Four Hot CEOs Are Obsessed With My Face

A mischievous glint danced in Makenzie’s eyes as she leaned in a little. “You stepped into the spotlight with my jewelry designs and passed them off as your own,” she said, smiling. “Did you forget?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Kristen shot back, turning to leave.

Makenzie stayed perfectly poised. “I’ve held back because of my ties to Jason. But that design was worth a million dollars. You have three days to make the transfer—or I’ll publicly demand what’s mine.”

“You wouldn’t dare, Makenzie!”

Kristen’s face turned crimson with anger as curious eyes began to turn their way. She forced herself to stay calm. Jason had assured her Makenzie could never prove a thing—the designs had never been labeled or officially recognized. They’d deleted the files from Makenzie’s computer, leaving no evidence behind.

Makenzie raised her glass of champagne and gave Kristen a playful toast. Her smile was innocent and radiant.

When Kristen rushed back to Jason’s arms, teary-eyed, the crowd assumed she’d been wronged again. Her father’s face turned grim, and aside from Jordan, the whole family seemed either helpless or disdainful.

Ignoring the onlookers, Makenzie set down her glass and plate, slipped through the glass doors, and exited quietly.

The curving balcony led down to a stone staircase into the estate’s garden, which was bursting with red roses. Makenzie wandered in. A gentle breeze brushed her face as she exhaled softly.

She meant to find a quiet spot and wait until Theo Mason returned—but then she noticed a couple in a nearby gazebo. The woman wore a green Victorian-style dress, her eyes red as she confronted a tall man. Her new boss.

Curious, Makenzie quickly crouched behind the rose bushes to listen.

“Theo, did you bring her here just to torment me? She looks so much like me.” The woman’s voice was soft and pained. “You know that I…”

Theo brushed away the hand reaching for him and took a step back. His eyes were cold, and his voice was colder. “Mrs. Roberts, don’t flatter yourself.”

“You know I was forced to marry Kelvin Diaz!”

“Who you married is none of my concern.” Theo turned to leave, but the woman clutched his sleeve, her tear-filled eyes pleading. “When will you stop hating me?”

Watching her boss pull away again and again, Makenzie couldn’t help asking System 66, “Why is Theo Mason meeting her here if he won’t even hug or kiss her? Why is he holding back so hard?”

System 66 analyzed matter-of-factly, “Theo’s father went bankrupt once, and it was Mrs. Diaz’s family who saved them. Despite his feelings for Lila Roberts, Theo remains respectful, knowing he owes them. That’s why he needs a stand-in like you.”

“Tough guy, huh? Won’t even let himself have an affair,” Makenzie murmured softly.

“What are you doing?” A soft yet clear voice suddenly came from above her.

Startled, she looked up. Moonlight spilled silver over the man above her, washing over his exquisite, porcelain-like features.

“Get down.” Makenzie quickly caught his wrist and pulled. The tall figure crouched down beside her.

His chin bumped against her shoulder, and he coughed lightly a few times.

“Shh.” She pressed her hand over his mouth. “Not a sound.”

He nodded, and she slowly let him go.

“Are you spying on people’s private business?” he asked quietly.

A pleasant scent drifted toward her—woods, with a faint hint of medicinal herbs. Makenzie turned, her nose brushing his. She instinctively leaned back. “My boss is meeting his lover. I’m just keeping watch,” she whispered.

System 66 cut in. “Host, he’s not—”

“Quiet, I’m busy,” Makenzie silenced it internally. Beside her, the man let out a soft chuckle.

“You mean Mrs. Roberts and the CEO of Mason Group are having a secret rendezvous?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” She gestured toward the gazebo—though thanks to the interruption, she’d missed much of the conversation.

“Host! Watch what you say!” System 66 yelled internally. “That’s Kelvin Diaz! He’s Lila Roberts’ supposedly sickly husband!”

“…”

A shock went through Makenzie. The man leaning so close to her neck was the fragile Kelvin Diaz.

“Clearly, I was mistaken,” she quickly amended, flashing a friendly smile while straightening a little to block his view. “I must have misread the situation.”

“Is that so?” Kelvin Diaz lowered his gaze, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He seemed completely unfazed by catching his wife with another man.

“My boss wouldn’t engage in such immoral acts. As his assistant, I know him well,” Makenzie replied. Realizing she was still holding his wrist, she quickly added, “You don’t look well. Should I help you find somewhere to rest?”

“Aren’t you going to go say hello?” he asked gently. His breath brushed her face, tickling lightly.

“No need. It’d be improper, and it wouldn’t help anyone,” Makenzie said with a smile.

Kelvin studied her, his lips curving into a smile, muffled by a light cough. “Let’s go.”

With the rose bushes shielding them, Makenzie helped the frail man up onto the veranda and led him away from the gazebo.

“You’re Theo Mason’s assistant? I thought his assistant was named Amari,” Kelvin inquired. Locks of hair fell across his forehead, adding a bit of color to his pale face.

“Amari indeed—but I’m the new assistant, Makenzie Bell.”

Makenzie met his amused gaze.

He’d just watched his wife cheat, and his only reaction seemed to be finding humor in her joke. How peculiar.

“Young master!” A butler in a black suit rushed over, panting as he offered support. “Why are you out alone? Mrs. Roberts is looking for you everywhere.”

“It’s fine. Just taking a stroll,” Kelvin replied softly.

Makenzie took the chance to release his hand and stepped aside. “I’ll be off now.”

She nodded politely, gathered her dress, and slipped away without hesitation.

Kelvin watched her leave. “Is that the daughter causing a stir in the Bell family lately—Makenzie Bell?”

“Yes. How’d you meet her? Quite a scheming girl,” the butler said, carefully supporting Kelvin, as if fearing his fragile frame might give way.

Kelvin shook his head, his smile soft. “I don’t think so. She didn’t even know who I was. I found her rather intriguing.”

The butler eyed him with surprise, still wary. “Keep your distance. She’s likely putting on a front.”

Back inside the vibrant banquet hall, the faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered as Makenzie questioned a staff member on her way to the restroom.

Jason spotted her leaving and found an excuse to follow.

“66, why didn’t Kelvin Diaz react to Lila Roberts being with another man? Did I say something wrong earlier?”