Chapter 15 

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This was Lia’s first time staying near Ford Group. She had passed by before but only looked at the building from a distance. 

Are you here? Coby put down the file he was holding. 

“Yes, Coby. I’m waiting for you downstairs, Lia was used to arriving early, not making others wait. 

“Go to the front desk. Someone will show you up.” He immediately sent a message to Owen. 

“Should I go up? Wouldn’t that be a bit awkward?” asked Lia 

“Ms. Phillips, you will be joining the company in a few days, so you need to get familiar with the environment.” Coby explained, understanding her hesitation. 

“Oh, okay” Lia thought about it and decided to just follow the arrangement; whatever Coby decided was fine. 

After hanging up, she entered the lobby of Ford Group and went to the front desk. 

She said to the receptionists, “Hello, my name is Lia Phillips. I have an appointment with Mr. Ford” 

One of the receptionists said, “You must be Ms. Phillips! Please, right this way.” 

She was dressed simply in a t–shirt, her hair tied in a ponytail, with no makeup–looking just like an ordinary college student. The receptionists couldn’t help but secretly watch her, wondering who she really was to make Owen call several times, making sure they didn’t overlook her 

“Thank you” Lia nodded at them, appreciating how friendly they were 

As soon as she stepped into the elevator, the receptionists couldn’t contain their curiosity. 

“Ms. Phillips looks like a student,” said a long–haired receptionist. 

“I wonder what her relationship is with Mr. Ford?” A short–haired receptionist mused 

“Didn’t we hear that Mr. Ford has a sister? Could she be………… 

“That can’t be, her surname is Phillips.” 

“Then she must be… 

The receptionists exchanged glances, all saying in unison, “His girlfriend?” 

“No way, our Mr. Ford just came back from abroad.” 

“And Mr. Ford doesn’t pay much attention to women. During this time, I haven’t seen him get close to any woman.” 

The receptionists were in a heated discussion when the manager walked over, and the room instantly went silent. 

In the elevator, Lia stared at the changing numbers, feeling a sense of disconnect. Ford Group–she never imagined she’d work here one day, let alone get tangled up with Coby, but here it all was, happening… 

Just focus on doing what you’re supposed to do, and let everything else go, Lia told herself. As for the Allen family, she owed them nothing anymore 

Ding! The elevator doors opened, interrupting her thoughts. 

“Ms. Phillips, I’m Owen, Mr. Ford’s special assistant. This way, please, Owen had been waiting at the door. 

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Lia flashed her standard professional smile. “Hello, Owen” 

“Please come this way, Owen gestured for her to follow. 

Lia nodded. “Thank you.” 

The CEO’s office was on the second–to–last floor of Ford Group, which also housed the secretary department and the assistants offices. 

Π 

It was already past 6 PM, after work hours, and as Lia passed by the secretary department, she didn’t see anyone else around. 

“Ms. Phillips, this is the CEO’s office. Owen paid extra attention to Lia–after all, she was the woman who had caught Coby’s repeated interest. 

Lia had once been Issac’s secretary at Allen Group, well–spoken and poised. With his years of experience. Owen could tell that she was more than just a talented hire from Coby. 

Lia said. “Thank you.” 

Once Owen left, Lia gently knocked on the door 

Coby said, “Come in.” 

After receiving the response, she opened the door. “Mr. Ford” 

Coby looked up, his eyes landing on her standing at the door, a smile curling at his lips. 

He said, “Come over” 

Lia gave a slight nod, closed the door behind her, and walked over 

Lia asked, “Mr. Ford, may I ask what kind of banquet is tomorrow I need to prepare accordingly” 

He furrowed his brow, set down the pen in his hand, and grabbed her wrist. Lia unintentionally ended up sitting on his lap. 

“Coby.” The name slipped out in panic. 

Coby said, “I thought you’d keep calling me that” 

Lia lowered her gaze, embarrassed. “At the office, we should maintain professionalism.” 

Coby raised his beautiful eyes. “Right now, we’re alone.” 

*Yes.” In Lia’s mind, Coby should be someone who handled work matters without personal feelings. 

But now, here he was, holding her in his office, so unapologetic–she couldn’t make sense of it. She truly didn’t understand him. 

Her face turned red again, her body stiff, as though they were doing something wrong, 

He wanted to make it official, but it seemed like the road ahead would be long. 

What do you think of the environment you saw earlier? Coby casually played with his hair. 

Lia replied, “It’s great.” 

Coby said. “You’ll start work on Monday” 

Lia replied, “Yes” 

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“Is that all you say–yes or okay?” He lightly pinched her soft waist. 

