Chapter 3: The CEO of Robert Company

Alyce leaned back in her chair.

"Interesting."

Lisa frowned.

"Interesting?"

"The man disappeared for years."

Alyce's smirk returned.

"Now he's suddenly coming back."

Kayla groaned.

"Please don't tell me you're excited."

"I am."

"Alyce!"

"What?" Alyce replied innocently.

"A mysterious underworld king returns after years of silence. That's far more interesting than shareholder meetings."

Elsa buried her face in her hands.

"One day your curiosity is going to get us all killed."

Alyce laughed softly.

"Not today."

The room remained quiet for a moment after the news.

Then, as always, Kayla was the first to break the silence.

"You know, setting aside the fact that he's one of the most dangerous men alive..."

She leaned forward with a grin.

"...the King of the Underworld is ridiculously handsome."

Hazel nodded in agreement.

"Unfortunately, that's true."

Elsa pointed at them in disbelief.

"Are we seriously discussing his looks right now?"

"What?" Kayla shrugged. "We can acknowledge facts."

Lisa adjusted her glasses.

"Objectively speaking, the King and his closest associates are all known for being exceptionally attractive."

Clara gasped dramatically.

"Lisa! Even you're joining this conversation?"

"I am merely stating publicly available information."

"That's not helping."

Hazel chuckled.

"The newspapers call them cold-blooded monsters."

"And half the internet calls them heartthrobs," Elsa added.

"Exactly!" Kayla exclaimed. "It's unfair."

Clara crossed her arms.

"Why are all powerful people either terrifyingly beautiful or ridiculously handsome?"

Everyone's gaze slowly shifted toward Alyce.

Alyce raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you all looking at me?"

"Case in point," Lisa replied.

Alyce rolled her eyes.

"You people have too much free time."

"Says the woman who runs a multinational company, controls part of the underworld, and somehow still finds time to annoy us."

"Talent."

The group immediately groaned.

Alyce leaned back in her chair, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

"Honestly, with my intelligence, wealth, influence, and this face, I'd be shocked if people weren't lining up to marry me."

"Alyce!" Clara cried.

"She's starting again," Hazel sighed.

"What? Am I wrong?" Alyce asked innocently.

"Your self-confidence should be classified as a national threat," Elsa muttered.

"It isn't confidence if it's true."

Four cushions were immediately thrown at her.

Alyce laughed and effortlessly dodged every single one.

"Violence. How disappointing."

"Tell us who the man is," Kayla demanded.

"Yes," Clara agreed. "You don't get to casually mention a marriage candidate and then refuse to elaborate."

Alyce tapped her fingers against the desk.

"Fine."

The room instantly fell silent.

Five pairs of eyes locked onto her.

With a small smile, Alyce opened the top drawer of her desk.

From inside, she pulled out a silver photo frame.

The moment she placed it on the desk, everyone leaned forward.

Clara was the first to grab it.

Her eyes widened.

"...No way."

Kayla nearly jumped out of her seat.

"YOU'RE KIDDING."

Hazel choked on her coffee.

Even Lisa looked genuinely surprised.

The photograph showed a handsome man standing beside a younger Alyce.

He had sharp features, dark eyes, and an imposing aura that seemed to radiate even through a picture.

At the bottom of the frame was a name.

Edwin Robert.

CEO of Roberts Company.

The very same man Alyce was scheduled to meet in three days.

Clara slowly looked up from the photograph.

"Edwin Robert?"

"The Edwin Robert?" Kayla added.

Alyce simply smiled.

"The one and only."

The room exploded.

"YOU KNOW EDWIN ROBERT?!"

"Since when?!"

"Why have you never told us?!"

"Hold on—is he the one who wants to marry you?"

Alyce rested her chin on her hand.

"He said he would marry me one day."

Silence.

Then—

"WHAT?!"

The collective scream echoed throughout the entire executive floor.

Meanwhile, Alyce's gaze remained fixed on the photograph.

Unlike her usual teasing smile, this one was softer.

Warmer.

Three days.

After years apart, she would finally see Edwin Robert again.

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