Chapter 69: Candid

"Our office is located on the 31st to 35th floors of this office building. Mr. Wright's office is on the 35th floor. I'll take you there directly."
The elevator numbers continued to change as the woman leading her upstairs introduced herself to Monica while sneakily observing her through the glass mirror by her side.
When the elevator arrived, the logo of Sterling Holdings appeared first, a cool and sharp combination of gray and black, giving off a futuristic vibe that could easily be mistaken for a technology company.
Very much Steven's style.
The woman swiped a card and the glass doors slowly opened, revealing a spacious open office area without any obstruction.
People with relaxed or serious expressions walked among the connected desks, exuding an air of composed and elite temperament in their every movement. By the sofa near the window, people gathered in groups for meetings, with coffee on the coffee table and laptops on their laps.
Occasionally, the sound of conversations in both Chinese and English could be heard.
Although Monica didn't participate in their work, just by watching, she felt a fast-paced sense of pressure.
"Come this way."
Monica's appearance immediately attracted the attention of many people. She could feel that the original discussion around her had quieted down a bit, and countless probing gazes were cast upon her, making her inexplicably nervous.
The crowd noticed the sudden appearance of a young and beautiful stranger in the office, drawing their attention. They thought she must be a new intern and were about to see which department was lucky enough to welcome such a pretty young lady, only to see her being led all the way to Steven's office.
Steven never brought interns with him, and even when receiving guests, he would lead them directly to the meeting room.
Thinking about their boss's usual cold and indifferent face towards women, gossip began to stir within the crowd.
With countless probing gazes behind her, Monica walked into Steven's office with a stiff scalp, relieved only when the door closed behind her and silence returned to her ears.
The room was spacious and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing the light to pour in unabated.
Outside the windows, towering buildings and the bustling of the CBD were in full view.
The dark and square office desk was sharp and tidy, with many files neatly placed and classified. The computer screen was on the lock screen, and the coffee by his side was still warm, looking like it was temporarily called away in the midst of work.
Monica wandered around his office for a while and approached the door, her fingertips slipping into the gap of the blinds to take a glance at the busy office area filled with clamorous footsteps.
They seemed so busy.
Steven kept his promise, and before five minutes had passed since Monica sat down, the tea was still hot in her hands, and he appeared at the door.
They silently locked eyes for a moment, he closed the office door behind him with a flick of his hand, and went straight to walk to her side and sit down.
She seemed a little unhappy and moved aside, as if trying to avoid him.
Steven grabbed her wrist and explained, "Her name is Zoey my mother's daughter from her second marriage. She will be taking the college entrance exams soon. However, a few days ago, my mother suddenly fainted at home and went to the hospital for an examination. It's likely cancer. Their family is afraid they won't have the means to treat it, so they directly contacted my company, wanting to see me and begging me to save my mother."
"The word 'cancer' is too cruel," Monica opened her mouth, wanting to say something but unable to.
No wonder that girl cried and said she wouldn't know what to do without Steven. No wonder Steven said to leave everything to him and not to be afraid. So that's how it is.
She lowered her eyelashes and asked softly, "Auntie... how is her health now?"
"We arranged for her to be transferred to another hospital these past two days, to conduct a thorough examination and determine the cause of the illness."
Steven leaned in to embrace her, soothingly whispering, "Are you still angry?"
She didn't say anything but gently pressed her cheek against his shoulder.
Steven pondered for a moment and continued, slowly recounting,
"My parents got divorced when I was six. I was the product of their failed marriage, and neither of them wanted me, so I was raised by my grandfather."
This Monica had heard of before.
"At that time, my grandfather lied to me and said that my parents went to work in another city, and they would be back soon. As long as I behaved and did well in school, they would come back and be happy, and they wouldn't leave again."
His voice was calm, as if he wasn't narrating his own story, "I waited for four years, but I couldn't wait any longer. I saved up my pocket money and took a bus secretly to my grandmother's house one weekend. As a result, I discovered that my mother had a new family, new children, and she was smiling so happily. I had never seen her smile like that before."
"I was shocked and in pain. I wanted to find my father and ask why Mom didn't want us anymore. My grandfather desperately tried to stop me, and that's when I learned that my father also had a new family, a new child."
"I was abandoned completely like garbage. No matter how hard I tried, how obedient I was, or how well I did in school, I would never be able to have my parents back."
Monica herself was raised in the love of her parents since she was young, and she couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose that love.
Her throat tightened, "Steven..."
"Later, when I was in high school, my grandfather passed away, and I lost the only relative who cared about me."
He wrapped her tightly in his jacket, using his fingertips to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes, "Actually, when I first saw Eric, I felt inferior. He was the celebrated heir since birth, with everything I didn't have – parents' love, a happy family, a smooth life, and most importantly..."
He paused for a moment, jokingly, "He even has such a cute little sister."
Monica punched him lightly, "What are you saying!"
Steven held her tighter, and Monica didn't struggle, gently stroking his back with her fingers, as if comforting him.
"It's true, you...
"What you mean to me," I may not know that."
"I have never experienced much love from childhood until now. Friends and classmates around me say that I am a very cold person, and I also feel that my life is very boring. I believe that continually setting goals for myself and then completing them is my destiny. Until I met you."
