The next morning, Lilian and Elsie woke early, as usual, to prepare breakfast before heading to the company. After eating, they set out together. Soon, the driver pulled up in front of the company's entrance and quickly opened the car door for Lilian.
Lilian was busy chatting on her phone, smiling in a way Elsie rarely saw. Elsie kept wondering who could make the proud Lilian smile like that. Could it be Derek? Her mind stirred with gossip, and she was about to speak when a commotion at the company's door drew her attention.
Elsie turned sharply toward the source. A tall, handsome young man stood straight, clad in a custom‑made navy blue suit paired with polished leather shoes. He wore no tie, and the top three buttons of his crisp white shirt were undone, revealing his hard, sculpted chest. If not for his notorious reputation, he would have been a god of beauty in human form.
Elsie's heart raced. She desperately turned to warn Lilian not to step out, but Lilian, engrossed in her phone, paid no attention to the outside world. When she heard Elsie urging her, she thought Elsie meant they were running late. Without hesitation, she stepped out of the car and began walking toward the company's door—where Perry Jerome and a few of his bodyguards were waiting.
Still smiling and chatting, Lilian was oblivious. Elsie had no choice but to quicken her pace and nudge Lilian desperately. Lilian looked at her curiously, humming, "Hmm?"
---
Meanwhile, Perry stood upright, emotions swirling within him. Only now did he understand why all the search warrants for Lilian Asienwegher had failed. She had hidden herself well beneath those coverings. Even he might not have recognized her if not for her assistant's agitation, which raised his suspicion. Looking into her eyes, he knew instantly—it was her.
Lilian, baffled by Elsie's strange behavior, followed her gaze. When she saw Perry, she was flabbergasted. Shock stole her breath, and she lost her footing, nearly falling. Perry instinctively wanted to rush forward and catch her, but Lilian screamed, scrambling to get up and run. The more she tried, the more she tripped over her long covering.
Elsie rushed to help her stand. Lilian panted heavily, gasping for air, stepping backward, shaking her head, unable to speak until she caught her breath.
Finally, tears welled in her eyes. She looked at Perry sadly, sobbing bitterly. "Perry, please leave me alone. You're married already. What else do you want?" She retreated slowly toward the car.
Perry felt a deep ache in his heart seeing her like this. He chuckled through his own sobs. "Lilian, please… give me a chance." He struggled with himself, wanting desperately to rush forward and hug her, but knowing it would only push her further away.
---
Perry dropped to his knees. His sincerity shocked onlookers. Many thought Lilian heartless—no matter what he had done, here was a young man humbling himself before her, begging.
Company officials began whispering among themselves. They realized now why their boss always wore coverings. She was Lilian Asienwegher. Regret filled them. They had missed the chance to claim ten million dollars, a luxury house in any country, and even a Bugatti Divo.
Lilian, trembling, thought her covering too long and dangerous—it had already tripped her twice. In frustration, she pulled it off over her head and threw it aside. Beneath, she wore a fitted peach sleeveless gown that stopped just four inches above her knees, accentuating her perfect, hot, and alluring figure.
Men nearby couldn't help but stare, drooling at her beauty. Though many had seen her face on the news during the search, in person she was far more breathtaking than any photograph.
---
Lilian bolted back into the car, shouting, "Elsie, please call the police!" She locked the door and ordered the driver, "Drive fast, please!"
The driver obeyed, igniting the engine and speeding away. Lilian's whole body trembled. With shaking hands, she dialed a number. Her voice broke with sobs as she tried to speak, watching in terror as other cars began catching up with them.
The call connected. Lilian burst out crying, her words incoherent. "Derek… pleeease… I don't know who else to call. Please help me!"
On the other end, Derek tensed, trying to understand. "Lilian! Lilian, listen. Can you hear me?"
Sniffling anxiously, she nodded, then realized he couldn't see her. "Yes," she whispered.
"Breathe in," Derek instructed calmly. "Calm down and answer my questions."
When he felt she was steadier, he asked, "Where are you now?"
By then, Derek and Leo were already in their car, accompanied by over three dozen bodyguards. Lilian asked the driver for their location, then relayed it to Derek.
---
The call remained connected, but Lilian was no longer listening. Suddenly, she screamed in fear. "Drive faster!"
The driver shook his head. "I'm sorry, Ma'am. We can't go any further. We're blocked."
Lilian recoiled, terrified, curling into the backseat. "Don't open the door! Please, let's wait for Derek."
On the other end, Derek's heart swelled. She truly trusted him. She relied on him completely. He pressed harder on the accelerator, keeping the phone line open, listening to her sobs.
Lilian hugged herself tightly, folding her legs, burying her face between her knees and chest. She sobbed uncontrollably, flinching at every knock on the car door.
"No! Don't open! Don't… don't… don't open!" she cried desperately and repeatedly.
---
Derek grew frustrated, knocking on the car himself. "Lilian, open the door! It's me. I'm here. I won't let anyone hurt you, okay? Open the door now!"
But Lilian was too scared to listen.
The driver turned to her gently. "Miss Asienwegher, Mr. Russell is asking me to open the door."
At the name Mr. Russell, Lilian's head snapped up. She repeated faintly, "Mr. Rus…" Then she jolted upright, her voice breaking with relief. "Derek!"
She scrambled to open the door, urging the driver, "Open it!"
As soon as the door unlocked, Lilian leapt into Derek's sturdy chest, crying her heart out.
Derek held her tightly, placing soft kisses on her forehead, her cheeks, and the crook of her neck. He whispered into her ear, "Don't be scared. I'm here. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore."
His heart ached seeing her trembling uncontrollably—her legs, hands, and lips shaking violently. Without hesitation, Derek scooped her up, lifting her feet off the ground, and carried her directly into his car.