?Chapter 1021:


    Curious, Cedric moved to inspect it, discovering a pregnancy test lying atop the paper, its two vivid red lines dering new life.


    Even from outside, Lillian could hear Cedric’sughter bursting through the office, loud and full of unfiltered excitement.


    Confusion swept through the employees of Phillips Group like a sudden storm when they received notice of an unexpected three-day break. The calendar showed no holidays or notable events—it was an ordinary week turned extraordinary without exnation. And Cedric was generously handing out five-thousand-dor vouchers for a luxury hotel buffet to every staff member.


    Cedric’s secretary asked, “Lillian, could it be that Mr. Phillips is on the brink of closing down thepany? Are these vouchers just avish parting gift?”


    Lillian raised her eyebrows. “Why on earth would you jump to that conclusion?”


    The secretary’s shoulders slumped, his face etched with the resignation of a man already envisioning unemployment. “What other exnation fits? Since our boss got romantically involved with your boss, his passion for the business has halved. It feels like he’s gearing up to abandon ship.”


    A soft chuckle escaped Lillian. Indeed, the secretary wasn’t entirely off base. She had lost track of how many times she had overheard Cedric nning out loud about retiring to a picturesque spot to focus on their family life with Dani. Dani was always in agreement, supportive as ever. After all, merging their personal fortunes had made them extraordinarily wealthy, capable of affording extravagant whims like owning a small nation. Financial concerns were a thing of the past for them.


    “But seriously, what’s really going on with this break? And these vouchers? Come on, Lillian, you’ve got to shed some light on this, or none of us will be able to enjoy that extravagant buffet.”


    Lillian offered a sly grin, leaving him in suspense.


    The secretary remained poised, his curiosity burning fiercely within him, as if he were literally digging his fingers into his scalp in frustration.


    Descending the stairs, he drifted past the break room, where a whimsical tune floated through the air. Intrigued, he peeked inside and came to a stunned halt. Could it really be Cedric? The formidable CEO, whose mere whispers could upheave the market? Was he actually singing?


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    And not merely humming along, but belting out a kids’ tune?


    The secretary’s features twisted in astonishment. He nearly retreated when Cedric whirled around. With a ss of vibrant orange juice in hand, Cedric’s eyes locked onto his.


    The secretary snapped to rigid attention and eximed with vigor, “Hey, Mr. Phillips!”


    With a wave of his hand and an easy smile, Cedric replied, “Hello.”


    With his juice in hand, Cedric sauntered away, leaving the secretary petrified and drenched in sweat.


    After enduring countless years in the trenches with Cedric, this was the first glimpse he had caught of Cedric shedding his armor, showing a carefree side reserved only for Dani. And that gentle greeting—was this really the same Cedric?


    The secretary was absolutely certain he was losing his grip on reality. The situation was downright unsettling.


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