Alger's gaze had been fixed on Lily for a while now. He wasn't paying the slightest attention to Genifer, who had been talking nonstop, especially when she mentioned the promise he was supposed to keep. But what happened instead? Alger remained unfocused, prompting Genifer to follow his gaze. Of course, it led straight to Lily's office.
"You're making it way too obvious that you actually like your own secretary, Al."
Alger blinked rapidly and immediately shifted his gaze toward Jennie. "What are you even talking about? Don't make baseless assumptions."
"Your eyes don't lie. Proof? You didn't hear a single word I just said, did you? Can you even repeat what I told you just now?"
Alger fell silent. He really hadn't been listening. Exhaling sharply, he muttered, "Sorry."
"I don't need an apology. I came here to tell you that our collaboration needs to be expedited. Every project must be handled immediately."
"I know. You're partnering with this company because of James, aren't you? Is this what you meant by making him keep his promise?"
Jennie nodded confidently, crossing her arms with a smirk.
"Did you really think I'd cooperate with SM Century just because you're the CEO? You know very well that I'm chasing after your assistant," she replied in annoyance.
"I'll discuss it later. James will handle it personally," Alger replied, pointing at the door. "Now get out. Stop bothering me so early in the morning."
"What the hell? Just admit it—you miss your secretary and want to spend more time with her, right? That's why you even went as far as claiming I'm your girlfriend again."
"Can you shut up?"
"I can't. If I stay quiet, you'll be happy. Just admit it to Lily already—that the cold and supposedly anti-women CEO is actually interested in his own subordinate."
Alger grabbed Genifer's wrist, pulling her close until there was barely any distance between them. Unfortunately, at that exact moment, Lily walked into Alger's office.
"Mr. Al."
Lily blinked in surprise at the intimate scene before her. Alger quickly let go of Genifer and straightened his suit.
"When you enter, at least knock first."
"Apologies, sir. I did knock, but you didn't respond. Mrs. Helena and Mr. Daniel are outside. They said they'd like to meet with you."
Genifer picked up her bag and lightly nudged Alger's shoulder. "Remember, a woman wants to be chased, not the one doing the chasing," she whispered.
Then, she walked out of Alger's office with a subtle smile, briefly glancing at Lily. "Don't get the wrong idea. Ask your ever-so-indifferent boss nicely."
Lily frowned in confusion, then turned to Alger, raising an eyebrow. "What does that even mean, sir?"
"Ignore her. Let my parents in. Read out the agenda notes after they leave."
"Understood, sir," she replied before stepping out.
"Wait."
Lily stopped and turned back toward Alger.
"Yes?"
"About earlier, that was just an accident, not an intentional hug or anything—"
"That's none of my business, sir. You can be with whoever you want. Isn't Genifer your girlfriend?" she said before walking away.
For some reason, Alger felt the urge to explain the misunderstanding. Even though, from the very beginning, he had been the one to say that their marriage wasn't built on love—it was merely a form of revenge that needed to be carried out.
It wasn't long before Helena and Daniel entered the room, their gazes cold and distant. They sat down and stared at Alger.
"Is this how you treat Lily, Al? Your father already told you—James can handle the work. And in a time of grief like this, instead of comforting her, you make her work? Do you even have a heart, Al? Your mother and I never raised you to be this cruel. Especially not to Lily—she is your wife."
"Can we not bring that status into the office? What if someone hears?"
"Isn't it a good thing? Your father and I won't just let everything go as if nothing happened. No matter what, Lily is legally your wife, both by law and religion," Helena stated firmly.
"What is it about Lily that isn't enough for you, Al? She's kind, beautiful, polite, and she's been through so much. Is it about money? Or social status? That shouldn't be an issue. You have plenty of money, and Lily's education isn't bad either."
Alger glanced briefly at Lily, who was busy with her work, then turned his gaze back to his parents. "Do you still remember my depression back then?"
"How could I forget? You lost yourself because of a woman. But I don't think we need to bring that up again, Al. This—"
"She's the reason I became like that. Can you still say she's a good person?"
Helena instantly fell silent, her eyes widening as she stared at Lily through the glass window.
"Why? Are you surprised, Mom, Dad? You want to know how I know Lily? Because she's the one who caused me to spiral that far."
Daniel tried to stay composed. He cleared his throat and nodded. "Maybe it's time you knew the truth, Al."
