under Ava’s nightgown. Their interactions were purely physical—almost mechanical. Ava tried her best to please him, enduring his motions over and over.

The next morning, Leon was already gone by the time Ava woke up. She quickly tidied the house before heading to work.

Leon’s garage was filled with luxury cars—models Ava didn’t even recognize. She had never been allowed to ride in any of them. He had once gifted her a modest Lexus, saying, "It’s low-key."

To Leon, Ava had no voice, no dignity. She could never forget the day he first approached her, pretending to be polite, asking for her help carrying something upstairs. But behind closed doors, Leon took her innocence in his family’s study.

Despite their years together, Leon never promised her anything, not even an illusion of commitment. He always took precautions, and on the rare occasions he didn’t, he’d make Ava take morning-after pills.

When Ava accidentally got pregnant last year, Leon coldly told her, "I’m not ready for a child right now. You need to terminate it."

Ava tried to argue, "But, Leon, I want this baby."

Leon’s lips curled into a cruel smirk. "I’m not marrying you. If you keep it, you’ll quit your job and move out. I won’t acknowledge this child."

Ava broke down, sobbing into her hands.

The next day, Leon’s assistant, Sophia, escorted Ava to the hospital. Two weeks later, the child was gone.

At the office cafeteria, Ava occasionally saw Leon. His eyes never lingered on her for even a second. She lowered her head, holding her tray, and quietly went to get her food.

At a nearby table, Seraphina Arden was eating her lunch when she received a message. She smiled—it was from Emily, inviting her to dinner over the weekend. Though it was six days away, it gave her something to look forward to.

Ava, carrying her tray, walked past Seraphina. She glanced at the plump, cheerful girl, who seemed so carefree despite being Leon’s assistant.

Ava wanted to ask, How do you work so closely with Leon and not fall for him?

But deep down, Ava already knew: no love, no trouble. No love, no fear.

Seraphina had seen how Leon treated Ava with indifference. To her, he was a cold and ruthless man. She kept her distance, not wanting unnecessary drama in her life.

When Ava gave her a longing glance, Seraphina merely nodded politely and went back to her lunch.

Before she could finish eating, Mia from the office came rushing over. "Ms. Arden, Mr. Everhart is asking for you—he says to hurry."

Leon had plans to acquire a design company to cut costs on external contractors. After narrowing it down, he was considering two firms and had decided to assess them by assigning them a major project: designing a large food processing facility.

On the drive, Leon briefed Seraphina on what he wanted to cover. "Listen carefully and remind me if I miss any questions," he instructed.

Seraphina dutifully took notes and reviewed them with Leon. After ensuring nothing was missing, Leon nodded in approval.

Coincidentally, one of the companies on Leon’s radar was Glonetix Design Company—the same place where Noah, Seraphina’s blind date, worked.

When Leon and his team arrived, Glonetix’s founder, Alexander—a balding man in his forties—nervously welcomed them. He quickly called Noah, the lead designer for the project, into the meeting room.

Noah entered with his laptop, freezing for a moment when he saw Seraphina. He gave her a small smile before proceeding.

The previous night, Noah’s mother had teased him about the date. "She said you looked like a celebrity and thought she wasn’t good enough for you," she told him.

Noah had laughed. "She’s a bit plump and childish—not really a match."

Today, however, as he presented the designs, he noticed Seraphina’s demeanor was entirely professional. She worked diligently, taking notes and occasionally passing Leon reminders.

During the three-hour meeting, Leon grilled Noah and his team on every detail. Seraphina’s sharp observations and seamless coordination impressed everyone in the room, even Noah.

On the ride back, Leon asked casually, "Seraphina, do you know that Noah guy?"

Seraphina’s expression didn’t falter. "Oh, sort of. We shared a table at dinner last night. He’s a relative of the bride’s family—exchanged a few words, nothing more."

Leon smirked slightly and closed his eyes to rest.

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  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 5: Poaching Talent

    “This Noah guy is even more capable than Glonetix Design Company’s boss,” Leon Everhart calculated in his mind. He quickly came up with a plan: he would poach Noah and his team.When they returned to the company that day, Leon Everhart and the two executives headed upstairs first. Seraphina Arden parked the car, grabbed her bag, and deliberately lagged behind, far from them.Seraphina Arden was hungry. Whenever she got hungry, she felt miserable, so she intentionally stayed back to sneak a quick bite.Back in her office, Seraphina Arden rummaged through her desk drawers for food. Finally, she found a cookie. She popped it into her mouth just as she looked up and saw Leon Everhart standing in her doorway, watching her.Caught off guard, Seraphina Arden shoved the entire cookie into her mouth and stared at Leon Everhart like a deer caught in headlights.Leon Everhart, both amused and annoyed by her lack of decorum, scolded her lightly, “Once you finish that, organize today’s meeting not

