Cameras clicked like machine guns.
The conference room was an aquarium of glass and tension. Reporters lined the space in suits and sleek dresses, gripping tablets and voice recorders like weapons. Bright lights overhead cast a spotlight on the two of us—Alyssa Yuan, the ice queen of the corporate world, and me, her unworthy secret lover.
Or so the story wanted me to be.
Alyssa stood at the podium with a calm so absolute it silenced the crowd before she even spoke. The backdrop behind her displayed the Yuan Enterprises logo in white and gold, with the bold headline: "YuanTech & HexaCore Announce Strategic Merger".
The moment was pivotal.
In the original novel, this press conference became the catalyst for everything—her rise, her enemies, and her downfall. It was also where the world began to suspect our secret relationship… thanks to me botching it.
But this time, I wouldn't mess it up.
Alyssa leaned toward the mic. "Thank you all for coming. Yuan Enterprises and HexaCore have aligned our visions—innovation, integrity, and influence—toward building the future of tech. This merger isn't just a contract. It's a promise."
Polite applause followed.
Then came the questions.
"Miss Yuan, how will this affect market competition?"
"Is there concern about monopolization?"
"What does your board say about working with HexaCore's founder, Richard Feng, given your history?"
I watched her spine stiffen at that last one. Richard Feng—the ex who betrayed her, tried to steal company secrets, and nearly destroyed her name. The question cut deeper than they knew.
But she didn't flinch.
"I don't answer to ghosts," she replied coolly, voice like the edge of a blade. "Only to shareholders."
Damn.
> [New Trait Acquired: Composure +1]
You feel a surge of admiration. +5 Affection
Then someone turned their attention to me.
"And Mr. Reyes—what is your role in this merger, exactly?"
Crap.
I stepped up, feeling the weight of a hundred lenses on me. In the original timeline, Ethan stammered and fumbled a vague answer that made Alyssa look like she was hiring boy-toys as advisors.
Not today.
"I'm here because Miss Yuan trusts me," I said calmly. "I manage high-level integrations between tech and human capital. My specialty is knowing what people need before they realize they need it. That includes innovation strategy, market shifts—and emotional intelligence."
The room paused. One of the reporters scribbled fast. A few brows rose.
Alyssa glanced at me. Her poker face didn't falter, but her fingers on the podium curled slightly.
> +7 Affection
New Reputation Title Unlocked: "Not Just a Pretty Face"
"Do you see a personal future at Yuan Enterprises?" another asked.
I looked straight at Alyssa as I replied, "I see my future wherever Miss Yuan allows me to stand."
Gasps rippled through the room. The atmosphere changed—hotter, tighter.
She turned her head sharply. "Mr. Reyes—"
"It's the truth," I said, softer this time. "I'm not just working for this company. I'm choosing her vision. Every single day."
For a moment, she didn't say anything.
Then she turned back to the mic.
"No further questions."
The press conference ended with applause and murmurs of speculation. I followed her back toward the elevator, the cameras still flashing behind us.
As soon as we were alone inside, she turned to me slowly.
"You're playing a dangerous game," she said.
"Only if I lose," I replied.
She stared at me. Searching. Measuring.
"You're not the same," she said at last. "You've changed."
I didn't blink. "So have you. You just hide it better."
Silence. Then she said, "Dinner. Tonight. My place."
> [Main Quest Updated: "Break the Ice"]
Objective: Attend private dinner. Avoid pitfalls. Deepen trust.
Reward: +10 Affection | Hidden Trait Reveal: ???
The elevator opened to her penthouse floor.
This story had barely begun.