Secret Lover: Drown In Desire, Long For Real Love

"Listen, I don't care about the process. I just want the result. If you fail to get this case, all the people in the planning department will be fired!" With a cup of coffee in my hand, I slowly walked towards my father's study. I just came back from a business trip in Sanya, exhausted both physically and mentally. But now I had to throw myself into work without a rest for the investor was eager to see the business proposal of the cooperation case. The planning department had been as busy as a staple.

"I've already discussed the project with the man in Hainan. I'll send you an email later. Sort it out carefully. No matter how late you work, I need the result tomorrow."

"Don't complain to me about your tiredness? Everyone was tired. No one slacks off. Come on. After tonight, our efforts will be paid off. I'll treat everyone a big meal when the things are done." On the phone, I kept comforting my fatigued subordinates. They were all caught off guard by this work and were lack of a good sleep for half a month. After hanging up the phone, I couldn't help but feel furious. When I entered the study, I kicked the door frame.

A playful male voice came to my ear, "How angry you are. It seems that you care about this competition very much. Haven't the delicious food and attractive scene in Sanya made you relax?"

In the study, I met a person I hated to see. It was the one who usually mocked me in the company, Hale. 'Why didn't the Butler tell me that he was here?'

"Hi, Daisy. Please excuse me for coming to your home without calling you in advance."

He liked doing in this way and I have been used to it. I ignored him and walked to my father's desk to take the documents I needed.

"Hey, I'm here to tell you, don't waste your time on that case. My people have already had it, but seeing that you work hard on the case, I will speak for you in front of the old lady."

I sneered, "You? How could it be possible?"

He was idling about every day and only knew how to go against me.

However, he opened a document in his hand, and I saw it clearly: the business plan of the case and all the information I gathered through investigation. This plan was the outcome of more than a dozen people of the planning department who spent more than half a month in the office. But.... He raised it high in his hand.

My pupils contracted all of a sudden. "You.... This is my business plan. Why is in your hand?" I reached out to grab it, but he raised his hand even higher. The sixteen year old boy was more than half a head taller than me, let alone his long arms. I gave up snatching.

Hale rolled his eyes and said, "But it's mine now."

I have realized that someone in the planning department must have been bought off by him. Otherwise, such a confidential document would never be exposed to the competitors.

"Hale, if you have guts, show me your true ability. Don't only do some shady things. I'm ashamed of you!"

"True Ability? Haw-haw-haw, Daisy, stealing other people's fruit is nothing, but someone is so powerful that he can steal other people's life. What do you say? It's just an unimportant case. As a lady of the Millers, do you have to work so hard?"

There was an underlying meaning in his words. I was a little confused.

But this was not insignificant for me. This task was a test for us arranged by my Grandma. It was the first project I've taken over in the company. It was about my prestige in the company in the future.

The Miller Group was one of the leading enterprises in the country. In this era of survival of the fittest, the relatively conservative research and development technology of the Group lagged behind the market. Our traditional formulas had been gradually eliminated by the times, and we had to introduce new technology.

This project that father was working on was one of the biggest projects of the Miller Group in this year, which was to make a cosmetics with ingredient of pure plant. Unfortunately, we encountered a problem. There were many cosmetics of this kind in the market, and this newly launched product had a mediocre effect.

I.... No, the case Hale got was a cooperation with another domestic company. They were interested in our formula, and we wanted their technology and reputation. It was just that the other party had been playing tricks on me for a long time before the result came. I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

But I didn't expect that someone took advantage of it. My chest was so stuffy. I really wanted to rush up and tear up the fake smile of Hale.

But the next second, he stopped smiling. He covered his upper lip with his right hand and coughed to cover up his indiscreet remarks. 'This robber!' I put a new label on him in my heart.

I was staring at him.

The air was frozen, but in a moment, Hale patted me on the shoulder and said, "Grandma asked me to pick you up. You have to deal with a lot of things at the banquet."

I was still angry and couldn't stand his intimate contact, so I slapped his hand away. "I'm not going to attend the party. You can go back now."

"Daisy Miller, enough!" He smiled at me with unprecedented pressure, and I suddenly couldn't speak.

I felt that smile was dazzling. He was only sixteen years old. Why did I always feel weak before him, like an ignorant child facing a rogue?

I didn't know where Hale came from. I only knew that he had lived in my family for six years.

