Chapter 49 The root, detached voice came from across the axle Adeline snapped back to reality [] She turned to meet Zarek's gaze and felt her face flush crimson]] His direct, penetrating look cut through her daydream like a knife, leaving her feeling completely exposed and embarrassed.] I apologize. It won't happen again, " she said, lowering her head.]] "We'll see about that." Zarek delivered those words with unmistakable coolness before looking away. Adeline wanted to sink through the floor.[] Rex, seated across from her, shifted uncomfortably. He couldn't understand why his boss was so irritated-she was just slightly distracted, hardly a firing offense] After all, shed just been through hell. Expecting perfect focus seemed unreasonable[] 2 A flight attendant cleared away breakfast and brought coffee Zarek barely took ten minutes to rest before diving into a video conference.[] For the next five hours, he was constantly in meetings, on calls, or reviewing documents. Rex continuously forwarded urgent emails requiring the CEO's immediate attention, triggering new rounds of calls and conferences...] They might as well have never left the office] When Rex finally had a moment free, Adeline motioned him to the back of the cabin and quietly asked about their trip itinerary She needed to get up to speed quickly to match Zarek's relentless pace. Rex shared the schedule for the coming days. "We're heading to Lisbon, Portugal," he explained [] The main purpose is inspecting our branch office, plus meetings with government officials and key business partners. This is just the first stop," Rex added in a hushed tone. "Well be visiting branch offices worldwide over the next six months. "Got it. Adeline nodded, processing this information] Zarek had recently taken over as CEO and needed to show who was Loss. ] ] Even as the heir, he'd face scrutiny about his leadership abilities. He needed results, needed to establish dominance, needed to identify loyalties. New leadership always rocked the boat.[] "Why Portugal first?" she asked quietly. "Just curious. She'd done her homework on Dominex & Co. The Portuguese branch focused on renewable energy but wasn't their largest or most impressive foreign operation.] and tech. They had at least six publicly listed companies.[] A classic family empire with wealth built over generations- starting with banking, expanding to real estate in the 90s, then diversifying into renewable energy, entertainments misas Plise who So why had Zarek chosen it as his first visit? Rex hesitated. "Uh, nothing special. It's... relatively close. Adeline... Was that supposed to be a joke?] For a man with a private jet that could cross continents, "close" was meaningless![] Rex divided the upcoming workload, quietly venting, "Back at the Canadian branch, I managed fine alone. Now at headquarters, I'm drowning. I need three of me . "And the boss is so particular that even Liam had to double as a secretary. Now that you're here, we can finally breathe"] Adeline smiled, a subtle dimple appearing Standing near her Rex was momentarily struck by her effortless beauty. She looked just as stunning now-makeup-free and tired-as she had in that power outfit at the hotel gala [] Rex, ask Mia for some popcorn 1 Zarek's voice cut throughenfeir conversation . He stood behind them, one arm crossed over tus chest , documents in hand, his expression unreadable behind Mia-was his personal fight attendant Rex turned, confused Popcorn? Since when do you eat popcorn?]] That had never been his habit his glasses] Zarck set down the documents and leaned back, hus gaze cool. Seeing you two so engrossed in your little chat, I thought you might want snacks to go with it Adelus 10 The sarcasm was crystal clear-and oddly possessive] 100 FM The plane at Larbon Airport.] Stepping off the aircraft Adeline was rut by a wave of heat that instantly transported her from spring to midrummer Then she remembered her suitcase full of sweaters and down jackets... Who could have predicted she'd be redirected from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean?] Acer watted for them below [] Rex took the front passenger seat, while Adelme continued to share the back with Zarek [] They headed first to their accommodations at the Raffies Hotel After checking in Adeline and Rex accompanied Zarek to his suite "Any plans for tonight?" Zarek settled on the sofa, his gaze briefly landing on Adeline.] She answered with professional precision. Just one item on tonight's schedule, sir. Tiago Amaral, CEO of Fusão Inteligente, has invited you to a yacht reception-a welcome gathering in your honor."] Zarek gave a slight nod[] Then he added. "Tm going to sleep for a while. Wake me at five." Of course." Adeline and Rex left his suite and returned to their own rooms, which were also suites, though smaller Adeline didn't even unpack her suitcase. She quickly left the hotel, took a taxi to the nearest shopping mall, and bought new clothes.] rofessional attire, casual wear, evening dress- everything she might need for various occasions