In the world of corporate chess, it was standard for assistants to orchestrate the gifting maneuvers.

"A gift?" Lilah's forehead creased slightly, caught off guard by the sudden reminder.

“Mr. Harris' birthday is just around the corner," Emma explained, her voice a blend of professional concern and gentle nudge. “Have you thought of something?"

Lilah was surprised. Gerard's birthday?

The fact caught Lilah off guard as she searched for Gerard's information on the Internet. Indeed, his birthday was just around the corner. A mix of guilt and surprise washed over her; how had this critical detail slipped through the cracks of her mind? Gerard hadn't uttered a word about it either.

“I need to handle this myself," she said to Emma, a sense of urgency coloring her voice.

Without hesitation, she dialed Gerard's number, her words tumbling out in a playful reproach. “I've just realized it's your birthday soon. Why on earth didn't you tell me?"

There was a tenderness to his laugh that resonated through the Line.

"The date's not what matters. Having you is the real celebration."

Despite his words, she insisted, "I still want to do something special for you. Any plans?"

“I have a small dinner party with people from my circle. Would you like to come? Or come after if that's better for you. Just us."

Understanding the weight a CEO placed on such occasions, she agreed to join the festivities. Deciding on the perfect gift proved a challenge; Gerard was a man who had it all. After much deliberation, a personal touch seemed best: a brooch, crafted by her own hands.

Lilah's days, already a whirlwind of tasks and deadlines, now included crafting the perfect gift for Gerard's birthday. As Gerard's special day drew near, her evenings with Jerrold dwindled, often ending right after dinner. With just a sliver of time-three fleeting days-she raced against the clock.

At the eleventh hour, she triumphed. The handmade brooch, a token of her affection, lay nestled in a velvet-Lined box, awaiting its moment.

On the evening of Gerard's birthday, with the sky painted in hues of dusk, Lilah emerged fresh from the shower. She slipped into a dress that whispered elegance, her thoughts on the night ahead. Her phone shattered the silence.

“Miss Phillips, Mr. Fowler had an accident. Can you come right away?" an urgent voice implored.

Confusion knitted her brows. "But wasn't he in Mirello? How could he.

"He's in Hualand now, and he had a car accident..."

The caller then told her the hospital's location. Her heart skipped a beat. She threw all hesitations aside and made a rush to the hospital.

Andrew Fowler was the person who saved her back then, and the mind behind Aurora Jewelers. She couldn't let anything happen to him.

Arriving at the parking lot of the hospital, Lilah saw Andrew's assistant. Before she could inquire, a familiar scent enveloped her—a mix of fresh grass and nostalgia.

"Surprise!" The voice was laced with mischief.

She spun around to meet those oceanic eyes, shimmering with humor beneath a brow arched in playful victory. "Speechless, aren't you?"

Concern edged her voice. “Are you... Are you hurt?"