Before Aurelia could calm Dorian down, he had already hung up.
She was about to call him back when Cassian’s name flashed on her screen. She hesitated for a second, then answered.
“Come to Luneford City.” That was all he said before hanging up. His tone carried no warmth–just command, as always.Without another word, he ended the call.
Aurelia hesitated for a few seconds but decided to go.
She wasn’t doing it for Cassian. She was doing it for SkyPulse Company–and for Dorian.
She had personally chosen the project with SkyPulse Company, one she had poured months of work into.
She had approached Dorian again and again, revising the proposal until she finally convinced him. She couldn’t bring herself to abandon it halfway.
That meant she had to cancel her appointment with Owen, and she knew she’d get an earful for it.
She promised him that once this was over, she’d follow his treatment plan properly.
43
*****
When Aurelia landed in Luneford City late that night, rain was coming down hard, and the temperature had dropped sharply.
She’d rushed there without packing for the weather, and before long, a dull ache began to stir in her stomach.
She forced herself to grab a taxi to the hotel and didn’t arrive until past midnight.
Even though it was late, Aurelia still wanted to talk to Cassian about the SkyPulse Company issue first.
If they didn’t get on the same page, tomorrow’s meeting with Dorian could easily go wrong.
The moment she stepped into her room, she called Cassian–didn’t even bother drying her rain–soaked hair.
The phone rang for a long time before someone finally picked up.
Before she could say a word, a familiar voice came through. “Cassian, it’s Ms. Corin on the phone.” It was
Tessa.
Cassian’s reply was muffled, hard to make out through the line.
Then Tessa came back on. “Ms. Corin, Cassian’s in the shower. Can you call back later?”
For some reason, a lump rose in Aurelia’s throat.
“It’s nothing urgent. I won’t bother Mr. Locke,” she said quietly before hanging up.
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Chapter 10
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แค
Late at night in a hotel room, Cassian and Tessa were together. It was the perfect setup for something to happen.
The rain outside grew heavier. Aurelia stood by the floor–to–ceiling window, watching the water stream down the glass, a chill creeping into her bones.
Luneford City was much colder than Ashmont.
The pulling pain in her lower stomach worsened. When she went to the bathroom, she realized her period had started–nearly a week early this time, and the cramps were far worse than usual.
Cold sweat clung to her skin. She called the front desk, asking them to send up painkillers and sanitary products.
When the staff member arrived and saw Aurelia, she froze for a moment. “Ms. Corin, you look so pale. Do you need me to take you to the hospital?”
Aurelia shook her head weakly. “Not right now. The painkillers should help.”
The staff member still looked uneasy. “Please contact the front desk immediately if you feel unwell, okay?”
“Okay,” Aurelia murmured.
But she managed to get through the night, pushing through the pain.
By morning, she looked awful. Even makeup couldn’t do much.
She could only hope Cassian wouldn’t make a fuss about it. He hated it when employees showed up looking tired or unprofessional.
Because she was still taking her stomach medicine, Aurelia made sure to head down to the hotel restaurant right on time to grab breakfast.
But when she got there, Cassian and Tessa were already finishing theirs.
The three of them ran into each other by the entrance. Tessa spoke first. “Ms. Corin, did you just wake up? There’s not much food left.”
Aurelia kept her expression calm. “Yeah. I’m a little late.”
Cassian didn’t even look at her. He glanced toward the lobby doors and then turned to Tessa, his voice low and unexpectedly gentle. “It’s raining outside, and it’s getting colder. Let me go with you to get a jacket.”
“Okay.” Tessa smiled politely at Aurelia, then left with him.
Aurelia stood frozen for a few seconds, surprised. She had never seen this side of Cassian before. So, he could be thoughtful–just not to her.
Tessa hadn’t been lying; there really wasn’t much food left.
Aurelia picked up two slices of bread, planning to make do with that. Just as she was about to sit down, her
18:46 Thu, Dec 18
Chapter 10
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phone rang again. It was Cassian.
She answered, her tone cautious.
:
“Come out,” Cassian said, his voice cold and distant–nothing like the gentleness he’d just shown Tessa.
“Now?” Aurelia glanced down at the bread in her hand, hesitating.
“What? Planning to make us wait for you?” His voice dripped with impatience.
Aurelia paused for a beat, then said quietly, “Okay.”
She stuffed the bread into her bag and hurried to the entrance. Cassian and Tessa were already in the car, both seated in the back. The only empty seat was the one up front.
Aurelia lowered her lashes to hide her thoughts and quietly climbed into the passenger seat.
The moment the door shut, Cassian told the driver to go. He sounded irritated, like just waiting those few minutes had tested his patience.
Even though the bread in her bag was still warm, Aurelia didn’t dare eat it.
43
Cassian hated it when people ate in the car. After seven years as his secretary, Aurelia knew all of his rules and preferences by heart.
They’d become habits she couldn’t break, even now when her stomach ached and she desperately needed something in it.
Of course, Cassian didn’t give her the chance anyway. He dove straight into business. “How did you negotiate with SkyPulse Company before?”
His tone made it sound like the project’s problems were all her fault.
Aurelia took a breath, trying to stay calm. “The project already went through two rounds of review. We even signed the term sheet. The investment percentage was agreed upon. If we suddenly change it now, of course, they will push back—”
Before she could finish, Cassian cut her off and said, “As long as the process isn’t finished, anything can change.”
He paused, catching her gaze through the rearview mirror, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “You’ve been with me this long, and you still don’t understand that, huh?”
Aurelia went quiet for a moment, then looked down and asked softly, “Can you tell me why we’re lowering the percentage?”
This time, Tessa answered instead, “In my opinion, SkyPulse Company’s drones aren’t commercial enough. The market prospects won’t reach the numbers they projected, so I suggested lowering the percentage.”
Aurelia replied evenly, “SkyPulse Company is an established company with solid technology and a full after- sales system. That’s one of the main reasons Honoria Capital decided to invest in them in the first place.”
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“But business isn’t about sentiment–it’s about profit,” Tessa said lightly, brushing off Aurelia’s words with a single sentence.
Then she smiled, half–teasing Cassian. “Cassian, you really didn’t train her well.”
Cassian nodded, then glanced at Aurelia. “That’s why she’s only a secretary, not an investment director.”
Tessa chuckled softly. “To work in investment, you need some brains and vision. Ms. Corin only has a bachelor’s degree. Handling projects like this is probably a bit much for her.”
AD
