Chapter Text
The ballroom hummed with old money and sharp ambition, but the room shifted the moment Love Pattranite Limpatiyakorn stepped through the gilded doors. Moving with effortless grace and icy poise, she commanded every gaze without trying. Men circled like hawks, some seeking corporate alliances, others harbouring far bolder ambitions. Women watched with calculated intrigue, whispering about the trail of cancelled arranged marriages left in her wake. Yet, Love didn't spare a single glance for any of them.
"Who is that? She looks arrogant, doesn't she?"
"You must be new to the industry."
"Is she that well-known?"
"That's Love Pattranite Limpatiyakorn. The youngest female CEO & Managing Director in the country. She started from the ground up, hiding her identity and working from the age of fourteen. By seventeen, she took the helm and tripled the company's profits overnight. A certified business prodigy. She saw the wellness boom before anyone else, pioneered tech innovations before the market even understood them, and engineered the breakthrough AI of the decade. On top of that, she practically dictates modern fashion—effortless, sharp, and downright devilish."
"And the woman walking half a step behind her?"
"Milk Pansa Vosbein. Love's executive secretary since her rise to power. She's an absolute stunner in her own right, with that deceptively soft, elegant aesthetic the media obsesses over. People even coined a hashtag for them—MilkLove."
"Wait... are they together?"
"Officially? No. But the chemistry is undeniable. Love is completely untouchable to the rest of the world, which makes Milk the only bridge to her. Milk handles the fallout, bridges the gaps, and keeps the empire moving. Cross either of them, and your career is over."
"Isn't she just an assistant, though?"
"Just an assistant? You couldn't be more wrong. She's been with Love for eight years and holds more influence than the entire board combined. No one survives Love's ruthless boardroom interrogations except Milk. She reads Love's mind, mitigates her sharpest edges, and negotiates terms with just as much venom. If Milk wanted the Vice President title, it would be hers tomorrow. Don't let the soft smile fool you—she can ruin you before dessert is served."
"Has Love never been caught in a scandal?"
"People have tried. Love simply ignores the noise, drops cold, irrefutable facts, and lets her legal team dismantle them piece by piece. She remains completely indifferent, and the people who test her always pay the price."
"Who's that beside her right now, though?"
"Her latest arranged partner."
"A woman?"
"Rumour has it Love is bisexual, but honestly? She doesn't care about gender, status, or romance. That partner will be out of the picture within the month. She won't even get close enough to touch her."
"Touch her?"
"Man or woman, Love lets no one near her."
"Is something wrong with her?"
"Not at all. She just loves herself far too much to let anyone disrupt her peace."
"I don't get it."
"Cross her path tonight, and you will."
The heavy double doors of the VIP lounge clicked shut, instantly cutting off the suffocating buzz of the ballroom. Finally shielded from the flashing cameras and predatory eyes, Love let her rigid posture slip just a fraction. She sank into the plush velvet armchair, letting out a quiet, controlled breath as she closed her eyes to claim a rare moment of peace.
That peace lasted less than ten seconds.
The soft rustle of silk announced an unwanted presence as her arranged partner stepped into the private suite, closing the distance between them with a practised, sympathetic smile.
"Love... you look tired."
A manicured hand reached out, aiming for her shoulder.
"Don't touch me."
Love's voice was razor-sharp, slicing through the quiet before those manicured fingers could even graze her tailored jacket. Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, she leaned back into the plush cushions and crossed her slender legs, her expression carved from pure ice.
"Why...?"
The woman hesitated, wounded pride flickering across her features.
Love leaned forward slowly, fixing her with a gaze so piercing it pinned the woman to the floor. Without acknowledging the nervous tension radiating across from her, she stared straight through the woman as if she were made of glass.
"What is wrong with K'Pansa...?"
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The quiet penthouse was bathed in the soft glow of dawn as Milk moved through the minimalist kitchen with effortless precision. She whisked the vibrant green ceremonial matcha until a delicate, velvety froth formed, pouring it seamlessly into Love's favourite ceramic mug alongside a splash of steamed oat milk. Leaving the drink on the marble island, Milk moved toward the dressing suite, laying out a sharply tailored charcoal suit paired with minimalist gold accents—crisp, authoritative, and impeccably styled.
Right on schedule, the faint click of footsteps echoed across the polished floorboards. Love emerged, her routine as clockwork as ever. Without needing to exchange a single word, she reached for the warm mug, taking a slow sip of the perfectly balanced latte as she unlocked her tablet to scan the morning's financial headlines.
M: K'Love, I've prepared your outfit for the day.
Love nodded lightly, heading into the master bath to shower and change into the tailored pieces Milk had arranged. Stepping out a short while later, she smoothed down the lapels of her blazer.
L: Formal wear today. What does the schedule look like?
Milk handed her the tablet, her daily itinerary already open.
M: You have an important lunch appointment, but you have time to relax here for a little while before heading out.
L: I'll head to the office early to settle a few matters first.
M: Understood. I'll have the driver bring the car around now.
