Chapter 72 72

Chapter 72 72
The gray Frankfurt sky hung low over the row of futuristic skyscrapers. Inside the main conference room of Craig Corporation’s German branch, the autumn chill seemed isolated by the warmth of the silently operating heating system. Raymond Craig sat at the head of a long, dark oak conference table, staring sharply at the local German investors.

"This document needs to be revised in the European Union logistics regulation section," Raymond said in fluent, accent-free German, flipping through the draft contract with his steady fingers. "We cannot risk shipping delays at the port of Hamburg."

A middle-aged German man at the end of the table nodded respectfully. "You are correct, Mr. Craig. We will adjust it with our legal team immediately."

To Raymond’s right, Madeline swiftly noted every point of change on her tablet. Her movements were highly efficient, almost silent. She was not just recording the conversation; she was also drafting alternative clauses that Raymond could review with a single glance.

"Here is the revised draft, sir," Madeline whispered, politely sliding the tablet toward him. "I have included the force majeure exemption clause for the port."

Raymond skimmed the draft and gave a small nod. Very capable, he thought, feeling satisfied with his new secretary’s performance. During their first three days in Germany, Madeline had proven able to keep up with Raymond’s fast-paced, uncompromising work rhythm. She was always ready with the necessary documents before he even asked for them.

"Our meeting is concluded for this afternoon," Raymond said to his business partners, reverting to formal German. "We will proceed with the signing tomorrow after these points are polished."

After the investors left the room, Raymond leaned back into his leather chair. He massaged his temples, which felt slightly tense. The time zone difference was still affecting him, though he tried hard not to show it.

"Mr. Craig, here is the schedule for this evening," Madeline said softly, placing a cup of warm espresso on his desk. "The Young Talented Entrepreneur awards ceremony will begin at seven in the hotel’s main ballroom. You are scheduled to receive the main award at eight."

Raymond sipped his coffee, feeling the warmth of the caffeine instantly burn away his drowsiness. "Thank you, Madeline. Who is confirmed to attend from our side?"

"Only you and Mr. Evan will enter the VIP area, sir. I and the rest of the security team will be stationed in the staff lounge," Madeline replied with perfect professional composure.

Raymond nodded. "Good. Ensure the coordination with Nick goes smoothly. I don't want even the smallest security gap around the ballroom."

A few hours later, inside the luxury hotel suite where he was staying, Raymond stood before a large mirror. He wore a black tuxedo designed by an Italian tailor that fit his sturdy frame perfectly. His crisp white shirt paired flawlessly with a black bow tie, which he adjusted with steady fingers.

Evan stood near the suite door, wearing a standard security black suit with a communication device fitted neatly in his ear.

"All perimeters in the ballroom are sterile, Mr. Craig," Evan reported. "Nick and his team are in their respective positions."

"Good," Raymond replied briefly.

Suddenly, Raymond’s phone on the nightstand vibrated. An incoming call from the operations director in New York. Raymond answered immediately, his jaw instantly tightening as he heard the report on the other end.

"What do you mean there is an issue with the license transfer documents for tonight?" Raymond asked, his voice suddenly deepening. "Didn't I tell you to finish it yesterday?"

"There was a sudden change from the German trade authorities, sir," the voice on the phone sounded panicked. "They are requesting real-time data verification while the event is taking place, or the award cannot be legally published on the stock exchange tomorrow morning."

Raymond cursed under his breath. He ended the call and looked at Evan sharply.

"Evan, contact Madeline now," Raymond ordered. "Tell her she must come into the ballroom tonight. I need her by my side to handle this license data change directly if the German authorities request it."

Evan immediately pressed the intercom button on his communication device. A few moments later, there was a soft knock at the suite door. Madeline entered, still wearing her usual work attire—a stiff gray blazer and loose-fitting slacks.

"You called for me, Mr. Craig?" Madeline asked, her eyes watching Raymond attentively.

"There is a change of plans, Madeline," Raymond said without preamble. "The trade authorities are requesting live license data verification tonight. You cannot stay in the staff room. You must come into the ballroom and sit at the VIP table with me and Evan."

Madeline looked surprised for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "I understand, sir. However... my current attire does not seem to fit the formal gala dress code for tonight. The event protocol is very strict regarding that."

Raymond glanced briefly at Madeline’s stiff work clothes. She was right. Tonight’s event was a high-end formal gala attended by high-ranking officials and elite European businesspeople. Someone in standard office wear would be stopped at the entrance by building security.

"I understand," Raymond said, glancing at his watch. "We still have forty-five minutes before the car arrives. Find a suitable dress at the hotel boutique downstairs. Use the company card."

"Very well, Mr. Craig. I request permission to prepare," Madeline said with a polite nod before stepping out in a hurry.

Raymond returned to checking several files on his tablet with Evan, trying to ensure all backup data was ready. Twenty minutes passed quickly in busy silence.

A soft knock was heard at the door again.

"Come in," Raymond said without looking up from his tablet screen.

The door opened slowly. The sound of footsteps—the delicate click of high heels—made Raymond and Evan reflexively turn toward the door.

For a few moments, a strange silence hung in the room.

Madeline stood there, but the secretary who usually appeared stiff and reserved seemed to have vanished entirely. She was now wearing a daring, dark maroon silk satin evening gown. The dress had a low neckline that accentuated the curves she had previously hidden behind her loose blazer, with a high slit on the left thigh that exposed her pale skin with every step. Her brown hair, usually tied in a ponytail, was now left down in waves, framing her face, which was now adorned with striking evening makeup.

Raymond furrowed his brow tightly. His eyes narrowed, staring at his secretary’s new appearance with a look of astonishment mixed with discomfort.

