"Where did she go?"
Ethan Yu's voice was low, but it carried that unmistakable undercurrent of impatience. Ji Chuan followed him closely, his phone already in hand, ready to call in favors or security if needed.
They checked the lounge—empty.
They checked the break rooms, the hallway offices, the conference wing. Still no sign of her.
Finally, they ran into a janitor sweeping the hallway on the 10th floor.
"She's in the library," the janitor said helpfully. "Quiet little lady—brought a laptop and coffee. Been there for a while."
Ethan gave a brief nod and turned toward the elevator.
Unlike most companies, the Yu Corporation didn't skimp on amenities. Every floor in the sprawling Dongfang Tower had its own compact library—a quiet corner tucked away for employees who needed to research, refresh, or simply escape the chaos of corporate life.
Hailey had chosen one of the quieter floors, probably thinking no one would look for her there.
She was right.
Until now.
Inside the library, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling golden warmth onto the carpeted floors and neatly stacked bookshelves. Tucked in the far corner, with her back to the door, Hailey Tang sat cross-legged on a leather chair, laptop on her lap, surrounded by open books and notes.
She looked… peaceful.
Focused.
There was a half-empty cup of coffee on the small table beside her, long gone cold. Her brows were slightly furrowed, eyes scanning the screen with quiet intensity. Occasionally, she scribbled something in her notebook or highlighted a line in a printed diagram.
She was so immersed, she didn't even notice the man watching her from across the room.
Ethan stood at the entrance, his gaze unreadable. For a long moment, he didn't move.
This was not the Hailey Tang he was used to. The fiery, stubborn girl who threw tantrums and threw away her ring… this wasn't her.
This Hailey was calm. Driven. Trying so damn hard.
Why? he thought.
Why is she working herself to the bone?
He stepped forward.
"Bring lunch here," he said quietly to Ji Chuan behind him.
Ji Chuan nodded and slipped away without a word.
Ethan crossed the room slowly and sat in the empty chair beside her. He picked up one of the documents on the table—Hailey had highlighted several sections, circled confusing terms, and written tiny notes in the margins.
She's actually studying this.
And taking it seriously.
Suddenly, she stiffened and turned her head sharply—clearly startled.
"God, you scared me!" she gasped, clutching her chest. "When did you get here?"
"Just now," Ethan replied, voice low. "Why didn't you eat lunch?"
"I wasn't hungry."
She turned back to her screen as if he were no more important than the stack of books on the shelf.
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "You can't just drink coffee and call it a meal."
She didn't respond. Didn't even glance at him.
His pride took a hit.
Was she seriously ignoring him? He, Ethan Yu—CEO of the Yu Corporation, the man everyone scrambled to impress—was being outshined by a textbook?
He tried again, this time softening his tone.
"How much do you understand? I don't have anything urgent today. If there's something you don't get, I can explain it to you."
Hailey didn't even look up.
"I can just Google it."
Ethan's expression cracked.
He wasn't just being ignored—he was being replaced. By Google.
He leaned forward slightly, tone cool. "You think a search engine can give you better answers than I can? Human explanations are easier to understand. You'd remember them better, too."
Hailey finally looked at him, brows slightly raised. "You have that much free time?"
"…Excuse me?"
"And why are you being so helpful?" she asked bluntly. "It's suspicious. What's your angle?"
Ethan felt a familiar tightness in his chest. She always did this—questioned his motives, pushed him away the moment he tried to be human.
"You're still my wife," he said flatly. "Is it so strange that I'd want to help you? Do I need some hidden reason?"
This isn't suspicion, he wanted to say. This is care.
It's love, damn it.
But Hailey returned to her work without another word.
"I don't need your help," she murmured. "If I really can't figure it out, I'll ask Designer Lu."
Designer Lu was a senior in the company—mid-forties, patient, kind, always willing to explain things in simple terms. Hailey had found him easy to talk to.
Ethan, on the other hand, felt his blood pressure rise a little.
First the computer.
Now Designer Lu?
What else do I have to compete with? Air?
He was still sulking silently when Ji Chuan reappeared with two neatly packed meals.
"President Yu, Madam—your lunch. Please enjoy."
Hailey blinked.
She hadn't expected that.
Ethan Yu, the man who barely acknowledged her existence some days, had not only tracked her down but brought her lunch?
He opened the box in front of her and gestured for her to start eating.
"Put the books down. Eat first."
"But I told you, I'm not hungry—"
"Yu Corporation employees are not allowed to skip meals for work. That's one of our company policies."
"…What?"
Before she could react, the documents were plucked from her hands and set aside. A pair of chopsticks was placed in her palm before she could protest.
The food smelled amazing.
She looked down at the spread—steamed sea bass, fragrant jasmine rice, sautéed vegetables, and a delicate tofu soup. All neatly arranged in a luxurious takeout set from one of the city's top-tier restaurants.
She recognized it instantly.
This was her favorite place. Expensive. Impossible to book. She hadn't eaten it in months.
Her stomach growled, betraying her.
Ethan smirked.
"You're not hungry, huh?"
Hailey's face flushed, but she picked up her chopsticks anyway.
Fine. She could eat a little.
But just because the food was good.
Not because she appreciated his gesture.
Not because his eyes softened every time he looked at her.
Not because, for the first time in days, she felt like someone saw her efforts and cared enough to bring her a hot meal.
No, it wasn't that.
Definitely not.