His Unveiled Passion

Maisy pressed her palms together and bowed slightly toward Tessa, biting her lower lip as she pleaded pitifully.

"Mrs. Jacobson, I was wrong. I really was. I know I made a mistake. Please don't be angry at me. You're so beautiful and kind. Someone as kind as you wouldn't hold a grudge, right?"

She batted her large, overly dramatic eyes and flashed her most pleading look.

"I really need this job. Please, don't let them fire me. You're the prettiest, nicest person ever—I mean it. Please don't be mad, beautiful lady."

Just then, the soft chime of the elevator echoed through the lobby. The doors of the executive elevator opened.

Stephen stepped out first, followed closely by Samson. Samson shot his cousin a look, the frustration clear in his expression.

Did she seriously stop the one person she absolutely should have let through?

Maisy glared back at him, her eyes wide with disbelief, as if asking how she was supposed to know. No one had told her anything.

In the time it took them to argue silently, Stephen had already walked up to Tessa.

"Tess, you came. Is there something you needed me for?" he said, his voice gentle, and his lips curved into a warm smile.

Maisy stared in disbelief. Was this really the same CEO who always wore such a cold, unreadable expression?

She had been working here for three months and had never once seen him act this soft toward anyone.

Who would believe that this woman wasn't the CEO's wife?noveldrama

Tessa handed him the folder she had been holding. "I need the legal

representative's signature and stamp on this."

"Got it." Stephen took the folder and passed it to Samson.

"Have you eaten?" he asked her again.

Tessa nodded. "Yes. Just get the documents signed and stamped. I'll be taking them with me."

Stephen's gaze lingered on her. His eyes were soft, like sunlight on a quiet lake. "There's no rush. Come upstairs for coffee?"

"No. I still have things to do." Tessa raised her wrist and checked the time.

Maisy noticed the fleeting disappointment in his eyes.

Good grief. So this was the cold, untouchable CEO? Why did he suddenly look a little... humble?

She glanced between the two of them, her curiosity practically radiating. She pressed her tongue against the inside of her cheek, watching the scene unfold like a live soap opera.

Samson cast her a sharp look, clearly warning her to stop staring unless she wanted to risk her job.

Maisy pursed her lips and shot

an

sant glance, as if to say t

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was not about to look away.

"Samson, take the file to Justin and have it signed and stamped," Stephen said. "Yes, Mr. Jacobson."

Tessa didn't want to go upstairs, so she waited in the lobby. Stephen stayed with her.

The lobby had a seating area where a long couch and two single armchairs were arranged around a coffee table.

Tessa sat down in one of the armchairs.

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Stephen sat on the long couch, right beside her. They were not in the same seat, but they were close enough that there was barely any space between them.

Seeing a chance to redeem herself, Maisy rushed to brew coffee and practically skipped over with the cup.

"Mrs. Jacobson, please enjoy some coffee," she said with a grin.

Stephen looked pleased, a rare flicker of approval in his eyes.

Tessa, however, frowned slightly and gave a helpless smile. "I told you that I'm not."

"You will be. That title belongs to you and no one else," Stephen said softly.

Tessa didn't want to argue. She shifted the topic, addressing Maisy directly. "What's your name?"

Maisy's heart sank. That's it. She was done for.

She bit her bottom lip and replied in a voice barely above a whisper, "Maisy Preston."

"You're quite something," Tessa said with a faint laugh.

Maisy's nerves evaporated in an instant. The moment she realized the "CEO's wife" wasn't scolding her but actually offering a compliment, her face lit up.

"Then... you're not going to fire me?"

Tessa chuckled. "Why would I? You don't work for my company."

Maisy looked toward Stephen.

He said calmly, "Tess, she blocked your entry earlier. If you want her gone, I'll let her go right now."

Maisy blinked. So after all that, was she still going to be fired?