Chapter 5 Unexpected Encounter

Regina stumbled through the apartment door, feeling like a zombie. She tossed her briefcase onto the shoe cabinet in the entryway.

The day had been brutal, especially after hearing that Douglas might be the CEO of Century Group. She could barely keep her mind on her work.

The living room was dead silent, the only sound being the ticking of the wall clock. Regina made her way to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and took a few big gulps. The cold liquid slid down her throat, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside her.

Just then, her phone rang. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen. Regina hesitated but answered it anyway.

"Hello?" she said softly.

"Regina," a deep, magnetic voice came through, "it's Douglas."

Hearing his name made Regina's heart skip a beat. Since their marriage, they hadn't talked much, and sometimes she felt like the whole thing was just a weird dream. But the marriage certificate was a solid reminder that he had indeed entered her life.

"What's up?" Regina tried to keep her voice casual, like she was just talking to a friend.

There was a brief silence on the other end, as if Douglas was gathering his thoughts. The pause made the atmosphere between them even more awkward.

"Well... I was wondering if you're free this weekend," Douglas finally said, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness. "We could go visit your grandma together."

Regina breathed a sigh of relief. At least he remembered this. Otherwise, what was the point of their marriage? She had worried that Douglas might be as unreliable as Philip, but it seemed Douglas was better at keeping his promises.

"Saturday works," Regina replied. "How about 2 PM? That's when my Grandma is usually resting, and she'll be in better spirits."

"Sounds good," Douglas said, a hint of a smile in his voice. "I can pick you up."

Regina hesitated. "No need. Let's just meet at the hospital entrance." She wasn't sure how to handle this sudden closeness.

Douglas seemed to sense her hesitation and didn't push. "Alright, see you at the hospital entrance. Send me the address."

They exchanged a few more words, mostly about Tasha and the visit details. Throughout the call, their conversation remained somewhat stilted and awkward.

But Regina couldn't help feeling a hint of confusion at the underlying concern in Douglas' words. They were just a couple in a contractual marriage, so why did he seem so genuinely interested in her?

"See you Saturday," Regina said softly.

"See you Saturday," Douglas replied, his voice a bit warmer. "Good night."

"Good night." Regina hung up the phone, standing in the middle of the living room, still clutching her phone.

This was their first real conversation since getting married, and it ended so naturally with a goodnight. Regina shook her head, trying to dismiss the strange feeling. She told herself it was just a polite gesture, nothing more.

Douglas put down his phone and let out a long breath. He had wanted to invite Regina to his home this weekend but decided against it. His family situation was complicated, and revealing too much too soon could backfire in his pursuit of Regina.

He walked to the window, gazing at the sparkling night view. The lights from the boats on the river looked like stars, creating golden trails on the dark water.

Douglas rubbed his temples. The day's work at the company had been complicated enough; he didn't want to add more pressure on Regina.

The email incident was his oversight. He had intended to use the photo to quash some rumors, not realizing it would cause Regina so much trouble.

And the handkerchief was a deliberate move, hoping Regina would find some clues without directly exposing their relationship.

He picked up the red headband from his bedside table, his fingers gently brushing over the soft fabric. That intoxicating night, he had tied the headband over Regina's eyes in the dark. Now, he could finally approach her openly.

Douglas carefully placed the headband back and picked up his phone, looking at the hospital address Regina had sent. Fortunately, he had already arranged his work schedule for the weekend. Nothing would stop him from visiting Regina's grandma on Saturday.

Regina found herself looking forward to the arrival of the weekend. This anticipation surprised her, considering her marriage to Douglas was just a transaction. But for some reason, whenever she thought of Douglas, her emotions became more complex.

He was indeed an exceptional man—handsome, charismatic, and well-mannered. If Tasha met him, she would surely be pleased.

Over the next few days, Regina worked while discreetly observing the company's dynamics, trying to find more clues about Douglas.

But strangely, the CEO's office seemed perpetually empty, with no one going in or out. The departments continued their work as usual, as if the clarifying email had never been sent.

Finally, Friday arrived. Regina planned to leave work early to prepare for her visit with Douglas to see Tasha. Just as she was tidying her desk, her department manager, Janet Liam, hurried over.

"Regina, there's a company dinner tonight to welcome the new boss. Everyone must attend, no exceptions," Janet said firmly.