Alger, who had been staring at Helena, shifted his gaze to his father. "What do you mean?"
Helena shook her head. "No, don't, honey. I don't want Alger to hate us."
"Tell him, Dad. What do you mean?"
Daniel briefly looked at his wife before nodding. "We can't keep everything a secret, dear. Alger is grown now. He'll know how to discern right from wrong. He needs to hear this."
Alger remained silent, his brows furrowing slightly. His suspicions seemed to be right—Lily had indeed done something involving his parents.
"I was the one who told Lily to leave you."
It felt like being struck by lightning in broad daylight. Alger froze, his expression turning blank. He truly never expected his father to be this cruel.
"Why? Because Lily was just an ordinary girl back then? Didn't our family also go through bankruptcy once?"
"You're right. I told Lily to break up with you because I thought she was using you. Her mother was sick at the time, and I didn't want you to be involved with a woman I considered unreliable."
"And that's why you sent me overseas?"
Once again, Daniel nodded.
"I'm sorry."
"Both of you, get out of my office!" Alger ordered, his breath ragged.
"Al—"
"LEAVE!" he snapped, still catching his breath.
Daniel tugged Helena's hand and nodded. "Let him calm down," he murmured as he stood up.
"Maybe this is just a small part of the truth you know, Al. I don't know how you'll feel if you discover the rest. Will you truly end up hating your own parents?" Daniel thought to himself.
As soon as they stepped out of Alger's office, Lily quickly stood up and lowered her head.
"If you're not feeling well, you can go home, Ly."
"Yes, Ma," Lily replied with a faint smile.
That was all Helena said, and it left Lily slightly confused. She knew Helena as someone who loved to joke around, but today, her mood seemed off.
"Is there a serious problem with the company?"
While she was lost in her thoughts, the phone on her desk rang. She quickly picked it up and then rushed to Alger's office.
"Excuse me, Sir," Lily greeted politely.
Alger didn't respond. He simply stared at Lily, deeply lost in thought. A wave of guilt washed over him. He had blamed her and accused her unfairly.
"Are you listening, Sir?" Lily asked after finishing reading the agenda.
Alger blinked before nodding.
"Just leave it there. I'll read it later."
"Understood, Sir."
With that, Lily left the office. She didn't want to overthink things, especially since her mind was already clouded and incapable of processing anything clearly.
If someone were to ask whether Lily was focused on work, the answer would be no. She simply sat there, staring blankly at her laptop screen.
"How are you, Papa?" she whispered, brushing her fingers over the screen where the last photo of her and her father was displayed—the one taken before they were separated by an overwhelming distance.
"You must be happy now, reunited with Mama up there, right? Send her my regards, Pa. I miss you. I don't think I can handle this life anymore, Pa."
Suddenly, tears rolled down her cheeks. She forced a faint smile and wiped them away.
"Papa used to say he hated seeing me cry. But I don't think I can hold back my tears now that you're gone. My whole world shattered, Pa. The life I had built so firmly collapsed just like that."
"But I promise, I'll be okay. I'll try my best to live well, Pa."
She wiped her tears once more and grabbed a stack of documents on her desk, forcing herself to work.
From inside his office, Alger continued to watch her. His emotions were a mess—disappointment, sadness, relief… maybe even regret.
"I didn't know this was the truth, Ly."
He ran a hand over his face in frustration. He stood up, walked toward the door—then stopped and returned to his chair.
"I can't just suddenly be nice and apologize, can I? That'd be embarrassing."
A second later, he shook his head.
"But this was my fault, wasn't it?"
Just then, a knock came from outside. Alger quickly pretended to be focused on his phone, looking serious.
"Mr. Alger. Am I really the one handling such a big project with Ganifer? Why me?!"
"You're my assistant, aren't you? Don't mix personal matters with work. No complaints allowed—just do your job properly, and your salary will be fine."
James, who had been fuming, suddenly fell silent, staring at his boss—and friend—with a look of frustration.
"You're so annoying. Just admit this was your plan."
Alger put down his phone and gave him a blank stare.
"I already told you, didn't I? No mixing personal affairs with business. Now go back to work—you're just wasting my time."
"Wasting time? You mean I'm interrupting your staring contest with your wife but you're too scared to go near her?"
"Shut up."