I was wondering why Grandma asked him to study in the company with me. I bore in mind that one should care his own business. So, no matter how dissatisfied I was, I wouldn't speak out. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the company, he blatantly went against me. Taking Grandma as his backer, he made fun of me all the time. If not that Grandma was inclined to hand over the company to me before and some people were sensible, I would have been collapsed. Yes, I hated him very much. It rooted in a thing happened long time ago.

I detested him for the first time he appeared with Grandma. It was ridiculous to think of it.

At that time, we were only ten years old. Grandma taught us family business management every day, so I didn't experience the childhood that an ordinary child had. In puberty, I became rebellious. I felt that Grandma's house was like a beautiful cage, and I was some kind of a canary trapped in it, looking forward to the blue sky and the sea day and night. I didn't have many friends. The arrival of Hale undoubtedly made me feel the preciousness of friendship. I took him as a friend and told him everything. Unfortunately, at that time, I was short-sighted and didn't notice that this man had a dirty heart under his delicate skin.

Grandma lived in the old courtyard. Simplicity was everywhere and the flowers was blooming all year round. Gradually, I discovered the secret hidden behind the thickest bunch of roses in the courtyard--an old small door. After careful observation, I found that this was the gate to my freedom. I cared less how old it was and if the freedom was hidden behind the thorny roses, because these were nothing compared to my determination to leave. I told this secret to Hale and he promised to help me escape from here.

I planned to sneak away at a night when everyone in the house fell asleep. After all, no one knew this place, so I could do whatever I want. I began to make plans for my future.

But when I sneaked away with the flashlight and coins, the sharp thorn on the rose root pierced my arm, and blood dripped down from my face. I flinched again. Because Grandma has protected me well since I was a child. At least I had never been hurt like this. Tears gushed out, but when I thought that the free world was waving at me, I calmed down and braced myself to face the difficulty. The shabby small door was in front of me, and all I need to do was to push it.

"Right here. I saw her coming from here." I recognized the young and firm male voice. He was Hale who had reached a consensus with me!

To my astonishment, Hale led a group of servants to the corner where I hid. The faint light of the fire reflected the beads of sweat on my forehead. There was only one thought in my mind, 'I'm over!'

I'm still in the mood to curse Hale, 'Traitor!' The next second, the light shone on me, making me unable to open my eyes. I heard Grandma's sullen voice, "Daisy, why are you here in the middle of the night?"

I betted Hale must had exaggerated something.

An old servant pulled me out. My clothes were badly cut. Grandma's eyes swept across me, and then fell on Hale. My eyes were blazing with fire. I wished I could punch that abominable betrayer hard. I didn't know why Hale betrayed me at that time, nor did I know it now. But from then on, I didn't take him as a friend that I can talk to.

Living together for many years, I still couldn't accept him. All I could do was to ignore him.

When I came to my senses, I ignored him, took the books, turned around and was about to leave the study.

He shouted behind me, "Daisy, it's about the project. Are you sure you won't attend? After all, you have been working for this project for so long."

To be honest, if there was a chance, I would never let it be stolen by others.

I turned around and looked at him. "I'll go."

But I didn't expect that the consequence of attending the banquet would be a sudden humiliation.

That day, the driver of the old house picked me up from my father's house.

Hale was supposed to go with me, but with my current attitude towards him, he was sensible and left last night.

Grandma's house used to be the prince's mansion, which kept the old ancient buildings. In recent years, some modern buildings had been added, such as the banquet hall tonight.

I live in an antique building near the lake in the northeast. Downstairs is my garden. Sitting by the window and looking downstairs, I was surprised to see a person in the garden, my best friend Elma Brown.

"Why are you here?" I went downstairs happily to welcome her.

I didn't know my best friend Elma was invited to this party. We have known each other since childhood. She was weak since childhood, and her parents love her very much. Since childhood, we had a good relationship and shared everything with each other, so she felt at home while in my bedroom. But not long ago, I heard that her parents had sent her abroad for treatment. At that time, I was sad for a long time. Today, her sudden visit really surprised me.

With a smile, I held her hand and said, "Didn't you go abroad?"

"Well, the food there is not as nutritious as the food here. Why do you look like that?"

I touched my face and asked, "What kind of expression should I show to welcome you? Are you all right?"

