MIDNIGHT FLOWER

CHAPTER 13 : SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT

Veronica, stood frozen near the store's entrance, her eyes narrowing as she observed the two. From the way they moved around each other, the subtle exchange of glances and smiles, it was clear to her that this was more than just a typical employer-employee relationship.

Victoria’s curiosity piqued. Something about their closeness seemed off to her—too natural, too familiar. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something deeper was brewing between them, something she had not anticipated.

As Jenny and Shau finished shopping for her dress, they decided to have lunch at a quiet restaurant nearby. The atmosphere was cozy, and they were seated at a small table covered with a long tablecloth. As they waited for their food, Shau’s leg subtly brushed against Jenny’s under the table. At first, she thought it was accidental, but when his foot began teasingly sliding between her legs, she glanced at him with a playful, yet hesitant, smile.

“Daddy,” she whispered, trying to keep her voice low as she leaned in. “Stop it. We’re in public.”

Her words sounded like a protest, but the amused glint in her eyes told a different story.

Shau smirked, inching his foot higher. “I can't help it, baby. I always want to eat you up every time we're together.”

Jenny stifled a chuckle, biting her lip as she glanced around to make sure no one was watching. She gave a small shiver but still whispered with a mix of amusement and nervousness, “You’re impossible.”

Just as things started to heat up, Shau suddenly grew quiet. His playful demeanor shifted to something more serious. Jenny, noticing the change, immediately sat up straighter, her playful smirk fading.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her tone soft but concerned.

Shau hesitated, looking down at the table for a moment before meeting her eyes. "There's something I need to tell you." He took a deep breath, clearly weighing his words. "My family want to continue my marriage arrangements with my ex-fiancee. The woman you saw in my office."

Jenny's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Veronica, the ex-fiancée she'd seen in the office. The shock on her face was immediate, but before she could say anything, Shau reached out and gently took her hand across the table.

“I don’t want that,” Shau said, his voice firm yet filled with regret. “I want you. Not her. I’ll make sure nothing happens. I promise.”

Jenny swallowed hard, her emotions swirling. She tried to process everything, feeling both relief from his words, but also the heavy weight of the situation.

Shau squeezed her hand, locking his gaze with hers. "I'll do whatever it takes. But know this, I won't let anyone, not my father or anyone else stand in the way of what I want." His eyes softened as he added, "And right now, all I want is you."

Jenny's heart fluttered, a mix of fear and longing building within her. She gave him a small nod, silently signaling her understanding, even if uncertainty lingers between them.

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COMPANY PARTY

The grand celebration for Shaun Group’s success was in full swing. The ballroom was elegantly decorated, filled with company executives and employees, all toasting to the company's achievements. Shau, standing near the front, was engaged in a discussion with some senior executives, but his mind wasn’t fully in it. His eyes kept scanning the crowd, searching for Jenny.

As the executives chattered on about future projects and expansions, Shau barely nodded along, his gaze flickering to the entrance every few seconds. He could feel a tightness in his chest, eager to see his executive assistant make her appearance. He hadn’t seen her since they left work yesterday, and tonight… tonight he was impatient.

Then, a sudden hush spread across the crowd as Jenny entered the room.

She was stunning, dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit that accentuated her beauty without being overly flashy. Her dress, modest yet refined, made heads turn immediately. A soft murmur rippled through the crowd as eyes followed her entrance. Jenny carried herself with grace, her hair falling perfectly in place, and her natural confidence drew everyone's attention.

Kier, one of their colleagues, immediately rushed over to her with a wide grin. “Jenny, you look amazing!” he exclaimed, taking her hand and leading her toward a group of their coworkers.

As Kier and the others started chatting and laughing with her, Jenny’s warm smile lit up the room. Her presence was magnetic, and even those who barely knew her couldn’t help but be drawn to her.

From across the ballroom, Shau finally spotted her. His breath hitched slightly as his eyes locked on Jenny. She was everything he had imagined—and more. The dress she had chosen was perfect, simple yet undeniably elegant. For a moment, he forgot the conversation around him, his body leaning forward slightly, as if he could just break away and go to her.

