Night had fallen, and the bustling city was aglow with neon lights. A cool breeze swept through the air.

Taylor was running at a steady pace through an alleyway that clashed starkly with the opulence of the city around it, her lips bearing suspicious traces of… something.

Damn it!

It was all because Uncle Chef’s roast pigeon came out of the oven late!

Tonight was the night to meet her new employer.

The meeting was scheduled for 8:00 PM. It was now 9:30 PM.

A whole hour and a half late!

Out of the corner of her eye, Taylor glimpsed a dimly lit side alley. A man was standing under a streetlight, surrounded by seven or eight other men.

“You’re dead meat today, punk! Still acting tough? Boys, get him!”

The man didn’t move an inch. His head was lowered, hiding his expression.

Did the guy freeze up from fear?

Taylor’s heart wavered. Don’t get involved, she told herself. Not now!

Just as she lifted her foot to leave, the man raised his head and glanced at her.

What a face! My god, it was so stunning it could incite envy from both gods and mortals!

Seeing such a handsome man, Taylor immediately did a 180-degree spin on her heel.

When you see injustice, you must act!

“Hey! Ganging up on one guy, have you no shame?”

The sudden appearance of a woman startled the group, and they all turned their heads in unison.

Taylor was dressed in all black, with a sleek ponytail of jet-black hair. Her delicate features looked even more striking under the dim light.

“Well, well, where did this feisty little beauty come from? And she’s got quite a mouth on her.”

Taylor strode toward the group, an innocuous smile playing on her lips.

As she got closer, her eyes sharpened.

She grabbed the arm of the man nearest to her and, without hesitation, delivered a clean, straight punch that knocked him flat!

In the blink of an eye, before anyone could react, she had charged into the group and positioned herself next to the man.

“Hey, when you see an opening, run for it,” she advised.

The man’s eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, betrayed no emotion. The next moment, he placed a burning hot hand on her waist, pulling her out of the way of an incoming blow.

“Twenty-two-inch waist. Barely acceptable,” he remarked.

Huh? His hand lingered on her waist, radiating heat.

Taylor slapped his hand away. She suddenly had the feeling she’d helped the wrong person!

At that moment, two men lunged at her.

“Stupid bitch!”

Taylor pushed off the man’s shoulders, leaping into the air. With a swift double kick, her feet booted the attackers' faces, dislocating their jaws with an audible crack.

Courting death, are we?

She had plenty of frustration to vent!

“Hey, girl, do you even know this guy?”

“Nope.”

“Then why are you meddling?”

“Because I want to.”

What the heck! The leader gritted his teeth and swung a powerful punch at her, the force of it roaring through the air. But Taylor didn’t budge an inch.

The man in sunglasses stood quietly, watching the scene unfold like a spectator at a play.

Just when the punch was almost upon her, Taylor dodged to the side in a flash, twisting her body slightly.

In a split second, she was behind the man, grabbing him by the back of his neck and hooking her foot around his leg.

Like lightning, she slammed him to the ground, his forehead hitting the pavement with a resounding thud.

Take down the leader, and the rest will fall apart!

With their leader subdued, the remaining men, some injured, others too weak, stumbled back in unison.

“Scram.”

Taylor’s command sent them scurrying away in a panic.

Just as the dust was settling, the man in sunglasses stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

Taylor felt her blood rush to her head.

She whirled around, raising her elbow, ready to teach him a lesson.

But the man took off his sunglasses, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

“Hello, Ms. Hart.”

Taylor’s pupils dilated as she forced an awkward laugh.

“Boss… hello.”

Damn it!

Why hadn’t she recognized her new employer earlier?

Beauty truly was a dangerous distraction…

Yvan Quinn, President of Quinn Entertainment. His personal assistant had only just contracted her from her security agency.

“Late by one hour and thirty-six minutes.”

Taylor froze.

She tried her best to look remorseful.

“Mr. Quinn, I...”

Before she could finish her sentence, Yvan stepped closer. Exhaling deeply, he leaned forward.

His strikingly handsome face brushed against her cheek, and he tilted his head, resting it on her shoulder.

Did he… just pass out?

Taylor caught him by the waist, utterly bewildered.

What else could she do?

She had no choice but to carry him home.

Effortlessly, she hoisted Yvan onto her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Then, with brisk strides, she brought him back to her place.

She dumped him onto the couch.

Mission accomplished!

Surely this made up for being late, Taylor thought blissfully.

...

Late into the night, Yvan stirred in the darkness.

The tiny studio apartment was so cramped that his feet almost hit the coffee table when he moved.

He turned to look at Taylor, who was fast asleep on the bed. Her profile, illuminated by the neon lights outside the window, seemed mysterious and enigmatic.

Step by step, Yvan approached her. He gently stroked her face and kissed her forehead.

Brushing aside a strand of hair by her ear, he murmured softly, “Taylor.”

His voice was tender, like waves lapping at the shore. In her dream, Taylor felt as though a gentle tide was washing over her, and she let out a soft sigh.

Yvan’s eyes lit up, and he leaned down, his lips brushing hers. Fearing he might wake her, he stopped just short.

“I’ve finally found you,” he whispered.

...

Morning sunlight streamed over the bed.

Taylor slowly opened her eyes, lazily rolling over.

Her gaze met a pair of icy, piercing eyes. She bolted upright in bed, instinctively kicking out.

Thud!

Yvan didn’t even have time to play it cool before he was sent sprawling to the floor.

This woman!

Seeing her employer lying on the floor, Taylor’s heart pounded wildly.

“Boss, are you… okay?”

I’m doomed, she thought.

Late! Assault!

Ahhhh, I’m definitely getting fired!

Yvan sat on the floor, his expression dark as he watched Taylor’s guilty eyes dart around.

“Mr. Quinn, I’m so sorry! Really, so sorry!”

“If an apology could fix everything, the world would have achieved peace by now.”