Intentional Seduction: The Abstinent CEO Falls

The night in New York was prosperous and cold.

At the private gala on the top floor of the Sterling Group, celebrities gathered. The light and shadow cast by the crystal chandeliers were mottled and scattered, reflecting on the whiskey glass in the man's hand, creating ripples of cold flowing light.

Julian Sterling sat on the single sofa in the main seat, his black suit buttoned up tightly, even the top button tightly choking his slender neck. His face was cold and stern, his nose bridge high, and those eyes hidden behind gold-rimmed glasses revealed a sense of detachment that was almost divine.

"Mr. Sterling, this is Manager Vance, responsible for the PR case with Raylin Real Estate this time."

Julian raised his eyes slightly.

The woman in front of him was wearing a dark green silk backless long dress, the thin straps tightening on her rounded shoulders, so thin that it seemed they would slip off with just a flick of a finger. Her skin was extremely white, and against the backdrop of that rich dark green, it was almost glowing.

Elena Vance held a glass of champagne in her hand, her red lips slightly curved, revealing a bright but not sweet smile: "Mr. Sterling, I've heard so much about you."

She was born with a pair of extremely beautiful fox eyes, and when her eyes moved, they seemed to carry invisible hooks.

Julian's gaze stayed on her face for less than two seconds before coldly moving away. His slender fingers gently shook the wine glass, his voice deep and magnetic, but without a hint of temperature: "Sit."

Elena did not sit in the empty seat beside him, but instead bent down gracefully, deliberately pausing near his ear before slowly taking her seat. At that moment, a faint, aggressive cedar fragrance mixed with the woman's body scent drifted into Julian's breath.

His brow furrowed imperceptibly.

"Mr. Sterling doesn't seem to like this project very much?" Elena sat down, her body leaning forward slightly, and the neckline of her long dress created an enticing curve because of this movement.

Julian put down his wine glass, leaned back, and looked at her with cold eyes, filled with scrutiny and pressure: "Manager Vance, the duty of a PR manager is to solve trouble, not to create interference."

Elena let out a low laugh, the sound crisp, like a feather lightly brushing across someone's heart: "Mr. Sterling worries too much. What can interfere with you must not be an ordinary thing."

As she spoke, her slender fingers carelessly brushed her long hair falling over her chest, her fingertips seemingly accidentally brushing against the cuff of the man's suit placed on the armrest.

It was an extremely subtle touch, even through the expensive fabric.

Julian, however, seemed to have been burned by something, and his eyes instantly turned cold. He leaned in close, the chill emanating from his body instantly enveloping Elena.

"Elena." He called her by her name directly, his voice low and hoarse, carrying a warning, "Don't waste your time on me."

Elena not only didn't retreat but instead smiled even more broadly. She felt the mature and abstinent aura on the man, and the desire for challenge in her heart was completely ignited.

This was the most difficult-to-pluck flower in New York's business world, Julian Sterling.

The power-holder of the Sterling Group, a machine whose heartbeat frequency seemed to be calculated.

But she knew that this kind of extremely self-disciplined, extremely abstinent man, once he goes crazy, is the most suffocating.

"Mr. Sterling." Elena also moved closer, their noses almost touching. She could see his deep, bottomless pupils behind the gold-rimmed lenses, reflecting her ambitious face.

"Time, when wasted on the right person, is called luxury."

Julian stared at her for a long time, then finally snorted coldly, took a step with his long legs, and walked straight away.

Watching that tall and lonely back disappear at the exit, Elena slowly took a sip of wine, her tongue gliding over her red lips, leaving a trace of crystal.

Julian, this is just the beginning.

Sterling Group, Public Relations Department.

"Elena, this is the latest public opinion report Mr. Sterling asked for. Mr. Sterling's office just called and specifically asked you to deliver it personally." Assistant Sarah shrunk her neck. "Mr. Sterling seems to be in a bad mood today; everyone in the CEO's office is trembling with fear."

Elena took the document, a playful curve appearing at the corner of her mouth: "Got it."

She changed into a professional outfit today. A waist-cinching white shirt, the hem tucked into a black pencil skirt, outlining a breathtaking waist-to-hip ratio. To match this outfit, she deliberately wore a pair of black stilettos with red soles.

Walking into the top-floor CEO's office, the air seemed several degrees cooler than downstairs.

"Mr. Sterling, the documents have been delivered." Elena pushed open the heavy solid wood door.

Julian Sterling, behind the desk, was bowing his head to review documents. He wore a pair of silver semi-rimless glasses today, showing more of the elite class's coldness and restraint than at last night's gala.

He didn't even look up: "Put it down."

Elena stepped in her high heels, walking gracefully to his desk. She didn't put the documents down immediately but instead deliberately circled to his side.

"Mr. Sterling, there are several key points in this report. Do you need me to interpret them for you?"

Julian's fingers tapping the keyboard stopped. He turned his face, his gaze behind the lenses sharp as a blade: "Manager Vance, since when does this job require you to be responsible across levels?"

"Because this concerns the brand image of the Sterling Group, and I am the person who cares most about Sterling's image." Elena leaned down, her hands propped on the edge of the desk. This posture made the buttons on her collar seem somewhat precarious.

She could even feel Julian's body tensing up because of her proximity.

Julian's gaze fell on her hands propped on the desk. The nails were trimmed very round and painted with crimson, much like red plums in the snow.

