When Celia finished changing and stepped out, Nathaniel Fu was nowhere to be seen. He must have gone out on business.
She turned her gaze toward the small safe in the room. It required a four-digit password.
Celia didn't know the code.
Worse still, if the wrong password was entered, the alarm would go off—she had only one chance.
What kind of number would a man like Nathaniel Fu use for his password?
She thought for a while but couldn't come up with anything. Just then, her phone chimed with a new message from Julia Lin.
Julia Lin:Cici, get online! All the negative news about Rosalie has been wiped clean. Not a trace left—it's obvious someone stepped in to protect her. Who do you think it is?
Celia's eyes dimmed. She hadn't expected Nathaniel to move so quickly. Clearly, he had acted for Rosalie.
Celia:Do we even need to guess? Who else but Nathaniel Fu could cover the sky with one hand?
Julia Lin:What's going on between him and Rosalie?
Celia:I don't know. And I'm not interested.
Julia Lin:You don't mind? Really?
Celia's lips curved faintly. No, I don't mind.
Julia Lin:Alright then…
Phone still in hand, Celia walked out into the living room.
Nathaniel was now dressed in a tailored black suit. The playful charm from last night had vanished—he was once again the composed, elegant, and dangerously handsome CEO. Holding a stack of documents, he looked up as she entered.
"Breakfast together?" he asked.
"No, Mr. Fu," she replied lightly. "I have things to do. I'll be leaving."
He stepped forward, blocking her path with the papers, his sharp eyes fixed on her face."Not angry?"
"Angry about what?" she asked calmly.
"Rosalie called me earlier," he explained, "asking for help with some trouble online."
Celia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, raising her brows with a bright, careless smile."Mr. Fu, you don't need to explain yourself. You're free to help any woman with whatever she needs. I won't be angry."
Nathaniel bent down, his handsome face dangerously close to hers, watching for any flicker of emotion."Are you sure?"
Celia slipped her slender arms around his shoulders, her sweet voice ringing clear."Of course, Mr. Fu. It's simple—I don't like you."
Nathaniel's silence hung heavy between them.
Celia tilted her head, her smile teasing."Mr. Fu, could it be… that you've fallen in love with me?"
Before she could react, Nathaniel pressed a cold kiss against her red lips. His voice was low and detached."You're overthinking it. I don't like you."
She released him and took a step back."Then that's that, Mr. Fu. I'll be going."
Without another glance, she left.
Nathaniel strode to the French windows, his tall figure framed by the morning light. Soon, he spotted Celia walking out of Fu Group's building, her graceful silhouette slipping into the busy street below.
He watched her for a long moment, his sharp features dark and unreadable. Then, pulling out his phone, he typed a message:
Nathaniel Fu:One more time—are you angry?
Walking down the street, Celia frowned at the text. Why was he so insistent about this?
She scrolled back to her chat with Julia Lin, took a screenshot, and sent it to him.
Celia:See for yourself. This is what I told my best friend. I'm really not angry.
Upstairs, Nathaniel's gaze lingered on the screen. Julia Lin had asked about his relationship with Rosalie. Celia had said she didn't know and wasn't interested. Then, Julia Lin asked if she minded, and Celia had answered honestly—she didn't.
A cold scoff escaped his lips.
Then his sharp eyes landed on a particular phrase in the screenshot.
Fu Top Brand?
A sudden realization struck him.
Ding.
Celia's phone vibrated again.
He had circled the words "Fu Top Brand" in the screenshot and sent a new message.
Nathaniel Fu:What do you mean by this?