Lia shifted uncomfortably, but accidentally, she hit something hard. “Stop. She whispered a reminder. 

Coby said, “Now you’re adding another word “stop” 

“How could she be so cute? Coby especially enjoyed seeing her shy and blushing, 

Lia reminded, “Coby, this is an office.” 

“Guess why I asked you to come after working hours?” asked Coby. 

Lia thought he didn’t want anyone else to see them, but she hadn’t expected him to have other plans. 

“I heard the office is even more passionate. Are you interested?” His teasing tone made her more tense. 

Her body stiffened even further. “Coby, aren’t you going to buy that tie?” 

If Lia could look at him directly, she’d realize he was just joking 

Twill.” He gently held her delicate chin, and under the gaze of her startled eyes, he slowly leaned in toward her lips, and Lia accepted his pursuit. 

Afterward, he slowly pulled back. 

“Why are you so 

so obedient? What I say 

I say goes. Coby nuzzled her neck with his face. 

She was so well–behaved, he couldn’t help but want to tease her 

She lowered her gaze. “If you like it, that’s fine? 

Coby tightened his arm around her slender waist and asked softly, “Lia, about the things I like, can you give them to me?” 

She replied calmly, “I’ll try, as long as it’s not anything illegal.” 

He half–joked. “Give me your heart.” 

Lia suddenly looked up, confused by his meaning. My heart? What’s so special about my hear 

Coby chuckled softly and tapped her delicate nose. “Is asking for your heart too much?” 

Lia didn’t know Coby had a playful side and honestly said, “The only thing I have to keep to myself is my own heart.” 

Once a heart was lost, it was hard to get it back. 

She had lost hers once before and wasn’t willing to go through that again. 

Lia had once wondered why she liked Issac. He had treated her so badly–wasn’t that a sign of a submissive tendency? 

Later, she got the answer. 

Because back then, he was the only person in her world, the center of it all. That was why she lost herself. But if she saw them as just a máster–maid relationship, things would be different. 

As for her and Coby, he was her boss, the one who provided her with financial support, and that was all. 

Coby felt a pang in his heart but said lightly, “Protect it well.” 

She seemed to sense the shift in his emotions, but how could that be! 

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“And what about your heart? Have you protected it too?” 

She shouldn’t have asked, but somehow, the question slipped out 

He nuzzled her fragrant shoulder with his nose. “My heart has long been lost.” 

E- 

So, he had lost his too. Lia had thought a man like him wouldn’t bother with love, because that seemed so fleeting. 

Lia said, “Then pick it back up and protect it well.” 

Coby gazed at her intently. “The one I want to protect has already returned.” 

Her eyes burned with heat, and she instinctively looked away from his gaze. 

What does he want to protect?‘ she thought. 

Coby adjusted her clothes and gently caressed the soft pink spot on her neck. 

He said, “Let’s go, we should eat first.” 

“Okay,” responded Lia. 

They both understood that they wouldn’t discuss that topic. 

After dinner, they arrived at the mall, but instead of heading straight to the luxury tie store, they went to a jewelry shop. 

“Coby, are you buying jewelry?” asked Lia, 

He looked at her. “Yep. It’s for someone. You help me pick” 

“Sure. Does the person have a favorite animal or anything special?” asked Lia 

As his assistant, choosing a suitable gift was part of her job. To earn the person’s favor, she needed to know their preferences. beforehand. 

Since he was buying jewelry, it was likely for a woman. 

Coby tapped his chin, thinking for a moment, then asked, “If it were for you, what would you choose?” 

“Me” From her perspective, if she had to buy something, of course, the cheaper the better. 

Lia would only buy inexpensive accessories, something she could wear on certain occasions, but never anything too costly. 

“Yep, your opinion?” asked Coby. 

“If I were buying, any piece would do, as long as it’s cheap. Lia smiled faintly. 

“Cheap?” Coby couldn’t believe that was the first thing that came to her mind. “Let’s go in and take a look.” 

“Hello, sir, madam. What kind of jewelry can I help you with?” The sales assistant approached them. 

Lia saw Coby look at her. “Is he asking me to make the decision? she thought. 

She understood. Big players in the business world made all the major decisions, but gifts like these were usually chosen by 

assistants or secretaries. 

“Coby, how about a necklace?” suggested Lia 

Coby said, “Okay 

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The sales assistant said, Sir, madam, please follow me.” 

Lia carefully selected necklaces, though she wasn’t sure what price range he had in mind. 

