"Abstinent, Overbearing CEO"

Chapter 16: The Purpose Behind Her Approach

he couldn’t help but admire the efficiency of Wu Yan. The task he had assigned yesterday had already been completed by today. Desmond sat at his desk, frowning as he flipped through a stack of investigative reports about Rosaline.

It was surprising—her past wasn’t as simple as he had imagined. He picked up a photo of her from her university graduation day. Rosaline wore a cap and gown, her long hair cascading around her shoulders. Beneath her bangs, her doe-like eyes glistened with a hint of innocence, her porcelain skin flawless, and her lips, naturally red, looked as though she had been kissed by the sun. She was stunning in her natural beauty, without a trace of makeup.

She had graduated as one of the top students from the Department of Architecture at the prestigious Imperial University. A recipient of numerous awards, including the top scholarship, and recognized as one of the best graduates of the year across the entire city. Her talents were beyond doubt. So when she claimed she wanted to open her own design studio, it wasn’t just idle talk. After the sudden death of her parents, she had inherited a large sum of money after selling their company.

Her statement that she didn’t need the two million he had loaned her wasn’t a deliberate rejection or some trick. Her intentions seemed sincere. She had received an invitation from the top architecture firm in Imperial City and even an acceptance letter from the Royal College of Architecture in London. Yet, she chose not to pursue those opportunities. Instead, she had joined Sezon Group as a mere administrative assistant.

Desmond’s mind raced as he pondered this information. The paths of their lives, which had initially seemed entirely unrelated, had become inexplicably intertwined after she made her way into his bed. Yet, despite everything, Rosaline appeared to be constantly avoiding him.

As a man who had been in business for years, meticulous and cautious in every move, Desmond couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that there was something off about Rosaline. Her background seemed too clean, too untouched to suggest she had been sent to him with a hidden agenda. But what was going on in her mind? Why had she approached him in the first place?

That night, Rosaline went to a nearby supermarket to buy some groceries, planning to cook herself a simple meal of noodles. When she returned to the parking lot of her apartment complex, a familiar car made her freeze in place. It was Desmond’s Rolls-Royce.

She had the day off, so why was Desmond here? What did he want from her?

As she hesitated, the door to the car opened, and Wu Yan stepped out.

“Secretary Rosaline, Mr. Desmond is waiting for you. Please get in.”

Rosaline hesitated for a moment, knowing that there was no escape. But the situation felt like something out of a European crime film—like she was about to be kidnapped by the mafia or dragged off to be dismembered.

With a wry smile, she handed her groceries to Wu Yan. “If I don’t make it out of the car alive, don’t let this food go to waste.”

Wu Yan blinked, unsure how to respond.

Rosaline opened the car door and slid into the back seat. Desmond was sitting there, his expression as cold as ever, his gaze fixed intently on her.

She was dressed casually in a cropped hoodie and loose jeans, her long hair tied up in a high ponytail, which made her look both innocent and seductive. With every small movement, the curve of her waist seemed to tease the very air around them.

Desmond’s gaze hardened, and he clenched his fist, trying to suppress the primal urge that surged within him. Then, without warning, he reached out and grabbed her neck, his hand squeezing tightly around her delicate throat. The pressure was suffocating.

Rosaline’s vision blurred as she gasped for air. Her tears threatened to fall. She had no idea what she had done wrong this time.

“Tell me,” Desmond’s voice was chilling, “Why have you come near me?”

Rosaline could barely breathe, and her voice was barely a whisper. “I’m sorry... Can you please let go?”

Desmond’s grip didn’t loosen. Instead, he spoke in an emotionless tone, “Speak. Or you won’t last an hour.”

Rosaline, her face turning pale, closed her eyes and spoke softly, “If you want to kill me, just do it. I don’t care anymore.”

Desmond froze for a moment. Her words, the apparent resignation in her voice, rattled him more than he expected.

“What did you say?”

“I said, I don’t care if I live or die. No one cares about me anyway. Go ahead, kill me, Desmond.”

Desmond’s grip loosened suddenly. His hand fell away from her neck as he stared at her in shock.

Rosaline gasped for air, her hands clutching at her neck as she coughed, trying to regain her breath. Her eyes were red with tears as she stared back at him. “I admit it. I did have a purpose when I came to you. But now… even I think it’s ridiculous.”

Desmond’s eyes remained hard, waiting for her to explain.

“If you think I’m after you for some personal gain, you can fire me right now, or send me away from the city. Or even kill me if you want. Do whatever you want with me.”

Trembling, Rosaline continued, “My life has already been destroyed. Death might be better than this.”

Desmond remained silent, staring at her with an unreadable expression.

She wiped her tears and spoke again, this time with an air of defiance. “You’ve probably already investigated my past. You must know that after my parents died, I was fostered by the Lin family. I liked Lin Xiao.”

Desmond’s eyes narrowed at the mention of Lin Xiao’s name, his lips curling in disdain. “Go on.”

“But he hated me. His girlfriend, Qin Mengyan, bullied me at school. I felt like I was dying every day.”

Rosaline took a deep breath before continuing, “In my senior year, I saw Qin Mengyan chasing after you, and I knew she had her eyes on you. I thought… if I could get close to you, maybe I could…”

“Maybe what?” Desmond interrupted, his voice cold.

“Maybe I could make her jealous…”

The car fell silent. Desmond’s eyes darkened, and the contempt in them was almost tangible. “You’re pathetic.”

Rosaline flinched at his words, her heart sinking. He was right. She had gambled everything on a whim, all for the sake of someone who didn’t care about her.

Desmond tossed a set of photographs onto her lap.

Rosaline looked down and felt her blood run cold. The photos were of her—intimate moments she had shared with Desmond. Some were from when they had been in bed together, while others showed her naked while she slept.

She recoiled in shame, her face turning bright red.

“Desmond! I didn’t take these!”

“I know. I took them.” Desmond’s voice was cold, almost mocking. “You wanted revenge, right? Why not use these photos against Qin Mengyan?”

Rosaline’s heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“You’re going to use me as a weapon?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Desmond leaned back in his seat, watching her with a dark amusement. “I’m just making sure you’re fully aware of what you’re getting yourself into.”

Rosaline shook her head, trying to reject the idea. “No, I don’t need them. I… I don’t want this.”

Desmond’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. “Are you sure? Because if you ever want to leave, we can talk.”

Rosaline’s mind reeled. She understood now. Desmond had no intention of letting her go.

“You’re nothing more than a toy to me, Rosaline. And if you ever try to escape, I’ll make sure the world knows just how much you’ve given up.”

The reality of the situation hit her like a tidal wave. She was trapped in a game where she had no control, a pawn in Desmond’s cruel play. And the worst part? She had no way out.

As she stumbled out of the car, her head spinning, she barely heard Wu Yan’s voice calling after her, “Secretary Rosaline, your groceries…”

She didn’t care. Not anymore. She had no future, no hope. Only the shadow of Desmond’s smirk, lingering behind her like a haunting specter.

Desmond watched her retreating figure with a dark smile, the corner of his lips curling upward as he turned to Wu Yan. “Let’s see how long she lasts. I’m far from done with her.”