Chapter 4: Four: CEO Luo

"Lorenzo... I- I am so afraid of being touched that Alessandro and I haven't even..." she looked down. "We've not even slept together yet. I'm too scared. I fear that my memories will surface and I won't be able to handle it."

He rested a hand on her shoulder, and she flinched. "Scar, I was there with Alessandro when he raided Haverston's bunker. I only know what you've told me and my brother, but I saw the conditions you suffered in. Though he found you, I figured that what you had survived was no less than hell."

She nodded. "I wished for death every day of that year. When Alessandro broke in, I thought he was just another man going to hurt me. But he got me out of my chains and assured me that I wouldn't be hurt again. He picked me up and brought me out into the sun for the first time in a year. I will never forget seeing him in that black suit, dried blood on his cheeks, his dark brown eyes gazing at me with care and not lust."

"We did everything we could to help you heal."

"You did," Luo Xueli agreed. "But I don't know if my mind will ever heal."

"Perhaps in time."

She shrugged. "I- I think I'm alright now. I'll meet you downstairs for dinner."

Lorenzo stood. "Call if you need anything."

"Oh, has Marco found my sleeping pills? I didn't see them in here."

"I'll go check."

"Lorenzo."

He stopped and turned around. "Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"Of course. You're family."

He exited. Now left alone, she climbed out of the cool water and let the tub drain. Luo Xueli dried off with a towel and walked into the master bedroom. She found a pair of silk pajamas and got dressed.

All six men that are with me now were with Alessandro when he stormed Haverston's bunker. They've seen what I lived through. They know, better than anyone else, my past. Alessandro only trusted them to see me home safely.

+++

The next day, a formal announcement was made by Paradise on their official Weibo account.

Today, we welcome a new CEO to

the seat. Paradise announces

Luo Xueli, the Second Daughter

of the Luo family, as their new

CEO. We would also like to

welcome CEO Luo back from

her time abroad.

In the CEO's office, Luo Xueli sat reclining in the office chair, sipping a cup of chrysanthemum tea. She looked over reports just as Lorenzo walked in.

"Madam, they released the news."

"Good. At least Manager Xi is on top of things. She got the news out so early this morning. That's good."

Just then, a tall, slender figure burst into the room. Lorenzo spun around and blocked Luo Xueli entirely, protecting her. The woman who had barged in stared at him incredulously.

You are reading story Rise of the CEO: Second Young Lady Returns at novel35.com

"How dare you keep me from my meimei! I want to give her a piece of my mind! The CEO position should be mine!"

Luo Xueli scoffed and said, "Lorenzo, it's alright. Wait outside."

He nodded and shouldered past Luo Xuehe. The two sisters glared at each other. But Luo Xueli's domineering presence and cold stare won out. She stood and turned to look out the window.

"The position is mine now. There's nothing you can do about it."

"You're like the tyrants of old who took over when they wanted to! We're not in the past!"

"And yet, isn't the family business quite like a dynasty? We were bound to butt heads eventually, jiejie. Looks like it finally happened."

"You-!"

"I'm the CEO of Paradise, not you. Deal with it. If you don't like it, start your own business and see if you can out-do me."

Luo Xuehe stepped closer and raised her hand. Luo Xueli's eyes widened, and she flinched.

"D- don't touch me!"

Lorenzo broke in and stepped between the sisters, snarling, "Don't you dare lay a hand on her."

"Who are you? Her over-protective lover?" Luo Xuehe snickered. "Meimei, you know Father will never allow you to be with a laowai."

"Lorenzo is just very loyal. We're not involved romantically at all."

"Well, if you wish to hold on to your position as CEO, you might want to find a powerful man to tie yourself to. Otherwise, I fear you won't survive in this industry."

"Jiejie, you have no idea what I've survived. The business world is full of sharks, I know that. But I've gone through Hell and dealt with demons. Some sharks are nothing to me."

Luo Xuehe could find a retort, so she huffed and spun on her heels. Once she was gone, Lorenzo turned around.

"Scar?"

She asked in Italian, "Where's Alessandro's ring?"

His eyes widened. "You're actually going to wear it?"

"I will show my sister and everyone else the power Luo Xueli holds. They doubt that I can handle running Paradise. I'll definitely show them otherwise."

He pulled out a cream colored handkerchief from the breast pocket on his charcoal gray suit. He handed the handkerchief over to her.

"It's inside."

Luo Xueli carefully unfolded the handkerchief to reveal a stunning silver band, imbedded with princess-cut diamonds. She had never gotten an engagement ring, but this wedding ring of hers was stunning and made up for the lack of one. She slipped it onto her right ring finger and held her hand out in front of her, eyeing the look.

Lorenzo smiled. "It suits you."

She grinned. "It does, doesn't it. It also shows all men that I'm taken, right?"

He laughed. "That's right. You are a Moretti. Mrs. Alessandro Moretti."

Her eyes blazed with a determination. "But I'm also Luo Xueli, CEO of Paradise."

You can find story with these keywords: Rise of the CEO: Second Young Lady Returns, Read Rise of the CEO: Second Young Lady Returns, Rise of the CEO: Second Young Lady Returns novel, Rise of the CEO: Second Young Lady Returns book, Rise of the CEO: Second Young Lady Returns story, Rise of the CEO: Second Young Lady Returns full, Rise of the CEO: Second Young Lady Returns Latest Chapter