“Miss, this necklace called ‘Butterfly’s Embrace is unique to our store. Take a look, do you like it?” The sales assistant quickly noticed, seeing the man beside her dressed in high–end fashion and realized his financial power. 

Lia wasn’t sure who he was planning to give it to. This necklace was one that couples or people in love usually buy. 

Lia said, “No, thank you. Well look at other things. 

“But miss, this one really suits you,” the sales assistant said with some regret. 

Lia gave a faint smile, not feeling that it was right for her to buy 

“Do you like this one?” Coby, who had been silent until now, suddenly asked. 

“Coby, if you’re thinking of giving it to a lover, it would be perfect. Since he asked. Lia thought, he must think it was a good 

choice. 

“Do you like it?” he asked again. 

“Me?” Lia admitted she liked it. She loved butterflies, and this necklace had a butterfly pendant with starry decorations around it, symbolizing the butterfly’s freedom 

Seeing her silent, Coby calmly said, “Wrap it up” 

“Sure, please wait a moment, the sales assistant quickly wrapped the necklace. 

Lia didn’t say anything. She guessed that since he was buying this necklace, it must be for someone very important to him. 

This necklace was one of a kind, and it was significantly more expensive. 

After buying the necklace, they finally reached the tie section. 

“How about this one? Lia put a light–colored tie on him. 

Lia said, “I see your wardrobe is full of dark colors. Maybe you should try a different style 

“What style are you looking for?” asked Lia 

She was choosing carefully, and he kept watching her. 

She said, “Actually, you’re handsome, so any tie looks good on you.” 

“Flatterer. He gently pinched her soft cheek. 

Lia wasn’t just flattering him. Back in high school, he and Issac were both school legends–one ar honor student, the other a troublemaker–but both had looks that could launch a career in entertainment, with countless admirers. 

But unlike Issac, Coby had never had a girlfriend, while Issac changed partners like changing clothes. 

Coby gripped her slender waist, applying gentle pressure as he pulled her tightly against him. 

“Coby, someone’s watching–Lia subtly twisted and whispered. 

“You two are really close,” the sales assistant said, enviously. 

“We’re not… Lia’s words were interrupted by Coby. “Wrap up all the light–colored ties in this row” 

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Yes, yes. The 

simimni avas grinning from ear to ear. 

Lia truly felt the power of money. The ties in this store were probably worth months of her salary, yet he didn’t even bat an eye, buying them all. 

“Why are you buying so many?” To Lia, it seemed unnecessary for him to buy ties since he already had so many at home. 

Coby said, “From now on, you’re in charge of the matching.” 

Lia quietly responded, “Mm” 

The bodyguards behind them were carrying several bags of ties 

nina 

Coby seemed to be in a good mood and went on to pick clothes, though they ended up in a women’s boutique. 

“Coby, are you buying clothes for a woman?” asked Lia. That was the only way they were in a store selling women’s office 

wear. 

Coby said, “Go choose some.” 

“Huh?” asked Lia 

Coby said. “I’m starting at Ford Group soon. Pick out a few sets 

Lia said. “Coby, I can buy my own.” 

“Is there a problem with me buying clothes for my woman?” He said with confidence. 

‘His woman?‘ Lia was stunned 

“Or I can pick them for you.” He affectionately scratched her delicate chin. 

“Coby, I’ve already accepted so many things from you, L. Lia felt lucky. Since meeting him, everything seemed to be turning out better. 

“Accepted what?” asked Coby. 

Lia said, “Money and work.” 

Coby said, “The money is what you deserve, and the job is because I appreciate your talent. Buying clothes is also part of that 

So, he helped her choose five sets. 

Back home, Lia still felt unworthy. She hadn’t even started working, yet she’d already received so many favors from Coby. 

Coby came out of the shower, drying his damp hair. 

Lia hurried over to take the towel from his hands. 

He sat on the sofa, and she gently dried his hair for him. 

Coby pulled her by the waist, lifting her so she was sitting face–to–face on his lap.. 

His gaze landed on the view before him. The enticing scent filled the air. Coby’s Adam’s apple moved as his eyes grew deeper. 

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She lowered her gaze and only then noticed where his eyes were fixed, “Coby,” 

“It’s fasting.” His voter was low and hoarse, his gaze tender. 

What asked Lia 

The atmosphere was so intimate that Lia’s face flushed. 

“The mark here is fading,” he said, his finger lightly tracing the pink mark. 

This blushed and didn’t know what to say 

Coby’s warm lips pressed against hers.