Chapter 1 — The Unexpected Meeting
The CEO'S Secret Bride
Chapter 1 — The Unexpected Meeting
Sophie had never believed that one meeting could change her entire life.
At twenty-four, she was a hardworking young woman trying to build a future for herself. She had recently started working at one of the most powerful companies in the city—Ryan Group, a company owned by the mysterious billionaire CEO, Ryan.
Everyone in the company knew his name.
Everyone had heard the rumors.
Ryan was handsome, successful, wealthy, and extremely cold.
He rarely smiled.
He never showed his emotions.
And according to the employees, making a mistake in front of him was the fastest way to lose your job.
Sophie had heard all the stories.
But she had never expected to meet him on her very first week.
“Miss Sophie, the CEO wants to see you.”
Sophie looked up from her computer.
“Me?”
“Yes. You should go to his office immediately.”
Her heart began beating faster.
Why would the CEO want to see her?
She checked her work again, wondering if she had made a mistake.
After taking a deep breath, she walked toward the top floor.
When the elevator doors opened, everything became strangely quiet.
At the end of the hallway stood a large black door.
CEO — Ryan
Sophie knocked.
“Come in.”
His voice was deep and calm.
She opened the door.
A tall man stood beside the floor-to-ceiling window, looking over the city. He wore a perfectly fitted black suit, and his expression was unreadable.
Sophie immediately understood why everyone was afraid of him.
“Miss Sophie?”
“Yes, sir.”
Ryan turned around.
His eyes met hers.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
“You've been working here for only six days,” Ryan said.
“Yes.”
“And you've already corrected three mistakes made by senior managers.”
Sophie swallowed.
“I was only doing my job.”
Ryan walked toward his desk.
“Sit.”
She sat down carefully.
Ryan placed a file in front of her.
“I read your project proposal.”
Sophie looked at him nervously.
“Is there a problem?”
“No.”
She was surprised.
“It was excellent.”
Sophie blinked.
That was not what she expected from him.
“Thank you, sir.”
Ryan looked directly at her.
“I want you to work on an important project with me.”
“With you?”
“Yes.”
Sophie nodded.
“I'll do my best.”
Ryan was silent for a moment.
Then he said something that surprised her even more.
“Don't call me sir.”
Sophie looked confused.
“What should I call you?”
His eyes remained on hers.
“Ryan.”
Her heart skipped.
Calling the CEO by his first name felt completely wrong.
But Ryan's expression didn't change.
“From today,” he said, “you will work directly with me.”
Sophie stood up.
“Understood… Ryan.”
For the first time, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
It was almost a smile.
Neither of them knew it yet, but that simple meeting would become the beginning of a love neither had expected.
And for Sophie, it would also be the beginning of a secret that could change her life forever. ❤️