Around , she returned to the hotel, showered quickly, and changed into a tailored business outfit.] At , she quietly entered Zarek's suite, hung up the suits from his luggage, and selected and pressed one for tonight's event [] The moment her phone alarm vibrated, she went to wake him] She walked into the bedroom with measured, professional steps, but the moment her eyes landed on the bed, she nearly twisted her ankle in her heels In the large bed, her boss was wearing a silver silk robe that had fallen open at the chest, revealing his collarbone and muscular torso. His long, sculpted legs looked like they belonged in a fitness magazine-the entire scene like something From a photoshoot[] She knew she shouldn't stare , but she found herself frozen for a good five or six seconds. The longer she looked, the more... unsettled she felt. Had Rex been reasonable assigning her these personal tasks? This was... 0 Adeline felt momentarily lost But she couldn't call Rex now... A glance at her watch showed ] She took a deep breath and told herself to stop seeing her boss as a man " Mr. Weasley, it's time to wake up. She approached the bed with a professional smile, using her most courteous tone. Zatek frowned slightly.]] Then his expression relaxed, and he continued sleeping peacefully. Adeline cleared her throat and tried again, "Mr. Weasley, it's five o'clock. Time to get up. Zarek, disturbed by the interruption, showed signs of irritation as he raised his arm to cover his eyes. Then silence again! Seriously? He was one of those people with marning grumpiness?] Adeline never imagined her professional career might be derailed by something as simple as falling to wake her boss! It was already ] Steeling herself, the leaned down and called loudly rext to his ear," "WAKE UP The plane touched down at Lisbon Airport Stepping off the aircraft. Adeline was hit by a blast of heat that instantly transported her from spring to midsummer. She suddenly remembered her suitcase packed with sweaters and down jackets Who could have predicted her journey would redirect from near Arctic conditions to Mediterran A car wanted for them on the tarmac [] Kes claimed the front passenger seat, while Adeline continued to share the back with Zarek [] Tary healed first to the Raffles Hotel કિલો અ warmth Chapter 49 After checking in Adeline and ex accompanied Zarek to his sunte] "Anything on the schedule tonight? Zarek settled onto the sofa has gaze flickering briefly toward Adeline] She responded with professional efficiency. "One event this evening, sir. Tiago Amaral, CEO of Fusão Inteligente, has invited you to a yacht reception-essentially a welcome party in your honor Zarek acknowledged with a slight nod "I need to rest Wake me at five," he added] "Of course" Adeline and Rex exited his suite and returned to their own rooms-also suites, though considerably smallerЛ] Adenne didn't even unpack She immediately left the hotel, grabbed a taxi to the nearest shopping center, and purchased a new wardrobe] Business attire, casual clothes, evening wear-everything she might need for the various social scenarios ahead [] Around 4:30, she returned to the hotel, showered quickly, and changed into a tailored pantsuit At 4:50, she quetly entered Zarek's suite, hung up the suits from his luggage, and selected and pressed one for tonight's event.]] 5.00 PM sharp The moment her phone alarm vibrated, she headed to wake him She walked into the bedroom with measured, professional steps, but the moment her eyes landed on the bed, she nearly twisted her ankle in her heels On the king-sized bed, her boss was wearing a silver silk robe that had fallen open across his chest, revealing his collarbone and the defined planes of his torso. His long athletic legs looked like they belonged in a Calvin Klein ad-the entire bleau so unexpectedly intimate. She knew she shouldn't stare , bur found herself frozen for several seconds.[] The longer she looked, the more... flustered she felt .] Had Rex really thought through the implications of assigning her these personal tasks?] This was... Adeline felt suddenly out of her depth.] But she couldn't call Rex now ... A glance at her watch showed 5:05] She took a deep breath. Just don't think of him as a man. He's just your boss. A task. A job.] "Mr. Weasley? Time to wake up. She approached the bed with a professional smile, using her most courteous customer-service voice. Zarek's brow furrowed slightly.] Then his expression relaxed, and he continued sleeping peacefully.] -0 Adeline cleared her throat and tried again, more firmly. "Mr. Weasley, it's five o'clock. You asked to be woken. 1 Zarek, disturbed by the interruption, showed a flash of irritation as he raised his arm to cover his eyes. Then silence again Seriously? The billionaire CEO had trouble waking up like a college student?] Adeline never imagined her professional career might be derailed by something as basic as failing to wake her boss.[ ] It was already 5 120 Steeling herself, she leaned down and said loudly near his ear , "WAKE UP!]] (0)