"Well, I have a good appetite. I'm fine"

It was undeniable that she had a heart disease. She was still very weak in the early years, and in recent years, she had become better.

Elma suddenly held my hand, and her eyes were red. "Daisy, you know what? Aiken Cook finally agreed to be with me."

"What?" I was a little surprised.

I was familiar with Aiken. He was Elma's piano teacher and was also the person she had a crush on since thirteen years old.

"He finally doesn't mind the difference between you two?"

Elma grinned confidently and touched her left chest, "Do you know that sincerity smoothes the way to success?"

"So, you went to America just to follow someone's footsteps?"

I crossed my legs on the carpet and looked up at Elma, who was sitting on the couch with a happy face. Her cheeks were blushed as she told me how her relationship with Aiken developed rapidly in the United States.

I admired her courage from the bottom of my heart and congratulated her, but I was a little worried. "But you are still so young, and your parents..."

"My parents are easy-going. I believe they will like the people I like. Anyway, I can't enjoy life as a normal person. Do they even deprive me of the only love I fight for from the God?"

"Elma." I shook her arm.

"Well, leave me alone. I'm just worried about you. It's so lively outside today. All the sons of the plutocrat groups in the city have come. It seems that you are going to find your man soon."

Ignoring her tease, I stood up and straightened the hem of my dress.

I know Grandma's intention. She wanted me to marry a man for business.

"Well, I really envy you." I sighed and said.

"What? Do you feel uncomfortable working in your company? I just wanted to ask how you and the man from your family... Hale... "

"What are you talking about? He has nothing to do with my family!" I retorted. Whoever mentioned Hale to me now would provoked me.

Elma nodded awkwardly, looking at a loss.

I almost wanted to rub my hair, but fortunately, Elma grabbed my hand quickly and said, "What are you doing? If your hair is in a mess, you will have to redo it."

"Listen, Elma. Don't mention this thief to me."

Elma asked in surprise, "What did he steal from you?"

I told her everything in detail. After listening to me, she was not filled with indignation as I expected. Instead, she seemed to understand.

"No wonder!"

"No wonder what?" I asked her.

"Mommy and Daddy told me that..." She looked at me and swallowed back her words. She glanced at me and said, "No, it's just... Aiken... He seems to be invited tonight. I have to leave to find him." She ran away as fast as she could.

"Hey, what's the matter?"

I stayed in the room until the night fell. I didn't walk out of the room until the banquet officially began.

There were many flowers and trees in the garden, which were carefully arranged by the workers. Standing in the corridor, I saw the small lamps hidden at the end of the branches flashing, as if there were many fireflies surrounding the forest.

The cold moon was like a hook. At this moment, the scene was very similar to the scene in TV dramas where lovers were having a tryst, but... There were also some moments that were quite frightening, such as....

"Hey! You are here!"

I was startled by the sudden noise behind me. I turned around and saw Hale. It was because of this turn that I lost my balance as I forget that I was wearing a long skirt and a pair of high-heeled shoes. What a tragedy.

When I was about to fall on the floor, a pair of warm hands passed through my waist. I thought he would hold me, but as a result... He did hug her, but we two fell down together in an extremely intimate posture.

The point was... This guy is lying on me, no... I was pressed under him. It turned out that the famous gesture was like....

For a moment, we both forgot to talk. In the quiet garden, only the sound of crickets could be heard from time to time. His warm breath sprayed on the back of my neck, and a strange feeling overwhelmed me.

I can't stand it anymore and said, "Ahem, you... You grew up by eating stone, didn't you? Why are you so heavy?"

Upon hearing this, Hale rolled over to my side. I immediately sat up and took a look at my dress. It must have been torn just now, and my hair was in a mess.

Suddenly, he said, "The back of your head is like an awl, almost piercing my palm. Haw-haw-haw..."

Hale still had mood to smile at this time. I glared at him.

He asked again, "Do we seem to be trysting?"

"Bah, a filthy mouth can't utter decent language."

I thought this would be the last conversation between us tonight. When I went back to my room and looked into the mirror, I found that my face was also stained with mud. I looked so funny in the mirror. I didn't dare to say it out loud. Because of the word tryst Hale said, my face turned red and my heart beat fast.

The party started twenty minutes later. Grandma was wearing a green cheongsam with wide sleeves and her hair was in a bun, which matched her identity as the host. She sat in the middle of the crowd, like an arrogant Green Peacock. She was being admired by everyone.

