CHAPTER 433: CHAPTER 433 NEW SECRETARY

The next morning, Sebastian Carter stepped into the towering glass building of Carter Enterprises like he always did—sharp suit, darker mood.

Everything felt the same.

Except... he didn’t feel the same.

He walked through the lobby with heavy steps and entered the elevator silently. The world around him had moved forward. Yet somewhere deep inside, something was missing.

When he reached his floor, Assistant Quinn was already waiting at the door with a bright, annoying smile on his face.

"Sir, your new secretary will be joining today," Quinn said, flipping open the tablet in his hand. "Also, Mr. Ford will arrive for the investment meeting at 11 a.m. sharp."

Sebastian gave a small nod and continued walking, but paused when he noticed the grin still hanging on Quinn’s face.

His dark eyes narrowed.

"...Do I have something on my face, estúpido fella?" he muttered in perfect Spanish, making Quinn clear his throat quickly.

"Hahaha—no, boss!" Quinn raised both hands in surrender, still grinning like a fool. "I’m just... in a good mood. My wife’s pregnant," he added, placing a hand over his chest with a proud beam.

Sebastian blinked, genuinely stunned for a second.

Quinn? Married? A baby on the way?

This idiot?

"You’re married?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow as he entered his office, pausing at the door.

"Yup!" Quinn nodded enthusiastically. "Married for a year now. She’s my high school sweetheart. We finally decided to settle down. Life’s kinda weird like that, right?"

Sebastian didn’t reply. He just stared at Quinn like he had grown two heads.

Shrugging the thought off, he waved his hand.

"Congratulations. Now get back to work."

"Yes, sir!"

Quinn watched the door close behind him and chuckled under his breath.

"Ohhh... just wait till you meet your secretary, boss..." he whispered with a twinkle in his eye. "You’ll really need a second cup of coffee today."

***

Sebastian was already in a foul mood when a sharp knock echoed against the office door.

"Come in!" he snapped, eyes not leaving the file in front of him.

The door creaked open and Assistant Quinn poked his head in, looking a little hesitant.

"Boss... the secretary is here."

Sebastian groaned under his breath and waved his hand impatiently. "Why are you acting like she’s some celebrity? Just send her in. I have a lot of work to finish."

Quinn cleared his throat, trying hard not to grin. "Haha... Yes, sir. Miss Parker, please come in."

Sebastian didn’t even bother looking up. His pen scratched against the paper as he flipped a page. But the second he felt that subtle shift in the room—the soft click of heels on floor, the faint scent of lavender and something warm—his fingers froze.

Something in the air had changed.

Slowly, he lifted his eyes.

And for a second... he forgot how to breathe.

Gorgeous.

Elegant.

Familiar.

His gaze landed on the woman standing in front of him, dressed in crisp, tailored white silk blouse tucked neatly into a fitted black pencil skirt that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her long dark hair framed her face, and her lips were the color of rosewood. But what stunned him most were those icy blue eyes, calm and unwavering, staring straight back at him.

Her expression was unreadable.

But her confidence was like she had owned this office once before.

Something about her felt so hauntingly familiar... but he couldn’t place it.

Sebastian leaned back slightly in his chair, eyes narrowing as if trying to see through her.

"...Miss Parker, is it?" he said, voice low.

Lilith gave a small nod, her voice smooth and neutral. "Yes. Lilith Parker. It’s a pleasure to work under you, Mr. Carter."

He stared at her for another moment too long, something strange twisting in his chest. Her tone was polite.

But that name...

"Parker..."

Why did it sound so wrong? Or maybe... too right?

Before he could say anything else, she stepped forward and placed a file gently on his desk. "These are the reports from the finance department. I’ve already arranged the meeting room for Mr. Ford at eleven and scheduled your week based on the priority list you had approved."

Her movements were smooth. Her words efficient. Not a single hesitation in her actions.

She was perfect.

And that made him even more annoyed.

He leaned forward, folding his arms. "You seem overly prepared for your first day."

Lilith smiled slightly, just enough to appear polite. "I believe in being useful from the first hour."

"Hmm," he muttered, still staring. "Have we met before?"

That made her pause for a breath. Just a second. But she recovered instantly.

"I don’t believe so," she said softly.

And that was the moment Quinn quietly stepped out and shut the door, biting back a full-blown laugh as he walked down the hallway.

Inside the office, Sebastian kept watching her.

Ever since Lilith Parker walked into his office that morning, something inside Sebastian Carter had shifted.

He couldn’t explain it.

She was just a secretary. Like many others he’d hired before. But unlike them, she didn’t smile too much. She didn’t giggle or drop pens near his feet hoping he’d notice her. She didn’t bat her eyelashes or touch his desk unnecessarily. No—she did her job, perfectly. Flawlessly. Without mistake.

And that made her dangerously interesting.

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the desk as he stared at the ceiling with a frown.

She never looked at him longer than needed. She never asked personal questions. She always knocked before entering. Her words were respectful, her posture straight, her eyes calm like still water... but somehow, every part of her presence disrupted his peace.

He sighed and reached for the phone. His finger hovered over the intercom button. Why was he doing this?

He didn’t even want the damn coffee.

He pressed the button anyway.

"Miss Parker," he said, his voice calm but clipped. "Can I have another coffee? Black. No sugar."

A brief pause, then her soft voice responded, "Of course, Mr. Carter."

He closed his eyes for a moment.

It was the third time he’d asked her for coffee that day.