Chapter 18 Exclusive Release Chapter 18 "Boss, I can..."
Elias's icy blue eyes appeared even more profound and unfathomable in the dim light inside the car.
He didn't look at her, whether out of disdain or lingering anger, it was hard to tell.
"Get in the car."
It's two blocks away from the Van der Berg mansion.
Yuan Ning stood motionless, clutching her handbag.
A few seconds later, Elias reluctantly got out of the car, his gentlemanly manners prevailing.
He opened the passenger door: "Ms. Wynne, please get in."
He stopped in front of the passenger door, opened it himself, his movements impeccable, as if serving a true lady.
This understated yet high-performance Aston Martin Vanquish is his reward for his career success, even though the model is out of place in this old-money neighborhood.
Yuan Ning raised her chin, walked around the front of the car, the headlights shimmering on her porcelain-white skin, and a very subtle, spoiled smile curved her lips.
After she was seated, Elias closed the car door firmly but politely.
She carefully placed the handbag on her knees, which were pressed together. It seemed that neither of them had the habit of letting their emotions about others affect them.
Elias maintained his gentlemanly manners towards her, while she remained professional in her work.
The car door closed, and the world was instantly shut out. The engine emitted a deep roar, and the vehicle smoothly glided into the lane.
In the confined space, his presence was so powerful it was suffocating.
Yuan Ning could catch a glimpse of his elegant fingers manipulating the steering wheel out of the corner of her eye, and could smell the faint scent of cigars emanating from him. She kept her eyes fixed straight ahead.
“It seems,” he suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a distinctive quality in the quiet carriage, “that the salary I pay you isn’t enough for you to choose a more reliable mode of transportation while carrying my suit.”
Yuan Ning looked slightly embarrassed, but compared to being caught stealing Elias's brooch, she no longer cared that he knew about her predicament.
“I believe that reasonable spending is a virtue, boss.” She tried to make her voice sound professional, emotionless, and not stubborn. “Besides, I delivered your clothes safely.”
“You haven’t delivered it yet, ma’am,” Elias felt he had to correct.
As soon as he finished speaking, a soft "plop" sound came from the roof of the car. Then, without warning, dense raindrops poured down, instantly enveloping the car windows in a blurry curtain of water.
Elias turned on the windshield wipers, which swept across the windshield in a regular fan shape, instantly turning the dazzling lights outside the window into a hazy patch of light.
An eerie silence fell over the carriage, broken only by the low growl of the engine and the sound of raindrops pattering against the body.
Yuan Ning opened her mouth in surprise, her lips forming an "o" shape.
If she hadn't met Elias and gotten into his car, the result would have been obvious: she would have been soaked to the bone, including the suit jacket on her legs.
She turned to look at him cautiously and apologetically. If he showed a mocking expression and then launched into another sarcastic remark, she knew she wouldn't retaliate. Her professionalism was indeed questionable.
However, Elias glanced sideways at her tightening arms but said nothing.
He simply slowed down slightly, maneuvering the vehicle smoothly through the slippery rainy night, his demeanor remaining calm, as if all the wind and rain outside had nothing to do with this tranquil space; he became completely silent.
The small space inside the car became even more damp and cramped because of the sudden rain.
The smell of his cigars seemed to have softened a bit from the moisture, lingering around her nose.
She turned her head and stared intently at him. He was steering with one hand, and in the dim light of the dashboard, he exuded a calm and powerful aura of control.
Yuan Ning felt her heart begin to pound in her chest, and with the torrential rain, it seemed to be growing stronger. A twenty-year-old girl could be attracted to money, career, status... and men all at the same time.
The vehicle finally entered Willow Street, where ancient oak trees, some over a hundred years old, swayed violently in the strong wind. The pale glow of old-fashioned streetlights pierced through the rain, leaving streaks of light on the ground.
The Van der Berg mansion resembled a colossal beast in the torrential rain and darkness, its dark walls almost blending into the night, with only a few tall windows letting out a faint, warm yellow glow, coldly watching its owner return from the storm.
The rain fiercely washed over every crack and carving in the building, cascading down from the eaves, adding to the mansion's imposing presence.
As soon as the vehicle came to a stop, the heavy gates of the mansion opened silently.
Charles, the butler, carrying a huge black umbrella and dressed in a black tailcoat, walked steadily down the steps, followed by his maid Dorotha, who was also holding a black umbrella.
Elias turned off the car lights and turned to Yuan Ning: "Get out of the car."
Yuan Ning looked at him silently, wanting to say something, whether it was an apology or a thank you, anything would do. The rain was so heavy; New York City rarely saw such heavy rain.
Dorotha had already opened the passenger door for her and tilted the umbrella toward her.
"Be careful, Ms. Meng."