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-16
  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 6: Cousin Lucas

    Leon Everhart spent the night having a long conversation with his father, who was visibly pleased with how well his eldest son had turned out. That night, Leon stayed at his father’s house.Meanwhile, Ava was left alone in Leon Everhart’s home again. The house was massive—a two-story duplex equipped with every luxury imaginable. Leon favored bright spaces; the interior was simple and modern, with white and natural wood tones dominating the decor.Ava, dressed in a pale yellow robe, sat curled up on the couch in the vast, cold living room. At just 24, she looked more like a resentful queen in an empty palace, waiting for her emperor’s rare visit. Every day after work, Ava would rush back here, groceries in hand, hoping Leon would come home. Most of the time, her wait was in vain, but she couldn’t afford not to be there.Leon gave her $3,000 a month for living expenses, with the condition that she must be home whenever he returned. Ava had no social life—she couldn’t go out with friends

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-16
  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 7: The Confidante

    Yesterday, as Seraphina Arden was stepping into the elevator with Leon Everhart, she caught sight of Ava. Their eyes met briefly before Ava quickly looked away, her gaze full of resentment and jealousy.Seraphina Arden felt a chill down her spine and became instantly cautious.“Wait, is the boss's mistress holding a grudge against me? For crying out loud, just because I look like this? She’s gotta be kidding me! I’m not about to poke this hornet’s nest. I’ll just steer clear.”Today, when someone brought up her relationship with Lucas, she left it up to their imagination. Misunderstandings had their perks, after all.When Leon Everhart heard Seraphina Arden had a boyfriend, he simply smirked, offering no comment.Seraphina Arden’s workload was growing heavier by the day, thanks to Leon. He piled task after task on her, leaving her barely any time to catch her breath.One night, exhausted beyond words, Seraphina Arden posted a Facebook status: a picture of a chinchilla sitting forlornl

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-23
  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 8: The Shrewd Businessman

    Leon Everhart held Amelia’s head firmly and kissed her passionately. His hand slid under her blouse, but just as he was about to lose control, he forced himself to stop. Pushing Amelia away, he said in a hoarse voice, “Amelia, we’re colleagues. We’re friends. I like you, but I can’t give you a future. I can’t do this to you.”With a tender gesture, he straightened her clothes, gently touched her face, and whispered, “I’m sorry.”When Amelia stepped out of the office, her eyes were red, her hair disheveled, and her lipstick smudged. Outside, Sophia, Mia, and Seraphina Arden were gathered at the reception desk, reviewing the program list for the company’s upcoming annual party.Although Seraphina Arden wasn’t one to gossip, she couldn’t resist observing drama. The moment she saw Amelia’s appearance, she exchanged knowing glances with Sophia and Mia. The amusement in their eyes said it all.Around the office, employees kept their heads down, pretending not to notice.Outsiders often roma

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-30
  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 9: The Bird That Wants to Escape

    TerraVantage Group’s year-end party was held at the company’s own five-star hotel, with plenty of local celebrities and suppliers in attendance. The celebrities added glamour, while the suppliers brought their wallets. Even the employee raffle prizes were generously donated by the vendors.After the chairman’s speech, it was time for Leon Everhart, the general manager, to address the audience. Clad in a perfectly tailored suit, his tall and striking figure, combined with his wealth, elegance, and overseas education, made him the center of attention. His single status only added fuel to the dreamy gazes of countless beautiful women in the room.Such events were typically organized by the administrative and logistics departments, with Mia from the executive office drafting Leon’s speech for Seraphina Arden to deliver. Seraphina’s job was to follow closely behind Leon, relaying his instructions to Sophia, who coordinated with the respective teams.Throughout the evening, Seraphina stuck

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-30
  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 10: Seraphina’s Pursuer

    Running away is easier said than done.On the third day of Christmas, a single text message from Leon Everhart was all it took for Ava to pack her bags and return to the shared space they called home.Leon, having had a bit too much to drink, was rough and relentless with her that night. He showed no tenderness, no regard for her feelings. Afterward, as Ava lay in his arms, Leon abruptly pushed her away and remarked, “You need to put on some weight. It’s like lying next to a pile of bones—uncomfortable and downright unpleasant.”Ava froze. She knew she was slim, but she had curves in all the right places. Her figure was envied by many during her school and work life, even complimented by Leon himself in the past. And yet, here he was now, calling her a skeleton. The nerve of him—after thoroughly enjoying her body just moments ago!Her thoughts spiraled: Could it be that Leon is starting to prefer that chubby secretary, Seraphina Arden?Ava had been considering walking away, but the me

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10
  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 11: Testing Boundaries

