Chapter 28 Chapter 28
Chapter 28
“Sorry for yesterday,” Ethan found himself saying as Celine sat quietly at her desk, eyes fixed on her laptop screen.
For a second, she didn’t look up. Maybe she imagined it. But when she heard his footsteps move back toward his desk, her fingers froze above the keyboard.
Did he just say sorry?
She blinked slowly, unsure if she should respond or pretend she didn’t hear him.
Ethan Castellan, her boss the man who hardly smiled, whose words always came cold and measured just apologized?
“Th…thank you, sir. It’s okay,” she said finally, her voice small.
She didn’t dare look up, afraid her expression might betray the surprise on her face. Her tone wobbled slightly, and she quickly returned her eyes to the glowing laptop screen.
He said nothing more, only returned to his desk and opened a file as if the words never left his mouth.
Celine tried to focus, but her mind kept circling around what just happened. Ethan Castellan had apologized. That was something she never expected.
The same man who had once lectured an intern for being five minutes late, who barely looked anyone in the eye unless it had to do with business, had actually said sorry.
She pushed the thought away and went back to work, pretending it meant nothing.
Maybe he was just being professional, she told herself. Maybe it didn’t mean anything at all.
Her nose felt slightly stuffy again. The cold she caught from day before yesterday’s rain still lingered.
She sniffed quietly, trying to suppress the urge to sneeze. She wore a thick beige cardigan over her shirt, one Ariana had forced her to wear that morning before she left for work.
Celine smiled faintly at the thought of Ariana’s voice: “You’re not going anywhere without something warm on. I’m not watching you fall sick because of some office work.”
Ariana could be stubborn sometimes, but it was the kind of love that comforted her steady, simple, and sincere.
She tapped on her keyboard again, focusing on a financial report Ethan had assigned.
Ever since she started working at Castellan Enterprise, she had found a sense of purpose. She liked her job, even with all its pressure. The pay helped her support Ariana, and she didn’t feel like a burden anymore.
The office was quiet except for the faint sound of keyboards clicking and printers humming from the next room.
Through the glass wall, she could see the city stretching wide, the morning light bouncing off tall buildings.
Everyone moved quickly in this place everyone but her, who sometimes felt like she was still catching up to the rhythm.
She glanced once at Ethan. He was focused, as always, flipping through pages, eyes unreadable.
His suit was perfect as usual, every line sharp, every button properly done. He looked like someone born to command attention without trying.
She quickly looked away before he noticed.
The sound of waves rolled softly against the walls of a private resort.
The Castellans owned the place it was quiet, heavily guarded, and often used for private meetings.
Inside one of the lounges, Richard Castellan Hollywood sat across from Drake Monroe, the powerful business tycoon and father of Amelia Monroe.
“It’s nice seeing you again, Drake,” Richard said, lifting his cup of coffee. His tone was polite but firm, the way he always spoke when business was involved.
“I had to come down here myself,” Drake said with a small smirk. He was a man in his late fifties, broad-shouldered, clean-shaven, dressed in an expensive gray suit that carried the scent of wealth and control.
His every move was measured. “There are some things I prefer to discuss face-to-face.”
Richard nodded. “I understand completely.”
Drake leaned back on the chair, glancing at the ocean view behind Richard. “Beautiful view. You’ve done well with this place.”
Richard smiled faintly. “It keeps things private. Which is what we both need right now, I suppose.”
Drake set his cup down. “Exactly.” He paused. “So about Amelia.”
Richard’s expression shifted slightly. He already knew what this was about.
Drake continued, “She’s not getting any younger, Richard. You know how the world works. Power stays with those who keep it within reach.” He looked at Richard directly. “Your son and my daughter they’d make a perfect match.”
Richard’s eyes flashed with interest.
He had thought of the same thing before. Ethan and Amelia two of the most influential names in the business world joined together. It would be powerful, unstoppable.
“I’ve thought of that too,” Richard said finally. “It’s something that could benefit both families. And if Ethan agrees.”
Drake interrupted, his voice calm but heavy with meaning. “He will. He’s a sensible young man. Amelia… she can be a handful, but she has her heart in the right place.”
Richard gave a short laugh. “She’s a Monroe. That says enough.”
Both men chuckled lightly, though the laughter carried a quiet weight of greed and ambition.
They weren’t talking about love or family they were talking about power. About connections. About two names merging into one legacy that would stretch beyond companies and cities.
“Imagine it,” Drake said, leaning forward slightly. “Monroe and Castellan. Two empires under one banner.”
Richard’s fingers tapped gently on the coffee cup. “The world wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Drake smiled, satisfied. “Then it’s settled, isn’t it?”
Richard didn’t answer immediately. He thought about Ethan his only son.
Ethan was sharp, disciplined, and coldly efficient. But he wasn’t easily swayed by money or position. That was what worried Richard. He knew Ethan too well. His son wasn’t the kind of man to marry for strategy.
Still, this alliance meant everything.
And if he had to convince Ethan by any means necessary, he would.
He took another sip and said finally, “We’ll talk to them both. I’ll handle Ethan.”
Drake nodded. “And I’ll talk to Amelia. Though between us,” he chuckled lightly, “she might not need much convincing. She’s been fond of Ethan for quite a while.”
Richard smiled slightly, not surprised. Amelia had made her interest in Ethan clear many times, even publicly. She was bold, confident, and far from subtle. But Ethan never entertained it.
Richard
leaned back on the chair, watching the soft ripples of the ocean through the glass wall. “Let’s make sure this happens, Drake. It’ll be one of the best decisions we ever make.”
Drake’s smirk widened. “To the future, Richard.”
“To the future,” Richard repeated, clinking his cup against Drake’s.