Night had already settled over the city when the Yu Corporation building began to empty. Most employees had gone home, leaving the upper floors quiet except for a few lights still glowing in the executive offices.
Vivian sat elegantly in the reception lounge, crossing one leg over the other as she scrolled through her phone.
Her eyes darkened at the headlines.
"Louis Yu supports wife on film set."
"Power couple! Louis and Tabitha look adorable together."
"Is the cold CEO finally in love with his wife?"
Vivian's grip tightened around her phone.
"Cute together?" she scoffed softly.
More photos appeared..Louis standing beside Tabitha on set, crew members smiling around them, food he had brought for everyone.
Her lips curved into a cold smile.
"Let's see how long that lasts."
She stood up and walked confidently toward the reception desk.
Mimi, who had just come back to pick up some documents she had forgotten earlier, froze when she saw Vivian.
Vivian smiled sweetly.
"Is Louis still here?"
Mimi's eyes narrowed slightly.
Vivian again.
Of course.
Mimi quickly composed herself.
"Mr. Yu already went home," she said smoothly.
Vivian tilted her head.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Vivian studied her for a moment. Then she laughed softly.
"You're a bad liar."
Mimi blinked.
Vivian leaned closer over the desk.
"I know Louis is still upstairs."
Mimi kept her expression calm.
"Even if he was, he's busy."
Vivian smiled wider.
"Oh, I don't mind waiting."
She sat back down comfortably on the couch.
Mimi sighed internally.
Of course she wouldn't leave.
After thinking for a second, Mimi quietly pulled out her phone and sent a message.
"Emergency. Vivian is here."
Inside Louis' Office
Louis sat behind his desk reviewing documents while Andre and Summer discussed numbers nearby.
The office door suddenly opened.
Tabitha walked in casually.
Andre and Summer both blinked.
"Madam?"
Louis looked up.
"What are you doing here?"
Tabitha closed the door behind her and walked toward the sofa.
"You might have a visitor," she said calmly as she sat down.
Louis frowned.
"A visitor?"
She leaned back lazily.
"She didn't call. She just came."
Louis immediately understood.
"Vivian."
Tabitha shrugged.
"She's waiting outside."
Louis stared at her carefully.
"Is there a problem?"
Tabitha folded her arms.
"No problem."
Then she added lightly,
"I just wanted to spend some time with my husband."
Andre almost choked.
Summer quickly looked down to hide a smile.
Louis narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What are you planning now?"
Tabitha smiled sweetly.
"Nothing."
Outside the Office
Vivian was now standing at the desk arguing with Mimi.
"Why did you lie to me?" Vivian demanded.
"I told you he already left."
"You think I'm stupid?"
Before Mimi could reply, the office door opened.
Andre and Summer walked out.
Vivian immediately stepped forward.
"I want to see Louis."
Andre remained calm.
"Mr. Yu said no one should disturb him."
Vivian frowned.
"What?"
Summer added politely,
"Mr. Yu and Mrs. Yu want to spend some time alone."
The words landed like a slap.
Vivian's expression instantly hardened.
"Alone?"
"Yes," Andre confirmed.
Vivian clenched her jaw.
So Tabitha was inside.
Of course.
Her nails dug slightly into her palm.
"Fine," she said coldly.
Then she turned and stormed toward the elevator.
As the doors closed, her eyes burned with anger.
Tabitha Yu…
"You think you've won?"
Her lips curved into a dangerous smile.
"We'll see."
Inside the Office
Tabitha stretched lazily on the couch.
"I'm hungry."
Louis looked at her.
"Then go eat."
She rolled her eyes.
"Let's have dinner."
"I already have dinner plans."
"With who?"
"Investors."
Tabitha pouted slightly.
"Oh."
Her shoulders dropped a little.
Louis watched her for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"You can come."
Her head snapped up.
"Really?"
"Yes."
The Dinner
The restaurant was elegant but relaxed.
Unlike most business dinners Louis attended, the investors tonight were surprisingly young...only a few years older than him.
They greeted Louis warmly when he arrived.
But when they saw Tabitha beside him, they were stunned.
One of them whistled softly.
"CEO Yu, you never told us your wife was this beautiful."
Tabitha laughed politely.
"Thank you."
Another investor shook his head.
"My wife is too shy to even attend events like this."
A third man sighed dramatically.
"My wife is always traveling. Spa, beauty salons, vacations. She barely stays home."
Another one chuckled.
"Mine refuses to work at all. Says being a full-time housewife is already exhausting."
Everyone laughed.
One of them turned toward Tabitha.
"So Mrs. Yu, what do you do?"
Louis answered before she could.
"She's a producer."
Then he added calmly,
"And a business analyst."
The men looked impressed.
"Oh?"
Tabitha blinked.
She hadn't expected him to say it like that.
One investor leaned forward excitedly.
"A producer? That's interesting."
"Yes," Tabitha nodded.
