Chapter 102 R
Chapter 102
Charlotte froze. Was he low–key mocking her butler fantasy?
Liam continued bustling around them happily, clearing dishes with practiced efficiency.
After breakfast, Liam drove them to the airport.
Their destination: Los Angeles.
After landing at LAX, Zarek and Charlotte transferred to a private car headed for the resort.
Reverie Resort was nestled deep in the mountains outside LA, a masterpiece of luxury carved into virtually untouched wilderness–like something from a fantasy novel brought to life.
The project represented a $2.3 billion investment, with Dominex controlling 60% and Leif Hara’s company holding the remaining 40%.
Charlotte hadn’t visited LA much, but remembered it for its striking landscapes and crisp mountain air.
As their car left the congested city behind, the scenery opened up dramatically. Charlotte gazed at cotton–candy clouds drifting across the expansive sky, her body relaxing, eyelids growing heavy…
Her head started drifting toward the window.
A warm hand gently caught her before she hit the glass, carefully repositioning her.
The driver’s eyes widened in the rearview mirror.
They drove for what seemed like hours.
The car began winding up steep mountain roads.
Charlotte blinked awake, opening her eyes to find herself surrounded by dense forests and misty peaks. The dreamlike landscape made her feel transported to another world entirely.
Absolutely stunning…
She sighed appreciatively while shifting to a more comfortable position.
As she moved, something felt… off about what she was leaning against.
Since when did car seats feel this warm and smell this good? The perfect balance of firm yet yielding, with just the right amount of give?
She slowly rotated her stiff neck, only to see a crisp white dress shirt, and above it, a defined jawline and Adam’s apple… her worst suspicions confirmed.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” Zarek murmured, his breath tickling her hair.
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“…Mmm.”
Charlotte managed a vague sound, trying to appear casual as she extracted herself from his arms. She smoothed her hair while rambling, “God, I can’t believe I dozed off. Must be because Summer made me watch that stupid horror movie last night–barely slept a wink.”
She hoped her nervous chatter would somehow erase the mortifying reality that she’d been cuddled up against her
boss.
Zarek nodded knowingly: “That explains it. I was wondering why you kept trying to snuggle into my arms while you slept. Post–horror movie trauma, clearly.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened to saucers.”
The driver nearly choked.
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Charlotte’s brain kept replaying those words-“kept trying to snuggle into my arms“-in bold, flashing, neon letters!
SHE! KEPT! TRYING! TO SNUGGLE! INTO HIS! ARMS!
No freaking way!
She whipped around to look at the driver for confirmation.
The driver, caught mid–glance in the rearview mirror, flinched when he met Charlotte’s desperate eyes.
He then betrayed his conscience with a small nod.
Charlotte felt like she’d been hit by a truck.
After a moment frozen in horror, she turned back to Zarek with whatever dignity she could muster.
“Sir,” she said gravely, “next time this happens, you should immediately push me away, shake me awake, or just… I don’t know, spray me with water like a misbehaving cat!”
Fair was fair–she might have been sleeping, but wasn’t he equally responsible?
He could have done something!
Why let her continue using him as a human pillow?
Zarek looked at her with amused patience. “I don’t make a habit of traumatizing my employees.”
The driver silently thought: Yeah right! Should’ve seen how you pulled her in when she first nodded off, boss!
Charlotte pressed her lips together, speechless.
She could hardly say: “Please traumatize me, I’m into it“-that would veer into workplace harassment territory.
Charlotte turned away, staring fixedly out the window.
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Better to just die of embarrassment in silence.
The awkward quiet persisted until they reached the resort.
Their car climbed higher and deeper into the mountains. Despite penetrating remote wilderness, the road was impeccably maintained.
To showcase the most spectacular views, an entire infrastructure had been built, every element carefully designed to enhance the mystical, secluded atmosphere.
Antique bronze lampposts lined the winding path, creating a magical ambiance.
At dusk or dawn, when mist rolled in and the warm yellow lamps glowed, the effect was pure enchantment.
In winter, with snow, it would transform into something from a fairy tale.
The car finally pulled up to a grand villa within the resort grounds.
A welcome committee stood waiting.
Among them were the chief project engineer and the resort’s manager, flanked by their respective teams.
Zarek and Charlotte stepped out of the car.
“Mr. Weasley, welcome to Reverie,” the project manager approached with a practiced smile. “We’re honored by your visit.”
The chief engineer followed closely behind.