He suddenly reached out and grabbed Elena's wrist.

The man's palm was burning hot, forming a sharp contrast with his cold exterior.

"Elena, what exactly do you want to do?" Julian's voice was very low, carrying a hint of dangerous warning.

Elena didn't dodge. Following his strength, she pressed her body even lower, almost pressing into his arms.

"Mr. Sterling, what do you think I want to do?" she whispered, every word accompanied by warm breath puffing against his neck. "Is it wanting Sterling's resources, or... wanting Mr. Sterling himself?"

Julian's Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

He looked at this face close at hand, those fox eyes full of cunning and provocation. He had always loathed women who actively delivered themselves to him, but for some reason, facing Elena, that long-buried sense of irritability deep in his heart grew heavier and heavier.

"Get out." He let go of her hand, his voice cold and hard without a hint of emotion.

Elena rubbed her slightly reddened wrist. Instead of leaving, she let out a low laugh.

"Mr. Sterling, your heartbeat... seems faster than before."

She dropped the documents, turned around, and the sound of her high heels was exceptionally loud in the silent office.

It wasn't until the door closed that Julian suddenly let go of the fountain pen he was holding.

The nib drew a glaring black line on the expensive paper.

He took off his glasses and rubbed his brow, his eyes full of gloom.

This woman is playing with fire.

New York encountered a sudden heavy rain, and in the underground garage of the Sterling Group, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

Elena Vance finished her overtime and went downstairs, just happening to meet Julian Sterling in the lobby, who was also about to leave.

"Mr. Sterling, what a coincidence." Elena carried her bag, her smile bright, not feeling embarrassed at all because of yesterday's "get out."

Julian just glanced at her faintly, nodded slightly, and walked into the CEO's private elevator without saying a word.

Elena followed behind him and, in the second before the elevator doors closed, slipped inside.

The elevator car was spacious, but at this moment there were only the two of them, and the air was filled with the signature cold tobacco scent on Julian.

Julian stared at the jumping digital keys, his back straight.

"Mr. Sterling, aren't you going home? Are you still waiting for the rain to stop?" Elena stood behind him to the side, her tone light.

"Manager Vance, your social distance has crossed the line." Julian looked straight ahead, his voice cold.

"The elevator is only this big, where can I retreat to?" Elena deliberately sighed, but her body quietly moved a small step toward him.

Just then, the elevator suddenly shook violently, and then the top light flickered twice and went out completely.

The elevator stopped.

Elena let out an exclamation and crashed into Julian's arms.

"Mr. Sterling!"

In the pitch black, Julian's reaction was extremely fast; he reached out and stabilized Elena's shoulders.

But Elena didn't stand firm; instead, her hands tightly circled his waist, her whole person pressed against his chest. Through the thin shirt, she could feel his hard abdominal muscles and that steady heartbeat like a drum.

"Let go." Julian's voice was exceptionally low in the darkness, but it carried an imperceptible tension.

"I'm afraid of the dark, Mr. Sterling." Elena's voice carried a slight tremor, as if she were truly frightened.

"Elena." Julian gritted his teeth. He could feel the woman's body was soft as water, eroding his sanity in every possible way.

He wanted to push her away, but Elena held him even tighter.

"Mr. Sterling, do you know? In the dark, a person's senses become particularly acute." Elena's voice became somewhat charming. She looked up, and although she couldn't see, her breath fell precisely on his collarbone.

Her warm fingers began to move restlessly on his back, her fingertips lightly tracing the outline of his spine.

Julian's whole body stiffened.

At that moment, the string named "restraint" in his mind was almost pulled to the breaking point.

He suddenly grabbed both her wrists and pinned her against the cold elevator wall.

"Elena, do you think such low-level tactics work on me?" Julian's breathing became heavy. He stared at her in the darkness, and although he couldn't see her face, he could feel those seductive eyes staring at him.

"Low-level?" Elena let out a low laugh, her body pressing even closer, almost without any gap. "Then why is Mr. Sterling sweating?"

Julian's breathing hitched.

He indeed felt a strange heat rising from deep within his body.

Just as the atmosphere was tense to the extreme, the elevator light suddenly turned on, and the digital keys jumped again.

Julian suddenly let go, quickly stepped back, and adjusted his shirt collar, which was not messy.

He looked at Elena, the trace of desire in his eyes that hadn't faded yet was quickly covered by ice.

"Submit a resignation letter tomorrow."

After saying that, the elevator doors opened, and he walked away with large strides without looking back.

Elena stood in the elevator, looking at the man's slightly hurried back, slowly curling her lips.

Resignation?

Julian, can you bear to?

Sterling Group high-level conference room.

Managers from various departments were reporting their work. Julian Sterling sat in the first seat, his expression as usual, but the faint dark circles under his eyes showed that he didn't sleep well last night.

Elena Vance sat opposite, seriously taking meeting notes. She wore a large V-neck silk shirt today, and the tiny red mole on her collarbone was faintly visible under the lights, extremely enticing.

Throughout the meeting, Julian's gaze never stayed on her for more than three seconds.

The meeting ended, and people left one after another.

Elena leisurely packed her notebook until only she and Julian were left in the conference room.

Julian closed the document and was about to get up to leave when Elena suddenly spoke.

"Mr. Sterling, your tie is crooked."

Julian's movement paused, and he subconsciously reached out to touch his tie.

