The Year He Claimed Me

Chapter 2

With the big boss present, Lorraine Luo mentally rehearsed every word before speaking. She sought Eleanor Jiang's instructions regarding visitors wanting to come to the hospital and how to schedule them. Eleanor Jiang had no energy for the usual business courtesies. "I need a couple of days of peace." Lorraine understood perfectly. "Just focus on resting. I'll handle everything else." She placed the bouquet of flowers beside the bed and stood waiting for further instructions. Eleanor Jiang wouldn't be returning to the office anytime soon. Doctors had ordered two months of rest, not just because of the surgery, but due to years of overwork taking its toll; she was plagued by various health issues. She outlined Lorraine's key tasks for the next two weeks. The top priority was a partnership project in Su City. The Su City project was one of the group's major initiatives for the next two years. Eleanor Jiang had wanted to wait until the signing was complete before her surgery, but her body couldn't hold out. Given her current recovery state, she couldn't attend the signing ceremony. Sending any other senior executive wouldn't carry enough weight. Only Alexander Jiang, the CEO himself, could go to demonstrate the group's sincerity. "Signing is set for the 10th next month, it can't be postponed," Eleanor Jiang instructed Lorraine. "You'll accompany Mr. Jiang." Lorraine responded, "Understood." The thought of traveling with Alexander Jiang sent an inexplicable wave of pressure crashing over her. Eleanor Jiangadded, "Before the signing, brief Mr. Jiang on all the project details." Lorraine was about to reply when an authoritative, inherently commanding voice cut in. "Lorraine, return to the office and prepare. Report to me at three this afternoon." Lorraine turned to face Alexander Jiang. "Yes, Mr. Jiang." She hadn't dared look at him directly upon entering the room. Now she saw he was dressed in dark grey sweatpants, a black T-shirt, and trainers. The lines of muscle on his arms were clearly defined, perfectly proportioned. A faint sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead. He must have just finished exercising, she thought. His eyes were long and narrow, radiating a cool intensity when not smiling. Their gazes met for the briefest instant. "Mr. Jiang, I'll head back to the office then." Alexander Jiang gave a slight nod. Lorraine quickly averted her eyes, turning back to Eleanor Jiang. Her voice softened instinctively. "Vice Chairman, I'll see you this evening. I can stay overnight, keep you company." Eleanor Jiang waved a dismissive hand, the gesture weak but decisive. "No one needs to come." She joked, "You're all annoying. Don't want to see any of you. Out of sight, out of mind." The 'all' likely included Alexander Jiang. Lorraine knew Eleanor Jiang well; her word was final. "Then I'll come after work tomorrow." She emphasized, "To report on work." Eleanor Jiang smiled faintly. "That's acceptable." Lorraine took her leave, gently closing the door behind her. Alexander Jiang stood up, intending to shower and change before heading to the office. His black T-shirt was soaked through, clinging to his abdomen and faintly revealing the contours of well-defined abs. The VIP suite provided simple exercise equipment for family members. Before Lorraine arrived, while his aunt slept, he'd been working out. His session was interrupted when she woke, followed immediately by Lorraine's arrival, leaving him no time to change. "I'll stay tonight," Alexander Jiangsaid, moving towards the inner room. "Don't bother. Go home, do whatever you need to do." Her nephew had already stayed two nights; another overnight would be too much. Eleanor Jiang called after his retreating back, "Why the sudden urgency? Does it have to be three?" Alexander Jiang paused and turned. "My schedule is packed with meetings tomorrow, I'm traveling the day after." Only this afternoon was free. As the CEO, he hadn't felt the need to explain this to Lorraine, his assistant.

Lorraine returned to her office, gathered all the Su City project materials, and reviewed the key points once more, committing them to memory. She couldn't afford to miss a crucial detail if Alexander Jiang asked, especially if nerves got the better of her. She was deep in the documents when her cousin called. Luna Luo was her usual effusive self. "Sis! Miss me? How much?" "Thought of you for one second." "Wow! A thousand milliseconds! That's a lot!" They both laughed. Once the laughter subsided, Luna's tone turned serious. "Sis, what are you up to?" "At the office. Working." "I thought you were going back to Su City with Sebastian this weekend to book the venue? Working instead?" "I went. It's booked." Lorraine set the papers aside momentarily, picking up her water cup as she explained she'd gone alone; Sebastian couldn't make it due to project problems. Luna huffed indignantly. "What kind of crappy project is more important than getting married? Doesn't his company have capable people? Will the sky fall if he's not there to fix it? Sis, stop making excuses for men! He won't be touched, he won't be grateful!" Lorraine smiled silently; her cousin was fiercely protective. "Don't be mad," she deflected. "What did you need?" Not wanting to upset her sister further, Luna took a calming breath, her voice softening. "I saw a new bag. Two colors, both gorgeous. Can't decide. I'll send you pics. Pick the one you like." She added threateningly, "You have to pick. It's a wedding gift from me and Quexinyan. If you don't choose, I'll buy both!" "Sis, gotta go! Sending pics now!" Before Lorraine could respond, Lunahung up. 'Quexinyan' (Lack-Heart) was Ethan Luo's nickname. Luna and Ethan were twins, Ethan being the older brother, though Luna never called him that. They were the children of her Third Uncle. Ever since her family's company went bankrupt seven years ago, leaving Charles Luo with tens of millions in debt, Luna had found ways to gift her bags and cosmetics every year, despite her own modest salary. Luna always brushed it off with a laugh: *"Sis, you're Vice Chairman Jiang's assistant. You need to keep up appearances. I'm naturally beautiful, I don't need this stuff."*Luna sent the bag pictures. Lorraine didn't refuse; she chose her favorite color. She kept a mental tally of every gift Luna gave her, planning a substantial wedding present for her cousin in return.

