Chapter 28 The Secretary’s First Task–Waking the Boss
A cool, indifferent voice called from across the aisle.
Candice snapped out of her thoughts.
She turned and met Charlie’s gaze—her face instantly flushed red
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His blunt sharpness was like a sword, piercing her suspended daydream and plunging her straight into a boiling pot of oil, scalding her inside and out until she had nowhere to hide.
“Sorry, it won’t happen again,” she said, lowering her head.
“It better not,” Charlie replied coldly and turned his gaze away.
Candice was thoroughly mortified.
Across from her, Jerry also looked awkward. He didn’t understand why the boss was in such a foul mood–Miss Hale was just a bit distracted. That hardly seemed like a big deal.
Given all that she had just gone through, how could anyone expect her to be totally unaffected?
A while later, a flight attendant came in to clear away breakfast and brought in coffee.
Charlie had only rested for about ten minutes before diving into video conferences again.
For the next five hours of the flight, he was either in meetings, on calls, or reading documents.
Jerry had to constantly report emergency matters that needed the boss’s personal decision, forwarding them via email and preparing for the next round of calls and meetings…
He was just as busy as he would be in the office.
When Jerry had a moment to breathe, Candice quietly called him to the back to ask for a detailed breakdown of the work plan for this trip.
She needed to get up to speed quickly if she wanted to match Charlie’s p
Jerry sent her the upcoming schedule.
The business trip’s first destination was Singapore.
s pace.
The main purpose was to inspect the branch office, and additionally, to meet with local government officials and major business
partners.
“This is the first stop. Over the next six months, he’ll be visiting branches around the world,” Jerry said in a hushed tone.
“Mm,” Candice nodded, taking it all in.
Charlie had only recently returned to take over as CEO of the conglomerate, so it made sense that he needed to assert his authority.
Even if he was the heir, there would still be those who doubted his management ability. He had to deliver results, establish control, and clean house. Every new emperor brings his own ministers–there were bound to be internal factions.
“Why Singapore as the first stop? Any particular reason?” she asked softly, more out of curiosity.
She had spent time researching Regalis Group.
A textbook family–run conglomerate, its wealth had accumulated over generations. It started as a moneylending house, evolved into a private bank, entered real estate in the 90s, and later expanded into new energy, entertainment, and the internet. It had six listed companies alone.
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Chapter 28 The Secretory qist Test Woking the Boss
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The Singapore branch focused on new energy. Compared to the offer overseas branches, it wasn’t the largest or the most high profile.
So why start here?
Jerry hesitated, then muttered, “Uh… no special reason. It’s just clisse.”
Candice:
What kind of terrible joke was that?
The man owned a Gulfstream G650. He could fly anywhere short of the moon!
Jerry divvied up their responsibilities for the next few days and grumbled, “Back at the U.S. branch, I could handle everything on my own. But since we returned to headquarters, it’s been chaos–feel like I need to clone myself.”
“The CEO is really demanding. Even Jim, the housekeeper, had to fill in as a secretary. But now that you’re here, both of us cari finally breathe a little.”
Candice smiled, a shallow dimple appearing on her cheek.
Jerry, sitting close to her, was momentarily stunned by her beauty. He finally understood the phrase “grace in both light makeup and full glamor.” Ethereal when barefaced, enchanting when dolled up.
“Jerry, go ask Mia for some sunflower seeds.”
Charlie’s cool voice cut in from behind them. He sat with arms crossed, holding a file, his gaze behind glasses as indifferent as
ever.
Mia was the flight attendant assigned to his private jet.
Jerry looked up, confused. “…Sunflower seeds? You want some?”
He’d never seen the boss eat those before.
Charlie lowered his file slightly and leaned back. “You two seem to be having such a good time chatting. Might as well snack while you’re at it.”
Jerry: “…”
Candice: ”
11
The CEO had just insulted them–very elegantly.
2:00 p.m.
The plane landed at the Airport.
As soon as they stepped out, a wave of heat slammed into Candice like a blowtorch. It felt like she’d gone from spring straight into midsummer.
And then she remembered her giant suitcase full of wool sweaters and down jackets… who knew this trip would take her from near the Arctic Circle to the equator?
Their car was waiting for them.
Jerry sat in the front while Candice rode in the back with Charlie.
Their first stop was the Raffles Hotel.
After checking in, Candice and Jerry accompanied Charlie to his suite.
“Any plans for tonight?” he asked, sitting on the sofa, his eyes briefly flicking to Candice.
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She replied promptly, “Only one engagement–Mr. Howard from Novare invited you to a yacht party as a welcome event.”
Charlie nodded.
“I’ll take a nap. Wake me at five.”
“Understood.”
Candice and Jerry left his suite and went to their own rooms–also suites, though a bit smaller.
Candice didn’t even open her luggage. She rushed out of the hotel the nearest mall to buy clothes.
Businesswear, casual outfits, evening gowns–she needed attire for all possible occasions.
She returned around 4:30 p.m., quickly showered and changed into a professional outfit.
At 4:50 p.m., she quietly entered Charlie’s suite and hung up his suits from the luggage.
She picked one for the evening, then ironed it.
At exactly five o’clock, as the alarm went off, she entered the bedroom to wake him.
She walked in gracefully, calm and composed–until she caught sight of the bed, and her high heel wobbled violently.
On the king–sized bed, her boss lay in a silver silk robe, slightly parted at the chest, revealing his collarbone and toned upper body. His long, lean legs looked like they’d been sculpted by a 3D modeler–utterly perfect.
She knew it was wrong to stare.
But she still stared for five… no, six whole seconds.
The more she looked, the more nervous she felt.
Was it really reasonable for Jerry to assign her the task of managing Charlie’s personal routine?
This was… crossing a line, wasn’t it?
Candice was at a loss.
But she couldn’t call Jerry in at a time like this. A glance at the clock–5:05 p.m.!
She took a deep breath and told herself: It’s fine. Just don’t think of him as a man.
“Sir, time to wake up,” she said, stepping closer, smiling politely, her voice soft and professional.
Charlie frowned.
Then he relaxed again–clearly not awake.
Candice cleared her throat and tried again. “Sir, it’s five o’clock. Time to get up.”
This time, Charlie stirred, an irritated crease forming between his brows. He raised an arm to cover his eyes.
Then nothing.
Seriously? He has morning grumpiness too?
Candice hadn’t expected her brand–new career to be threatened on the very first day… all because she couldn’t wake up her boss.
5:12 now!
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Chapter 28 The Secretary’s First Task–Waking the Boss
Gritting hier teeth, she leaned down and yelled in his ear:
“Wake up!”
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Chapter 20 She kissedTim