Elena had already quickly walked to him, naturally reaching out and taking over his movement.

"Let me do it."

Julian wanted to push her away, but seeing Elena's serious and clear eyes, for some reason, his hand stopped in mid-air.

Elena's fingers were very cool, and as they brushed across his Adam's apple, they brought a burst of fine electric current.

She bowed her head, her expression focused. From Julian's perspective, he could clearly see her slender neck and the faintly visible scenery.

The conference room was so quiet that only each other's breathing could be heard.

"Manager Vance." Julian suddenly spoke, his voice unbelievably hoarse, "What you said last night, was it true?"

Elena's fingers tying the tie paused slightly, then she let out a low laugh, slowly raised her head, and stared at him with burning eyes: "Which sentence does Mr. Sterling mean? Is it that time should be wasted on the right person, or that... your heartbeat is fast?"

Julian reached out and suddenly pressed her hand on his collar.

His strength was great, and his eyes were full of struggle and suppressed madness.

"Stay away from me." He said word by word.

"Mr. Sterling, the more you push me away like this, the more I feel you are exercising restraint." Elena not only didn't leave but instead took a step closer, her whole person almost pressed into his arms, "What are you afraid of?"

Julian looked at her face close at hand, bright and moving, and the images in the elevator last night constantly flashed in his mind.

That sense of loss of control made him feel unprecedentedly irritable.

He suddenly pushed her away and walked out of the conference room with large strides.

Elena stood there, looking at the trace of his temperature remaining on her fingertips, her gaze gradually becoming deep.

Julian, your mask is about to break.

Back in the office, Elena dialed a mysterious number.

"Hello, I'm about to get the stuff. Julian Sterling is easier to shake than I imagined."

A low male voice came from the other end of the phone: "Elena, don't get yourself played. Julian Sterling is not the kind of person who is easy to fool."

"Don't worry." Elena hung up the phone, her gaze falling on the prosperous New York outside the window.

For the Vance family, she must win.

To get closer to Julian Sterling's inner circle, Elena Vance planned an "accident."

Friday night, at New York's most luxurious club, Julian Sterling was representing the Sterling Group at an important business social event.

On such occasions, Julian never touched a drop of alcohol.

Elena, as the PR manager, was naturally present. She wore a backless black sequined dress today, and her whole person sparkled under the lights, making it impossible to look away.

She shuttled between various old foxes, her alcohol tolerance surprisingly good, her every move showing charm, attracting the side-eyes of many male CEOs.

Julian, sitting in the corner, watched her ease, and the teacup in his hand was almost crushed.

"Mr. Sterling, your PR manager is truly a masterpiece." A CEO beside him smiled maliciously. "I wonder if Manager Vance is free for dinner tonight?"

Julian glanced at him coldly, his voice dropping to the freezing point: "She is an employee of Sterling, not your plaything."

The CEO smiled awkwardly and didn't dare say more.

After three rounds of drinks, Elena seemed somewhat drunk. She staggered through the corridor, preparing to go to the restroom, but at the corner, she crashed into a familiar embrace.

A cold cedar scent instantly enveloped her.

"Drunk?" Julian's voice came from above, carrying a hint of anger.

Elena looked up, her eyes blurred, her cheeks flushed unnaturally because of the alcohol. She reached out and grabbed Julian's tie, her whole person leaning softly against him.

"Mr. Sterling... why are you here..."

Julian smelled the heavy scent of alcohol on her, his brow furrowed. He wanted to push her to the assistant who followed, but Elena was like an octopus, tightly clinging to his waist.

"Don't touch me... I feel uncomfortable..." Elena said with a hint of a sob, her warm cheek rubbing against his chest.

Julian froze.

He had never seen such a weak side of Elena. In front of him, she was always a sharp-clawed, deep-scheming hunter, but at this moment, she looked like a frightened little deer.

Strangely, he actually reached out and picked her up horizontally.

"Mr. Sterling, you..." The assistant was stunned.

"Prepare the car. Send her back to my place." Julian ordered coldly, his eyes terrifyingly gloomy.

He didn't know why he made this decision. Maybe he wanted to see what tricks she was playing, or maybe... the suppressed ambition deep in his heart was at work.

Back at Julian's private villa, Julian threw her on the sofa and was about to go pour a glass of honey water.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he turned around, Elena suddenly reached out and grabbed the corner of his clothes.

Julian was caught off guard, and his whole person fell onto the sofa, pressing Elena under him.

"Elena!"

Did Elena have any hint of drunkenness at this moment? Her eyes were frighteningly clear, and her hands naturally circled Julian's neck, suddenly pulling him toward her.

"Mr. Sterling, you're finally willing to bring me back."

She bit her lower lip, her eyes full of determination.

Julian stared at her, his originally cold eyes now turning scarlet because of anger and desire.

"You're not drunk."

"I'm not drunk, Mr. Sterling." Elena whispered in his ear, "But I really... want you."

Julian's breathing became rapid.

He suddenly pushed her hand away, stood up, and looked down at her, his eyes cold as iron.

"Elena, last warning. If you dare to calculate me again, you won't be able to bear the consequences."

After saying that, he walked into the bedroom with large strides and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Elena lay on the sofa, looking at the ceiling, a sad smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

Julian, you are indeed a hard bone.

But as long as it's a bone, it will be gnawed to pieces sooner or later.

The morning sun shone through the blinds, casting mottled stripes in Julian Sterling's study.

