Just as Cecelia had expected, they were stopped at the reception desk the moment they entered President Thorne’s company.

The receptionist looked up. "Who are you here to see?" Her gaze landed on the enormous bouquet Damien was carrying. "If that’s a delivery, you can leave it here. Just fill out the recipient’s name on this form."

Cecelia immediately put on her brightest smile. "Actually, these flowers were specially ordered by President Thorne." She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "They were flown in from overseas."

The receptionist blinked.

Cecelia continued smoothly, "They’re extremely delicate. President Thorne specifically requested to inspect them personally before signing for delivery." She looked apologetic. "I know it’s a bit inconvenient. But if we’re not allowed upstairs, would you mind asking President Thorne to come down instead?"

The receptionist glanced at the roses. To be fair, they did look significantly more expensive than ordinary florist flowers. If they really were something important and she mishandled them...

That wouldn’t end well.

After a moment’s hesitation, she relented.

"Fine." Then she frowned. "But why are there two of you?" Her eyes moved between Damien and Cecelia. "Is delivering flowers a couple’s activity now?"

Without missing a beat, Cecelia reached into her pocket and pulled out two chocolates she’d quietly collected from the breakfast buffet that morning. She slipped them into the receptionist’s hand.

"Please don’t laugh." She lowered her voice. "I injured my foot yesterday. My husband is helping me with deliveries." She pointed at Damien. "But he’s not actually a delivery driver. He couldn’t do this by himself." Then she smiled sweetly. "You’re so kind and beautiful, Miss. Could you help us out?"

The receptionist melted instantly. Not only did she let them through, she even gave them directions to President Thorne’s office.

Inside the elevator, Damien glanced sideways at Cecelia. He silently revised his opinion of her. At first glance, she looked gentle. Soft. Almost naive. The sort of woman who would be easy to take advantage of.

In reality, years in sales had taught her exactly how to handle people. She knew when to be polite. When to flatter. And when to bend the truth. Not enough to offend. Just enough to get what she wanted.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

President Thorne’s voice sounded from inside. The office door opened.

President Thorne looked up, then frowned. A handsome man carrying a giant bouquet. A pretty young woman followed beside him. Neither looked familiar.

"What is this?" He pointed toward the door. "Who let you in? Are you sure you’re in the right office?"

Cecelia stepped forward immediately.

"Good morning, President Thorne." She offered a professional smile. "I called yesterday, but unfortunately, you were busy. Would you be willing to spare us a few minutes? Perhaps over lunch?"

President Thorne instantly remembered. The persistent sales representative. The one who kept calling him. His expression darkened.

"Out." He waved dismissively. "I don’t have time for this." His voice grew impatient. "What is wrong with your company? You ask a few questions about your products, and suddenly you’re stuck to me like glue. Now you’ve tracked me down at my office. Do you people have no shame?"

"Of course we do," Cecelia replied without missing a beat. "And we’re definitely not glue." Her smile remained flawless. "We’re simply professionals who take our clients seriously." She opened her folder. "You raised several technical concerns at the trade show. We flew here specifically to answer them. Whether you buy from us is entirely your choice. No pressure. I’ve prepared detailed information regarding every question you asked."

She pulled out a chair.

President Thorne immediately waved her away. "That was weeks ago. I don’t even remember what I asked. It was a casual conversation. We have our own technical department. I appreciate the effort. But you should leave."

Cecelia remained unfailingly polite. "That’s excellent. I’m glad your concerns have already been resolved." She placed a sample case on the desk. "Then perhaps you’d be interested in seeing our newest products. These weren’t available at the trade show. We’re offering complimentary samples."

At her signal, Damien stepped forward and placed the case on the desk.

The words complimentary samples finally caused President Thorne to pause. But instead of looking at the products... His attention shifted elsewhere.

To Damien.

More specifically, to the watch on Damien’s wrist. The watch itself appeared unremarkable. Yet something about the man felt familiar.

The bearing. The confidence. The face.

President Thorne found himself studying Damien instead of the samples. "Is he one of your salespeople, too?"

Cecelia immediately noticed the interest in his eyes. And completely misunderstood it.

No way. Damien attracts men, too?

Look at President Thorne. He was practically staring.

Sensing an opportunity, she launched into a dramatic sales pitch.

"Absolutely." She nodded confidently. "He’s our company’s top salesperson and my mentor. Several major partnerships with Wellspring Electric were negotiated by him personally." She lowered her voice. "In fact, we came to Corvane specifically to renew a contract with them. We signed the renewal yesterday and came straight here today."

Her expression became serious. "We value our clients so highly that my mentor personally accompanies important visits."

Beside her, Damien remained silent, completely expressionless.

President Thorne’s attitude immediately softened. Wellspring Electric was a subsidiary of the Vaughn Group. If they were capable of doing business with a company like that... Then perhaps they were worth taking seriously.

No wonder this man carried himself differently.

Top salesperson indeed.

Still, President Thorne shook his head. "Unfortunately, I really don’t have time today." He checked his watch. "I have an important meeting in two minutes. After that, I need to attend a parent-child event at my son’s kindergarten. You’ll have to come back tomorrow."

Cecelia had done her research. She knew President Thorne had spent years in his first marriage without children. After remarrying in his forties, he had finally become a father. Then, for reasons nobody knew, he’d divorced again last year.

Now he was a wealthy single father utterly devoted to his son.

A kindergarten event...

Immediately, an idea appeared.

"President Thorne." She smiled. "If you don’t mind, my mentor and I could accompany you. We both love children. And children always enjoy having more people cheering them on." She pointed at herself confidently. "I guarantee your son will have a wonderful time."

President Thorne stared at her. He genuinely had to admire her persistence. She wasn’t even trying to schedule another meeting. She was following him to his child’s school.

After a moment, he laughed. To be honest, he hadn’t wanted to attend the event anyway.

His son complained constantly. All the other fathers were young and handsome. Most children had mothers, too. Meanwhile, he was older, overweight, divorced, and perpetually busy.

Usually, he’d send an assistant instead. But after hearing Cecelia’s proposal, he made a decision.

"Fine." He pointed at her. "I’ll give you a chance. If you can make my son happy today..." He smiled. "We’ll continue discussing cooperation."

By the time they arrived at the kindergarten, President Thorne’s son was standing at the front gate crying his eyes out. The little boy was practically hanging from the fence.

The moment Cecelia saw him, her eyes lit up. "Rocky!" She hurried over. "Don’t cry."

The child looked up. Tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Your dad got held up by work today. So he asked us to come help take care of you." Then she crouched down and smiled mysteriously. "Look. I brought you a present."

She reached into her bag and produced two candies. One was shaped like a cheerful little bee. The other looked like a chubby piglet.

Both were adorable.

Rocky instantly stopped crying. His eyes widened.

"You like them?" Cecelia asked. "Then hurry up and eat." She pointed toward the playground. "After that, we’ll help you win first place. How does that sound?"

Back at the company, Damien had already been surprised when she’d somehow produced chocolates for the receptionist. Now she was pulling cartoon-shaped candies from her bag like a magician.

Watching her patiently comfort the child, he found himself staring.

This woman... was becoming more interesting every day.