    Using Leon Everhart’s name to give Noah a subtle warning was not Seraphina Arden’s usual style, but in this case, it seemed harmless and effective enough to prevent unnecessary trouble.With spring came an avalanche of work. Leon Everhart was so overwhelmed that he began experiencing shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Concerned, he scheduled an appointment with a doctor. The results were swift and clear: Leon was dangerously overworked and needed to rest to avoid risking his life.Watching the director of the hospital personally attend to Leon made Seraphina sigh. “Rich people truly live in a different world. No waiting in line, and results come out instantly.” Then she thought to herself, “But these people… no matter how much they earn, when will they think it’s enough? What’s the point of money when you lose your life? Who would even enjoy it after they’re gone?”As the doctor assured them that Leon was not in immediate danger and simply needed rest, Seraphina exhaled deepl

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10
  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 12: Babi

    Leon Everhart’s feelings for Seraphina Arden were markedly different from those he had for Ava.To him, Seraphina was in a league far above Ava. Seraphina’s skill in managing tasks, her ability to navigate complex situations, and the unspoken understanding they shared made her indispensable. While she appeared unassuming, her keen attention to detail and capacity to maintain control were unmatched. Even if Leon were to marry, he could easily see Seraphina as his “second.” Leon had made up his mind—he would have Seraphina.Ava, on the other hand, was nothing more than the daughter of a household maid. Despite her looks, she lacked substance. Her tactics were petty, her ambitions shallow. Though she had a few years of college education, she hadn’t gained any true knowledge or sophistication. Ava’s shallow mindset irritated Leon; her desire to bear his child was laughable at best. She was a phase—someone he would inevitably discard.Meanwhile, Harper, Henry’s youngest daughter, had enter

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10

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  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 107: Epilogue

    Leon’s StoryWhen his eldest daughter was born, Leon Everhart would rush home every day after work and sit by the cradle, staring at his tiny child for a long time.His daughter looked like him, and Mrs. Everhart said, “A daughter who resembles her father will always have food to eat and never worry about her livelihood.”Leon Everhart chuckled, “Then I must work even harder to ensure my little girl never has to worry about food or clothing for the rest of her life.”With just a wife and a daughter, a man who once stood above all others could be pulled into the mortal world, touched by the warmth of ordinary life.When his daughter was just learning to crawl, she could only move a few steps before crying out in frustration. One evening, as soon as Leon Everhart stepped through the door, still in his black dress pants and white shirt, he heard her cries and felt his heart ache.He immediately rushed to her side, lay down on the floor, and said, “Baby, look at Daddy. Crawl like Daddy.”

  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 106: Liam’s Side Story

    That night, Liam had a few drinks and decided to stay at the Everhart family’s old mansion.On the first floor, his nieces and nephews were running around, their parents chasing after them tirelessly.Old Mr. Everhart always said, “When children are noisy at home, it means our family is thriving. It’s much better than hearing the sound of mahjong tiles all night.”Liam never called Harper “sister-in-law.”There was something Liam had never told anyone.He lived on the third floor, and one day, when he was coming downstairs, he ran into Harper. She smiled at him and called out in a soft, sweet voice, “Liam, wait for me.”Liam was no fool. He had been through countless encounters with women and had never been caught off guard. What kind of woman hadn’t he seen?The way Harper called him immediately set off alarm bells. His first instinct was that she was trying to seduce him, but he couldn’t quite believe it—after all, she had just married his brother, and on top of that, she was pregna

  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 105: Harper’s Side Story

    Harper’s brother brought her back home. As soon as she entered her room, she collapsed into bed and slept.When she woke up the next afternoon, Harper was still in a daze. She let her mother take her to get her hair done, go to the spa, and get a manicure. She moved like a puppet, allowing her mother to maneuver her as she pleased.These used to be part of her daily routine, but it had been a long time since she last enjoyed such luxuries.Ever since Lucas lost his job, Harper didn’t dare spend money recklessly. Once, she got a manicure that cost $480. When she returned home, Lucas’s mother nearly ripped her apart, acting as if every penny Harper spent belonged to Lucas—or rather, to her.When Miliya brought people to beat up Lucas’s parents and Lucas himself, Harper was the only one left untouched.Lucas’s parents blamed everything on Harper. They insisted that if she hadn’t seduced Lucas, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a miserable state.Harper snapped back, “He came to me on his

  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 104: Ethan’s Side Story

    When Seraphina Arden said, "I owe you nothing in this life, and I hope we never meet in the next," Ethan knew that there was no way to salvage their relationship.Ethan was born with good looks and intelligence. His maternal grandfather’s family was well-off, and his mother was a beautiful and refined woman.His mother once told him that she had pursued Sebastian—she had chased after his father.Because his mother loved his father deeply, she was always anxious about him. No matter where Sebastian went, she had to ask about it, and if she didn’t get a clear answer, she would sulk.Whenever Sebastian came home late, his mother would pick fights and argue.No matter how exhausted he was, Sebastian would always lower his voice to coax his delicate wife and make her happy.His mother was fragile. Even with a housekeeper managing the home, and even after having Ethan, she paid little attention to him. Most of her time was devoted to her husband, as if she had been born solely for Sebastian

