Chapter 4 My Name is Ronald

Adeline didn't dare speak, but she felt relieved.

Though Ronald had been her one-night stand, he was now her boss, so how could he hold her responsible?

Adeline rubbed her throbbing temples. "Sir, I understand. Leaving without a word meant no further contact. I had no idea who you were, so today's meeting is purely coincidental."

She wanted to make things crystal clear, afraid he might think she had ulterior motives.

Ronald stared at her steadily without offering further explanation.

The truth was, he hadn't left that morning. His phone had died, and with no charger in the room, he'd gone to the front desk to borrow a power bank.

By the time he'd contacted his family doctor and returned to the room, Adeline had vanished.

To find her, he'd specifically checked the booking information, only to discover the room had been registered under his ID, leaving no trace of her details.

Just when he'd resigned himself to never seeing her again, Adeline had appeared at his company.

Ronald started the car again. "We're going to the hospital for a check-up first."

Hearing his commanding tone, Adeline found herself nodding without thinking.

Given his position, he had to be cautious. Perhaps he wanted to confirm she didn't have any infectious diseases.

She regretted her compliance the moment they arrived at the hospital, as Ronald led her straight to the obstetrics and gynecology department.

At the Williams family's hospital, she received VIP treatment—three senior doctors smiling at her expectantly.

After the examination, Adeline's face burned crimson all the way to her ears, resembling a boiled lobster. She hunched over, wishing the ground would swallow her whole.

"Some tearing, nothing too serious. Apply this medication morning and night," the doctor said gently, then glanced at Ronald. "It was a bit too vigorous. No intercourse for a while."

Adeline closed her eyes, praying she could just pass out right there.

Ronald, meanwhile, remained perfectly composed. "Any oral medication needed? Dietary restrictions?"

"Avoid spicy or irritating foods for now, until you heal. I've prescribed anti-inflammatory medication that can be taken orally."

The doctor then turned to Adeline. "Have you taken any medication recently?"

"Emergency contraception," Adeline replied, her voice barely audible.

The doctor considered this. "Which brand? I need to check before prescribing additional medication."

Adeline resignedly handed over the pill package from her purse. When Ronald saw the box, his gaze turned cold.

So that's what she'd been taking in the elevator, and he'd even helped her swallow it?

Apparently, she had no intention of taking responsibility—she'd come prepared.

Sensing Ronald's anger, Adeline assumed he just didn't want complications. "The instructions say it's effective within 24 hours. There's absolutely no chance of pregnancy!"

Seeing her anxious expression, Ronald looked away without commenting.

After the doctor gave some additional instructions, they left the hospital.

Whether from the medication or not, Adeline felt less pain, but Ronald's cold expression made her increasingly nervous.

Was he thinking she might try to trap him with a pregnancy? Or that she'd known his identity and deliberately approached him?

Adeline admitted she'd recognized he was someone important last night, but influenced by alcohol, she'd just wanted an attractive man for her first time, nothing more.

The thought of facing her one-night stand every day made her scalp tingle with anxiety.

Reaching the parking lot, she hesitated before getting in the car.

Ronald turned back, puzzled. "Not feeling well?"

"No, that's not it," Adeline quickly shook her head, then took a deep breath. "Sir, I didn't apply for the secretary position."

"And?" Ronald opened the passenger door, regarding her calmly.

Adeline felt intimidated and unconsciously licked her lips.

Seeing her swollen lips, slightly chapped from the night before, Ronald momentarily lost focus as he remembered the soft feeling of kissing them.

Noticing his silence, Adeline grew anxious. "If you hire me, I'd prefer to work in the design department. I studied jewelry design."

"I'm not the one who hired you. Get in," Ronald gestured toward the car.

"Aren't you the CEO?" Adeline looked at him, confused.

She might not understand everything, but she knew an executive secretary was the CEO's confidant. Couldn't he make this decision?

Or did Elaine outrank him?

Ronald seemed to grow impatient. "Ms. Smith?"

"Yes, sir!" Adeline gave in and got into the car.

He had a point—Elaine had recruited her, so it made more sense to discuss the situation with her.

They were about to attend an auction, and she couldn't just let Ronald go alone, could she?

Thinking about his status, she felt somewhat relieved.

He probably had too many women with ulterior motives around him, so perhaps he wanted to investigate his one-night stand's background before letting her go.

And since Ronald hadn't undergone any tests at the hospital, did that mean he was disease-free?

"What's my name?" While Adeline was lost in thought, Ronald asked this seemingly random question.

Adeline laughed awkwardly. "Mr. Williams?"

"You came for an interview without knowing the company owner's name?" Ronald couldn't help but laugh. So she hadn't known who he was—she'd just been attracted to him as a person?

Pure physical attraction, indeed.

Adeline felt even more embarrassed.

No one at the office had mentioned Ronald's first name, so Adeline genuinely didn't know it.

"Ronald. My name is Ronald. Got it?"

Ronald's gentle voice sounded again, and Adeline nodded repeatedly. "Got it, Ronald—I mean, Mr. Williams!"

She straightened up immediately, correcting herself.

"Mr. Williams, I—" Adeline had just started speaking when Ronald suddenly leaned toward her. His familiar scent from last night enveloped her, freezing her in place.

She held her breath, her eyes fixed on Ronald's face as it drew closer. She could see his long eyelashes and the hint of amusement in his eyes.

Ronald pulled the seatbelt across her and clicked it into place. "You need to wear a seatbelt in the passenger seat."

Adeline exhaled deeply and smoothed her hair.

Her heart raced like a roller coaster as flashes from the previous night resurfaced in her mind, instantly turning her face crimson.

After a moment, she brought up the department transfer again. "Mr. Williams, about the secretary position..."

"The auction is about to start. Look through these items first and note our target acquisitions."

Ronald handed her a tablet. The first image was of the Nebula's Heart, and Adeline swallowed whatever she'd been about to say.

A royal treasure that most people would never see in their lifetime—she had to at least experience this, right?