When Grandma went to greet the others, I walked to the sofa next to the hall. As soon as I sat down, someone came over with a glass of wine.

'he is the son of a certain family again?'? Wearing a pair of low-key gold rimmed glasses, anyone who looked at a person first had to look at his sleeve. The handmade, embroidered sleeve with an implicit manner showed his meticulous attitude towards the quality of life, but he was not an arrogant person.

"Hello, Miss Daisy. I'm Jackson Green, the general manager of the Great Energy Group."

The Great Energy Group was one of the big domestic e-commerce companies that had risen in recent years. He was not a playboy, but a real doer. Good. I admired such a person.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Green." I clinked the glass in his hand.

"Uh? Why are you alone here?"

I didn't understand what he said. Is there anyone else should be with me?

Jackson pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and said, "I heard that you have a capable assistant called Hale Sharp?"

"A capable assistant?" I'm confused.

"It's really a miracle in the business circle that Hale could have such a beautiful acquisition case at such a young age."

'What? A miracle in the business circle? Acquisition case? Wait? What was he talking about?'

"Mr. Green, do you mean the acquisition? What kind of acquisition case is it?" I remember that there seems to be only one big project in the company recently. I did it. Even if Hale stole it, it shouldn't be an acquisition?

"Are you kidding me, Miss Daisy? Two days ago, Mr. Sharp had purchased Bouvier International Company. Today's banquet... Here, the representative of Bouvier is here."

'What the hell? Wasn't it a cooperation? Why did it change? What happened during the two days absent? What did Hale do behind my back?' Jackson had already gone to greet other guests.

I looked around for Hale and finally found part of the clothes at the corner of the top stairs.

My dress fluttered in the air, my shoes clattered, and my eyebrows was arched. All told everyone that I was furious.

I must find Hale and made it clear to him. In such a family, I could take the position of the heir under the pressure of internal contradictions and disputes within the family. I could accept that he had stolen my fruit of labor, but I couldn't stand others praising my defeated subordinate in front of me, a shameless person who had been praised by the world in an extremely mean way. What about me? Besides, why did a cooperation turn into an acquisition? I must find out what happened.

When I arrived at the door of Grandma's room, I didn't break in because someone stopped me behind and covered my mouth, forcing me to hide in a corner outside and listen to the conversation between Hale and Grandma.

"You did a good job. Don't worry. I will let you work in the company." Grandma said calmly.

"No, I'm just worried..."

"Are you worried that Daisy will get angry with you?" Grandma smiled and said, "She's a good girl, but with a short-sighted and doesn't know what to do in business. She just did what I told her. Unlike you, you understand my words easily and take advantage of the opportunity to take down Bouvier. Now we are free from worrying that they will make trouble with us again?"

"Old lady, I'm talking about the business proposal of Daisy..."

"It's not bad, but not suitable for our plan."

'Plan?'

All of a sudden, I understand that Hale didn't steal the business plan. As a nobody, it was impossible for him to have such a connection in the company. According to Grandma, it turned out that everything was traceable. If Grandma wanted Hale to work in the company, she had to consider that he was an outsider. Unlike me, I was her granddaughter and the selected successor. Therefore, she wanted to pave the way for Hale. The great acquisition case was just a cover. But why did Grandma help an outsider? I was puzzled.

Thinking of this, I gradually calmed down. Then I remembered that my mouth was still covered with a hand.

I received an unexpected guest, my aunt, Julie Miller. I had never seen her before. I heard that she was kicked out of the house by Grandma because she disobeyed her and engaged with a gangster. The man died of illness more than ten years ago. Since then, my aunt led a wondering life alone.

She pulled me downstairs and stood opposite me. Different from what I thought, she stared at me for a long time. It was not until I blinked unnaturally and looked into her eyes that she realized that she had been staring at me for a long time. If I'm not mistaken, there were tears in her eyes.

I was pulled into the garden by her and shook off her hand. I was so angry that I had nowhere to vent. At this moment, I seemed to find a target.

"Why did you take me out? I want to ask Grandma! On what grounds did she take my achievement to others?" I shouted at her angrily, rubbing my wrist.

