You couldn't stop him?

The Rolls-Royce came to a smooth stop outside the company's main entrance.

The enormous Akit Pharmaceuticals logo gleamed in the morning light atop a glass facade that soared into the sky. As the headquarters of a leading domestic pharmaceutical group with a global reputation, the building possessed an unquestionable air of authority.

The driver quickly got out and opened the rear door. Shen Yi stepped out of the front passenger seat at the same time and followed Yuan Chen into the lobby. The ground floor bustled with the morning rush, but wherever Yuan Chen went, the crowd parted automatically, like the sea before Moses.

Shen Yi stayed half a step behind him, only drawing alongside him at the president's private elevator. As he pressed the button, he keenly picked up the subtle rhythm of his boss's breathing.

After six years as the president's special assistant, he had developed a particular skill: judging his boss's current mood from his breathing alone.

The atmosphere, the sound of his breathing, even his posture... every sign suggested that Yuan Chen's dark mood had yet to lift.

Looks like today is going to be an uphill battle.

Meanwhile, the president's office area on the twenty-fifth floor was steeped in the tension of people bracing for an attack.

The digital clock ticked silently onward as the secretaries worked efficiently at their respective tasks. One placed the morning newspaper, economic weekly, and industry reports in their designated spots on the desk with exacting precision; another organized the documents Yuan Chen urgently needed to review that morning; yet another carefully adjusted the blinds, checked the temperature and humidity, then switched on the Pheromone Purification Device.

Just as the preparations were complete, the elevator gave a soft ding. The secretaries instantly stopped what they were doing and stood neatly at attention as Yuan Chen emerged.

"Good morning, President Yuan."

Yuan Chen merely inclined his head. He never returned greetings and was equally sparing with words of encouragement. As always, he headed toward his office with a stern expression.

The moment he entered, he removed his suit jacket, and Shen Yi seamlessly took it with both hands. Their practiced coordination resembled that of partners who had lived together for decades. Shen Yi swiftly hung the jacket in the wardrobe to prevent creases, then checked every corner of the office at his own distinctive, brisk pace.

Once he had confirmed that everything was perfect, his expression eased slightly. As he turned, his gaze happened to settle on Yuan Chen's back as he sat at his desk.

Those shoulders... exactly what you'd expect of an S-class alpha. They were broad and solid as a shield, brimming with strength. At nearly six foot three, with just the right amount of muscle, he looked tall and lean, his muscular contours clean and smooth. His legs in particular were astonishingly well proportioned.

Yuan Chen built muscle easily, but he always kept his physique under strict control, avoiding excessive bulk on his already large frame so he would not appear overly imposing. In his view, a sharp, efficient image was far more effective in business than mere visual intimidation.

Managing one's outward appearance was, after all, an important part of business competence.

Perfectionist, workaholic, S-class alpha-these were all labels attached to Yuan Chen.

Still... have his back muscles gotten firmer?

Shen Yi silently pondered this as he looked at the back of Yuan Chen's shirt, which seemed a little tighter today.

He approached the desk. "President Yuan, shall I go over today's schedule now?"

"Mm."

Fortunately, Yuan Chen's mood seemed to have eased somewhat after entering his office. His expression and voice remained unchanged, but his underlying mood was entirely different. Years of working closely together had taught Shen Yi to distinguish even the subtlest differences.

He picked up his tablet and began his report. "At ten this morning, the clinical research team's weekly meeting; at eleven thirty, a video conference with MediCore Tech in the United States; at three this afternoon, a report from QA team leader Huang Feng; and at four, an internal company seminar. Will you be attending the seminar in person?"

"I'll let you know after lunch." Yuan Chen raised his eyes.

"Understood."

Seeing that Yuan Chen had immersed himself in work and begun reviewing the piled-up documents, Shen Yi quietly left the office.

Outside, the members of the Secretary Department turned inquisitive looks toward him.

"Let's have a quick meeting." Shen Yi gestured lightly with his tablet.

The Secretary Department's Monday meetings were always relatively relaxed. As department head, Shen Yi was far more lenient than his boss, provided no one made mistakes in their work.

The secretary who had worked with him the longest discreetly handed him a cup of coffee. "Chief, did you see that forum post?"

"I did." Gossip like that always sparked heated discussion.

"No one left a comment, right?"

"Of course not! Who would dare?"

"Good. Read, don't comment, and leave no traces." Shen Yi took a small sip of hot coffee, his tone calm. Gossip about other people was certainly entertaining-unless you were the subject, in which case it was a disaster.

"Who even posted it? It's spreading like wildfire. At this rate, it'll probably start trending."

"Seriously, enough already."

"Does that sort of thing happen often? Has it ever happened to you, chief?" Curious eyes turned toward him.

Shen Yi narrowed his eyes and swept his gaze around the room. The secretaries immediately fell silent and looked away.

Yuan Chen, doing something like that? Impossible. He won't even let anyone sit too close to him.

