"Abstinent, Overbearing CEO"

Chapter 12: A Familiar Face, Lin Xiao

The second-floor banquet hall of the Imperial Capital Hotel was a sight to behold. Luxurious silk hangings adorned the walls, embellished with intricate golden threads that resembled a radiant tapestry. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their brilliant light casting a shimmering glow as the sunlight filtered through the transparent crystals, akin to stars twinkling in the night sky. The ceiling was an intricate masterpiece, carved with delicate designs so detailed they seemed to come to life. Giant floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city’s breathtaking skyline, adding to the grandeur. The entire hall exuded an atmosphere of opulence and romance, leaving Rosalina somewhat dazzled. She stood beside Desmond, smiling and nodding politely to every guest who approached to greet them. Her constant, seemingly effortless smile was starting to hurt her face.

"Mr. Desmond, who is this?" The man standing before them greeted Desmond before casting a curious glance at Rosalina.

"Hello, Mr. Li," Rosalina replied with a smile, her voice calm. "I am Mr. Desmond's secretary, Rosalina."

"Ah, so you’re Mr. Desmond’s secretary," Mr. Li said, handing her a glass of champagne. "Would you care for a drink?"

Rosalina hesitated for a moment when a cold, commanding voice cut through the air. "She doesn’t drink," Desmond stated flatly.

"Let’s go," he added, his voice leaving no room for argument. He gave Rosalina a brief, but firm glance, signaling her to follow him.

Rosalina gave Mr. Li an apologetic nod and quickly caught up with Desmond’s pace. From the corner of the room, Luo Junzhi, observing the scene with great interest, noted the unusual sight. Desmond, who never brought a woman to such events, was here tonight with a woman by his side, and not just any woman. Rosalina exuded an air of innocence and allure, a unique charm that set her apart from other beauties, which only made her more intriguing.

Luo Junzhi leaned closer and, with a slight smile, whispered to Rosalina, "How are you holding up, Miss Rosalina?"

Rosalina forced a polite smile. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Luo. I’m managing for now." In truth, she was beginning to feel lightheaded. The past few days had been sleepless, and her busy work schedule combined with the mounting pressure from Desmond was taking a toll on her. Her body ached, her head throbbed, and the weight of everything seemed to press down on her. She felt as though she could barely stand.

On the other side of the hall, quietly nursing a champagne glass, Lin Xiao’s gaze was fixed intently on Rosalina. Lin’s family had also received an invitation to the evening’s event, though their financial troubles had become widely known. In recent weeks, various enterprises had been avoiding them, fearing the potential fallout. Yet, Lin Xiao's eyes were focused on only one thing: Rosalina.

She wore a pearl white strapless dress that reached just above her thighs, showing off her long, slender arms and the graceful curve of her collarbone. The dress clung to her figure, accentuating her delicate waist and drawing attention to her alluring form. Lin Xiao's heart twisted with regret. How had Rosalina become so beautiful?

He couldn’t help but reflect on the past. He had once been blind to her affections, dismissing her without a second thought. He had treated her as nothing more than a child, someone to be ignored and forgotten. What had he been thinking back then? Why had he not seen the woman standing before him now? He wanted to approach her, but Rosalina was still by Desmond’s side, and he dared not make a move.

Rosalina, meanwhile, was starting to feel faint. The high heels were beginning to wear on her, the heels grinding into her feet, causing a dull ache that had spread up her legs. She leaned toward Desmond and whispered, "Excuse me, Mr. Desmond, I need to use the restroom."

Desmond gave a slight nod, his expression impassive. She quickly turned and made her way toward the restroom. Upon entering, Rosalina immediately took off her high heels, only to find that the backs of her feet were raw and bleeding. The tall, elegant woman wasn’t used to wearing such shoes for long periods, and the pain was unbearable. The discomfort spread through her body, with a heavy ache in her lower back and an intense headache. It felt as though her body was protesting against her every move.

She couldn’t help but wonder if Desmond had purposely chosen the strapless dress for her. The marks on her chest, red against her fair skin, were visible and impossible to conceal completely. With some effort, she applied foundation, trying to mask the redness. It wasn’t perfect, but it would do. As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, she felt utterly drained. She wanted nothing more than to go home and collapse into bed.

Years of hardship had forged a resilient spirit within her, one that always found a way to stay optimistic. Without this attitude, she knew she would never have survived. "Just a little longer," she thought. "Once the night’s over, I can finally get some rest."

Resolute, she touched up her makeup, covering the last traces of the red marks, and gingerly slipped back into her heels. She made her way back toward the door, determined to endure just a little longer.

But as she exited the restroom, a hand suddenly grasped her wrist with a force that nearly made her gasp. She looked up in shock and met the gaze of Lin Xiao, whose eyes were bloodshot.

"Lin Xiao? What are you doing? Let go of me!" Rosalina exclaimed, struggling to free herself.

"Rosalina, let’s talk," Lin Xiao insisted, his grip tightening.

Rosalina’s eyes narrowed in cold fury. "We have nothing to talk about."

"Rosalina, haven’t you always liked me?" Lin Xiao asked, his voice laden with desperation. "How can you just let go of everything so easily?"

The words hit Rosalina like a slap to the face. She couldn't believe the audacity of this man. She had once chased after him, persistently and desperately, but now, looking back, she realized just how humiliating it had been. No wonder he had never taken her seriously.

"Lin Xiao, wake up. You never liked me. You just wanted me to help your family. But that’s all over now. The debt has been paid. I’m no longer obligated to help you," Rosalina said, her voice steady despite the tension building inside her.

Lin Xiao’s grip on her wrist grew tighter, as though trying to keep her from slipping away. "Rosalina, you don’t have to help us, but I have ways to save the company. Just be with me. I love you!"

"Lin Xiao, do you remember how you treated me all those years ago?" Rosalina snapped. "Do you remember what you said to me?"

"..."

"You said I was ugly and unworthy of your attention. You said you couldn’t stand the sight of me."

"..."

"When Qin Mengyan and her friends beat me up, tearing at my hair and throwing my backpack, where were you?"

"..."

"When I was sick and asked if you could get me some medicine, what did you say?" Rosalina’s voice trembled with suppressed emotion. "You told me to just die."

Lin Xiao stood frozen, tears welling up in his eyes as he recalled the painful memories. His voice cracked as he whispered, "I’m sorry, Rosalina. I was wrong. Please, just give me another chance. I really do love you…"

Rosalina pulled with all her strength, trying to break free from his grasp. "But I don’t love you! Let go of me!"

The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became. In the scuffle, her long black hair was tossed aside, revealing the red marks on her neck—marks that were unmistakable. Lin Xiao’s gaze fixed on them, his eyes widening with disbelief. His voice cracked with raw emotion as he stammered, "Rosalina... do you have a man now?"

Rosalina froze, suddenly aware of how the red marks on her neck were now clearly visible. She quickly pulled her hair back over them, cursing herself for missing that spot while applying makeup.

"Lin Xiao, this has nothing to do with you. Let go of me!" Rosalina’s voice was firm, though her heart raced with a mixture of anger and fear.

Lin Xiao’s grip tightened once more, his voice rising in fury. "Rosalina! You like me, don’t you? How could you go and be with some other man?!"

"No one will ever love you the way I did!" Rosalina shouted, her voice shaking with the force of her anger. "When you treated me like nothing, I gave up on you!"

Suddenly, a cold voice interrupted their confrontation.

"Miss Rosalina."