Then I saw her looking at me sympathetically. I couldn't help but turn my anger to her. "What are you looking at? Why are you looking at me with sympathy? What are you? Aren't you very powerful? Why did you come back to the Millers shamelessly after your man died? Aren't you very tough? Ah?" I pushed her.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she didn't blame me. "I know you're in a bad mood, but I still have to remind you not to fight for Hale. You can't win him."

"Haw-haw-haw, he is just an outsider. What am I afraid of? Is it because of this? I'm the heir of the Millers!"

I didn't know how ridiculous I was to her that night. Later, it proved that I couldn't win over Hale.

She wiped her tears and said, "Don't lose your mind because of temporary interests. Protect yourself."

In view of her rude behavior just now, I was somewhat against her. I frowned and walked past her silently. Grandma came downstairs in a hurry and shouted at her, "Why are you still standing here? Don't you feel ashamed?" I had rarely seen Grandma behave like this. Because of what she said to Hale just now, I felt a little uncomfortable. And I also saw her shout regardless of her identity. It's the first time that I have seen Grandma behave in this way. I am a little happy. I quietly turned around and held Grandma, glancing at my aunt coldly.

In this big family, no one is not afraid of my Grandma. I heard that my aunt was very rebellious in the past, and she was also the only person who dared to challenge Grandma's authority. I thought she would be as tough as she was when she was young, but she lowered her head in fear and rushed in. I glanced at her with contempt, but my eyes met her sad eyes. It seemed that my heart was pricked by a needle. After a long time, I realized that her tolerance that day was not due to Grandma's strength, but to helplessness.

If I had known earlier that I was her Achilles' heel and the sharp knife that she was controlled by others, I would never have done those things to her.

I sent Grandma in. Strangely, she held me tightly. She seemed to be worried about something.

I turned around and walked out. When I saw my aunt's back, I opened my mouth but couldn't say anything. The lonely figure bled into the boundless darkness. What I didn't know was that she squatted down under the parterre with her back to me, covering her mouth and crying, but she didn't dare to make a sound.

When I was about to go back to the hall, I stepped on something. With the help of the light in the garden, I saw a small bag. When I picked it up, I saw a photo inside. I could tell that it was a family of three. I had never heard that she had a child.

Holding the bag in my hand, I put the shawl around my shoulder and went back to the banquet hall with a smile.

Everyone saw me with the same playful expression. Although I was confused, my heart beat fast.

When I walked to Grandma, she whispered to me, "Stay away from that evil woman."

I nodded and saw Grandma waving to the other side with a smile that I had never seen before.

It was Hale who was walking towards us. I stared at him in a daze, and at the same time, he glanced at me. Then he looked away lightly. Soon, there was a microphone placing in front of Grandma.

"Everyone, I think you must have heard about that two of them are sent to the basic level to work. This is supposed to be a test for them. I didn't expect that Hale can't live up to my expectations. What a surprise..."

When she said this, I couldn't help but look askance at this hypocritical man, Hale. He seemed to have sensed it and returned me with a provocative smile. The previous feelings were not as good as the anger in my heart at this moment. This little man!

Then, Grandma announced a piece of news that was like a bolt from the blue for me. Although I had overheard it before, I still felt sad when she announced it in front of so many people.

"In view of Hale's previous performance, I decided to let him work in the company with Daisy and learn from her."

'What should he learn? How to manage a company? What does Grandma mean?'

All of a sudden, I felt a lump in my throat. I was about to run away, but Grandma caught me. I became a laughing stock in everyone's eyes. No wonder Hale was so eager to remind me not to forget the family banquet this weekend. It should be a gesture of victory flaunting. This banquet, no... It should be his celebration party. Obviously, he wanted to look at me making a fool of myself. I felt that I couldn't smile any more, or my face will be painful for several days when I went back.

Miserable, I walked into the long corridor and bumped into a person. I didn't even raise my head to see who he was. Now I just wanted to avoid this person.

I walked to the other side, and he also did the same as me. In a few rounds, he stood on the other side to block me. I really wanted to scold him, but I didn't have the energy, so I turned around and walked back.

Hale pulled me, and I threw him away like a trampled tiger. My palm hit his neck directly, making a crisp sound.

"I didn't mean it." I was apologizing for what I did. It was also a way of drawing a clear line with him.

"I didn't mean it either."

'What did he do for?' I didn't want to hear it, so I went straight ahead.