Chapter 4 The Gaze Behind

Regina stared hard at the handkerchief in the background of the photo. The faint daisy pattern on it was exactly like the one Douglas had given her at the café. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

'This has to be a coincidence,' she kept telling herself. 'Anyone could have a handkerchief with daisies on it.'

But it was too much of a coincidence. First, a stranger she'd never met proposed to her out of the blue, and then he turned out to be the CEO of her company?

Regina felt a wave of dizziness. She forced herself to stay calm and not let anyone see her rattled.

"Alright, everyone," the department manager cleared his throat, cutting through the office chatter. "Get back to your workstations and focus on your tasks. The company has sent out an internal email clarifying the situation. No inappropriate speculation about the CEO's private affairs."

Regina kept her head down, pretending to be absorbed in her computer, but she could feel a hostile gaze on her. She couldn't help but look up, and her eyes met those of Lucia Jones. Lucia stared at her like a snake ready to strike, her eyes full of malice.

Lucia was a senior employee in the department. Before Regina joined, she had been the top translator. But since Regina came on board, things had changed.

Regina was not only attractive but also highly skilled, her proficiency in multiple languages proving invaluable in several recent projects. Despite being new, she had quickly become the new favorite among the leaders, while Lucia felt overshadowed.

Regina wasn't one to engage in petty rivalries; she just did her job quietly. But this only made Lucia angrier. Unlike Regina, Lucia was good at winning people over, always saying the right things and behaving perfectly. She quickly formed a small clique among the female colleagues, leaving Regina as their target.

During the lunch break, Regina deliberately delayed going to the break room. As she passed by, she heard hushed laughter coming from inside.

"Did you hear? Mr. Scott was looking for Regina again," one female colleague's voice came through. "Every time he comes to the office, he makes a point to swing by our department."

"Well, Regina is scheming," another voice chimed in, dripping with sarcasm. "She could easily win clients over with her face and figure, so why bother putting in so much effort to learn a foreign language?"

Regina stood at the door, hand on the handle, hesitating whether to push it open.

"Exactly," Lucia's distinctive voice rang out. "Didn't she have a luxury car picking her up every day before? They said it was some rich guy. Haven't seen that car in a while, though."

"Well, she probably got dumped," another woman interjected. "Guys like that get bored and move on. Regina's just like a discarded pet now."

Lucia let out a triumphant laugh. "I wonder how long she can keep up that high-and-mighty act. She may be riding high now, but she'll crash and burn soon enough."

Regina took a deep breath and pushed open the break room door. The women who had been whispering fell silent, their expressions freezing.

However, Regina acted as if she hadn't heard a thing, calmly walking past them to get her mug and make a cup of coffee. Throughout the process, she was unhurried, her face showing no sign of emotion.

After making her coffee, Regina even nodded slightly to them before turning to leave the break room. Only when the door closed behind her did she allow her shoulders to relax a bit.

"Let's see how long you can keep this up," Lucia's voice hissed behind her. "I'll make sure you can't stay in this company."

Regina didn't look back, walking straight to her desk. She knew those rumors were just jealousy. Philip had indeed sent a car to pick her up frequently during that time, but she didn't feel the need to explain it to them.

But now, Regina had more pressing concerns. If Douglas was indeed the CEO of the Century Group, their marriage being exposed would cause a huge uproar.

She couldn't help but wonder if this was all part of Douglas's plan. Did he know everything about her, including her job at the Century Group? Was this all a carefully designed trap?

But for what purpose?

Meanwhile, the news about the new CEO of the Century Group being married was spreading like wildfire online. Social media platforms were buzzing with discussions about the young and promising business leader's marital status, with some even speculating about his wife's identity.

Douglas sat in the driver's seat, driving home while constantly answering phone calls and messages. Since the company sent out that clarification email, his phone hadn't stayed silent for a minute. Everyone was asking the same question: Douglas, did you really get married?

"Hey, Douglas, when did you secretly get married? Not even a word to your friends?" Michael Clinton's voice carried a hint of displeasure.

Douglas's lips curled into a slight smile. "It happened suddenly. I didn't have time to tell you."

"Suddenly? Since when do you do anything suddenly?" Michael was clearly skeptical. "You said you just fell for some girl at first sight and got married. No way. Knowing you, this had to be planned."

Douglas didn't respond, just chuckled softly.

Michael pressed on. "Who is she? Do I know her? Could it be..."

"Alright," Douglas cut him off. "You'll find out when I introduce you."

After hanging up, Douglas's phone lit up again. This time it was his grandfather, Leo Semona. Douglas took a deep breath and answered the call.

"Douglas!" Leo's robust voice boomed through the phone. "What is this about? You got married without telling me?"

"Grandpa, I..."

"Idiot!" Leo interrupted, his voice full of anger. "Treating your marriage like a joke! Do you know what rumors are spreading in the media? They are saying that you hastily married a woman to get rid of those same-sex scandal rumors! What is this nonsense? You have brought shame upon the Semona family!"

Douglas didn't argue, quietly listening to Leo's scolding.

"You've always had your own ideas, and I don't interfere with your choices," Leo's voice softened a bit. "But marriage is a serious matter. How could you be so rash? Tell me, who is this girl? What kind of person is she?"

"Grandpa, she's wonderful," Douglas's voice softened. "I promise you'll like her."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, as if Leo was calming down. "What's done is done. I won't say more. Bring her home soon. The whole family is waiting to meet your wife."

"I will, Grandpa," Douglas promised.

After hanging up, Douglas exhaled deeply. He knew Leo's acceptance was only on the surface. When he brought Regina home, Leo would surely have a lot more to say. But it was a necessary step, one he had to face sooner or later.

Douglas drove back to his Riverside Penthouse. As he opened the door, a faint musty smell greeted him. He hadn't been home in over a month, ever since he had someone monitor Regina and Philip's argument. He had been busy orchestrating this "coincidence."

The 8,000-square-foot Riverside Penthouse was his private residence, rarely visited by others. The space was elegantly minimalist yet luxurious, with massive floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of the river. At night, the city's bright lights contrasted sharply with the tranquil waters.

Douglas walked into the bathroom, shedding his suit and letting the warm water wash away his fatigue. The water flowed over his well-defined muscles, taking the day's weariness with it.

He closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting back to Regina. What would her reaction be to the company's clarification email? Had she already figured something out?

After his shower, Douglas stepped out, casually donning a robe. As he entered the bedroom, his eyes were drawn to a splash of vibrant red on the bed. Against the dark blue bedding, the red stood out starkly.

Douglas approached and picked up the red hair ribbon, his fingers gently brushing the soft fabric.

His fingers caressed the ribbon as if touching a woman's smooth back. He stood by the window, gazing at the distant city lights, his thoughts returning to that intoxicating night.

Back then, he thought he was just indulging a momentary impulse, not realizing that night would leave an indelible mark on his heart.

"Regina," Douglas murmured softly, "this time, I won't let you go."