Chapter 1 Seeing the diamond ring

On the third floor of L.H. Group, Lerisa Jonah stood up from her secretary seat, having completed her office work for the day.

She worked as Anthony Gregson's secretary. She stepped out of her office desk and picked up her black handbag, as she was ready to go home.

Lerisa was a fair-complexioned young lady, 24 years old, wearing a yellow shirt, a black pencil skirt, and black shoes. She wondered why she hadn't seen Anthony step out of his office.

She knew that Anthony usually closed by 5 PM and left the company before 6 PM, which was the company's normal closing hour.

Lerisa made her way toward Anthony's office door to find out what was delaying her boss, since it was already after 6 PM and most of the staff were heading home.

Approaching Anthony's office door, she knocked and heard him respond, "Come in."

She pushed the door slightly open and stepped into his office, where she saw him seated in his chair, staring at a red ring box in his hands.

Lerisa's heart dropped the moment she saw the beautiful, sparkling diamond ring in Anthony's hand.

At that moment, she realized that Anthony was in a serious relationship with Clara Harry and would soon propose to her.

Lerisa felt like crying out, as she secretly loved Anthony, but she couldn't muster the courage to tell him the truth.

Her fair complexion flushed red with sadness, and she cast her gaze downward to hide the sorrow on her face.

Anthony was too absorbed in admiring the diamond ring that he held, not noticing Lerisa's presence.

They were childhood best friends due to the closeness between their fathers. Lerisa's father had been Anthony's father's former assistant, supporting him in building the shoe company, which was now owned by Anthony.

Lerisa knew that Clara Harry was unworthy of a man like Anthony. She had witnessed Clara flirting with various men behind Anthony's back, but she felt unable to advise him against dating her.

Lerisa had even seen Clara visit Anthony in his office and had caught them kissing, making her heart sink further, knowing that Anthony was seriously in love with Clara.

Anthony was a 30-year-old man, dressed in a black suit with a red shirt and black shoes, which made him look handsome.

He had a short beard that enhanced his looks, adding to his charm as a man.

Finally looking up, Anthony noticed Lerisa staring downward in his office. He wondered what she wanted, as he thought he had seen her for the last time that day.

Completely absorbed in admiring the ring he had bought, Anthony inadvertently forgot that the company had closed. He intended to propose to Clara the next day.

"What do you want, Lerisa?" He asked.

"I... I..." Lerisa stammered, unable to articulate why she was in his office, her heart breaking at the sight of the lovely ring.

She had come to inform Anthony that she was already going home, but he didn't look up at her again. He remained focused on the diamond ring and wondered if Clara would like it.

Anthony asked, "What do you think of this ring, Lerisa? Remember that I invited you and the rest of our staff to my birthday party tomorrow at my family's house? I want to propose to Clara tomorrow. But I don't know if she will accept this beautiful diamond ring that I ordered from abroad. I truly love Clara. What do you think, Lerisa? Do you believe that Clara will love this ring and accept it? I bought it to prove my love for her?"

Lerisa's heart broke even more at Anthony's obliviousness.

She watched him smile sweetly at the ring, and as Anthony continued to gaze downward, she replied, "I thought you had closed, Sir. That's why I'm here to collect the office key from you. But it seems like you're not ready to go home yet."

Anthony immediately noticed the sadness in Lerisa's voice. He shut the red ring box in his hands and stood up from his chair. As he walked to meet her, he asked, "What's wrong, Lerisa?"

Lerisa turned her back to Anthony, tears streaming down her cheeks. She couldn't tell him the truth-that she was in love with him. Anthony saw her strictly as a sister, despite her deep feelings for him.

"What's wrong, Lerisa?" Anthony approached her and turned her to face him.

Lerisa felt a flutter, but Anthony ignored it as he looked intently at her face.

"Tell me, what's wrong with you?" he asked in a stern voice. Lerisa shuddered under his gaze but shook her head, indicating nothing was wrong.

She lied, "Nothing, Sir... I just came here to tell you that I'm going home. The company has closed for the day and to collect the office key from you..."

"Sir?" Anthony asked, his cold stare still fixed on Lerisa's face, his eyes squinting in concern.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me sir, Lerisa? You're like a sister to me, not just a staff member here," Anthony said, and Lerisa shuddered again, hating that he always reminded her of their relationship.

Just then, Anthony's office door swung open, and his assistant, Mark Terry, stepped inside to see him.

Mark looked surprised at the sight of Anthony holding Lerisa's arms so closely, but Anthony didn't look at him, still focused on Lerisa.

'Do they want to kiss?' Mark wondered to himself, quickly composing his surprised expression and apologizing, "I'm sorry, boss."