The silence in the room was awkward.
The "protagonist" continued to mutter alone in front of the wall, gesticulating like a lunatic without an audience, while the guards exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Lin Mo didn't spare him another second.
"Get him out of here," he ordered lazily. "And send him to a private psychiatric hospital."
Treat him well... with my money.
The man was dragged out, screaming about destiny, justice, and true love.
The door closed.
And then, Lin Mo felt something.
A gaze.
He slightly turned his head.
In a corner of the room, almost invisible, she stood.
Black hair tied back, thin glasses, a cold and professional expression. She wore a simple suit, but her posture was straight, contained... like someone accustomed to observing without being seen.
His personal secretary.
Name in the novel: Su Qingyue.
Original Role: Secondary heroine who ends up helping the male protagonist after betraying the villain.
According to the plot, today was the day she started doubting Lin Mo.
According to Lin Mo...
Hmm... he thought. So, this is the first one.
Su Qingyue slightly frowned.
That thought...?
She hadn't heard any sound.
But she had clearly heard it.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Lin Mo continued walking toward the window, completely unconcerned.
Loyal, intelligent, beautiful... and destined to be stolen by an idiot with a protagonist halo.
What a waste.
Su Qingyue froze.
This time it wasn't an illusion.
She heard it again.
Her breathing quickened.
Am I... losing my mind? she thought.
Lin Mo stopped in front of the glass.
Although... he continued thinking, if I protect her from the start, there will be no betrayal.
And if she betrays me... well, I can always break her destiny later.
Su Qingyue swallowed.
That thought wasn't romantic.
It was cold. Dominating. Absolutely self-assured.
And, for some inexplicable reason...
She found it terribly appealing.
"Mr. Lin," she said inadvertently, breaking the silence. "Do you... need anything?"
Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.
Interesting.
She was nervous.
"Qingyue," he replied calmly. "Are you alright? You look pale."
She looked directly at him.
And in that instant, she heard another thought.
She looks at me like she wants to run away.
Or like she's already fallen and doesn't know it yet.
Su Qingyue felt her cheeks flush.
"I-it's nothing," she replied quickly. "I was just... surprised by today's events."
Lin Mo turned completely toward her.
Their eyes met.
The system appeared.
[Warning]
The heroine Su Qingyue must not fall in love with the villain at this stage.
Lin Mo smiled internally.
Ah... so it did work.
He took one step closer.
"Qingyue," he said softly. "Do you trust me?"
She hesitated.
In the novel, she should say no.
But now...
"Yes," she replied, without knowing why. "I trust you."
The system shrieked.
Critical Deviation!
And then, she heard it.
Clear as day.
A good start.
The first one is always the most important.
Su Qingyue's eyes widened in surprise... and her heart began to race uncontrollably.
"M-Mr. Lin...?" she immediately corrected herself. "I mean... Mr. Lin..."
Lin Mo leaned slightly toward her, with a serene smile.
"Get ready," he said. "Starting today, the city is going to get very noisy."
She didn't know why.
But she was certain of one thing.
She didn't want to be anywhere else.
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