CEO, Addicted to Pampering

The Unlikely Encounter at Shaw International

The exclusive VIP room is a significant upgrade from the standard option. It offers a private space with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom, all with a stunning green view outside the window. The air is scented with a pleasant floral fragrance instead of harsh disinfectant.

'Miss Johnson, Mr. Johnson, are you satisfied with the room?' the deputy director asks respectfully. 'If there’s anything you’d like changed, we'll take care of it immediately.'

Emily manages a smile: 'It's perfect, thank you!'

The deputy director seems relieved: 'Good. We’ll leave you to rest. If you need anything, just ring the service bell, and someone will be right with you.'

After they leave, David looks around the room in amazement. He asks Emily why he was moved to such a nice room, unaware of her recent breakup with Alex.

Emily replies, 'It isn't him.' After her breakup, Alex would not have been this considerate, and certainly not her father. Staying in such a luxurious VIP room would cost a fortune, a price that no one in the Johnson family would willingly pay. She wonders who could have helped without any reason. Emily is perplexed.

Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. Emily opens it to find a young nurse smiling. 'Miss Johnson, our director would like to discuss your brother's condition with you. Please come with me.' says the nurse.

Emily is surprised and asks, 'The director wants to see me?’ The nurse confirms and leads Emily to the Director’s Office.

After knocking gently, the nurse opens the door. Upon hearing a voice from inside, Emily hesitates before entering the room. The occupant, a young man of approximately 25 years of age, is seated behind the desk. Despite his youthful appearance, he exudes a refined and gentle demeanor, accentuated by his gold-rimmed glasses.

Surprise and disbelief fill Emily's eyes as she sees the director for the first time. She had expected someone older, perhaps in their fifties or sixties. Upon arrival, Nathan Fillion, the young director, greets her with interest and instructs her to take a seat. 'So, this is the girl who had once been close to Ethan Shaw?', Nathan thinks. She is attractive even in her plain attire, and her natural beauty is evident. Despite having seen many beauties, he is somewhat impressed. After a moment, he greets her with a friendly smile.

Emily sits down, trying to calm her nerves. The director has requested a meeting to discuss her brother's condition. She gets straight to the point, asking, 'What did you want to discuss?' Nathan confirms that there is a slight change in David's condition. Emily asks for more information, to which Nathan replies that earlier surgery would have been more beneficial due to the current state of his condition. Due to this incident, he missed the ideal time for surgery. Emily's expression changes, and her voice shakes as she asks, 'What does that mean? Can he not have surgery anymore?' Nathan replies: 'He can still have surgery, but the results may not be as favorable.' Miss Johnson, we cannot postpone his surgery any further.

'I understand your concerns. I will make arrangements to ensure he undergoes surgery as soon as possible. However, you mentioned that the outcome may not be as favorable.'

'The success of the surgery depends on the skill of the surgeon,’ Nathan states objectively. 'I know a highly skilled surgeon who specializes in this type of procedure. If he can be convinced to perform the surgery, your brother's chances of recovery could be as high as 90%. However…'

Emily’s sinking heart lights up with hope: 'But what? Is this person a doctor at this hospital?'

'No', Nathan shakes his head. 'He’s a businessman, hasn’t practiced medicine for years. That’s why I said he might not agree to help.’ The flicker of hope in Emily’s heart dims.

He hasn’t practiced medicine for years? Would he still agree to operate on David? But she can’t give up. Hope, even if there is only a one percent chance. David is the only family they have, so they must try.

‘Director, could you please provide me with his contact information?’ Emily requests to speak with him, her eyes revealing a mix of hope, anxiety, and nervousness. Nathan's eyes briefly flash before he pretends to hesitate. After a few seconds, he agrees to provide her with his contact information and address.

Emily’s face lights up with joy: 'Thank you, Director!'

Shaw International

Emily approaches the reception desk, her face beaming with joy. However, she hesitates momentarily before gathering her courage and stepping inside. The receptionists are two women, dressed in luxury brand jewelry, who exude an air of wealth. One of them feels a flicker of hostility upon seeing Emily's beauty.

Noticing Emily's simple attire, she speaks arrogantly: 'Miss, you need to register to see someone.' Emily hesitates, then says the name Nathan had given her: ‘Hello, I’m here to see Ethan Shaw. Is he available?’

Upon finishing her question, she hears sharp intakes of breath. The already hostile receptionist glares at her: ‘Who are you to address Mr. Shaw by his name? You need an appointment to see him. Do you have one?’

Mr. Shaw? Emily is taken aback. So, Ethan Shaw is a high-ranking executive at this company? His position must be significant, judging by the receptionists' reaction.

‘I do not have an appointment,’ she admits.

‘Ha,’ the receptionist scoffs, disdainfully. ‘Mr. Shaw doesn’t see just anyone. If you don’t have an appointment, he won’t meet with you. Some women really have no shame, trying to climb the social ladder with their looks. Mr. Shaw is not someone you can just fantasize about.'

Emily frowns, trying to explain: 'You misunderstand, I’m not…' But she is cut off by the impatient receptionist: ‘We’re not interested in what you think. Mr. Shaw won’t see you without an appointment. Please leave.'

Emily had thought Ethan Shaw was just an ordinary employee. But seeing him was proving to be difficult. She couldn’t leave without seeing him, not after coming all this way. She ignores the receptionists and finds a seat in the waiting area, intending to wait for Ethan Shaw to finish work.

As she shows no signs of leaving, the two female employees at the front desk begin to whisper to each other.'The nerve of some people, just shamelessly refusing to leave.' 'Mr. Shaw is known for his integrity and indifference to women. No matter how pretty she is, he would never be interested in her type.'

James Harper is downstairs running errands. Passing by the reception, a female employee stops him. 'Mr. Harper, there's this shabbily dressed woman who says she's here to see Mr. Shaw. We told her he wouldn't see her without an appointment, but she refuses to leave. She's been sitting in the lounge for over two hours. We're worried that she's tarnishing the company's image. Should we ask someone to escort her out?'

As she speaks, she looks over at Emily Johnson. There is jealousy in her eyes. Despite her poor appearance, the woman is strikingly beautiful. Which makes her all the more unbearable to look at.

'Someone looking for Mr. Shaw?' James Harper glances curiously in the direction of the lounge and pauses when his eyes land on Emily Johnson. Surprise flickers in his eyes. This woman... isn't she the Miss Johnson Mr. Shaw had asked him to investigate?

Why is she here?