Yuan Ning ultimately couldn't express her gratitude, but she hoped he understood that she was aware of his forgiveness.
Clutching her handbag, she ducked under the umbrella, the huge black umbrella completely shielding her from the wind and rain. She quickly followed Dorota onto the porch, her feet sinking into the wet, cold marble steps.
When she finally stepped into the brightly lit, warm mansion, Elias was standing with his back to her as Charles took off his suit jacket.
The foyer was warm and dry, filled with the familiar scents of cedar, firewood, and white tea. A huge brass chandelier cast golden light onto the mirror-like walnut floor, creating a blurred yet elegant reflection.
Elias nodded slightly to Charles before turning away.
After leaving Wall Street and that Aston Martin, he completely reverted to his classical aristocratic persona. He habitually wore pure white Egyptian cotton shirts, his tie was always tied in a meticulous Windsor knot, and he wore antique onyx cuffs.
His neatly combed blond hair was styled into a classic side part with a touch of hair wax. His face was always clean-shaven, and besides cigars, he sometimes wore Creed Royal Water, and sometimes a faint scent of Penhaligon's Blenheim perfume.
His gaze immediately fell on Yuan Ning, who was standing awkwardly in the foyer, holding a huge Dunhill Salon tote bag. Fortunately, her cheeks were not stained with any disarray from the heavy rain, only a faint blush from the warm air from the fireplace.
She stood there, along with her handbag, two precious items that had been perfectly escorted to the port, intact.
Elias glanced at her expressionlessly, then turned and said, "Come with me."
Yuan Ning took a deep breath, holding the heavy handbag, and followed behind him, stepping on the thick, silent Persian carpet.
The doors to the walk-in closet slid open to the sides, and the air was filled with the masculine scent of his clothes, mixed with a hint of high-quality leather and cashmere.
Yuan Ning quickly stepped forward, took the suit jacket out of the bag, and hung it in the center of the room.
The fabric of the finest vicuña blend has a deep luster under light, as if it has its own life.
After hanging it up, she began to observe her employer's expression.
"Boss, this is truly a work of art."
Yuan Ning sincerely praised it and looked forward to her employer wearing it.
Elias simply watched calmly; to him it was just an everyday object.
“A work of art?” he repeated the word. “Lucien’s craftsmanship is indeed excellent. This is a decent suit that can be worn on many occasions.”
This statement successfully extinguished Yuan Ning's romantic fantasies as a fashion believer.
Looking at Elias's habitual, even scrutinizing gaze, she felt an indescribable bitterness and resentment well up inside her.
At Parsons, she has students from all over the world. She recalls the girls in Manhattan thrift stores saving for months to buy a worn-out Chanel 2.55 handbag, the burning passion in their eyes as they held Vogue, and even her own soul being emptied when she lost those jewels and bags.
For so many people around the world, fashion is a dream, a belief, a star they would give anything to reach, and a necessity for building identity and dignity.
But in this man's eyes, this suit, which embodies the painstaking efforts of top craftsmen and consumes countless natural resources, is merely passable.
Yuan Ning took a slight breath, her voice a few decibels lower than before:
"You're right, boss. It's qualified."
She raised her eyes, looking directly at him. "So, I want to know, for someone like you, what exactly can transcend mere competence and be called 'art' by you? Or rather, in your world, what else is worth pursuing and appreciating with passion?"
Elias narrowed his blue eyes slightly, finally shifting his scrutinizing gaze from the suit to her face.
“That’s an interesting question, Ms. Wynne. It’s been a long time since I’ve been passionate about anything. You’ve given me pause for thought.”
But for some reason, Elias remembered Miss Wynne that day, wearing a silk slip dress, clearly with a push-up bra underneath, and a diamond brooch adorning her chest. If he hadn't appreciated anything beautiful in a long time, she was one of those exceptions.
"Pouring out passion means there's a risk of things getting out of control. I know some people in this world go bankrupt in pursuit of something false and superficial."
He paused, as if choosing the right words, "Miss Wynne, I must add something. You are different from the people I was talking about. Those people could never cross social classes in their lifetime, especially not with a handbag. But you can, Miss Wynne."
"Your desires did not exceed your reason, and your actions were remarkably elegant. Whether it was your Dior or the brooch, you played your cards exceptionally well, which is absolutely commendable in the investment world."
Yuan Ning was stunned. Her heart felt like it had been tickled by something, a ticklish, tingling, and numb sensation.
She imagined how he would react upon discovering her disguise—whether with disdain, contempt, coldness, or pity—by kicking her out and telling her, "Poor girl, you don't belong here."
But he was praising her, praising her without reservation.
