~•Too close•~

The office remained silent even after Lina Hart introduced herself.

For a few seconds, Adrian Vale simply looked at her.

His dark eyes were sharp and unreadable, as if he were examining every detail about her presence.

Most people avoided looking directly at him for too long.

His gaze alone had a way of making people uncomfortable.

But Lina didn’t look away.

Instead, she stood confidently in front of his large desk, holding the folder she had brought with her.

“Hello, Mr. Vale,” she repeated politely. “I’m your new assistant."

Adrian slowly closed the file he had been reading. The quiet sound echoed in the room.

“You’re late,” he said calmly.

Lina blinked once before glancing at the clock on the wall.

“Three minutes,” she replied honestly.

The answer was simple, yet something about her tone carried a hint of boldness.

No apology.

No fear.

Across the company, many employees had learned very quickly that Adrian Vale disliked excuses.

Most people would immediately apologize and promise it would never happen again.

But Lina simply stated the truth.

Adrian leaned back slightly in his chair, observing her with quiet curiosity.

“You’re not nervous,” he said.

Again, it wasn’t a question.

Lina gave a small shrug.

“Should I be?”

For a brief moment, the atmosphere in the room shifted.

No one spoke to Adrian Vale like that.

The CEO of Vale Corporation was known for his cold temperament and impossible expectations.

Secretaries and assistants often avoided even small conversations with him.

Yet here stood a girl who seemed strangely comfortable in his presence.

Adrian slowly stood from his chair.

His tall figure straightened as he walked around the desk with calm, deliberate steps.

The polished floor reflected the shadow of his movement.

Lina watched him approach.

Even though she tried to remain composed, her heartbeat quickened slightly as the distance between them disappeared.

Adrian stopped just a step away from her.

He was tall—much taller than she had expected.

Up close, his presence felt even more intense.

“Most assistants don’t last long here,” he said quietly.

Lina raised an eyebrow.

“Is that a warning?”

“An observation.”

She considered his words for a moment before responding.

“Well,” she said lightly, “I guess we’ll see how long I survive.”

The corners of Adrian’s lips didn’t move, but something in his expression shifted almost invisibly.

Confidence.

This girl had it.

And strangely enough, it didn’t irritate him.

Adrian turned slightly and walked toward the tall glass window overlooking the city.

From the top floor, the streets below looked small and distant.

Behind him, Lina placed the folder on his desk.

“Your schedule for today,” she said.

“Three meetings, one conference call, and a dinner appointment tonight."

Adrian glanced at the papers briefly.

“You prepared this already?”

“Of course,” she replied.

“It’s my job.”

Her voice carried quiet certainty.

For a moment, Adrian simply watched her.

Then something unusual happened.

He noticed the way she moved confidently around the office, organizing papers and adjusting files as if she had worked there for months.

Not once did she hesitate.

Not once did she appear intimidated.

And for the first time in years, Adrian Vale felt something unfamiliar stir inside his chest.

It wasn’t anger.

It wasn’t annoyance.

It was something far more unexpected.

Curiosity.

This girl… was different.

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