When Elena Vance woke up in the guest room, she found a set of brand-new clothes on the bedside table, even the size was exactly right.

She got dressed and went downstairs. Julian was sitting at the dining table reading the morning newspaper, with a cup of black coffee that had already reached the bottom in front of him. He didn't wear glasses today, and those black eyes were deep and sharp, as if they could see through people's hearts.

"Awake." He didn't even look up, his tone as cold as ever.

Elena pulled out a chair and sat down, propping her chin to look at him: "Mr. Sterling, last night... thank you for taking me in."

Julian put down the newspaper and stared at her with cold eyes: "Elena, why did you approach me? Money? Power? Or some project of Sterling?"

Elena's expression stiffened for a moment, then returned to normal, smiling lightly: "Mr. Sterling, do you think I look like someone who lacks money?"

"What you lack is the truth about the Vance family." Julian suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it made Elena's heart sink suddenly.

He knows?

Elena clenched her fingers, but her face didn't show anything: "Truth? The Vance family has been bankrupt for years, what truth is there to investigate?"

Julian stood up and slowly walked behind her. He leaned down, the distance between the two was extremely close, and his breath was almost at her ear.

"Elena, don't act in front of me." His slender fingers lightly brushed her hair, his movements gentle, but the words he spoke were bone-chillingly cold, "You want to investigate the bankruptcy case back then, you want to investigate the role the Sterling family played in it. Right?"

Elena turned her head and met those eyes that seemed to be able to insight into everything.

At this moment, all the ambiguity and pulling disappeared, leaving only naked confrontation.

"Yes." Elena simply admitted. She looked up, her gaze stubborn, "So? Does Mr. Sterling plan to kick me out, this 'ill-intentioned' woman?"

Julian didn't speak. He stared at her for a long time, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Suddenly, he reached out and pinched her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Then it depends on your ability." He let out a cold laugh, "If you can make my heart move, maybe I will tell you everything you want to know."

This was a test.

Julian wanted to see how far this woman could go for that so-called truth.

And Elena also saw a glimmer of hope in this game.

"Mr. Sterling, that's what you said." Elena backhanded his wrist, a breathtaking smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

This game between hunter and prey, from this moment on, truly entered a fever pitch.

Rumors were rife within the Sterling Group, saying that Mr. Sterling gave "special care" to Manager Vance of the PR department.

But Julian Sterling was still the same cold, rigorous, workaholic Julian Sterling. He even intensified the tasks assigned to Elena Vance, requiring her to stay every night to report her work personally.

Late at night, almost the entire Sterling building was dark, with only the CEO's office on the top floor still lit.

When Elena pushed the door open with the documents, Julian was leaning on the executive chair with his eyes closed, resting. Two buttons on his collar were undone, and his sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, revealing firm forearm lines.

"Mr. Sterling, this is today's PR progress." Elena walked over and placed the documents on the desk.

Julian opened his eyes, a hint of weariness in his gaze. He looked at the woman in front of him; she wore a slim-fitting knitted short dress today, perfectly outlining her body curves.

"Elena, come here."

His voice was somewhat hoarse, sounding exceptionally seductive in the silent office.

Elena's heart skipped a beat, and she walked to his side as told.

Julian suddenly reached out, grabbed her waist, and pulled hard.

Elena let out an exclamation and fell onto his lap.

"Mr. Sterling..."

"Elena, you dangle in front of me every day, isn't it for this moment?" Julian's palm was pressed against her slender waist, and through the thin clothing, that burning heat almost burned her skin.

He bowed his head, his nose pressed against the hollow of her neck, and took a deep breath.

It was still that good-smelling, provocative fragrance.

"Mr. Sterling, are you... testing me?" Elena suppressed the panic in her heart, reached out, and lightly circled his neck.

Julian didn't answer. He looked up, those dark eyes full of desire staring at her fixedly.

The next second, he suddenly kissed her lips.

This kiss didn't carry any tenderness; it was full of aggression and suppressive force. He was venting, venting the irritability and desire provoked by this woman all these days.

Elena was kissed by him until she could almost not breathe. She could feel the man's hand beginning to move restlessly on her back, that coarse touch making her unable to help but let out a fine groan.

Just as Julian's hand was about to make a further move, Elena suddenly pushed him away.

She tidied her somewhat messy clothes, panting slightly, and looked at him with bright eyes.

"Mr. Sterling, you're like this... you don't seem like the calm and self-possessed Julian Sterling."

Julian stared at her, the scarlet in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a deeper endurance.

"Elena, this is just the beginning."

He turned around, his voice returning to its usual cold hardness, "Get out."

Elena walked out of the office, her heart beating so fast it almost jumped out of her throat.

At that moment just now, she clearly felt it.

Julian's restraint was collapsing bit by bit.

Weekend, a charity gala in New York.

Julian Sterling attended as the finale guest, and Elena Vance was his female companion.

Elena wore a black deep V fishtail dress, the hem decorated with fine diamonds, swaying like a galaxy as she walked. Julian was in a custom dark blue suit, his whole person noble beyond compare.

The two stood together, instantly capturing all the eyes in the room.

Midway through the gala, Julian was caught by several business veterans. Elena walked to the terrace alone to get some air.

Not long after, a dark shadow enveloped her.

"Mr. Sterling, you got away so quickly?" Elena turned her head, smiling charmingly.

