---
Liang Yexuan quickly shook his head, scoffing at his own foolishness.
What the hell was he thinking just now?
That softness in his heart—was it because of that look in her eyes?
Had he frozen like that… over a laugh? Over a simple smile?
He clenched his fists.
His face, cold and even, betrayed nothing.
His feet carried him forward with the confidence of a man who ruled every inch of this towering empire.
The floor beneath him reflected his tall frame, his suit impeccable as always, his every move calculated and precise, his sharp black leather shoes echoing crisply against the polished marble floor.
His face was calm again, as if the seconds of surprise had never occurred.
But then—
She did the unthinkable.
His private elevator slid open with a soft chime, triggered by the biometric sensor that responded only to him.
And...
And she stepped in.
His. Elevator.
He froze.
So did his bodyguard, who only reacted as the doors began to slide shut.
"Miss!" the man shouted, rushing forward.
Too late.
Ding.
The doors sealed with a smooth hush.
The bodyguard turned to Liang Yexuan, bowing his head in guilt. "I'm sorry, Young Master. I didn't realize—"
Liang Yexuan raised a hand, silencing him.
His expression was unreadable.
His sharp, obsidian eyes stared at the red arrow blinking on the display above the elevator.
—
Inside the elevator, Lin Yue leaned slightly against the gleaming wall, phone to her ear, her voice still cheerful.
She giggled at something Mo Yuwei said on the phone. "Hosting? It's not that serious! I'm just making them tea and snacks, not opening a restaurant!"
"I'm coming," Mo Yuwei replied sternly. "With my chefs. No discussion."
Lin Yue laughed. "No need, really—Yuwei, I just want it chill. I'm not hosting a royal banquet."
Mo Yuwei's lively voice crackled through the receiver. "I'll make it a mini feast."
Lin Yue laughed again. "Yuwei, I swear if you show up with an army of cooks and turn my weekend into a buffet, I'll make you wash dishes after."
Mo Yuwei's voice dropped playfully. "No discussion! That's final."
Then a faint voice echoed in the background of the call.
"CEO, Xu Jiaqi is already waiting with the directors."
"Ah, damn. Lin Yue, I'll call you later. Duty calls!"
"Okay, take care."
—
Click.
The line ended.
Lin Yue smiled faintly as she pocketed her phone, her reflection faintly visible on the elevator's metallic surface.
Lin Yue looked at the elevator panel, her smile fading. Her brows furrowed.
Why was the elevator still moving?
Her floor—16th—had long passed.
She blinked. The numbers were still climbing.
32... 33... 34…
What?!
Her heart dropped.
Her fingers slammed the control panel, pressing every button she could—but nothing lit up.
Unresponsive.
Her breath hitched.
She then pressed the emergency stop. Nothing happened.
Then the buttons again. None responded.
She felt a sudden chill crawl up her spine.
Why isn't it working?
She pressed more frantically.
Still nothing.
Her breath caught. Her heart skipped a beat.
Her eyes widened.
And slowly, she looked around for the first time.
The walls were pristine, the edges curved with seamless design. The panels glowed faintly with warm light, gold and silver tones interweaving in a minimalist pattern. The buttons weren't ordinary – no scratches, no signs of usage.
The scent inside was different, too – clean, expensive, like crisp leather and faint cologne.
Realization hit her.
This isn't the staff elevator.
No... no no no.
Her hands covered her mouth.
I'm in the CEO's elevator.
What the freaking what?!
"No… no no no…" she whispered.
She almost screamed.
She hadn't touched anything. She hadn't selected a floor.
The elevator opened while she was on the phone.
How?
Fingerprint recognition.
That's right.
This elevator had fingerprint security.
Only two people could access it: the CEO… and maybe the head of security.
Unless…
No.
Impossible.
Her heart thudded louder.
Could it be…
Could it be that he had been nearby?
Did that mean… Her chest rose and fell rapidly.
He was there? Is that why it opened?
No. No way.
No. It had to be a malfunction.
But deep down, her gut said otherwise.
Could it be… The sensor activated… because he was there?
She'd heard about the biometric sensor elevators.
So it... It sensed his presence and...
Opened.
But he was supposed to be out of the company.
There had been headlines, paparazzi photos.
Liang Yexuan with his fiancée and younger sister, out.
Why would he be here now?
It didn't make sense.
Her hand instinctively went to her belly as a sharp cramp made her wince.
No... not now... she murmured under her breath.
She closed her eyes, forcing herself to breathe slowly.
Calm down.
You can't stress. Not now.
Not when you have a baby.
She leaned against the wall, breathing deeply.
You have to get out.
Get out before anyone sees you.
Ding.
The elevator stopped.
The doors slid open with a whisper.
The floor was quiet. Polished. Immaculate.
No one was in sight.
She peeked left, then right, then darted out like a guilty kitten escaping the scene of a crime.
Silence.
No staff. No one.
Just the luxurious hallway of the top floor, with its minimalist design and white marble tiles.
Even the air smelled cleaner, more refined.
She sprinted softly—heels barely clicking—toward the regular elevators.
Her mind was buzzing. What if someone saw her? What if the cameras…?
No. Think later. Escape first.
She hit the down button repeatedly, each tap a frantic prayer.
Come on… come on…
Her eyes flicked to the panel showing the elevator's current floor.
It was coming up.
Her eyes darted to the small screen.
46... 47... 48...
Someone's coming up.
Her heart thundered in her chest.
She looked left. Then right.
No places to hide.
Please let it be a janitor... someone harmless... anyone but him...
Ding.
Her heart leapt.
The elevator had arrived.
She darted to the side instinctively, ready to flee.
The silver elevator doors parted smoothly.
Her breath hitched.
What she saw…
Made her knees buckle.
Her throat went dry.
Her heartbeat stopped for a second.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Her brain refused to form coherent thoughts.
Oh no…
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