"All right, back to business." Shen Yi tapped the table lightly, and the secretaries instantly switched into work mode. "Let's start with the regular schedule."

Although he was Yuan Chen's special assistant, Shen Yi did not handle all his affairs himself. Since his working hours far exceeded those of the others, he distributed the work appropriately. The Secretary Department had four members including him, each highly capable and personally selected by him. Yuan Chen had entrusted the Secretary Department entirely to his management, and a new member had recently been added.

"Does anyone have any objections? If you have suggestions, bring them up now."

"No."

"Good. Let's keep up the good work today."

The meeting concluded efficiently in under thirty minutes.

As the morning's work proceeded at a hectic pace, an unwelcome figure appeared on the twenty-fifth floor.

Manager Liu, the newly promoted marketing director, strolled in and widened his eyes at the luxurious office surroundings. Although he knew this was the president's floor, he had not expected such grandeur.

"Well now, you've decked this place out like a banquet hall!" His tone betrayed his shallowness. Freshly promoted to director, Manager Liu was doing his utmost to put on airs as he glanced flippantly around.

"Huh... secretaries, one, two, three... four? Does Chairman Yuan only pick people for their looks? Every last one of you is a beauty."

"What brings you here, Director Liu?" Despite the man's rude remarks, he was still a company executive, so Shen Yi rose to greet him on behalf of the secretaries.

"Nothing much. I just wanted to see the president."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

"Meetings with President Yuan require an appointment. Please call ahead next time." Shen Yi's lips curved into a professional smile.

"It's nothing important. I just want to say hello. Five minutes at most. I won't take long, so please let him know I'm here."

Shen Yi remained where he was, showing no intention of announcing him.

"Why aren't you moving? You're a secretary. You should be quicker on the uptake."

"If it isn't urgent, I'd recommend making an appointment next time..."

"My time is valuable too. Do you think executives have nothing to do?" Director Liu lightly patted Shen Yi's chest with the back of his hand, evidently accustomed to treating subordinates this way.

Even in the face of such rudeness, Shen Yi remained silent. In the ensuing quiet, the other secretaries exchanged worried looks.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and announce me. Don't you understand plain language?"

"..."

"Huh? I'm a director! A director, do you understand?"

Ignoring Director Liu, who was practically stamping his feet, Shen Yi lowered his eyes to his watch. There was still an hour before the weekly meeting. Yuan Chen should be working through his documents.

"Are you deaf? Is this how you usually treat visitors? Or do you think I'm a joke?" Director Liu's voice rose sharply. "In all my years, this is the first time a secretary has ignored me!"

"..."

"You can't even keep up appearances? Remember, I outrank you by a mile."

Shen Yi considered the man before him, who clearly would not stop until he got his way. Should I show him straight out? Or...

"...Please wait a moment."

He did not deliberate for long. Turning toward the president's office, he composed himself at the door and knocked lightly on the solid wood.

"Come in." A low voice answered from inside. He pressed down the handle.

Everyone in the secretarial department held their breath and exchanged looks. Their chief's actions had caught them off guard.

While the others worried, the oblivious Manager Liu began humming a tune and leisurely straightened his clothes.

A moment later, the office door opened again.

Holding the door, Shen Yi inclined his head slightly.

"Please come in."

"Ahem!" Director Liu cleared his throat, thrust out his chest, and strode in with his head held high, looking for all the world like a victorious general.

Once the man was inside, Shen Yi gently closed the door and returned to his workstation as though nothing had happened. He had barely sat down when Secretary Li rolled his chair closer and asked in a low voice:

"...Is this really all right?"

"What wouldn't be?"

"The boss agreed to see him?" Secretary Li sounded incredulous.

"He said it was urgent." Shen Yi shrugged as though it had nothing to do with him. Folding his arms at ease, he looked toward the clock on the wall.

How long will it take? Will three minutes be enough? he wondered.

Sure enough, moments later, a muffled bang and furious reprimands came from the office. The door was yanked open, and Director Liu backed out, bent at the waist, repeatedly begging forgiveness.

"F-forgive me! I'm terribly sorry!"

Three minutes, right on the dot. Quite pleased with the precision of his prediction, Shen Yi rose to deal with the aftermath.

The moment he entered the office, he met Yuan Chen's icy gaze. Yuan Chen leaned against his chair, pointing toward the door.

"Did you do that on purpose?"

"Of course not," Shen Yi denied reflexively.

"You couldn't stop him?"

"Leaving him outside to make a scene would have been even more embarrassing. I thought this was the best way to handle it."

Yuan Chen scoffed. How could he not know what Liu Xiwang was like?

"You're getting 'cleverer' by the day!"

Shen Yi instinctively straightened his back, his Adam's apple shifting slightly. The rhythm of the pen tapping against the desk matched his accelerating heartbeat.

Even after six years as the president's special assistant, Yuan Chen's stare could still send a chill down his spine.

He suddenly remembered that the initial reason he had become Yuan Chen's special assistant was precisely...