Devilish secretary
Chapter 389 ESE event (1)

Chapter 389: Chapter 389 ESE event (1)

Life really was so unpredictable, Lilith thought as she stood behind the stage curtains. The soft fabric of her light blue dress brushed against her thighs as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Her hair was open, falling down her shoulders in soft, dark waves that glowed under the backstage lights. Her red lips were pressed into a perfect shape that made her eyes stand out even more, those piercing blue eyes that now hid storms behind their shine.

She had never been the kind of woman who cried easily. Not for pain, not for loss — only once, when her father was gone. And now again, this man... her human doll. Her obsession. Her everything.

He was the light in her endless tunnel of darkness. The warmth she had wrapped her frozen soul around. And now that light was so fragile–the thought that it could vanish forever had cracked something deep in her chest. It hurt in ways she didn’t even have words for. And she hated that she cared so much. But she did.

The backstage manager gave her a subtle nod. Lilith inhaled deeply and smoothed the front of her dress, the silk cool under her fingertips. She could feel the weight of every investor out there, every set of curious eyes, every camera lens that was ready to broadcast her to the world.

Focus, Lilith. She pressed her fingers together, grounding herself.

The giant screen behind the stage showed the bright logo of ESE, her dream project that would change the way people felt and imagined the stories.

She glanced to the side past the curtain and caught a glimpse of him, seated among the VIPs in the front row.

Alexander.

Watching her with those warm yet expressionless eyes. There was worry there, yes, but also pride. And just for a heartbeat, her shoulders dropped; the storm inside her chest softened. She gave him the smallest nod, as if to say: I’m fine. I’m still here. I will be okay.

Then the host’s voice echoed through the massive hall: "And now... the brilliant mind behind ESE, the one and only — Miss Lilith Parker!"

Thunderous applause. The spotlight flared on.

Lilith slipped the mask back on — the smile that could charm kings, the poise that could bend empires. She stepped onto the stage, her black heels clicking against the floor, each step echoing through the huge venue. The bright light made her eyes glitter like sharp ice.

The audience fell silent. Hundreds of eyes fixed on her, waiting. The live stream was rolling — thousands more behind screens, watching this girl who looked like she had been carved from the coldest marble yet burned with some hidden fire.

She reached the podium, her fingers brushing the sleek wood, her eyes scanning the room once. A flash of her grief flickered behind that dazzling smile — just for a second before it vanished, locked behind her ribs.

"Good evening, everyone..." Her voice was calm, velvety, a song wrapped in steel. "Tonight isn’t just a launch—it’s an opening door. A hand reaching out. Stories that don’t just speak to you, but breathe with you..."

And as she spoke about technology and art, about emotions, about ESE and how it would become the bridge between dreams and reality — Her gaze caught on him like a habit like muscle memory. The one face she’d always pick out, even in the deepest dark.

Him.

Her obsession. Her heartbreak. Her light.

Then she continued her speech, her voice carried clearly through the huge hall, smooth as velvet and sweet as honey under the bright lights. Her red lips curved into that dazzling, charming smile she wore so well.

"Now..." she said, looking right into the audience, her tone playfully conspiratorial, "we’re going to do a little love testing."

A few people chuckled, leaning forward. The crowd stirred, eager, phones lifted to record her every word.

"In this test, we’re going to use a simple five-minute script. The story engine will sense your emotions, your heartbeat, your tiny expressions..." She paused, her eyes glinting. "And the ending will change based on how you feel."

The excitement was electric—a ripple of whispers and curious chatter filled the whole hall.

"So..." Lilith tilted her head, her gaze sweeping over the sea of expectant faces. "Who wants to come up and try it?"

Hands shot up instantly — a cluster of teenagers near the second raw squealed, whispering to each other. Lilith’s eyes softened when she spotted a shy teen girl in the second row, eyes round with awe, clinging to her friend’s arm.

"You there," Lilith said, pointing gently. "Yes — you with the pretty hair. Would you like to try?"

The girl’s friend nudged her hard, and the girl stood up so fast she almost tripped over her own feet. Laughter rippled through the audience.

Lilith chuckled too, stepping aside as the girl climbed onto the stage with the help of a backstage assistant. They gently set up the small headset and connected it to the laptop on the podium.

Lilith leaned down, offering her hand — her fingers delicate, her smile warm.

"Hey... it’s okay, don’t be shy," she said softly as she helped the girl stand center stage. She then lowered the mic to the girl’s level, holding it steady for her.

"Are you excited?" Lilith asked.

"Yesss!" the girl squeaked, her cheeks pink, her cute accent slipping through.

The audience chuckled, a few parents smiling fondly.

"What’s your name, sweetheart?" Lilith asked gently.

"Um... Chloe," the girl whispered, barely able to meet Lilith’s eyes. "I’m Chloe."

Lilith nodded with that graceful calm that made her look untouchable yet warm.

"Chloe. That’s a lovely name. And, Chloe, what do you think this story will be about?" She tilted the mic closer, coaxing her to speak.

The girl giggled nervously, squeezing the edge of her sleeves.

"Love?" she guessed shyly.

"Love..." Lilith repeated, a hint of something softer flickering in her eyes. "Very smart answer. Love is never simple, hmm? Now, do you believe in love stories, Chloe?"

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