Julian didn't speak. He walked to her side, his gaze falling on the large expanse of snowy white back exposed to the air.

"This dress, you're not allowed to wear it out in the future." His voice was low, carrying a hint of domineering possessiveness.

Elena let out a low laugh, turned around to lean on the railing, and tilted her head to look at him: "Why? Is it because... Mr. Sterling is afraid he won't be able to control himself?"

Julian stared at her, his eyes frighteningly dark.

He suddenly reached out, grabbed the back of her head, and kissed her fiercely again.

This time, he no longer held back.

On this hidden terrace, under the witness of the starry sky, he almost wanted to tear this woman apart and eat her.

Elena was pressed against the railing by him, her body forming a beautiful curve because of leaning back. She could feel the man's hand had slipped into her gown, and that burning and rude stroking made her whole body tremble.

"Julian..." she couldn't help but call his name softly.

Julian stopped his movements, buried his face in the side of her neck, his breathing unbelievably heavy.

"Elena, you won." His voice was low and hoarse, revealing a sense of frustration, "I admit, I'm crazy."

The reason he was always proud of, the moment he met this woman, it had already collapsed.

He clearly knew her motives were not pure, clearly knew this was a trap, but he still jumped in without hesitation.

Elena listened to his heavy heartbeat, and the lines she had planned originally couldn't be said at all.

Her heart seemed to be in a mess too.

Just then, Julian looked up, a firmness in his eyes that had never been there before.

"Elena, stay at Sterling. No matter what you want to investigate, I'll help you."

Elena was stunned.

She didn't expect that Julian would actually retreat to this point.

Is this the fall of the unapproachable flower?

Julian Sterling had changed.

Everyone in the Sterling Group noticed that Mr. Sterling had become less "abstinent" recently.

During meetings, he would lose his concentration because of a small movement from Elena Vance. When he was incredibly busy, he would personally order an afternoon tea that Elena loved.

He even publicly held Elena's hand in the company.

"Mr. Sterling, watch your image," Elena teased him.

Julian tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze domineering: "In Sterling, I am the image."

This extreme favoritism made Elena feel flattered and at the same time feel an unprecedented pressure.

Because the truth she found was pointing bit by bit to Julian's father, Old Master Sterling.

"Elena, why have you been dazing off lately?" Sarah asked curiously.

Elena shook her head: "It's nothing."

She began to avoid Julian.

Julian noticed her abnormality.

One night, Julian went directly to Elena's apartment.

He didn't knock but used the spare key to open the door—Elena had personally given it to him a few days ago to facilitate "seduction."

"Julian, why are you here?" Elena was wearing a loose nightgown and drinking red wine in the living room.

Julian walked over with large strides, snatched the wine glass from her hand, and placed it on the table.

He leaned down and trapped her between the sofa and his arms.

"Why are you avoiding me?" He stared at her, his eyes full of displeasure.

"I'm not avoiding..."

"Elena, look into my eyes." Julian reached out and pinched her chin, his gaze like fire, "Is it because of what you found?"

Elena fell silent.

Julian looked at her small, conflicted, and painful face, and his heart softened.

He bowed his head and gently kissed her brow.

"No matter what the truth is, I will stand on your side," he promised, "Elena, believe me."

Elena looked at him, her eyes slightly warm.

She originally thought this was just a utilization, but she didn't expect that in the end, the ones deeply trapped were actually the two of them.

That night, Julian didn't leave.

In her apartment, on that not-so-large bed, he possessed her with extreme tenderness.

There was no previous roughness and testing, only the most primitive desire and love.

That night's lingering made Elena see her heart clearly.

She had fallen in love with this man.

Just as Elena Vance was immersed in Julian Sterling's tenderness, that mysterious number called again.

"Elena, did you get the evidence? All the records of Old Master Sterling joining forces with several major banks to cut off the Vance family's capital chain back then are in the hidden folder on Julian's personal computer."

Elena's hand trembled: "I know."

Hanging up the phone, she looked at Julian, who was sitting by the window working.

The man in the backlight had a firm face, but when he looked at her, his eyes were full of tenderness.

"What's wrong? Your face is so red." Julian walked over and touched her forehead.

"It's nothing, maybe a little cold." Elena forced a smile.

Late at night, after Julian was fast asleep, Elena quietly got up and walked into his study.

Her heart was beating extremely fast, and her palms were full of cold sweat.

She skillfully cracked the password and found that hidden folder.

As those pieces of evidence appeared page by page on the screen, Elena felt her heart being pierced by ten thousand arrows.

It really was the Sterling family.

No, to be precise, it was Old Master Sterling.

Just as she was about to copy these files, the study light suddenly turned on.

Elena turned her head abruptly.

Julian was standing at the door, wearing a black bathrobe, his expression appearing dark and unreadable under the light.

"Elena." He called her name, his voice cold without a single ripple.

"Julian, let me explain..." Elena hurriedly closed the computer.

Julian walked over slowly. He looked at the computer, a flash of extreme disappointment and mockery in his eyes.

"You still don't believe me."

He took out an identical document and placed it on the table.

"This is what you want. I was planning to hand it to you personally tomorrow."

Julian looked at Elena, a self-deprecating smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, "Elena, this long-planned seduction, you acted it so well. Even I almost believed that you really loved me."

"It's not like that, Julian, I really love you!" Elena was in tears.