He wanted nothing more than to walk over, take her hand, and steal her away for the night. He clenched his jaw, frustration mounting as he realized he couldn’t just leave yet. Not with so many eyes on him.

The party was in full swing, and despite the clinking of glasses and steady hum of chatter, Jenny and Shau couldn’t stop stealing glances at each other. Jenny stood with her colleagues, casually laughing and engaging in conversation, but every so often, her eyes would flick toward Shau. Each time, she caught him looking her way, and a silent exchange would pass between them—subtle, but filled with undeniable tension.

On the other side of the room, Shau stood with a group of executives, trying to stay focused on their conversation. But it was impossible. His mind kept drifting to Jenny. She looked stunning in her elegant outfit, glowing under the soft lights of the ballroom. His attention kept shifting away from the executives, and more often than not, his eyes found hers. And when they did, Jenny would meet his gaze, a slight smirk playing on her lips, as if she knew exactly the effect she was having on him.

The emcee’s voice suddenly boomed over the speakers, bringing the room to attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the chairman of the Shaun Group, Mr. Zhang!”

A ripple of attention shifted toward the entrance once again as Chairman Zhang, Shau's father, made his grand entrance. Walking beside him, dressed in an expensive, luxurious gown, was Veronica. She looked poised and regal, her arm casually linked with the chairman's as they made their way through the crowd.

There was a polite round of applause as the chairman made his entrance, walking with authority through the crowd.

Shau’s heart sank at the sight of Veronica and his father. He knew the weight of their presence, the expectations they carried. It made things more complicated. He forced a smile as his father nodded in his direction.

Jenny, as the executive assistant, stepped forward gracefully, moving through the sea of guests. She approached the chairman with a professional smile, assisting him as he made his way to the table reserved for him at the front.

As Jenny walked beside the chairman, she couldn't help but notice the different look from Veronica, who followed closely behind. Veronica’s gaze lingered on Jenny for a moment, her expression unreadable, but it held a different air than before. A brief moment of tension passed, but Jenny decided to brush it off, focusing on her role.

Once the chairman was comfortably seated, Jenny turned to make her way back to her colleagues. But just as she was about to slip away, she felt a presence behind her. She didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was.

“Looking stunning tonight, Ms. Executive Assistant,” Shau’s deep voice whispered teasingly near her ear.

Jenny turned, meeting Shau’s playful gaze. “Flattery at a company event? Careful, Mr. Zhang. Someone might see,” she whispered back, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

Shau chuckled softly, leaning closer, “Let them.” His eyes flickered to her lips for just a second before meeting hers again. “You still manage to stand out, you know that?”

Jenny felt a rush of warmth at his words, but before she could respond, a soft, melodic voice interrupted them.

“Shau,” Veronica’s voice chimed in, cutting through the moment. She stepped forward, her presence graceful and poised as always. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

Jenny straightened, her professional demeanor snapping back into place. Veronica didn’t seem angry or irritated. In fact, she wore the sweetest smile as she looked at Jenny, as if they had been sharing a pleasant conversation moments ago.

“I just wanted to steal Shau for a quick chat,” Veronica said with a charming smile, her eyes briefly meeting Jenny’s before turning back to Shau.

Shau’s expression shifted, though he maintained his composure. “Of course, Veronica. Just give me a moment.” He gave Jenny a lingering glance before turning his attention to his ex-fiancée.

Jenny excused herself with a polite nod, her heart still racing slightly from the exchange with Shau. As she walked away, she could feel Veronica’s gaze on her back, though the woman hadn’t shown any visible signs of jealousy. But Jenny couldn’t shake the feeling that something was brewing beneath the surface.

As the emcee announced the beginning of the evening's dance, the atmosphere shifted into a more intimate mood. Couples paired off, moving gracefully to the soft, melodic music. Veronica took Shau’s arm, and as much as he wanted to decline, he knew he had no choice, not with the watchful eyes of the crowd.

As they danced, Veronica leaned in closer, her voice low but firm. "I know, the chairman has spoken to you about this already, Shau. There’s no escaping it. Our families have been planning this for years. The merger will benefit both companies, and our marriage is part of that agreement."

