Chapter 40: The Chairman and His Wife

Cora had known the Watson Group headquarters wasn’t on their home continent—but she hadn’t imagined it would be this magnificent.

The glass tower pierced the sky like a monument. Tourists crowded the plaza, snapping photos of the building that had become a landmark in Linzhou.

People still whispered stories of its founder’s rise, saying half-jokingly that if the Watson Group ever collapsed, the entire city would go bankrupt with it.

Julian walked several paces ahead before realizing she wasn’t following.

He turned and found her standing on the sidewalk, staring up in awe.

This little mole… daydreaming again?

He retraced his steps, reached for her hand, and—without warning—locked his fingers with hers, pulling her along.

Cora blinked, startled, then looked down at their joined hands. The last time he’d held her like this was at home—when he’d said, Even if it’s an act, make it believable.

That had been acting. This… probably was too.

So she didn’t pull away. She simply let him lead her through the grand lobby, following his stride as the staff bowed neatly in two lines.

“Good morning, Mr. Watson. Mrs. Watson.”

Julian’s lips curved slightly. Mrs. Watson. He rather liked the sound of that.

Cora kept her head lowered, cheeks warm, trying not to trip.

“Relax,” he murmured. “Everyone here knows how to keep their mouths shut.”

That helped a little. Still, she couldn’t ignore the weight of a thousand watchful eyes.

He guided her straight into the private elevator. She finally asked, “Why are we greeting them here?”

“On the rooftop,” Julian said, checking his watch.

“The rooftop?” Her voice pitched up.

When the elevator doors opened, she realized he meant it literally.

A massive helipad spread across the top floor, framed by panoramic glass and gleaming steel.

Her mouth fell open.

Julian glanced down at her, amusement flickering behind his eyes. Does she have any idea what kind of man she married?

“Careful,” he teased. “You’re drooling.”

Cora instinctively reached up to wipe her chin—then froze. Her fingers were still tangled with his. They hadn’t let go once—not in the lobby, not in the elevator, not now.

She tried to free herself, but his grip only tightened. So she wiped her nonexistent “drool” with her other hand, scowling.

Julian caught her glare out of the corner of his eye and had to bite back a laugh.

Behind them, the butler and several executives stood in formation, flanked by security guards with earpieces and blank expressions.

“Master Julian,” the butler murmured through his mic, then stepped forward. “The chairman’s jet will land in five minutes.”

Julian nodded, eyes narrowing slightly as a smile ghosted across his lips.

Cora used the moment to take in the view. From here, Linzhou stretched out beneath them—rivers, highways, towers glittering like circuitry.

“It’s beautiful up here,” she whispered.

“What are you looking for?” Julian asked.

“Trying to see if any building’s taller.”

He arched a brow. The butler, standing nearby, answered for him with quiet pride. “Madam, this is not only the tallest building in Linzhou—it’s the tallest on the entire continent. Eighty-eight floors above ground, ten below.”

Cora inhaled sharply. “Ten underground?!”

“Stand straight,” Julian murmured. “They’re here.”

Two minutes later, the low hum of propellers filled the air. A sleek black helicopter descended onto the pad, the wash of wind tugging at Cora’s hair and skirt.

Julian tightened his hold on her hand. She straightened instinctively, heart pounding.

The doors opened, and a well-dressed couple in their fifties emerged—the Korean chairman and his wife, hand in hand, smiling graciously.

Julian stepped forward, greeting them in flawless Korean. “Chairman, madam, welcome to the Watson Group.”

Cora followed suit in her shaky beginner’s Korean. “H-hello! Welcome!”

The chairman’s wife beamed. “Mr. Watson, you’re even more handsome than in the photos! And this must be your wife—so beautiful! You make a perfect pair.”

Then she hugged Cora warmly before Cora could react.

Cora flushed, not entirely sure what had been said—but she could guess from the tone. Compliments, probably.

Julian shook the chairman’s hand, still smiling. “Yes, this is my wife, Cora. Her Korean isn’t very good yet—I hope you’ll forgive her.”

Cora managed a polite handshake with the chairman and tried again, “Welcome to the Watson Group.”

Julian coughed softly under his breath. “Pronunciation,” he murmured.

“Huh?” she blinked at him, lost.

The Korean couple laughed good-naturedly, switching to English. “She’s delightful,” the wife said.

They speak English?!

Cora’s internal outrage was immediate. He knew! He totally knew they spoke English and just watched me embarrass myself!

She shot Julian a glare sharp enough to cut glass.

“I only started learning three days ago,” she admitted with a sheepish grin.

“It’s fine,” the wife said warmly, squeezing her hand. “I can teach you.”

The chairman’s gaze drifted to their matching wristwatches, and he nodded, clearly pleased. A man who valued family, he believed, was a man worth trusting in business.

Julian caught the glance and smiled. “Shall we go downstairs to rest?”

“Of course.” The chairman reached for his wife’s hand again, and together they followed.

Julian glanced back—just once—and Cora quickly slipped her hand into his again, mimicking the couple ahead.

He smiled, visibly satisfied, and guided her down.

In the reception lounge, attendants poured tea as polite conversation began.

Julian and the chairman dove easily into business, leaving Cora and the chairman’s wife to one side.

The older woman turned to her with a gentle smile. “So, Mrs. Watson—what do you like to do for fun?”

Cora hesitated. Fun?

Now that was a question she hadn’t asked herself in a very long time.