"Love me, so you come to steal my things while I'm asleep?" Julian's voice suddenly became violent. He suddenly waved his hand, sweeping all the documents on the table to the floor.

"Get out."

He stared at her, his eyes a dead silence of despair.

"Elena, from this moment on, there is no place for you in New York."

Elena looked at his resolute appearance, knowing she had completely lost him.

She stumbled out of the study, out of this house that once brought her infinite warmth and hope.

The truth was obtained.

But she also lost her heart.

Elena Vance had disappeared.

Taking that evidence sufficient to shake the foundations of Sterling, she completely vanished into New York's stormy night.

Julian Sterling sat in the empty study, a half-burned cigarette between his fingers. The sparks flickered, reflecting his face that was cold almost to the point of having no temperature.

On the table behind him, that hacked computer was still lit.

"Mr. Sterling, it's been found." Special Assistant Mark pushed the door open and entered, his expression complex. "Manager Vance... no, Elena Vance, she has already sent that file to the provincial disciplinary inspection team. At the same time, the old subordinates of the Vance family back then have also started a large-scale counterattack."

Julian slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke, a dead silence of madness in his eyes.

"So, her throwing herself into my arms all these days was really just for this."

He always thought he could use tenderness to dissolve her hatred, and use favoritism to exchange for her truth.

But in the end, he was just a stepping stone on her road to revenge.

"There's one more thing." Mark paused. "After Elena sent the email, she went to the riverside, and then... the signal was cut off."

Julian stood up abruptly, stubbing out the cigarette. Because of the excessive force, his fingertips were burned, but he didn't feel it at all.

"Find her." His voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of trembling. "Dig three feet into the ground if you have to, find her for me."

That night, the PR crisis of the Sterling Group fully erupted.

But Julian didn't care at all.

What he cared about was that woman who cheated his heart and then threw him into hell.

Elena, do you think you can take the truth and get away with it?

There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Three months later.

In a coastal town near New York, the pace of life was slow and peaceful.

Elena Vance had changed her name and was working as a stock clerk in a bookstore. She cut her long hair short, and her whole person looked much cleaner and simpler, no longer having the flamboyance and charm she had back at the Sterling Group.

Every morning, she would go to the beach to watch the sunrise, then go to the bookstore to work, and at night, she would curl up in her rented room to read.

She thought she had completely escaped the past.

But whenever the night was quiet, Julian Sterling's face full of despair would always appear in her dreams.

He once said, "Elena, I admit, I'm crazy."

He also once said, "No matter what the truth is, I will stand on your side."

She was the one who personally destroyed that trust.

Although the Vance family's great revenge was avenged, and Old Master Sterling was also prosecuted for commercial crimes many years ago, Elena didn't feel the pleasure after revenge.

Her heart seemed to have a huge hole that could not be filled.

This afternoon, an uninvited guest came to the bookstore.

That person wore a black trench coat, with a tall figure. Although he wore sunglasses, the familiar cold breath on him made Elena instantly freeze in place.

"Hello, do you have the sheet music for 'Für Elise'?"

The man's voice was low and magnetic, but it carried a trembling suppressed to the extreme.

Elena slowly turned her head, and the book in her hand fell to the ground.

Julian took off his sunglasses, his black eyes full of scarlet bloodshot, and the dark circles under his eyes showed that he hadn't been doing well these days.

He looked at her, a cruel and desperate smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Elena, long time no see."

Elena wanted to run.

But the next second, her wrist was tightly gripped by the man.

"You think you can just run away after all that? Miss Vance, do you think I'm too kind?"

Julian Sterling started to go "crazy" in the first month after learning about Elena Vance's disappearance.

He worked day and night, numbing himself with high-intensity pressure, but as soon as it was late at night, he began to wander the streets and alleys of New York.

He went to every place they had been.

That Western restaurant where they kissed, that apartment where he possessed her, and even that underground garage where they first clashed, he sat there all night.

"Mr. Sterling, the Vance family's case has been settled, you don't need to be obsessed with her anymore." Mark advised.

"Obsessed?" Julian let out a cold laugh, his eyes ruthless, "She is mine, mine in life and mine in death. Even if she turns into ashes, I will scatter them personally."

He used all his networks.

He bought all the outdoor big screens in New York, with only one simple sentence on them:

[Elena, come back. I don't blame you.]

But Elena didn't come back.

Not until he saw that thin figure in the surveillance footage of that remote small town.

At that moment, Julian felt his dead heart beating again.

With a destructive obsession, he drove personally, crossing five hundred kilometers.

At this moment, in the bookstore filled with the scent of ink, he stared fixedly at the woman in front of him.

Three months.

A full three months.

He suffered in hell every day, and she, actually hid here living a leisurely life.

"Come back with me." Julian said word by word, his eyes full of unquestionable dominance.

"Julian, we're already over." Elena tried hard to break free from his restraint.

"Over?" Julian let out a cold laugh, suddenly pulled her into his arms, bowed his head, and bit her earlobe fiercely, "Elena, as long as I don't call a stop, you will never escape."

Heavy rain, once again, descended.

The streets of the small town were washed blurry by the rain.

Julian Sterling squeezed Elena Vance into the car without a word and locked the car doors.

"Julian, let me out! This is illegal detention!" Elena tapped on the car window.

Julian ignored her. He stepped on the gas pedal, and the car sped through the rain curtain.

He took her back to the seaside villa he had booked in advance.

