Chapter 8 Reminiscence

“We’re late,” Julian muttered, checking his watch. “The interviews should be wrapped up by now.” His gaze shifted to the windshield, staring at the heavy traffic clogging the streets of New Santerra.

“It’s fine,” replied the man beside him, Adam, his tone calm as he continued tapping on the laptop in his lap. “It’s just a small interview. HR can handle it. I’m not going to miss the chance of a contract with a top music label, am I?” His focus was clear.

Fifteen minutes later, as they stepped into the lobby, Julian’s tablet dinged with a notification. He glanced at it and sighed. “HR just informed me that the interviews have concluded.”

“Hmm,” Adam responded curtly, stepping into the elevator without breaking his stride. “Tell them to prepare a report on the candidates. I want it on my desk soon.” He didn’t pay any mind to the admiring glances cast his way by employees as they passed.

“Who is that? A new celebrity?” one employee whispered. “He’s so handsome!”

A senior employee quickly hushed her. “Shh! That’s our CEO! Mr. Adam Dean!”

The junior employee was stunned. “What?! No way! He’s not only rich and powerful, but incredibly good-looking! Does he have a girlfriend? Or maybe a wife?”

“No wife, not even a girlfriend. There’s been plenty of rumors, but they’re all false,” replied another colleague. “He’s never been close to any woman. If he’s ever with one, it’s purely business or a client.”

The junior frowned, whispering, “He’s not... into men, is he?”

Several coworkers gasped, quickly shutting down the suggestion with scolding whispers.

Adam ignored the chatter completely, stepping into the elevator with Julian and pressing the button for the top floor, where his office was located.

In the elevator, Adam spoke coldly, “Send a message to HR. Tell them any employee caught spreading rumors will be terminated immediately.”

Julian nodded, feeling a wave of exhaustion. It wasn’t surprising that wild rumors circulated about Adam. With his looks, wealth, and power, it was no wonder women were drawn to him. Yet, no one had managed to capture his interest.

Many clients even tried offering their daughters to Adam, and others had gone so far as to send escorts, thinking he preferred one-night affairs. Naturally, all such offers had been rejected.

‘Except for that one night,’ Julian thought, recalling the one woman who had spent a night with Adam in New Santerra, only to vanish like Cinderella afterward.

When the elevator doors opened, both men’s gazes lifted. The moment Adam saw one of the two women standing there, his eyes sharpened. ‘That woman….’

“G-Good afternoon, Mr. Adam! Mr. Julian!” Rena quickly greeted them, bowing low.

‘How is this possible?!’ Evelyn thought, her body shaking, face going pale at the sight of Adam.

Sensing Evelyn’s distress, Rena hurriedly tugged at her arm. “Ms. Evelyn, that’s Mr. Adam Dean, the CEO!”

Hoping to avoid any further attention, Evelyn bowed her head, praying that both men would continue on their way without noticing her. “Mr. Adam, Mr. Julian,” she murmured, hoping to stay invisible.

But Adam’s senses picked up something. ‘That scent again...,’ he thought.

Julian stayed silent, knowing Adam disliked crowded spaces, which was why most employees avoided sharing an elevator with him. But to everyone’s surprise, Adam suddenly said, “Get in.”

Both Evelyn and Rena froze. Even Julian was taken aback by Adam’s unexpected invitation. They hesitantly stepped into the elevator.

As the elevator moved from the 20th to the 45th floor, where Evelyn and Rena were headed, a suffocating silence filled the small space, the atmosphere heavy with the presence of Adam Dean.

Standing between Adam and Rena, Evelyn kept her head down, wishing she could disappear. She never imagined that the man she never wanted to see again would turn out to be the CEO of the company she just got accepted to!

‘Please, God, don’t let him recognize me,’ Evelyn prayed.

She had once thought of holding him accountable for the night that changed her life, but with her twins to think of, she decided to shoulder her burdens alone. Involving someone like Adam Dean, heir to the wealthiest business family in Capitol, seemed like asking for trouble.

If she pursued him, she feared he might see her as a threat, endangering her and her children.

While Evelyn was lost in her thoughts, Adam studied her from the side. Her wavy black hair framed her beautiful, delicate face, and her worried expression made her seem fragile.

But it wasn’t her beauty that intrigued him the most.

Without a second thought, Adam spoke in a low voice, “You... your scent is familiar.”