"As an investor, of course, I believe that true art is to obtain the greatest return with the lowest cost. You ask me what I am passionate about? I am passionate about finding undervalued assets where no one else can see their value; I am also passionate about establishing my own order and rules in the chaotic capital market."
He leaned slightly forward, his icy blue eyes locking onto her.
"On Wall Street, we call it alpha."
Yuan Ning suddenly realized that the world was a huge trading market in his eyes, where emotions, tastes, and interpersonal relationships could all be quantified and evaluated.
He also gave her the highest praise.
He turned his back to her and opened his arms—a silent command.
And Yuan Ning was finally able to put this suit on him herself, a suit that she had personally sculpted.
She moved closer to him, close enough to smell the men's cologne he had sprayed on the back of his neck. His broad shoulders and back were right in front of her, exactly as she had imagined them to be.
She had to stand on tiptoe and wrap her arm around his shoulder to drape the suit jacket over his shoulders.
Her cheeks inevitably brushed against his back, and she could even feel the steady warmth emanating from his body.
She draped the suit jacket over her shoulders and walked around to stand in front of him. Now, they were face to face.
Her gaze had to be focused on the delicate mother-of-pearl button, but out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't ignore his prominent Adam's apple so close to hers, and the invisible pressure of his breath.
A surge of heat crept up her ears. Perhaps her employer believed that everything had returned to normal, all ties severed; he was her employer, and she was his employee. This realization made her dizzy.
Only she was still pondering that kiss. The oppressive gaze above her head made her mouth dry. As she buttoned her shirt, her hands rested lightly on either side of his chest, beneath which seemed to lie a dormant volcano.
Although she dared not raise her head, she knew he was watching the top of her head, perhaps with some wariness.
His gaze could penetrate her skin and see her blood flowing faster.
The moment her fingertips left his body, she looked up and met his lowered gaze. In the depths of those eyes, like the undercurrent beneath a glacier, was calm and scrutinizing.
His gaze calmly left her and he turned to face the full-length mirror.
The suit fit him perfectly.
The man in the mirror was impeccable; the charcoal gray suit fit him like a second skin.
As he examined the suit with his usual gaze, a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of unease quietly emerged.
Lucien Morrow has his most precise body data from four months ago. But the fit of the suit in the mirror seems based on a fresher, more dynamic, and even more… intimate understanding.
This feels so eerie.
The girl beside him still had her dark, ebony eyes open, giving him a professional look as she sized him up.
But he suddenly recalled how she approached him, how she lingered behind him, how she carefully buttoned his clothes, the warm breath she exhaled, and the faint, jarringly sweet scent emanating from her that seemed out of place in his wardrobe.
Yuan Ning quietly admired the suit; it undoubtedly fit him better than any of his previous ones.
“Miss Wynne, your professionalism is truly astounding. It must be due to your near-perfect score in the tailoring class. The suit you adjusted fits perfectly. But I don’t know how you know my body so well?”
Elias decided to ignore all the strange feelings he had and directly asked the question.
The girl replied, "Because your body is so beautiful that I can't forget you."
There was no pretense, and it even carried a kind of naiveté.
Elias's icy blue eyes narrowed, revealing an expression of disbelief for the first time.
After Yuan Ning finished speaking, she realized that her words were inappropriate. A faint blush rose on her porcelain-white cheeks, which spread all the way to the tips of her ears, but she did not flinch. Her dark eyes seemed to sparkle with shy tears: "Boss, you just praised me, so of course I should praise you too."
Yes, her praise of him bypassed all the aspects he was proud of and focused on his [missing information].
This is truly offensive.
But the girl's face was flushed, and she smiled shyly, making it difficult to express one's feelings; this should not be seen as an offense.
His tall figure completely loomed over her. He lowered his head, both shocked and scrutinizing her, his brows furrowed, his anger barely contained.
Even the part of his suit that clung to his skin began to feel faintly hot, as if she had touched it.
Wynne stared at him with her big eyes, making no attempt to hide her gaze.
He seemed to be hesitating, wondering whether he should get angry or sternly stop her behavior, while she felt her heart was about to jump out of her chest. He was too close, and the oppressive feeling left her with nowhere to retreat.
"Boss, may I kiss your lips again?" she asked gently and politely.
Elias's suppressed rage solidified on his perfectly sculpted face.
Deep in his eyes, an incredulous look of astonishment expanded in circles. He looked at her, and in her dark eyes lay a primal, undisguised ambition—unreasonable, reckless, driven only by instinct.
He could almost see through her loneliness, resentment, desire, and pride, and a hint of defiance towards him. She seemed quite certain that he was an easy-going gentleman, and that she was simply asking if it was permissible to make a request; she was perfectly capable of doing so.