The moment they entered, Julian directly carried Elena on his shoulder and walked with large strides to the second-floor bedroom.

"Julian, you're crazy!"

Julian threw her heavily onto that huge double bed.

He carelessly pulled off his tie, unbuttoned his shirt in a few strokes, his movements rough and alarming.

"Yes, I'm crazy." He leaned down, his hands tightly gripping Elena's wrists, pressing her under him, "Driven crazy by you."

He looked at this face under him that made him dream and hate to the core, and the grievance, anger, and love in his heart fully erupted at this moment.

He bowed his head and kissed her frantically, with a sense of punishment.

Elena struggled desperately, tears flowing uncontrollably.

"Julian, I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Hearing this "I'm sorry," Julian's movements stopped abruptly.

He looked up, his eyes full of vulnerability and heartache.

"What I want is not 'I'm sorry,' Elena." His voice was unbelievably hoarse, "I want your person, your heart, I want you to only be able to look at me for the rest of your life."

The next second, he kissed her again.

This time, the kiss carried a trace of desperate tenderness.

Elena's defense line completely collapsed at this moment. She no longer broke free but instead reached out and tightly hugged this man covered in scars.

The sound of rain outside grew louder and louder, and the temperature in the bedroom grew higher and higher.

On this night filled with salty sea breeze, two people who hurt each other and loved each other deeply sought the final redemption in each other's bodies.

It was dawn.

Sunlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the messy bed.

When Elena Vance woke up, she found a thin silver chain around her ankle.

The chain wasn't long, just enough for her to move between the bedroom and the bathroom.

"Julian!" she exclaimed.

The bedroom door was pushed open, and Julian walked in wearing a loose bathrobe, holding a delicate breakfast in his hand.

After last night's madness, the hostility between his brows had dissipated a lot, and his whole person actually looked unspeakably satisfied.

"Awake." He sat down by the bed, naturally wanting to touch her face.

Elena tilted her head to avoid it, pointing to the chain on her ankle: "What does this mean?"

Julian's hand froze in mid-air, then he withdrew it, his tone calm to a terrifying degree: "It doesn't mean anything. I just want you to know that from now on, you're not going anywhere."

"Julian, you're a pervert!"

"Pervert?" Julian let out a low laugh, reached out and pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him, "Elena, you were the one who provoked me first. You used the most innocent face to do the most seductive things, dragging me down from the altar. Now that you've achieved success, you want to throw me away like trash?"

He leaned in close to her, their breaths mingling, "There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

He slowly tore the bread and fed it to her mouth.

"Be good, eat something. I'll stay here with you. Until... you fall in love with me again."

Elena looked at this almost paranoid man in front of her.

She knew he was truly broken.

Broken by her own hands.

In the following days, Julian pushed away all company affairs and really stayed in this villa with her.

He would cook for her personally, watch the sunset with her on the terrace, and every late night, tirelessly demand her.

Elena went from initial resistance to final numbness, and then to that unspeakable palpitation deep in her heart.

She found that in this cage, she actually felt an unprecedented stability.

Maybe, people like them are destined to torture each other until their hair turns white.

A month after being "imprisoned" in the seaside villa, Julian Sterling finally unlocked the silver chain on Elena Vance's ankle.

"Elena, as long as you don't run, I'll accompany you wherever you want to go in this world." Julian circled her in his arms, his chin resting on her shoulder, his tone carrying a trace of almost paranoid humility.

Elena turned her head and looked at the man's face, which was still cold but full of deep affection.

At this moment, she finally confirmed that she had won.

She won his body and his heart.

In the following days, Julian's pampering of Elena reached an outrageous level.

He brought her back to New York, but no longer let her return to that high-pressure position in the PR department.

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"I want to paint," Elena said casually.

The next day, on the top floor of the Sterling Group, next to Julian's office, a private studio with excellent lighting and extremely sophisticated decoration appeared.

While Julian handled official business, Elena painted next door. When she was tired, she would directly push open the hidden door connecting the two offices and slip into Julian's arms.

"Mr. Sterling, you doing this will make the employees think you're a foolish ruler." Elena sat on Julian's lap, playing with his expensive tie.

Julian reached out and grabbed her waist, bowed his head, and kissed that seductive red mole, his eyes dark: "For you, what does it matter if I'm a foolish ruler?"

This extreme pampering made Elena's originally cold heart melt completely.

She began to try to understand Julian's difficulties over the years.

He wasn't born cold; he just had to protect himself with a cold shell while in a high position.

And in front of her, he was willing to take off all his defenses and give his softest side to her.

In the dimly lit office late at night.

Julian pinned Elena against the huge floor-to-ceiling window. Outside was the brilliant night view of New York, and inside was his full tenderness.

"Elena, don't lie to me again in this life."

He bowed his head and kissed her piously and warmly.

Although the Vance family's case had settled, Julian Sterling found that there were shadows of other people behind the things Old Master Sterling did back then.

"Elena, this is another file from back then." Julian handed her a yellowed document.

Elena opened it and was stunned.

It turned out that the person who caused the Vance family's bankruptcy back then, besides Old Master Sterling, was actually an uncle she once trusted most. It was that uncle who collaborated from within, giving the Sterling family an opportunity.

And Julian hadn't been idle these days; he was helping her completely clear those remnants.

"Why are you telling me now?" Elena's eyes were slightly red.