"I often wonder, how can someone be so pure and carefree? My mood improves when I see you, and being with you is always relaxing. Sometimes, even I am not aware that when I am with you, I am always smiling."
Her lively presence stirred his calm and monotonous life, painting his black and white world with vibrant colors.
His feelings were never immediate. The initial fascination, accompanied by the long years of getting to know her, gradually revealed her gentle and adorable heart beneath her spoiled appearance, becoming an indelible imprint that could never be erased.
"So sometimes, I can't help but tease you. Am I being bad?"
Monica: ...
She pinched him: "You should be punished by my mom along with Eric."
Eric, in his youth, was just as mischievous towards her.
For example, he lied to Monica, who had just returned home from elementary school, saying that he had eaten the chestnut cake she had prepared for him. She was left stunned for quite a while, then started crying.
Just as she was about to report it, he came out with the cake, seeing her crying and laughing, pinching her cheek, jokingly calling her a "glutton" and a "crybaby."
Because of this, he was scolded by Mrs. Perez many times.
Steven laughed: "I envy the atmosphere of your family. Every year, when I spend the New Year alone, although I don't say it, I actually long for some warmth, even just a little bit."
"But later on, I realized that if I don't have it, I will fight for it. As long as I am willing to work hard, I can definitely get what I want."
His voice was soft and firm. "It is also this belief that has supported me all the way through my studies, including the establishment of Sterling Holdings and reaching the point I am at today."
Monica listened quietly, feeling as if there were waves crashing in her heart.
The warm sunlight outside the window filled the office with a sense of warmth. The fragmented golden light scattered in, and the air was filled with tiny golden dust particles.
In the peaceful office, Steven bared his innermost thoughts to her, thoughts he had never expressed to anyone else before.
She asked softly, "So, have you achieved what you wanted now?"
"Not yet, almost there. What I want the most, I still haven't obtained."
"Baby," he embraced her tightly and asked in a low voice, "Do you want me?"
He took off all his masks and defenses, revealing his most authentic heart to her.
He asked her if she wanted him. It was as if he was saying that if she didn't, then he would be discarded and cast aside in the darkness, just like in his childhood, never able to escape.
The office was very quiet, quiet enough to hear the breathing of the two people clearly, the deep and fluctuating breaths intertwining without rest.
Monica didn't speak, she just clenched his clothes with her fingertips.
After a while, she finally spoke with a muffled voice, "Do you know? You make me want..."
He casually locked the door, took a step forward, and looked down at her with a smile: "You're not like everyone else when it comes to seduction."
Worried that he wouldn't like it and wanting to save face, she could only use a show of force to hide her inner unease, like a small cat with its fur stood on end.
How can someone be so adorable?
He held her wrist, lightly rubbing the inside of her skin with his fingertips, while his other hand embraced her, pulling her into his arms.
The crisp breath and warm embrace instantly enveloped her, and Monica felt a sense of unprecedented peace.
They stayed in that embrace for a while, she leaned against his shoulder, suddenly lifted her head to kiss his Adam's apple, and pressed her lips against the protrusion, slowly licking the skin of his neck with the tip of her tongue, leaving behind a wet shimmer.
Steven's body tensed up a bit, his Adam's apple rolled silently, and he was just about to make a move with the arm that was holding her when she wrapped her arms around him from behind and held him down: "Let me taste, don't move."
She continued to kiss, sensing the restrained yet slightly unsteady breath above her head. She hugged him tightly, pressed her lips against his, and slowly used her tongue to trace the curve of his neck, until a shallow gasp escaped from his throat.
This spot is also quite sensitive.
Monica made a mental note.
She stood up straight from his embrace, reached out and pulled his tie out from the collar of his suit, holding it and gently tugging on it as if pulling on a collar, he obediently lowered his head, and lifted his gaze to meet her eyes.
Bound by her, he bowed to his princess.
She took off her jacket.
A neatly white shirt with a bow tie embellishing the collar, a solid-colored pleated skirt that cinched at the waist, the hem of the skirt barely covering above her knees, two long and slender legs, white knee-high stockings, and black thick-soled shoes under her feet.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with shimmering light, and her fair cheeks had a hint of blush.
She really looked like a student, very well-behaved and charming.
At the same time, there was also a hint of innocence that was even more captivating.
If you had to point out what has changed since high school, it would be the slight desire in her eyes that he had always wanted.
Over the past few years, there were times when even he himself felt disgusted and couldn't bring himself to talk about the various sexual fantasies she aroused in him. In this moment, she was personally acting them out.
After all, he was a physically normal man. Over these years, he could go without looking at another woman, but he couldn't help but have some lewd thoughts about her.
Steven looked at her, his breathing becoming slightly heavier.
Monica lowered her head and tucked his tie into her own shirt collar, and the two of them became connected.
The dark tie was sandwiched between the pure white shirt, creating a stark visual contrast between the two different fabrics.
It was like their current attire, one in a suit, mature and steady, and the other in a school uniform, innocent and charming.
They seemed unrelated, but they were entwined together, igniting a stronger spark.
