The Unwilling CEO’s Love Game



Willow's name was splashed across the headlines for all the wrong reasons overnight. Word had it that she'd been caught having an affair with a high-profile director. And suddenly, all her past escapades were unearthed like mushrooms after a spring rain.

Her wild flings with tycoons during her time abroad and nights spent with male celebrities were now public fodder. Willow's reputation plummeted in a second, and she was staring down the barrel of a hefty compensation payout.

Speculations were rife. Some wondered if the jewelry brand she endorsed had caught wind of the storm brewing and had cut ties with her preemptively. Others guessed that the brand's CEO must've known about Willow's shady past and decided to drop her wisely.

The entertainment industry thrives on gossip and scandal, and Willow's fall from grace was no exception.

Regardless of the chatter, Willow hadn't tweeted a word in defense.

Everything associated with her-endorsement deals, variety shows, TV movies-started dropping her like last week's leftovers. Her image had turned as sour as an egg long past its sell-by date.

And who swooped in to take her place? Ulla.

Jocelyn couldn't help but feel a pang of pity as she read the sensational headlines painting Willow as a fallen woman, her value diminished to nothing. "Such a shame," Calvin remarked, shaking his head as he scrolled through the online vitriol targeting Willow. "A girl caught up in so much trouble." Daisy chimed in, "That's why it's important for girls to stay educated and grounded."

"No child starts off not wanting to learn from good. It's society that leads them astray," Calvin mused, understanding the pressures, "But you reap what you sow."

"At least Melvin didn't get mixed up with her," Daisy suddenly blurted out.

Jocelyn finally spoke up, "They were just friends."

"If they were friends, then Melvin's got poor taste," Daisy retorted with a huff.

Jocelyn wondered when her mother would fully accept Melvin. She knew the reasons behind her mother's hesitance, but some things were beyond anyone's control.

Later that afternoon, Quinta called to inform Jocelyn that she and Damian were coming to the city for medical consultations about IVF.

Jocelyn immediately rang Melvin. She'd mentioned it to him before, asking if he knew any specialists.

"Does he know someone?" Daisy inquired after Jocelyn hung up.

"Yes," Jocelyn replied. "When Quinta first mentioned it, I asked him. He said he knew a doctor. But since Quinta dropped the subject, I hadn't brought I up with Melvin again."

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Daisy sighed, "They need a reliable expert. If Quinta's going for IVF, it'd be best if it worked on the first try. Otherwise, it's too much suffering, not to mention the cost."

"What did Melvin say?" Calvin asked.

"He's on his way to pick me up. We'll ask him when he gets here."

Soon, Melvin arrived.

Jocelyn brought up the doctor, and Melvin confirmed, "I spoke to Wesley. His friend's on duty tomorrow and they can go visit him."

"You're Wesley's friend?" Calvin recognized the name. "He's the director of the hospital where I had my surgery. Had visited him a few times during my stay."

"Yeah. He's an authority on IVF. Had worked abroad for years before coming back recently."

"That's great," Calvin said, glancing at Daisy. "Connections do matter. Otherwise, who knows how long they'd wait to see such a specialist?"

Daisy, slightly irked, simply nodded. "It's getting late. Stay for dinner before you go." She didn't wait for a response and headed straight to the kitchen. Jocelyn tugged at Melvin's arm and whispered, "Look at my mom."

"Hard shell but soft heart," Calvin chuckled, rising to help in the kitchen.

Left alone, Jocelyn and Melvin sat on the sofa. Melvin shared, "Willow's left the country. She won't be back anytime soon."

"What a pity," Jocelyn sighed. "What she did was immoral, but does she know she was betrayed by Ulla?"

"Yeah," Melvin said. "Ulla's a smart woman. She's scooped up all of Willow's old contracts."

Jocelyn laughed at herself, "I was so foolish to believe her and go after Willow, only to be double-crossed." "People at the top of the entertainment game are never simple. It's all about how well you play."

"Are you going to help Willow get some justice?"

"Why should I?" Melvin asked, his gaze steady.

"Weren't you friends?"

"It's her own fault for poor judgment. I can find her a lawyer to minimize the financial damage. Beyond that, I won't step in," Melvin stated firmly. Jocelyn looked at him thoughtfully.

"Why that look?" Melvin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I suddenly feel so silly for suspecting something between you two."

"Something between us?" Melvin's eyes narrowed playfully.

Jocelyn gave out an embarrassed smile. "Never mind."

Melvin pinched her waist teasingly and leaned in close, "The only 'something' is with you."

Jocelyn blushed and pulled him away, wary of her parents catching them.

But he held her hand firmly in place.

"Stop it, they might see," she hissed.

"We're dating. Let them see."

"Hey! Don't be so shameless."

"If I were shameless, we'd be doing more than holding hands," Melvin said with a mischievous glint.

Jocelyn's cheeks flushed further. "Shut up!" she whispered fiercely.

Melvin couldn't help but find Jocelyn's flustered demeanor utterly adorable. "Now you're nervous? You were the one who started the tussle."

"I'm sorry," Jocelyn pleaded, her voice laced with regret.

With a smug grin, Melvin teased, "You'll see what's coming to you when we get home."

After dinner, Melvin and Jocelyn left together.

Before they could even step out of the car, Melvin, unable to contain his impatience, pushed Jocelyn against the seat. He adjusted the recliner with a swift move, then leaned over her and planted a kiss on her lips.

"You..." Jocelyn's voice trembled.

"You think I was joking?" Melvin pinned her wrists, his eyes were deep pools of desire glinting in the dim light. His Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "We've played around everywhere, how about here tonight?"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

Jocelyn's eyes widened with shock. "Cut it out! We're in a parking garage!"

"So what?" Melvin suggested casually, as though negotiating, yet his kisses didn't stop. "The windows are tinted with privacy film. No one's going to see."

Jocelyn was in a panic. Sure, no one outside might see in, but she could see everything outside clear as day.

Even the slightest movement now made her feel the car shake.

She might not know what it felt like to be in this situation in a car, but she had seen enough in movies to know what it looked like from the outside. If someone were to see them, it would be mortifying beyond belief.