  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 103: The Grand Finale

    Leon Everhart and Seraphina Arden’s wedding took place as scheduled. However, Leon Everhart did not grant Seraphina Arden’s wish to keep it simple.In this city, Leon Everhart had some money, but there were many people wealthier and more powerful than him. Compared to them, he was far from being a true second-generation heir. He positioned himself as a self-made entrepreneur, the second generation of a growing business.The Everhart family lacked deep roots, and he was not able to marry a truly influential family’s daughter. Even in the past, the wealthy Henry family had looked down on him, and Harper had treated him the same way.Choosing Seraphina Arden was seen as "marrying down" in the eyes of the Everhart family.But for Leon Everhart, it was the perfect fulfillment of his wishes.If the wedding was too casual, people would look down on Seraphina Arden. Leon Everhart wanted to give her a surprise—he didn’t want to shortchange her in any way.At one point, Everhart’s mother had tr

  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 102: Mother and Daughter at War

    Olivia was now at her wit’s end, isolated and helpless.In her darkest times, the appearance of her biological mother, Miliya, made her feel that there was still warmth in the world, that she still had a mother. She had once been moved and had come to believe that, in this world, only a mother’s love was truly unconditional.During her postpartum confinement, Miliya took meticulous care of Olivia, tending to her and the child with great dedication.Olivia started calling Miliya “Mom.”When Olivia’s child reached one month old, there was no sign of acknowledgment from the Everhart family. Miliya found it strange and asked Olivia, “The Everhart family values bloodline and heirs. Back then, I put such a big scandal on old Mr. Everhart’s head, and he let me go for your sake. He even made me promise never to seek you out again. To ensure I wouldn’t interfere in your life, he gave me a huge sum of money. That house in the village was built with the money that old man gave me. Now that you’v

  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 101: The Dress

    Not long after Seraphina Arden's technology company resumed operations, an unexpected visitor arrived—Jerry.Upon hearing that Seraphina Arden had started a tech company in the same field as his, Jerry was furious. Subconsciously, he believed that the reason he wasn’t making sales was because Seraphina Arden had stolen his clients.Jerry stormed into Seraphina Arden’s office, slamming his hands on her desk.Seeing Jerry’s furious face, Seraphina Arden remained exceptionally calm. She showed no sign of worry; instead, she was tranquil. “Mr. Jerry, if you have something to discuss, we can talk it out properly. This is a workplace, and I have surveillance cameras here.”Jerry was fuming. “Seraphina Arden, are you stealing my business?”He ranted continuously, repeating over and over how Seraphina Arden was ungrateful and unethical for selling patents that should have been his.Seraphina Arden didn’t respond. She simply waited for Jerry to tire himself out.Once Jerry had shouted enough,

  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 100: Failed Diet

    Seraphina Arden’s tech company closed for a one-week holiday and resumed operations afterward.Before the break, her flamboyant Leon heard that she wanted to give gifts to the professors who had supported her. That evening, he returned home with boxes of presents. The gifts, prepared by TerraVantage Group, were impressive and perfectly suitable for the occasion.Having a resourceful and thoughtful partner like Leon made Seraphina’s work remarkably efficient.Seraphina cherished her job deeply, knowing how hard-earned it was. After all, it was the only condition her father had set when negotiating her marriage with the Everhart family.Yet, over Christmas, Everhart’s mother subtly suggested that she quit her job and become a housewife.At the time, Seraphina had retorted sharply, but the suggestion left a lingering discomfort.When they were alone, Seraphina shared this with her mother, asking, “Mom, what do you think Leon’s mom was thinking?”Chloe responded, “She’s spent her whole li

  • The Playboy CEO’s Curvy Obsession   Chapter 99: Aging Overnight

    This Christmas, Lucas and his family didn’t return to their hometown to visit his grandmother.The household had turned into utter chaos, with no sign of peace or holiday spirit.Over the past few months, far too many things had happened—things Lucas was afraid to even think about.Olivia’s mother, Miliya, was not someone to be trifled with. When she learned that Lucas and Olivia were still married while Lucas was living with Harper, she became furious. Adding insult to injury, Lucas’s parents didn’t care about their daughter-in-law Olivia but went to care for the mistress instead. This sent Miliya into a rage.She went back home, rallied her husband and two sons, and even hired a few extra hands. Together, they stormed into Harper’s house, where Lucas and his parents were staying. Dragging Lucas and his parents out, they began to beat them in public.With the door wide open, Miliya yelled through a megaphone:“Come one, come all! Look at this shameless family! Their lawful daughter-i

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