Eastern Time, 6:50 a.m.
The Plaza Hotel, [TheT.J.Suite].
Outside the window, Central Park was still shrouded in bluish-gray morning mist, like a painting that had yet to fully awaken.
The master bedroom door opened soundlessly.
Secretary Jin stepped out.
She was not wearing one of those imposing business suits, but an off-white Knitted Sweater paired with wide-leg trousers in the same color palette.
Soft, simple, and utterly sophisticated.
She first looked toward the second bedroom door across the hallway, lingering before the tightly shut door for a moment. A barely perceptible smile curved the corner of her mouth.
Then, the steady, low hum of machinery came from the living room.
Her eyes brightened slightly, and she followed the sound.
In front of the open kitchen island.
Tang Song stood with his back to her, his posture straight and tall.
He was operating the coffee machine, his movements elegant and practiced.
As though he had sensed the movement behind him, he turned around.
"Good morning, Secretary Jin."
His voice was low and magnetic, especially alluring.
Jin Meixiao stopped a few steps away, folded her arms, and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Morning, Mr. Tang. But I think you should change your wording."
Tang Song lifted his brows and smoothly adjusted his tone, becoming formal and respectful. "My apologies. I misspoke. Good morning, Director Jin."
Only then did she smile faintly.
In that instant, the entire suite seemed to brighten by a shade.
Secretary Jin leaned lightly against the island and continued discussing the matters they had not finished the night before.
She was not wearing high heels, and her voice carried the lazy ease unique to early morning.
Yet her wording remained precise, professional, and tightly reasoned, entirely unaffected by the setting.
Outside, the New York morning light slowly rose, filtering through