At 2:50 PM, Lorraine changed into her work suit, picked up her laptop, and carried three document boxes towards Alexander Jiang's office. The duty Receptionist on the CEO's floor waved her straight through, no sign-in required. The entire floor was silent, making the click of Lorraine's heels echo distinctly. The vast secretarial area was sparsely populated; only two people were 'working overtime'. She recognized Grace Ju, her former mentor. The other Colleague was unfamiliar. Grace Ju had trained her for six months when Lorraine first joined Yuanwei Group six years ago. Lorraine still privately called her 'Shifu' (Master). Grace Ju looked up at the sound. Lorraine mouthed: "Shifu." Grace Ju smiled, giving her a subtle chin-lift. The understanding between them was silent. As Lorraine approached, Grace Ju stood up, instantly adopting her professional secretary demeanor. They exchanged brief, polite greetings. Grace Ju gestured towards the inner office. "Mr. Jiang is inside." Lorraine didn't delay, walking briskly over. Both doors to Alexander Jiang's office were open. Shifting her load, she tapped lightly on the doorframe. "Mr. Jiang." "Come in," Alexander Jiang replied without looking up. Lorraine walked to the imposing desk and placed her laptop and file boxes on it. He was engrossed in a document, now dressed in a crisp white business shirt and black trousers. The casualness she'd glimpsed earlier was gone; nothing but focused intensity remained. Alexander Jiang finally looked up, indicating the chair opposite him. "Sit." Lorraine opened the file boxes, arranging the documents neatly within easy reach on his right side. She swiftly stacked the empty boxes in a corner of the desk before sitting down. While booting up her laptop, she focused on adapting to Alexander Jiang's overbearing presence, forcing herself into work mode. This briefing would likely take three or four hours; her laptop battery might not last. She had brought her charger. Alexander Jiang noticed the charger cord in her hand. "Plug," he said, holding out his hand. The built-in power sockets were on his side of the desk, out of Lorraine's reach. She handed him the plug. "Thank you, Mr. Jiang." He didn't respond, simply plugging it in. Lorraine opened her presentation, glancing at Alexander Jiang. He hadn't started on the paper files yet. She waited patiently. It had been years since she'd last sat across a desk from Alexander Jiang like this, formally presenting work. The last time was abroad, during her university days. That was the year her family's company collapsed. Charles Luo was buried under debt, unable to pay her overseas tuition or living expenses. She had to work to support herself. With the help of an alumnus, she secured a coveted internship offer at Yuanwei Capital, a company where Alexander Jiang held significant shares. The internship salary was substantial, enabling her to graduate. Yuanwei Capital's major shareholders had deep and complex backgrounds. Alexander Jiang's cousin (not Julian Jiang) was one of the shareholders, and Lorraine joined his project team. The cousin was a classic playboy heir, charm ingrained in his bones – though directed outward. Towards his team, he was fiercely protective, showing particular care for Lorraine and the other two interns. Lorraine excelled during her internship, earning the potential to stay. In her final month, a project proposal she developed won the cousin's approval, who then presented it to Alexander Jiang. Alexander Jiang gave her five minutes to verbally summarize the proposal's key points. It was her first direct interaction with him. Nervous and inexperienced, her performance fell short, even in her own estimation. After she finished, Alexander Jiang remained silent, frowning as he flipped open the proposal. He skimmed the first page before closing it. "Go back to work. I'll get back to you after reviewing it." It was the longest sentence he'd ever spoken to her. She waited a month. No email from Alexander Jiang ever came. She didn't get a job at Yuanwei Capital. A month later, she returned to China. Her father, crushed by the blows, had fallen seriously ill. Her mother accompanied him to Beijing for treatment; the prognosis was grim, requiring surgery. Life was destitute, crushed by massive debt, her father critically ill, her mother's health failing. Lorraine returned, caring for her parents while desperately job hunting. By chance, she was hired by Yuanwei Capital's parent company, Yuanwei Group. She saw Alexander Jiang again three years later, when he returned to take the helm of Yuanwei Group. By then, she was already Eleanor Jiang's assistant. She no longer wore her hair as she had in university; her makeup was more sophisticated; she no longer