As Milk stepped aside to place the call, Love walked past the floor-to-ceiling mirror. She abruptly stopped in her tracks, clutching her chest in mock astonishment at her own reflection. Milk didn't even need to look up to know what was coming next.
L: I look incredible today. Truly, my beauty is on an entirely different level compared to everyone else. How does someone like me even exist?
Love spun around to face her secretary, striking a poised stance.
L: Tell me... do you honestly think the world can handle someone this attractive?
Milk offered a flawlessly deadpan look.
M: Definitely not. The world simply has to adapt to your radiance.
L: Just as I thought. But—ouch.
Love suddenly shielded her eyes with the back of her hand, as if recoiling from an intense light.
M: Yes, K'Love?
L: Isn't it blinding in here? Dangerously dazzling?
M: ...The morning sun?
L: No. It's coming from within me, radiating outward... it's my aura.
Love tilted her chin upward, shutting her eyes with an intensely smug expression before snapping her gaze back to Milk, completely deadpan.
L: Can you feel that, K'Pansa?
Accustomed to years of her boss's shameless self-worship, Milk offered a practised, serene smile.
M: I can feel the brilliance from here, K'Love.
Before the moment could linger, a low chime broke the silence as Milk's phone buzzed with an incoming call.
M: It's K'Tay. Would you like to take it?
L: No need. I'm certain it's about the contract he blew after disrespecting the client with his entitled behaviour. The baseless accusations he threw around were embarrassing enough. I refuse to let that sinner ruin my morning.
M: A sinner?
L: Looking down on others and acting like a bully is a cardinal sin. In fact, sin doesn't just mean theft or violence—his utter incompetence and complete denial of that incompetence is a sin in itself.
M: You're absolutely right, K'Love.
L: Tell me, K'Pansa... how can someone be so hopelessly inept?
M: It's baffling.
L: Basic competence is so simple. How does anyone fail at that?
M: Because not everyone is you. You're far too perfect.
L: A fair point.
M: I've truly never met anyone who matches your standard.
Another sharp chime interrupted them, this time from a different secure line.
L: Who's next?
M: An even bigger sinner, it seems.
L: What's the update?
M: Per your investigation request, the findings just came in. He's guilty on all counts. The full evidence dossier is right here.
Love merely cast a fleeting, uninterested glance at the digital file before turning toward the door.
L: Exhausting. Let's go. Have them waiting in my office.
When they arrived at the executive suite, Love was already seated behind her wide obsidian desk, effortlessly scrambling a Rubik's Cube and solving it in mere seconds with a flick of her fingers. As the office doors swung open, she let out a faint, bored sigh and slowly swivelled her chair around.
The Director of Sales stepped inside, trembling, his personal secretary trailing nervously behind him while Milk took her place at Love's side, composed and silent.
L: The exact amount you embezzled... I have the entire breakdown right here. It was quite clever of you to bury the trails beneath forged expense receipts, though they completely fall apart when cross-referenced with your track record of failed client meetings. What do you have to say for yourself?
The man turned pale. Without warning, he dropped to his knees, frantically begging for his career. When he instinctively leaned forward to plead closer, Love shot him a glare so icy that he scrambled backwards onto his heels.
L: You hold an executive seat as the Director of Sales. What on earth were you thinking? Did the company's reputation mean that little to you?
DS: I'm sorry! I swear I'll never do it again! Please, K'Pattranite! Give me a chance to do better—I will make up for every single cent!
L: Let's see...
Love casually picked up a thick dossier and let the sheets slide straight onto the floor between them.
L: A major contract dealing that somehow ended in a shortfall—conveniently redirected into your private accounts. Fabricated losses funnelled directly into shell companies. And several other discreet transactions that add up to over ten million baht. So... what do you imagine your fate should be?
DS: I will work day and night to pay back every single baht!
While the man grovelled, Milk quietly stepped closer to the desk just as Love reached into a crystal dish for a fruit candy. Before Love could unwrap it, Milk smoothly plucked the sweet from her fingers and tucked the dish out of reach.
M: K'Love... you had forty candies yesterday. That's more than enough for today.
L: Tsk.
Love pushed her chair back, thoroughly annoyed by both the man on the floor and her confiscated sugar.
L: I'm going to deal with the other sinner. You know what to do here.
Without looking back, Love swept out of the office. Milk watched her leave before turning to the distraught director, her voice smooth and comforting.
M: Please don't be too disheartened. There will always be other opportunities in life for you.
Milk gently gestured toward the door, escorting him out of the main suite.
M: Take a few days to rest.
She offered him a reassuring smile. As the director walked off in a daze, his secretary turned to Milk with wide, hopeful eyes.
S: K'Milk... does this mean he gets to keep his job?
Milk held that gentle smile, effortlessly dialling Human Resources on her phone.
M: Please process the immediate termination of the Director of Sales, Newer Pasnato Natipatrum. Clear out his office, arrange an interim replacement, and forward the full investigation file to the legal department per K'Pattranite's protocol.
Lowering the phone, Milk met the secretary's wide eyes, her gentle expression shifting into a sharp, devilish smirk.
M: You know K'Pattranite never gives second chances.