Shau’s jaw tightened. The pressure from their families was immense. But still, the idea of being bound to Veronica, especially when all he could think about was Jenny, made his chest tighten. "I didn’t agree to anything," he muttered, his voice laced with frustration.

Veronica smiled, though there was no warmth behind it. "You don’t have to agree, Shau. This is bigger than us. And besides," she added, her tone shifting slightly, "it’s time you stopped flirting with other girls. Focus on what’s important."

Shau was about to respond when his eyes caught sight of Jenny, dancing across the room with Kier. She moved effortlessly, her simple yet elegant dress accentuating her natural beauty. A wave of possessiveness surged through him as he watched her laugh and twirl in the arms of someone else.

Without thinking, Shau began to subtly maneuver their dance toward Jenny, taking small, deliberate steps to close the distance between them. Veronica, engrossed in her own thoughts, didn’t seem to notice at first. As they drew nearer, in one swift motion, as the music reached a crescendo, Shau lifted Veronica’s hand, spinning her around with an elegant flourish. As she twirled gracefully, she was caught by another dance partner who had stepped into the dance, unknowingly taking her place.

Shau, on the other hand, reached out and effortlessly caught Jenny’s waist, pulling her toward him. The surprise on her face was quickly replaced by a soft, knowing smile as their bodies came together in perfect rhythm with the music. It was as if the rest of the room melted away, leaving just the two of them in the moment.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her. "You’ve got me completely under your spell, baby," Shau whispered, his voice thick with desire as they swayed in unison. His hand pressed firmly on her waist, pulling her even closer, his eyes never leaving hers.

Jenny’s breath hitched slightly, feeling the intensity of his gaze. Her heart raced, but she kept her composure, matching his playful smirk with one of her own. "Under my spell?" she teased lightly, her eyes locking with his. "I thought you weren’t the type to be caught, Mr. Zhang."

Shau’s lips curled into a grin as they moved effortlessly across the dance floor, the heat between them undeniable. "With you," he murmured, "I don’t stand a chance." As the music began to slow, Shau leaned in closer to Jenny, his breath warm against her ear. "I’m taking you home tonight," he said, his voice low and filled with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. The promise in his words was both thrilling and terrifying, igniting a mix of excitement and uncertainty within her.

Jenny managed to reply with a playful smile, though her heart raced. “Is that so? And what makes you think I’ll agree?”

He chuckled softly, pulling back just enough to gaze into her eyes. “Trust me, I'll make you wet tonight.”

She bit her lips with those words and give him her lingering gaze.

The dance concluded, and the atmosphere shifted as the chairman took the stage, his presence commanding immediate attention. Shau back to the executive table, and Jenny to her coworker.

The lights dimmed slightly, and the room quieted as he began his speech, praising the company's accomplishments and the hard work of every employee.

“Tonight, we celebrate not just our success, but also the promising future of Shaun Group,” the chairman declared, his voice booming with pride. “It is with great pleasure that I announce my son, Shau Zhang, as the new CEO of this company.”

A round of applause erupted in the room, Shau’s colleagues clapping him on the back, while Jenny felt a rush of pride for him.

Then came the unexpected twist that left Jenny's heart sinking. The chairman continued, “And as part of this new chapter, I am thrilled to announce the upcoming wedding of Shau Zhang to Veronica Chen of the NextChen Dynamics!”

The room fell silent for a moment, and then the applause resumed, though it felt hollow to Jenny. She glanced at Shau, whose expression had shifted to one of surprise and conflict. He caught her gaze, and in that brief moment, everything they had danced around came rushing back to her—their secret moments, the connection they shared, and the impending reality of his engagement.

Veronica, seating next to Shau stood up. With hesitation, Shau followed. Veronica beamed with satisfaction as the news sank in, while Jenny felt a lump form in her throat. The evening that had started with such promise now hung heavy with tension. She had no idea how this announcement would change everything.

As the applause faded, Jenny's thoughts raced. Would he still take her home tonight? The questions swirled in her mind as the celebration continued, and she couldn’t help but feel that the evening had taken a turn she had never expected.

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