Gunny strolled languidly into the office on Monday morning, a look of utter boredom on her face. She was impeccably dressed in a white, long-sleeved collared shirt, a long, light brown velvet skirt, and dark boots, all accessorized with her employee badge. Today, she had to dress particularly formally due to a major meeting announcing the new CEO.

Consequently, all employees were packed tightly into the large slope-style presentation hall. The Accounting Department was placed right in front of the stage, forcing Gunny to feel claustrophobic alongside her stiff, emotionless colleagues. The atmosphere was tight and silent, like a graveyard, amidst the dozen or so board members already seated on the executive dais.

It wasn’t long before the meeting began.

“Good morning, esteemed executives and all employees. Today is our annual general meeting, and I must announce a critical agenda item regarding the new executive who will take over operations from CEO Pichet Pattanagooltass.” The middle-aged man in a black suit, the Executive Secretary, announced the opening.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the employees. The man being referred to was the company’s major shareholder and ultimate decision-maker, but now he was being replaced by a new executive team on short notice, which surprised many employees.

“Pichet has been taken ill suddenly and is unable to perform any duties within the company. The person who will be taking over is his rightful heir, Kawin Pattanagooltass, Pichet’s only son, who will assume all management responsibilities.”

The announcement echoed through the meeting hall.

Gunny, listening intently, froze when she heard the familiar name. A man with a sharp, fair-skinned, and handsome face walked onto the stage and stood elegantly beside the host. This was Kawin Pattanagooltass, a man with a charmingly attractive. His large, sparkling eyes were full of cunning and self-confidence. Dressed in a crisp suit today, he looked every bit the man of authority.

“Kawin Pattanagooltass, the only son of Pichet, will be taking over as the CEO of Wonder Package Company. I ask that everyone be duly informed.” The senior secretary finished.

The new executive bowed his head slightly before looking up, receiving the full glow of the spotlight in the center of the stage, amidst the thunderous applause that echoed throughout the building.

Gunny’s clapping hands suddenly stilled. Her innocent eyes slowly widened, and she realized the man on the stage was the very same man who had crashed into her yesterday and the very same man Tonn-Aor had so wickedly played a trick on.

“Good morning. I’m Kawin Pattanagooltass, the new CEO taking over from Pichet. From now on, we will work together as one to achieve the company’s goals, and I promise to do my best in my father’s place!”

The applause was thunderous, even though some board members on the stage could only sit still, showing no visible reaction. While Kawin was rallying spirits and preparing for the strenuous task ahead, a clear look of anxiety was visible on his face.

After the meeting adjourned, Gunny hastily hurried out of the auditorium, afraid of having to face her nemesis, who now held a position too powerful to oppose.

But fate seemed to be mocking her, arranging for her to meet him again as if it were planned.

Kawin was invited to tour various departments, and one of them was the Finance and Accounting Department. The Chief Accountant eagerly guided him, explaining the details with enthusiasm. The sound of leather shoes striking the marble floor echoed through the hallway. Kawin’s eyes swept over the employees’ workspaces, his expression showing his attempt to grasp the work. His gaze didn’t linger on anyone in particular until they reached the Employee Board, adorned with photographs of every staff member in the Accounting Department.

Kawin abruptly stopped when his eyes fixed on a specific photograph. It was the image of a long-haired woman with a fair, glowing face that looked strangely familiar. He instantly recognized the face as belonging to the woman standing beside the cunning vixen from yesterday.

He slowly raised his finger and pointed, touching Gunny’s photograph with a discerning look.

Just then, as Gunny was walking into the department, she saw Kawin standing still, examining the employee flowchart for the Accounting Department, specifically the photograph of herself, which he was staring at intently.

“Who is this?” he asked, turning back to Chulee, the Chief Accountant—a motherly figure who was currently bending over to look at the photo of her competent young subordinate.

Seeing this, Gunny immediately turned her face toward the wall, her heart pounding restlessly. She could feel the heat surging through her body. She then glanced back at Kawin, a sense of resignation washing over her as she realized he had discovered she was an employee under his command.

“Kanyanee, Accounts Payable staff. She’s the youngest member of our department,” Chulee, the motherly Chief Accountant, reported with a slight bow and a polite tone.

Kawin nodded slightly, then turned back with a sharp gaze. “Ah, an accountant, is she?” he repeated, nodding slowly before turning to the Chief Accountant with a knowing, cunning smile. “I actually have a matter I’d like to discuss with the Accounts Payable staff member named Kanyanee. May I see her?” he asked.

The Chief Accountant furrowed her brow in surprise. “Is there anything specific you need, CEO Kawin? If it concerns the entire accounting system, I can answer your questions immediately.”

Kawin’s mouth curled into a sly smirk. “Ah, I only need to discuss some work with Gunny, specifically.”

“Oh, certainly,” the Chief Accountant nodded, turning back toward Gunny, who was conveniently standing with her face toward the nearby wall. “Why, Gunny is right here!”

The Chief Accountant’s voice rang out, forcing Kawin to turn around, where he found Gunny staring straight into his eyes.

The man’s mouth slowly quirked into a smirk, like a hungry tiger spotting its prey. His eyes openly swept over her from head to toe.

Gunny froze for a moment. She stared into his handsome face, which was subtly laced with cunning, her emotions a mix of confusion and suspicion. She never imagined she would have to face him today in the roles of employee and boss.

The surrounding atmosphere, which had been normal moments before, was suddenly filled with an invisible tension. The Chief Accountant, who had just been smiling warmly, now wore a troubled expression, having recognized the unspoken conflict between the two—a clear indication that they had some history.

Kawin stared at Gunny with sharp eyes and slowly nodded to himself, as if deliberating over some private thought.

“I believe you heard what I just said,” the young man stated in a firm voice before swiftly turning and walking away, leaving the Chief Accountant in utter confusion.

Chulee, the Chief Accountant, who had been watching the scene unfold with bewilderment, quickly stepped closer and touched her subordinate’s arm lightly out of concern.

“If there’s anything, you can tell me. I can help you. But tell me, what on earth did you do to make CEO Kawin summon you?”

Gunny watched Kawin’s retreating figure with suspicion, her face heavy with worry. “I just hope it’s nothing, Chief,” she muttered.

She prayed silently that he wouldn’t hold a grudge over the incident from yesterday. Even though she and her friends had publicly embarrassed him, surely, as the highest executive, he wouldn’t act without discretion. She desperately hoped that was true.