"Mike, Ethan’s been stuck at the client’s site for a month with no progress. Go there, see if we can push it forward. If not, we’ll withdraw early."

Deputy General Manager Mia’s voice was crisp and commanding—Mike had no room to refuse. For over a year, he’d been either knee-deep in projects or constantly on the road. This rare week of respite had left him in the office, basking in the AC, casually messaging Lotus. But his mood soured quickly: Amanda had forced through the house purchase against his wishes, and Now, every fallout from her impulse—renovation crews, design drafts, endless price comparisons—fell squarely on him.. The chaos left his head spinning. Only Lotus, patiently feeding him data and clarity, kept him from unraveling.

The assignment took him to a lush basin—rich in resources but cloaked in suffocating humidity. Each breath felt like stepping into a steaming pot. At least the food was extraordinary, vibrant with flavors that made him pause and savor. Against that sticky backdrop, he sat down with Ethan.

"Mike, I know Mia’s pissed at me. That’s why she sent you here—to push me along," Ethan blurted.

"Ethan, I’m not here to monitor you. I’m here to help," Mike said evenly. "But listen—Mia’s under immense pressure. She promised HQ at least two contracts this year. The three from the first half all flopped. If the last two fail too, she’s finished."

"I heard she’s leading three this half?" Ethan asked.

"Randy’s won’t even reach bidding till next year," Mike explained. "So it’s down to ours. If this one’s hopeless, the whole team will pivot to Sean’s project. And you know Sean—full of hot air. I wouldn’t trust his instincts for a second."

Ethan hesitated, then asked quietly, "What if we fail across the board?"

Mike’s answer was sharp: "Catastrophe. Forget Mia’s seat—our bonuses are gone for sure." He leaned in. "Tell me straight: does this project have legs? What’s your basis?"

Ethan sighed. "The bottleneck’s the plant director at the prep office. He’s on shaky terms with the investors, so he’s paralyzed. The department heads follow suit—no one will engage."

"So the play is to go directly to the investors?" Mike pushed. "But if the chairman supports us, will the prep office automatically comply?"

"That’s… uncertain," Ethan admitted.

Mike’s eyes narrowed. "Then where are you right now?"

"I reached out to their cashier—Lily. Gave her a set of high-end cosmetics last week," Ethan said. "She took it, but her attitude’s lukewarm."

Mike smirked. "Sounds more like you’re chasing girls."

Ethan grinned defensively. "No, she’s the director’s niece. Took me a while to dig that out."

Mike thought for a moment, then nodded. "Then she’s our opening. We’ll start there."

—

The prep office was housed in a gray concrete block. Under harsh fluorescent light, rows of desks stood in sterile order, the drone of printers and the faint tang of ink filling the air. Mike stepped through the glass door—and his eyes caught on the girl in the corner.

She was typing swiftly, her fingers a blur over the keys. When she lifted her head, her dark eyes flashed with an effortless brightness.

Petite, softly rounded, her cheeks carried the faintest trace of baby fat. When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescents—unguarded, refreshing. A jet-black ponytail framed her face, loose strands brushing her forehead. She rose quickly, voice clear and lilting with a local accent:

"Who are you here for? The managers are all out in a meeting today."

For Lily, the moment was startling. She’d looked up absentmindedly, yet those eyes—steady, weathered, like a sea calmed after storm—locked onto hers. A strange steadiness washed over her, and her cheeks warmed with a faint blush. She’d seen Ethan countless times, slick and calculating, always grinning like an eel in the mud. But this man… his quiet gravity pierced something softer, something unguarded within her.

She gestured lightly to a chair, a smile lingering. "Have a seat." The words came naturally, though a warmth laced her tone.

Ethan jumped in: "Lily, this is Mike, my colleague."

"Mike?" she repeated, eyes brightening as her lips curved into a playful smile. Without hesitation, she reached for her phone: "Let’s add each other. Easier to stay in touch." Her boldness carried an unstudied charm, casual yet striking.

Mike’s entrance was like an unexpected breeze, scattering the stillness of her routine. For the first time, she felt that unmistakable spark of attraction—reckless, dangerous, yet irresistible.

—

Outside, the heat pressed down again, thick and merciless.

Ethan clapped Mike’s shoulder, grinning: "See? She’s into you."

Mike shook his head, smiling faintly. "Don’t be ridiculous." Yet deep down, a ripple stirred—something quiet, inevitable, already unfolding.

In the sweltering haze of the basin, a seed had been planted. Neither of them yet knew how wildly it would grow, twisting and tangling, until it reshaped the course of Mike’s life.