Evan, on the other hand, could not hide his surprise. A low whistle almost escaped his lips before he held it back.

"Wow, you look completely different than usual," Evan commented, staring at Madeline with wide eyes. "I barely recognized you, Mady. You look like a completely different person."

Madeline smiled thinly, a new spark of confidence in her eyes as she looked at Raymond, as if waiting for her boss’s reaction. "Is this outfit appropriate enough to attend tonight’s event, Mr. Craig?"

Raymond did not answer immediately. His heart suddenly felt a heavy, uncomfortable sensation. In his mind, the image of Clara instantly appeared. Clara, who always looked elegant, polite, and radiated a calming purity, without needing to wear a dress that intentionally exposed her body to attract the attention of others.

"Let’s go," Raymond said coldly, completely ignoring Madeline’s question. He turned and walked out of the suite first with stiff, long strides.

The time for the event was almost upon them, and Raymond could not possibly ask Madeline to change into another style.

Madeline looked slightly disappointed by Raymond’s cold reaction, but she quickly smoothed her dress and followed behind with Evan toward the private elevator that led directly to the ballroom lobby.

The main ballroom of the luxury hotel in Frankfurt looked magnificent. Giant crystal chandeliers reflected golden light throughout the room, which was filled with hundreds of high-class invited guests. Soft classical music accompanied the warm chatter of businesspeople and officials exchanging business cards.

Raymond stepped in with his usual dominant aura, instantly attracting the attention of several German economic media photographers. Evan walked a step behind Raymond’s left, while Madeline walked on Raymond’s right, carrying a small tablet disguised in her elegant evening handbag.

As they approached the VIP table area in the front row, a middle-aged German man in a formal suit with an honorary committee badge on his chest walked over with a wide smile.

"Ah, Guten Abend, Herr Craig!" the man greeted in friendly German, shaking Raymond’s hand very warmly. "It is a great honor for us to welcome you here tonight."

"Guten Abend," Raymond replied with a polite nod, returning the handshake firmly.

The German staff member’s eyes then shifted to Madeline, who was standing very close beside Raymond. Seeing her daring maroon evening gown and the way Madeline stood accompanying the billionaire, the staff member smiled knowingly.

"And this must be the beautiful Frau Craig," the German staff member said enthusiastically, turning to Madeline. "It is a joy to see you accompanying your husband tonight, Madam. We have prepared a special seat on the stage so you can accompany Mr. Craig when he receives the award later."

The atmosphere around them suddenly felt frozen to Raymond.

Raymond felt his jaw tighten instantly. This misperception felt like a direct insult to Clara, his true wife who was waiting for him in New York. An awkward silence hung for a few seconds, making the German staff member begin to realize something was wrong with Raymond’s cold expression.

Madeline herself seemed to freeze, her face flushing between embarrassment and perhaps... a hidden hope that had suddenly emerged due to the misunderstanding. She glanced at Raymond hesitantly, not daring to speak to correct the German man’s words.

"You are mistaken," Raymond’s voice sounded very cold, firm, and uncompromising. He looked at the German staff member with his ice-cold gray eyes. "This woman beside me is Madeline, my personal secretary who is tasked with assisting with administrative matters tonight. My actual wife is in New York with my children."

The German staff member was instantly shocked, his face paling as he realized his carelessness, which could have offended one of their biggest investors. "Ah... please forgive me, Mr. Craig! I truly did not mean to be presumptuous. I assumed because... ah, please forgive my mistake."

"It’s fine," Raymond replied shortly, his voice very flat and indifferent. "Just ensure our seating position at the VIP table remains unchanged."

"Of course, Mr. Craig. Once again, I apologize," the staff member bowed respectfully several times before hurrying away to avoid Raymond’s further anger.

After the staff member moved away, Raymond turned fully to face Madeline. His eyes stared sharply at his secretary, who was now standing with her head down, her face pale from his cold reprimand.

The atmosphere between them felt very tense; even Evan, who was standing not far away, chose to turn his face toward the stage, not wanting to get involved in his boss’s personal tension.

Raymond stepped one step closer to Madeline, lowering his voice until it could only be heard by her amidst the noise of the ballroom music.

"Next time, wear a modest dress," Raymond reprimanded in a tone that was very firm, sharp, and left no room for debate. "You are here to work as my secretary, Madeline. Not to be a display piece or to seek other people’s attention with clothes like this."

Madeline flinched slightly; every word that came out of Raymond’s mouth felt like a hard slap to her pride, which had just soared high. She squeezed her handbag with white-knuckled fingers, holding back the tears that suddenly welled up in the corners of her eyes due to the overwhelming shame.

"I-I apologize, Mr. Craig," Madeline whispered with a trembling voice. "I... I just thought this dress was appropriate for tonight’s gala. I didn’t mean to—"

"Enough," Raymond cut in coldly, stopping Madeline’s explanation before she could finish. "Keep your documents and tablet on the table. Just focus on the license data verification task I asked for earlier. Do not do anything else foolish."

Raymond turned his back, walking toward their VIP table without looking back even once. His footsteps were steady and unwavering, showing very clearly that there was nothing in this world that could shake his commitment and love for Clara.

For Raymond Craig, Clara’s position as Mrs. Craig was something sacred and absolute, the highest place that he would never allow to be touched, misunderstood, or replaced by anyone—not even by his own secretary who had tried to stand out tonight. Beneath the grandeur of the cold German ballroom’s crystal lights, Raymond only wanted to finish his work quickly and return to the warm embrace of the woman who was the sole owner of his entire soul and being.