Chapter 29 She kissed Him?!
The bed shifted abruptly.
Before Candice could react, a large hand pressed down on the back of her head-
Her lips landed squarely on his jawline.
Her pupils dilated in shock.
The smooth texture of his skin, the intense hormonal scent, the warmth, the subtle freshness, the exquisite tactile sensation- every detail transmitted vividly and unfiltered into her brain.
Charlie stiffened.
He released her, head tilting back slightly, but his hand remained on the back of her head, holding her in place.
Their eyes met.
One looked completely stunned; the other, utterly expressionless.
After what felt like an eternity, Candice came back to her senses. She quickly pulled away from his hand, straightened up, ran her fingers through her hair, and tried her best to regulate her breathing.
“It’s already five–thirty, sir. You really need to wake up now.”
With that, she turned and rushed out of the room as if propelled by jet engines.
Charlie: “…”
He stayed silent for a long moment, then dropped his hand over his eyes.
Candice dashed straight back to her own room without stopping to breathe.
She splashed cold water on her face in the bathroom. In the mirror, her cheeks were bright red–like she’d just been steamed.
All she’d meant to do was follow protocol and wake up the boss–how the hell had it turned into her accidentally kissing him?
Seriously…
This was some twisted kind of fate.
At six o’clock, she forced herself to return to Charlie’s suite.
Jerry had just arrived as well.
They both waited in the living room for Charlie to come out.
As they stood there, Candice glanced at Jerry. He’d been with Charlie for quite some time–surely he’d done wake–up duty before too… right?
So, had he ever…?
Her mind involuntarily conjured the image of Jerry accidentally falling on top of Charlie, Emerald Garden an awkward kiss on his face.
Ew…
Oh god, no.
“Ms. Hale, why are you looking at me like that?” Jerry asked, confused by her alternating expressions of bewilderment and distress.
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Chapter 28 She kissed Tom
“No, it’s nothing…” Candice clutched her chest. “Just… realizing our job isn’t easy.”
Work never is. You get used to it.”
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“…You’ve got a great mindset.”
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“What choice do I have? You think I can yell at the boss?”
Candice pressed her lips together.
She couldn’t argue with that. He was right. Totally right. And yet.. till.
From the direction of the dressing room, Charlie had already been tanding there for a full minute.
From the moment Candice gave Jerry that bizarre look, to her sigh about their job being tough.
He lowered his head, pinched the bridge of his nose, and let out a dy chuckle.
He stepped out.
“Sir.”
Jerry turned. Candice followed suit.
Hereyes met Charlie’s gaze for a split second, then darted away–anding on his shirt buttons with exaggerated professionalism.
Charlie walked past them without a word.
Candice and Jerry trailed behind.
The car departed from the hotel, heading toward ONE 15 Marina Yacht Club.
The interior of the car was silent.
Candice sat upright in the back seat, every muscle from her neck to her toes tense. She wanted to relax–but every time she tried, the image of that accidental kiss flashed back.
Dear God, could she please get amnesia?
“Ms. Hale.”
A lazy, low voice drifted over from the side.
Candice instinctively responded, “Yes, sir? What can I do for you?”
“Hand me a bottle of water.”
“Of course.” She retrieved one from the built–in mini fridge, opened it, and handed it over.
Charlie pushed the bottle back to her. “Here. Take small sips and relax. Stop obsessing over workplace slip–ups.”
Outside the window, city lights glittered–while her face burned with color.
Candice straightened and, as if it were a shot of alcohol instead of mineral water, gulped down a mouthful.
Up front, Jerry was completely lost.
Slip–up? What slip–up? Did she mess up something? When?
They arrived at the marina.
The driver stayed with the car while Candice and Jerry followed Charlie onto the yacht.
It was a sleek, three–level luxury vessel painted in pristine white.
Chapter 29 She Kissed Him
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The first level was a business lounge. The second, an entertainment deck with a swimming pool. The third held guest rooms, and the top level was a private observation area with a set of round sofas–offering the best view and privacy.
Mr. Howard, Alan, greeted them personally.
He patted Charlie’s arm, his wrinkled face lit up with an almost unsettling enthusiasm.
Inside, about a dozen guests mingled–local elites and tycoons.
Among them stood a petite girl with glowing tanned skin and a bright, infectious smile.
“This is my granddaughter, Valentine. She’s twenty–one, just back from studying art in the States. Same alma mater as Mr. Clemens,” Alan said proudly.
Candice and Jerry remained outside on the deck but could see everything through the massive floor–to–ceiling glass walls.
Seeing the setup, they exchanged a glance.
So there’s a matchmaking angle too…
Charlie was polite and gentlemanly.
Valentine, on the other hand, stared at him like he was a sculpture come to life. Barely five–foot–two, she looked like a little doll beside his six–foot–three frame–and judging by her expression, her heart might burst from excitement.
“If Alan had told us what this was really about, the boss wouldn’t have come at all,” Jerry sighed.
“Well, he can’t exactly say, ‘Hey, I invited you to meet my granddaughter,“” Candice folded her arms. “Besides, what if they do hit it off? That’d be a happy ending.”
“She’s not his type.”
“How do you know?”
“I just ” Jerry turned his head toward the marina, words caught in his throat. Then he suddenly exclaimed, “She’s here!”
“Who?”
Candice followed his gaze.
A stunning woman with shoulder–length collarbone–length hair walked toward them. Slim to the point of fragility, with a long neck and small face, she wore a black satin slip dress and carried a matching clutch–cold and elegant like a black swan.
“Jessica. She’s the general manager of the local branch,” Jerry explained, moving forward quickly.
Jessica? Candice had seen her name in the files, but had no idea she was this striking.
“Ms. Anna,” Jerry said, intercepting her at the steps.
“Jerry.”
Jessica gave him a cool glance. “Long time no see.”
She tried to walk past him, but paused when she noticed Candice. Her gaze turned sharp. “And who’s this?”
Candice smiled confidently and extended her hand. “Hello, Ms. Anna. I’m Candice, the president’s secretary.”
It might have been her imagination–but Jessica’s expression seemed to darken further. There was a trace of sorrow in her eyes.
“Secretary. Of course.”
Candice: “…”
Jessica didn’t shake her hand. She brushed past them, a chill in her wake, and headed inside.
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Chapter 29 She Kissed!
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“Um… that Ms. Anna…” Candice turned to Jerry, confused.
Jerry sighed. “She’s the daughter of Mrs. Clemens’s close friend, ew up in the Clemens household. She and the president… let’s just say it’s complicated. Love–hate kind of deal.”
Candice nodded slowly. “Ah, got it.”
No wonder Charlie Clemens picked Singapore as the first stop,
Turns out… someone important to him was here.
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