"We're working on a film project right now."
Another investor suddenly snapped his fingers.
"I have a beverage company launching a new drink next month. If you include it in your film, I can sponsor part of the production."
Tabitha's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Of course."
A third investor grinned.
"I know a very famous actor. If you want, I can ask him to appear in the film as a guest actor. No payment needed."
Tabitha gasped softly.
"You're serious?"
"Absolutely."
Another added,
"I have connections with several streaming platforms. Distribution won't be a problem."
Tabitha looked completely stunned.
Within minutes, the dinner had turned into a business opportunity.
She leaned slightly toward Louis and whispered,
"I'm really glad I came."
Louis glanced at her.
Her eyes were bright with excitement.
For once… she looked genuinely happy.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Good."
Tabitha picked up her glass and said cheerfully,
"Then tonight's dinner is definitely worth it."
The dinner ended much later than expected.
The investors had been lively, the conversation flowing easily between business, jokes, and stories. Tabitha, who had been thrilled about the support they promised for her film project, happily drank along with them.
A little too happily.
By the time Louis paid the bill and escorted everyone out of the restaurant, Tabitha was already swaying slightly in her heels.
"Okay," she announced proudly as they stepped outside. "I am completely fine."
Louis glanced at her.
She was absolutely not fine.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes slightly glassy, and she was smiling at absolutely nothing.
Louis said calmly to the driver. "Bring the car."
"Yes, sir."
The car arrived quickly.
Tabitha attempted to walk toward it.
Attempted.
Halfway there, she stumbled.
Louis caught her immediately by the arm.
She blinked up at him slowly.
"…You're moving."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
She squinted at him suspiciously.
Then suddenly her arms wrapped around his waist.
"Okay fine," she sighed dramatically. "You carry me."
Louis froze.
"Tabitha."
"I'm tired."
"You can walk."
"No."
She leaned all her weight on him.
"Carry. Me."
Louis exhaled slowly.
Then without another word, he lifted her into his arms.
Tabitha gasped in delight.
"Ooooh! Flying!"
"You're drunk."
"I'm elegant."
"You're drunk."
She rested her head against his shoulder, smiling lazily.
"I like this view."
Louis ignored her and carried her into the car.
At the Villa
By the time they arrived home, Tabitha was even more relaxed… and far more talkative.
Louis helped her out of the car.
She immediately grabbed onto his arm like a koala.
"Why do you walk so fast?" she complained.
"I'm walking normally."
"You're rushing me."
He sighed.
"Let's get you to your room."
Inside the villa, the maids greeted them quietly before stepping aside.
Louis half-carried her upstairs.
Tabitha hummed happily the entire way.
When they reached her bedroom, he pushed the door open and guided her inside.
"Sit," he said.
She dropped onto the bed dramatically.
"Wow."
Louis rubbed his forehead.
"I'm getting you water."
"No."
He paused.
"No?"
She pointed at him lazily.
"You."
"What about me?"
"You're still wearing too many clothes."
Louis slowly turned his head.
"…What?"
Tabitha frowned at him like he was the confusing one.
"Your jacket."
"My jacket?"
"Yes."
She waved her hand impatiently.
"Take it off."
Louis stared at her.
"You're ordering me now?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
She tilted her head.
"…Because it looks uncomfortable."
Then she added thoughtfully,
"And I want to see if you have muscles."
Louis closed his eyes briefly.
"Tabitha."
She stood up suddenly.
Very suddenly.
And immediately wobbled.
Louis caught her again before she could fall.
"Careful!"
She grabbed his collar.
"See? You care."
"I care about the furniture you might destroy."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You're mean."
"You're drunk."
She stared at his shirt buttons.
Then she poked his chest.
"Still too many clothes."
Louis grabbed her hands immediately.
"Stop that."
She pouted.
"I was helping."
"Helping what?"
"You breathe better."
"I can breathe perfectly fine."
She leaned closer, squinting at him.
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure."
She tilted her head again like she was studying him.
Then suddenly smiled.
"You're actually very handsome."
Louis blinked.
That was… unexpected.
Before he could respond, she continued rambling.
"You know… when you're not angry… or judging me… or being bossy…"
She poked his chest again.
"You're nice."
Louis looked down at her.
Her grip on his shirt had loosened slightly, her eyelids heavy.
"…You should sleep," he said quietly.
She shook her head stubbornly.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because if I sleep you'll leave."
Louis paused.
She said it so simply it almost sounded like a complaint.
"…I'm not leaving."
"Promise?"
"…Promise."
That seemed to satisfy her.
She nodded slowly.
"Okay."
Then she climbed onto the bed.
Louis pulled the blanket over her.
Within seconds her eyes were closing.
Just as he was about to step away, her hand suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
"You're still wearing too many clothes," she murmured sleepily.
Louis sighed.
"Goodnight, Tabitha."
She smiled faintly.
And finally fell asleep.