Regina was taken aback. "Tonight? What time?"

"Six PM, at the Sapphire Sky Hotel's banquet hall," Janet replied, glancing at her. "Be on time and dress formally."

Regina checked her watch. It was already 4:30 PM. She had planned to go home and rest, preparing for tomorrow's visit. Now, she had to change her plans. She sighed and nodded. "Got it."

The Sapphire Sky Hotel was one of the most upscale hotels in Oriant City, located in the prime downtown area. From the top-floor banquet hall, one could overlook the city's magnificent skyline.

Regina walked into the banquet hall, immediately struck by the opulence.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled on the ceiling, casting a sea of light and shadow on the marble floor. Waiters in matching tailcoats carried champagne trays, weaving through the guests. The buffet tables were laden with a variety of delicacies, from seafood to steak, filling the air with mouth-watering aromas.

Regina found a corner seat, trying to stay inconspicuous. But her beauty and poise made her stand out. Many male colleagues cast admiring glances her way, while the female colleagues, led by Lucia, gathered to gossip, occasionally shooting her hostile looks.

"I heard the new boss is coming tonight," Lucia said loudly. "He's supposed to be super handsome and only twenty-nine."

"Really?" a female colleague echoed excitedly. "I heard he's from one of Oriant City's top families, very prestigious."

"But unfortunately," another colleague sighed, "he's already married. I wonder what kind of woman he married. She must be a high-society heiress."

Lucia sneered. "A man from such a top family would never marry an ordinary person. His wife must be a noble heiress, elegant and from a prominent family, not someone we could ever hope to match."

Regina ignored the chatter, quietly sipping her champagne. She had no interest in the gossip and just wanted the event to end so she could go home and prepare for tomorrow.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Dr. Flynn Tooker from the hospital. Regina quickly answered and moved to a corner of the banquet hall.

"Hello, Dr. Tooker?"

"Ms. Valrose," Flynn's voice was serious, "your grandmother's condition has worsened. Her blood pressure spiked, and her heart rate is unstable. We've taken some measures, and she's stable for now, but it's not looking good."

Regina's heart sank. "Do I need to come now?"

"Not immediately, but it would be best if you could visit tomorrow," Flynn said. "She's been asking for you and your husband, saying she wants to see you both tomorrow."

"Okay, we'll be there," Regina assured him. She hung up, her mind filled with worry. Tasha's condition had suddenly deteriorated. She needed to leave the party as soon as possible.

As she was about to slip out, the banquet hall lights dimmed. A well-dressed emcee took the stage, microphone in hand.

"Good evening, Century Group employees," the emcee's voice boomed. "Tonight, we are honored to welcome the new CEO of the Century Group. He is young, talented, and will lead us to a brighter future. Let's give a warm welcome to him!"

Regina knew this was the highlight of the evening, but she couldn't wait. With everyone's attention on the stage, she quietly moved toward the exit. The entrance was less crowded, the perfect opportunity to leave unnoticed.

She was texting Douglas about Tasha's condition as she neared the door when suddenly, all the spotlights focused on her. The blinding light made her raise a hand to shield her eyes.

"Welcome the new CEO of the Century Group!" the emcee announced behind her.

Regina was taken aback. She turned around to see everyone standing up, their gazes shifting past her towards something behind her. She slowly pivoted to see the grand doors of the banquet hall opening, revealing a tall figure stepping into the doorframe.

In that moment, Regina's unbelievable suspicion was confirmed.

Standing at the entrance was Douglas. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, a deep blue shirt underneath, and a diamond tie pin that sparkled under the lights. His hair was impeccably styled, his face handsome and stern, exuding an aura of untouchable nobility.

Douglas's gaze swept the room and landed on Regina. A flicker of surprise crossed his face before he regained his composure. He walked into the hall, stopping beside Regina, his lips curling into a near-perfect smile.

"Good evening, everyone," Douglas's voice was deep and commanding. "From today, I will be taking over the Century Group."

Cameras flashed, capturing the moment. Regina wanted to disappear. She never imagined reuniting with Douglas in such a public way.

In the glare of the lights, Regina saw the faint smile on Douglas's lips and a chilling thought crossed her mind, 'Had he planned this all along?'