The Unwilling CEO's Love Game

Jocelyn was curled up on the couch seemingly asleep when Daisy and Calvin returned home. She tiptoed to the kitchen with Calvin, shut the door behind them and began to prepare lunch.

"Do you think you might be overthinking this?" Calvin glanced back at his daughter, lowering his voice. "Maybe she just really craves your shrimp scampi."

Daisy sighed, "It's just that her visit today felt so abrupt, and so did her cravings."

"Then tell me, what seems off to you? What could she possibly be up to?" Calvin trusted his daughter.

Suddenly Daisy jumped, wiped her hands and hurried to the bedroom.

She returned after a while, taking another peek at her still sleeping daughter before slipping back into the kitchen.

"What were you doing?" Calvin couldn't figure out what she was up to all day, always so jittery.

"It just hit me what felt strange." Daisy whispered to Calvin, "I was afraid she'd come back to quietly take her birth certificate. Thankfully, it's still there." Calvin rolled his eyes, "You're really overthinking this."

"It's not like she hasn't done such things before," Daisy knew her daughter well. "You didn't see her face the other day when I disagreed."

"She wouldn't," Calvin had faith in his daughter.

"She better not," Daisy relaxed only after checking. "It's better to stick to the rules."

Seeing his wife so suspicious, Calvin just shook his head helplessly and kept silent.

By the time the meal was ready, Jocelyn had woken up.

"Check with Melvin if he wants to join us for dinner," Daisy's tone was brusque.

Jocelyn was already seated at the table, "He won't come. He's meeting with clients today."

"He's so young and already running such a big company, not to mention his other ventures. Truly impressive," Calvin was quite fond of Melvin, who was indeed an accomplished young man.

All parents hope to have such a talented child in their family.

Jocelyn ladled some soup, "Yeah, it's not easy for him."

"Of course, it's hard. Running a small food stall is challenging, let alone a big company," Calvin understood the difficulties.

"Once you've set up a company, you've got no choice but to keep it going. After all, so many employees rely on him for their livelihood," Jocelyn glanced at her mother who was coming out of the kitchen, "The village where I taught as a volunteer is getting roads built now. Soon, every household will be accessible, and it will make their life much easier." Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Melvin invested this project, right?" Calvin mentioned, "I heard about it at work. It's a significant investment. Getting a return on that will take many years."

"He's not looking for a return," Jocelyn clarified, "He just wants to help with poverty alleviation as his way of giving back to the society."

Calvin nodded appreciatively, "That's very noble."

Daisy listened without comment.

After dinner, Jocelyn left.

"I checked, and they really have started the construction. The government is paying attention to the project too. It even made the news," Calvin showed Daisy an article. Daisy glanced at it, saying indifferently, "Doing what you can is how you accumulate good karma. If I had money, I'd give back to the society too."

"Because you have a kind heart," Calvin smiled, "You and Melvin both do."

"Are you won over by him?" Daisy was sharp, catching the implication in his words.

Calvin quickly denied, "What? I'm just stating the facts."

"I'm telling you, Calvin, don't muddy the waters here," Daisy warned.

"I didn't. Isn't it common that a mother-in-law finds her son-in-law more and more agreeable over time? How come it doesn't apply to you?" Calvin feigned confusion.

Daisy snorted, "They also say a father thinks no man is good enough for his daughter. Why are you in such a hurry to marry her off?"

He couldn't hold on to his grown daughter. "It's not about rushing her into marriage. She wants to marry the man she loves. If we stop her, wouldn't that break her heart? Besides, they'll be in the same city with us anyway. She can come home for meals anytime. What's the problem?"

Daisy glared at him, "So you're indeed won over by him."

Calvin didn't want to argue, so he stayed silent.

"A man whose family hasn't met us formally is trying to whisk my daughter away! Don't even think about it," Daisy was firm, "If he doesn't follow proper traditions, I won't agree to their marriage." Calvin knew his wife wanted the best for their daughter and said no more.

If Melvin truly loved Jocelyn and wanted to marry her, he would surely do right by her.

In the evening, while Jocelyn was preparing her lessons and waiting for Melvin, she received a call from him.

"I won't be coming over tonight."

"Why? Are you still busy at work?" Jocelyn set down her pen and asked.

There was a pause on Melvin's end before he said, "No. Willow attempted suicide. I'm dealing with it."

Jocelyn was startled, "What's wrong with her? Where is she? Do you need my help?"

Melvin remained silent.

Feeling his mood, though slightly disappointed, Jocelyn spoke considerately, "Then you take care of it."

She had wanted to say "take good care of her". But she didn't want to seem petty, so she tried to act indifferent and unconcerned.

"I have to hang up now," Jocelyn said, feeling stifled.

"Wait," Melvin stopped her, "I'll give you the address. Take a cab over."

The flicker of annoyance in Jocelyn's heart vanished instantly.

She stood up quickly, "Okay, I'll be right there."

Arriving at the address Melvin provided, she saw many media crews around. They were likely coming for Willow.

Celebrities may shine in front of cameras, but their lives are not as free as ordinary people's. Any incident quickly becomes public fodder, generating clicks and attracting scrutiny. Whether the feedback is good or not, they have to endure it.

Celebrities seem to earn money easily, yet the psychological pressure they bear behind the scenes is unimaginable.

The give and take in life are seldom perfectly balanced, but one would hope the disparity isn't too vast.

Working in the showbiz, you've got to have nerves of steel.

Jocelyn dialed Melvin, filling him in on the chaos brewing outside the building.

After a short while, Melvin made his way downstairs. He took Jocelyn's hand and led her away from the prying eyes of the media.

"What happened? Why would she attempt something like that out of the blue?" Jocelyn couldn't hide her concern. "Is she okay now?"

"We caught it early. She's fine," Melvin assured her as they stepped into the elevator, but his expression was somber.

Sensing his mood, Jocelyn tightened her grip on his hand.

"What's up?" Melvin looked at her, puzzled.

"You're really worried about her, aren't you?" It wasn't hard for Jocelyn to tell that Melvin was concerned for Willow.

Melvin didn't deny it. "We've got no bad blood between us. If I can help save her, that's what I'll do."

"I get it," Jocelyn nodded, understanding. "When someone familiar is in trouble, it's natural to feel shaken."

A few years back, a neighborhood kid who used to tease her all the time suddenly took his own life. When she heard the news, she cried her eyes out. They weren't related by blood, but the memories of him calling out to her cheerfully as he passed by her house were enough to break her heart. Considering Willow and Melvin's past relationship, even if they were nothing more than acquaintances, it was enough to stir emotions. "Thanks for understanding," Melvin said, opening up a bit. "Her assistant and Yara are with her."

"Okay," Jocelyn finally relaxed.

Had Melvin been alone with Willow, Jocelyn might have had her doubts. But now she felt reassured that there was nothing more to worry about.