used her English name. Alexander Jiang seemed not to recognize her. After her internship ended, her company email was deactivated. She never knew if Alexander Jiang had replied, if he'd approved her proposal before the account was closed. But it didn't matter anymore... Lorraine forcibly pulled her thoughts back to the present, focusing on the document on her screen. "Will Howard He be attending the signing?" Alexander Jiang asked, glancing at her. Lorraine snapped into professional mode. "Yes. Chairman He confirmed his attendance." Howard Hewas the Chairman of the partner company for the Su City project. A native of Su City in his fifties, roughly Eleanor Jiang's age, he was known for his easygoing nature and thick Su City accent, which lent a familiar warmth to his speech. She had anticipated the briefing ending in three or four hours. But three hours passed, and they were only halfway through. Outside, shadows lengthened; dusk settled into twilight. For three hours, Lorraine's mind only relaxed during the brief minutes Alexander Jiang took phone calls. The rest of the time, she remained taut, not daring to let her focus slip for a second. Alexander Jiang checked his watch. Dinner time was long past. He summoned Grace Ju. "Order some takeout. You'll all be working late tonight." Grace Ju thought to herself, This isn't work at all. She and the other Colleague were merely present, sitting at their desks browsing dramas. It didn't feel like overtime, but they'd get paid for it. The boss had called her that afternoon, instructing her to come in for 'overtime,' specifically adding: "You won't need to do much. Lorraine is coming to brief me on the Su City project." So, she'd notified the other male colleague to come in and 'work overtime' together. Grace Ju asked Lorraine formally, "Any dietary restrictions, Lorraine?" "No spicy food, otherwise anything's fine." Lorraine had a small appetite. "Could you please request half portions for mine? Thank you." Grace Ju smiled. "Of course." Alexander Jiang set down his file and headed to the private restroom. With the boss out of sight, Grace Ju gave Lorraine a perfectly executed wink before leaving. Lorraine smiled, winking back. Grace Ju's child was already in elementary school, yet she retained her playful spirit. When Alexander Jiang returned, Lorraine sat as rigidly upright as before. "Take a ten-minute break," he instructed. Lorraine, accustomed to maintaining this posture even during meeting breaks as an assistant, didn't slump. Alexander Jiang sat down and picked up his water glass. Unsure what to say to an unfamiliar boss to avoid awkward silence, Lorraine grabbed her cup and headed to the outer pantry for coffee. As she stood and walked towards the door, Alexander Jiang watched her retreating figure for a few seconds. Lorraine returned precisely as the ten minutes ended, carrying a steaming cup of fresh coffee. Break over. Alexander Jiang saw right through her: she'd timed her return perfectly to avoid conversation. How taxing it must be for her, he thought. He was about to say "Let's begin" when Lorraine's phone buzzed insistently. Lorraine set down her coffee, quickly grabbing her phone. It was Sebastian. She declined the call. Sebastian, thinking she was upset, messaged immediately: [Not answering? Had dinner?]Lorraine typed rapidly: [Overtime. In the boss's office.] She flipped her phone face down on the desk and picked up her mouse. Seconds later, the phone buzzed again. She didn't look. She knew what it would say: probably telling her to focus and call him later. Alexander Jiang glanced at her but said nothing. He opened the web version of WeChat and messaged his Bodyguard: [Call me now. Don't reply to this.] He closed the chat window. The Bodyguard's call came through almost instantly. Alexander Jiang opened a drawer and retrieved a pack of cigarettes. He rarely smoked; the office supply was for guests. "Continue reviewing the file," he said to Lorraine. Picking up his phone and the cigarettes, he walked out. Lorraine didn't think much of it, assuming the boss had an important call he couldn't take in front of her. Reaching the far end of the corridor outside the office, Alexander Jiang answered. "It's fine now." He hung up. He opened the pack, tapped out a cigarette, and held it between his lips for a moment before removing it. He'd brought the cigarettes but forgotten a lighter. Alexander Jiang crumpled the cigarette in his hand and tossed it into a nearby bin. Outside the window, night had fallen completely. Without a smoke, he slid his hands into his pockets and stared out at the dark city. He lingered in the corridor for several minutes, giving Lorraine ample time to reply to her messages, before finally returning to the office.