"I don't want you to carry hatred anymore." Julian walked to her side and held her tightly in his arms, "I'll handle those dirty things. Your hands should be used to hold a paintbrush."

Elena looked up at this man.

He was once the son of the person she hated most, but now, he was the only one in this world willing to protect her with his life.

"Julian, thank you."

Elena took the initiative to kiss his lips.

That night, Julian was more gentle than ever before.

He kissed every part of her body carefully, as if worshipping a rare treasure.

"Elena, from now on, what the Vance family owes you, I, Julian Sterling, will pay back with my whole life."

He whispered in her ear, every word as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Elena closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the gentle land he wove.

She knew that they had finally crossed this hurdle.

A major event recently occurred in New York's business circles.

Julian Sterling, who was always abstinent, cold, and even suspected of being uninterested in women, actually made an official announcement.

At a nationally broadcast business forum, after finishing his speech, Julian didn't leave the stage directly as usual.

He walked off the stage and went straight to the low-profile woman in the first row.

Under the gaze of countless cameras, he naturally took Elena Vance's hand.

"Mr. Sterling, may I ask who this lady is..." a reporter asked boldly.

Facing the camera, Julian's usually cold face actually showed a faint smile.

"She is Elena Vance. My fiancée, and the only favoritism of my life."

The whole internet instantly boiled over.

[Oh my god, the unapproachable flower has really fallen!] [This gaze, this protective posture, I'm so jealous!] [Elena Vance? Isn't that the PR manager from before? So she's the CEO's little wife!]

For a time, Elena became the object of most jealousy among New York's socialites.

And Julian went even further, showing off his affection on social media platforms.

He would forward information about Elena's painting exhibitions and like comments from netizens praising how well they matched.

The man who once acted like a machine now became full of human touch.

"Julian, you're too high-profile." Elena looked at the overwhelming messages on her phone, feeling somewhat helpless.

Julian was sitting on the carpet helping her trim her nails, his movements focused and gentle: "If I'm not high-profile, how can I make those people who want to target you give up?"

He put down the nail clippers, took her hand, and kissed it at his lips.

"Elena, I want the whole world to know that you are mine. No one can take you away."

Elena looked at him, her eyes full of smiles.

This kind of favoritism witnessed by the whole internet, although noisy, made her feel an unprecedented peace of mind.

On Elena Vance's birthday, Julian Sterling booked the entire landmark building of New York—the Radiant Tower.

The tower body looped all of Elena's paintings over the years, as well as every bit of their time together.

Elena was taken by Julian to the revolving restaurant at the top of the tower, which was already covered with red rose petals.

"Julian, this is too exaggerated." Although Elena said so, the joy in her eyes could not be hidden.

Julian wore a pure white custom suit today, looking gentle and noble.

He walked slowly to Elena and knelt on one knee.

He took out a dark blue velvet box from his pocket, which contained a huge pink diamond ring, sparkling with charming light under the lights.

"Elena." Julian looked at her, his eyes full of starlight, "In this life, I've made many correct decisions, but the only one that makes me feel proud is that at that gala, I didn't really push you away."

He took a deep breath, his voice carrying a hint of trembling: "Thank you for coming into my world and pulling me out of that cold shell. Elena, are you willing to marry me and let me legally pamper you for a lifetime?"

Elena's eyes were moist. She nodded and stretched out her slender finger.

"I do."

Julian helped her put on the ring, then suddenly stood up and picked her up horizontally.

Tidal applause and cheers sounded around them.

Those were his friends and family, and also their witnesses.

That night, New York's night sky was lit up by brilliant fireworks.

Every moment a firework bloomed, it was telling of their love.

Julian tightly embraced the woman in his arms. At this moment, he felt like he was embracing the whole world.

Sterling Estate.

A grand lawn wedding was being held.

Elena Vance wore a hand-embroidered fishtail wedding dress, her long veil swaying in the wind, beautiful as a fairy fallen into the mortal world.

Julian Sterling stood at the end of the red carpet, his gaze always glued to her, even reluctant to blink.

When their hands finally clasped together, Julian whispered in her ear: "Mrs. Sterling, please guide me for the rest of our lives."

On the wedding night, the bridal chamber.

Julian peeled away Elena's layers of wedding dress, revealing her flawless body like jade.

His movements were gentle and urgent, every inch of skin contact accompanied by heavy breathing and love.

"Elena, you are mine now." He whispered in her ear, over and over again.

"I am yours, I always have been." Elena reached out and circled his neck, letting herself sink in this extreme lingering.

One year later.

The Sterling Group had a beautiful little princess.

Julian, the former abstinent CEO, completely became a "daughter's slave."

During important multinational meetings, he would show a gentle smile because of a voice message from his daughter. He would push away all social social events to accompany his wife and child.

Everyone in New York was sighing that Julian Sterling had changed.

But only Elena knew that he had never changed.

He was still that focused, affectionate Julian Sterling who, once he identified a person, would give his all.

In the Sterling family studio.

Elena was painting a picture of Julian's back holding their daughter in the sun.

Julian suddenly walked over, embraced her from behind, and kissed her hair whorl.

"Mrs. Sterling, not finished yet?"

"Almost." Elena smiled and turned her head, "Mr. Sterling, look, what name should this painting have?"

Julian looked at the warm scene in the painting, his eyes deep and gentle:

"Just call it... Intentional Seduction, Lifelong Fall."

(The End)