Since Dominex held management rights over the resort, the project manager was Dominex staff, while the chief engineer had been jointly appointed by both companies.
Zarek nodded in greeting.
As he walked toward the entrance, the entire group fell in line behind him.
Inside, Charlotte exchanged brief introductions with the resort staff.
The resort’s project manager was Ryan Shawn. The chief project engineer was Fedrick Portman.
By now it was 12:40 PM, and an elaborate lunch had been prepared in the main hall’s banquet room.
Zarek was escorted to his seat of honor.
Half the meal was consumed by excessive flattery and brown–nosing.
The staff weren’t yet familiar with the young CEO’s management style, only knowing that when Leif Hara and Steven Cullen had visited during previous inspections, they’d eaten up this kind of treatment.
After lunch, Ryan led Zarek and Charlotte to their accommodations.
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Riding in an electric cart toward the villa area, Ryan casually mentioned that Leif Hara had arrived yesterday afternoon with quite an entourage.
“Said they were ‘VIPs from various industries‘–treating it like a soft opening,” Ryan explained.
“Where are they now?” Zarek’s brow furrowed slightly.
Sensing the CEO’s displeasure, Ryan grew bolder: “They’ve taken over the lakeside villas. Made noise all night, so they’re probably still sleeping it off.”
“Out of the fourteen people he brought, ten were drop–dead gorgeous women.”
“They had quite the party in Mr. Hara’s villa last night. When housekeeping went in this morning–Jesus–condoms
everywhere.”
Zarek’s expression darkened.
Charlotte tried to maintain professionalism but couldn’t help asking, “Is Mr. Hara even… physically up for that kind
of… activity at his age?”
Ryan shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. Look, I can’t really say much. Mr. Hara’s an investor. If he wants to bring people here, what am I supposed to do?”
Zarek’s face turned serious and cold.
His eyes narrowed slightly: What exactly was Leif Hara playing at?
The cart stopped in front of a secluded villa with Baroque styling and an ethereal quality.
“Sir, we heard you appreciate tranquility, so we specifically arranged this one. Is it suitable?” Ryan asked.
“It’s fine,” Zarek nodded.
Ryan carried the luggage inside and continued, “Sir, please rest this afternoon. I’ll check if Mr. Hara and his group are up yet. Once they’re moving, Fedrick and I will take everyone on a tour.”
The resort’s formal inspection process would normally take over a month, but this visit was purely ceremonial.
“Whatever you think is appropriate,” Zarek said coolly.
Charlotte smiled warmly at Ryan. “Just let me know when you’ve made arrangements.”
Ryan nodded. “Will do.”
He pulled out his phone. “Ms. Whitmore, mind if I add you on WhatsApp?”
Charlotte replied, “Not at all.”
Zarek observed Ryan’s barely concealed enthusiasm with noticeably cooler eyes.
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Charlotte added Ryan on WhatsApp, smiling politely.
Her smile had that perfect balance–warm enough to be approachable but professional enough to maintain boundaries. Her striking beauty became somehow more accessible with that gentle expression.
Only those who truly knew her understood the ice beneath the warmth.
“Your profile pic doesn’t do you justice,” Ryan said, completely forgetting his boss was standing right there.
“That’s kind of you,” Charlotte responded graciously.
As Ryan was about to continue chatting, an icy voice cut through: “Mr. Shawn, I wasn’t aware we were paying you to socialize.”
Ryan felt a chill run down his spine.
Only a fool would miss the displeasure in Zarek’s tone. He quickly pocketed his phone. “Right–I should get back to work.”
He practically sprinted away, moving at Olympic speed–walking pace.
Charlotte tucked her phone away.
Noticing Zarek’s dark expression, she figured Leif’s antics had put him in a foul mood, and poor Ryan had just caught the fallout.
“I’ll take the luggage upstairs,” she said, grabbing both suitcases and heading toward the stairs.
After a few steps, she caught a whiff of sandalwood and crisp cologne, and suddenly the weight in her hands lightened.
She turned to find Zarek beside her. He’d taken the bags.
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Charlotte couldn’t hide her surprise. A CEO carrying his secretary’s luggage was about as bizarre as a CEO chauffeuring his secretary around.
The world had officially gone mad.
Zarek seemed to read her thoughts and remarked casually, “Like I said, I don’t make a habit of torturing my employees.”
With that, he carried the luggage upstairs.
Charlotte stared after him: Really? Carrying bags counts as torture now? Is he this considerate with everyone, or just
me?
– Umala. Fecaning the Forbidden Past.
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