Her fingers drew circles on his chest, playfully saying, "Mr. Wright, are you still hiring a secretary? How about me? After graduation, I can come work for you?"
He made a soft "hmm" sound.
"Let me be your secretary, but I'm afraid that I'll end up serving you instead." Monica burst into laughter, smirking with a hint of satisfaction.
She leaned in to kiss his lips, saying, "I can be difficult to handle, you know."
She traced her fingers along his neck, the taste of tea lingering on her lips as they mixed with the subtle fragrance on her body, gradually transitioning into his mouth.
Her tongue was soft, and her suction was gentle. Their breaths intertwined as their lips and tongues entwined, creating a shallow and intimate sound of water.
It was sticky and ambiguous.
Steven remained bent over, following her movements.
Every time he moved slightly, the tie around his neck, tucked into her collar, swayed along with it, the fabric grazing his soft chest, causing a tickling sensation to gradually emerge.
Monica furrowed her brows uncomfortably, wanting to take it off, but a hand held her back.
She opened her eyes to look at him.
"Just leave it on," he gazed down at the intertwining collars, his voice somewhat husky.
Those simple words carried a different meaning, and her ears became slightly flushed.
Their kisses by the door became deeper with each passing moment. Monica slowly retreated as Steven placed a hand behind her, paying attention to her every step until her back was pressed against the hard office desk, leaving her with no way to escape.
Their lips parted, saliva connecting them. She sucked it away, burying her face in his embrace, her cheek pressed against his suit's smooth fabric. Her fingers slid down from his chest, reaching between his two long and slender legs.
Although she had already felt it when their bodies were pressed together earlier, she couldn't help but confirm it with her own hands.
"It's already hard," her palm touched the bulge, deliberately teasing him.
She hummed, "You're such a pervert, and I'm wearing my high school uniform."
He had a strong desire for her. Steven had always been honest and unreserved about it.
His fingers traced her slender waist, and he whispered, "Do you want to know what I used to dream about when I saw you wearing your uniform?"
Monica refused to listen and bit his neck instead, her sharp teeth leaving a shallow mark on his skin. It didn't hurt, but it made his blood boil.
She tugged at his tie and circled around to the back of the desk.
Steven was pushed onto the office chair by her, while Monica stood in front of him, took off her shoes, and lifted her foot to step between his legs.
Monica did this on a whim, thinking it would be quite imposing and wanted to see his reaction. Unexpectedly, Steven remained calm and showed no desire to resist.
She found it somewhat boring and was about to retract her leg when he grabbed her ankle and secured it between his legs.
She was surprised, lowering her head to meet his dark and intense gaze.
In a deep and cold voice, slightly husky, he said, "Come on, baby, keep stepping on me."
His tone was calm and composed, even his expression remained unchanged as usual. However, the content of his words was pleading, craving for her pity.
The sudden contrast overwhelmed Monica, leaving her heart feeling constricted, drowning out all other sounds for a moment.
Her delicate sole pressed against his erect penis, which would become unbearably itchy even with a gentle tickle.
Now, it was being pressed against something hot and hard, enveloped by the soft skin, causing tingles to go through her whole body.
She was both numb and itchy, unable to resist curling up her toes and dodging, but he pressed her even harder.
He controlled her ankle and slid it on his genitals, rubbing her tender flesh through her pants, which was tantamount to quenching thirst with poison.
Steven always looked up, his black pupils staring at her motionlessly, but his expression began to become sensual due to desire. His Adam's apple slid up and down slowly, completely showing the pleasure she dominated.
Very desirable.
Monica inexplicably wanted to have him, and even the core of her legs became a little wet.
But is this the opposite? She was the one who clearly seduced him.
Several times, Monica accidentally slipped her foot on his thigh because the fabric of her pants was slippery, sinking into his tight muscles. In this posture, she had to keep lifting her leg, and he didn't shoot for a long time.
The more she stepped, the harder he became, and her legs became more and more sore. She complained and said she didn't want to do it anymore.
Steven laughed and let go of her hand, "Okay, we'll continue next time."
He reached out and hugged her waist, pulling her into his embrace. Monica sat face to face on his lap, with her legs clamped to his side. The expression on his face just now touched her, and she lowered her head to kiss him again.
Steven's chair had a strong load-bearing capacity, and even when they sat on it together, it remained stable.
His palm covered her thigh, stroking her skin back and forth, touching her between her legs, and then kneading her buttocks.
Monica murmured and involuntarily held onto him tighter, sliding her body towards him while sitting on his lap, her legs stuck to his congested and hard penis, tightly constrained by the restraint of his suit pants, giving her a sense of inexplicable indulgence.
Steven turned his head and kissed her, sucking and nibbling on her lips and tongue, sometimes lightly and sometimes deeply, with just the right amount of intensity.
Monica was somewhat dizzy from being aroused by this teasing kiss, her body heating up, and she whispered, "Hmm... that's enough... let's go eat first... we can continue later..."
Through her underwear, he pressed his fingertips against her moist and shining core, causing her to tremble and a tingling sensation swept across her entire back, making her unable to help but moan.
"No rush," he said calmly, "let's have something else first."