The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains of the lavish resort suite, but Ivy was restless. The events of the previous day weighed heavily on her, and despite the serene beauty of the place, an unsettling feeling lingered. She thought back to Lu Feng's mocking grin, his cryptic words, and the stormy tension between the two brothers. Why had she been dragged into their world?
As she prepared for another day of work, her mind raced with questions, none of which had answers. The breakfast buffet was silent as Ivy sat alone, nibbling on some fruit, her eyes constantly drifting toward the large windows that overlooked the ocean. Everything seemed calm on the surface, but beneath the calm, Ivy sensed the undercurrents of something far more dangerous.
"Miss Ivy," a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
'So even the male assistants followed'. She thought.
She looked up to see Cheng Rui, one of Lu Cheng's assistants, standing with his usual composed expression. His crisp black suit was perfectly fitted, as if the man was always prepared for something more than just business.
"The CEO would like to see you in his office," he said smoothly, bowing slightly.
Ivy's heart skipped a beat. She had seen Lu Cheng only briefly since they had arrived, but every time she looked into his masked face, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was so much more to him than what he showed the world. And now, summoned to his office once again, Ivy's unease deepened.
"Thank you, Cheng Rui," she said, rising from her seat. "I'll be right there."
The walk to Lu Cheng's private office was brief, but Ivy's mind ran a thousand miles a minute. What could he possibly want now? More instructions? More secrecy? As she knocked softly and entered, she found Lu Cheng seated at his desk, his gaze focused on a set of documents, his black mask concealing everything but his sharp, calculating eyes.
"Ivy," he said without looking up, his voice cool as ever. "Sit."
She obeyed, taking a seat across from him, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I hope your stay has been comfortable," he began, flipping through the papers in front of him. "But I'm not here to discuss pleasantries."
Ivy swallowed. "Of course not."
He closed the file and finally met her gaze, his eyes holding that same intensity they always did. "I assume you've already met my brother, Lu Feng."
She nodded, a slight chill creeping down her spine at the mention of Lu Feng's name. There was something about him, something darker than Lu Cheng's calculated demeanor. Where Lu Cheng was controlled and precise, Lu Feng was chaos, unpredictable, and dangerously charming.
"Did he say anything to you?" Lu Cheng asked, his voice calm but commanding.
Ivy hesitated. "Not much, sir… but he did mention that he was the one who conducted my interview."
Lu Cheng's eyes darkened ever so slightly. "I see."
The air in the room seemed to thicken. Ivy shifted in her seat, trying to read the situation. But then, without warning, Lu Cheng leaned forward slightly, his gaze never wavering.
"There are things about my family," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "that you should know, but can't."
Ivy froze, feeling the weight of his words. What was he talking about? What secrets did these brothers carry?
"I brought you on this trip for two reasons," Lu Cheng continued, his voice steady. "One, because I need someone I can trust, someone not entangled in the power struggles of my world. And two…" he paused, eyes narrowing, "because I need to protect you."
Her eyes widened, confusion and shock coursing through her veins. "Protect me? From what?"
"From my brother," Lu Cheng said bluntly. "And from what you've unknowingly stumbled into."
A knot tightened in Ivy's stomach. She had known something was off from the start, but now the pieces were falling into place. She wasn't just an assistant anymore, she was a pawn in a game much bigger than herself.
"You don't need to know the details," Lu Cheng said, standing and moving to the large windows overlooking the ocean. "But understand this: Lu Feng and I aren't just brothers running a business. We are involved in… other dealings."
Ivy's mind spun. Mafia dealings? Was that what he was implying? The thought seemed absurd at first, but the more she considered it, the more it made sense. The quiet power Lu Cheng wielded, the influence, the way everyone in his orbit seemed both loyal and terrified, it was too much for just a simple CEO.
"I'm telling you this," Lu Cheng continued, his back still to her, "because I need you to be cautious. My brother is dangerous. You've seen his charm, his ability to manipulate, but you don't know what he's truly capable of."
Ivy's hands trembled slightly, her pulse quickening. "Why me?" she asked quietly. "Why tell me this?"
Lu Cheng turned around, his gaze piercing through her. "Because I'm not going to let him use you. He's already shown interest, and that's enough for me to intervene."
Her breath caught in her throat. Use her? What was Lu Feng planning?
"I need you to stay close to me during this trip," Lu Cheng said, his tone softer now. "Do as I say, and you'll be safe. But if you get too close to my brother, or if you get entangled in whatever game he's playing, I can't guarantee your protection."
Ivy's mind raced. The world she had unknowingly stepped into was far darker than she could have ever imagined. She was caught in a war between brothers, a war where power, control, and something far more sinister lurked beneath the surface.
"I understand," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Lu Cheng nodded, satisfied with her response. "Good. Now, you'll accompany me to a business meeting later this evening. It's important, and I need you there as a buffer."
"A buffer?" Ivy echoed, confused.
Lu Cheng's eyes gleamed with a knowing look. "Yes. Let's just say my presence tends to make certain people uneasy. You'll help smooth things over. Your presence will distract them from the… more pressing concerns."
Ivy had no idea what he meant by that, but she didn't dare ask. The less she knew, the better, she figured. But the tension between the two brothers was growing by the hour, and she couldn't help but feel like she was standing on the edge of a cliff, with no idea what lay at the bottom.
As Lu Cheng dismissed her, Ivy left the office, her mind swirling with fear, confusion, and questions. What exactly had she gotten herself into? And more importantly, how was she going to survive the storm brewing between the two brothers?