Just then, Theodora knocked and came in. She was wrapped in a thick cashmere blanket, and her golden curly hair was loosely draped over her shoulders. "It's already ten o'clock, and it's still raining outside. Wynne, I'm so sorry to have kept you busy with Elias until so late today. I've asked Dorota to prepare a guest room for you. You can sleep here tonight, okay?"
Those eyes, so identical to Elias's, appeared incredibly gentle in the warm yellow light. She seemed to notice the slight anger on her son's face, then turned to Yuan Ning, lingering for a moment on her flushed cheeks.
"It seems you've received the suit you ordered four months ago. It fits you well, Elias."
Although Theodora was questioning Yuan Ning, her very presence exuded an elegant and undeniable authority.
Yuan Ning was naturally happy to stay here for one night.
“Okay, Theodora.”
"Yes, come with me." Theodora simply nodded and walked out again.
Yuan Ning didn't look back at Elias again and followed Theodora out of there.
The two walked deeper into the mansion, their footsteps muffled by the expensive carpet beneath their feet. On the walls of the corridor hung seemingly understated portraits, the figures dressed in clothing from centuries ago.
"The Van der Berg family owns a huge wine estate in Europe and provides wine lists for many Michelin-starred restaurants. You haven't had the chance to try it yet."
library.
Unlike Elias's study, this place is more like a temple of knowledge.
The floor-to-ceiling walnut bookshelves are filled with the mixed scents of old parchment, ink, and aged wood.
But Theodora didn't stop; she walked through the library and opened another door.
Wine tasting room.
This is a relatively small yet incredibly exquisite space. The walls are paneled with dark wood, and a temperature- and humidity-controlled wine cabinet serves as an integral part of the walls, with countless fine wines lying dormant behind its glass. In the center of the room stands a heavy, smooth wooden table, surrounded by several high-backed armchairs.
“Please sit down, Wynne.” Theodora gracefully settled into an armchair, the wool blanket forming beautiful folds. She gestured for Yuan Ning to sit opposite her.
Then, she got up herself, took out a bottle of unlabeled wine from a specific section of the wine cabinet, and also took out two exquisite Austrian crystal glasses.
"This batch of wine was specially reserved for Elias by the estate the year he was born, and it has never been circulated on the market."
Theodora poured the liquor into a glass and handed it to Yuan Ning, saying, "Try it and tell me how you feel."
She raised her glass, swirled it gently, and looked sharply at Yuan Ning through the glass.
Yuan Ning took the wine glass, lowered her head, and suddenly became certain that they had seen through everything about her before she even entered the mansion for the first time.
She didn't rush to taste it, but first gently swirled the glass, letting the wine slide down the side. She lowered her head, brought her nose close to the rim, and took a light sniff.
A complex and rich aroma instantly filled the air: ripe dark fruit, aged leather, cedarwood...
Then, she carefully sipped a small amount.
The wine lingered in her mouth, and instead of swallowing it immediately, she let it fully touch the tip and sides of her tongue, savoring the balance of its texture and acidity, as well as the layers of flavor.
"Its aroma is very...reserved, yet rich in layers, with great aging potential. The tannins are very fine and well-integrated, but the structure remains solid, like a gentleman who has received the strictest education but is inwardly crazy and powerful."
"It seems you're not completely ignorant about wine tasting. I thought a Chinese girl with your background would prefer sweeter, easier-to-drink wines."
Yuan Ning's expression stiffened slightly. Theodora had always been a very cultured lady, and this was the first time Yuan Ning had felt the arrogance that the other party was deliberately displaying.
“Elijas graduated from Groton School, went to Harvard University, majored in economics and minored in art history, and later went to Harvard Business School. His growth trajectory was precisely planned. Every holiday was spent either at his family’s summer house in Newport, skiing in Switzerland, or visiting family friends in London.”
Theodora's tone remained as smooth as ever, reflecting a subtle sense of superiority and distinction based on birth and lineage.
Just like Elias's many "unintentional remarks," he easily divides people into two worlds.
“It’s getting late. Here’s a bottle for you. I hope you get a good night’s rest.” Theodora leaned closer to her, her voice gentle. “Wynne, many things in this house are ancient and have a rich history… filled with sleeping spirits and outdated rules. Not everyone can sleep peacefully here. Good luck.”
Theodora's icy blue eyes, identical to Elias's, appeared inhuman, godlike compassion and coldness in the dim light.
“Thank you for the wine, Theodora.” Yuan Ning raised her eyes, meeting his gaze directly. “It is indeed extraordinary, with a strong aftertaste. Just as you said, not everyone can appreciate it.”
“And I happen to enjoy things that are challenging.” Yuan Ning raised her glass, lifted it slightly, and then drank it elegantly.
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Author's Note: No update tomorrow, two updates the day after.
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