Chapter 635 That’s What I Like to Hear

Afterward, Jude told the product manager to redo the presentation, fix every flaw he’d pointed out, and bring it back for another round.

The product manager exhaled heavily, relief washing over him as he hurried back to his seat.

At least the proposal hadn’t been tossed out, and for now, his position at DY Group was still safe.

The meeting dragged on for an hour. When Jude finally said, “We’re done here,” the room practically erupted with silent gratitude. The executives felt like prisoners finally set free, nearly stumbling as they rushed for the door.

Within moments, the vast conference room was empty–except for Jude and Vassal.

Vassal stepped forward with a laptop, ready to review the minutes and outline the next steps of the multimillion–dollar project.

Jude had five secretaries managing his workload–elite professionals with master’s degrees from top universities worldwide. Smart, unflappable, and precise, they kept his empire running without a hitch.

Out of them all, Vassal held the most weight. Acting as Jude’s right hand, he was essentially the company’s second–in–command and never far from Jude’s side.

Whenever Jude was in the office, Vassal was always the one standing closest.

Expression unreadable, Jude adjusted his suit jacket, lifted his custom energy coffee, and took a measured sip. Then he stood, his stride purposeful as his long legs carried him out of the room, the cut of his tailored slacks emphasizing his confidence.

And then his nose caught something–faint, but unmistakable. He turned toward it and froze.

His gaze locked on a presence that seemed to bend the air around her.

“Hey, Jude.”

Tilda waved, her smile soft, her eyes warm.

“Tilda?!”

Jude’s voice dropped into a whisper, as if he wasn’t sure she was real.

“Yeah, it’s me. Sorry for barging in. I just wanted to see you at work. I promise I’ll stay out of the way.”

“It doesn’t matter. Even if I had a meeting, I’d want you here. Just having you nearby is enough.”

Hearing her voice, seeing her in front of him–Jude knew instantly this wasn’t a dream. The woman who filled his thoughts day and night was standing right there.

He turned sharply to Vassal. “Handle the rest. And make sure no one disturbs me until I say otherwise.”

“Yes, sir.”

Vassal didn’t need it spelled out–Tilda was everything to Jude. One glance at his reaction made it crystal clear. She was the future Mrs. Bell, the one person who meant more than the entire world.

Vassal had been with Jude for years, yet this was the first time he’d ever seen such emotion cross his face—excitement, joy, shock, even nerves. This was nothing like the Jude he knew–the man who never flinched and who ruled with icy calm, ruthless precision, and absolute control.

If someone told Jude’s men overseas that their iron–blooded leader had actually fallen for a woman–head over heels in love–they would have laughed it off. The very idea that Jude could feel something as human as love would have sounded insane.

Whether Tilda’s presence was a blessing or a curse for a man destined to command the world, Vassal couldn’t say. But one thing was undeniable: through her, Jude had gained a glaring weakness.

And yet, seeing Jude’s emotions laid bare, all sparked by one woman … At the very least, it meant he was happy.

And since their boss’s happiness was worth more than their lives, Tilda too became someone Vassal and the others would lay down everything to protect, their rightful “lady boss.”

Jude led Tilda into his office.

“Jude, I already told you–if you’re busy, just go work. Don’t mind me. I only wanted to watch you. They say a man is at his most attractive when he’s completely absorbed in his work.”

“But to me, nothing matters more than you. Work can wait.”

If anyone who’d known the old Jude heard those words, they would’ve thought they’d lost their minds.

When Jude first took control of DY Group, he was the definition of a workaholic.

It seemed like nothing in the world could move him except business.

People used to joke about when their handsome, tyrannical CEO would finally collapse from exhaustion.

Some even questioned if he was human at all—his stamina was inhuman, more machine than man.

So for that same man to say something like this now? It was like watching a comet slam into the earth–apocalyptic.

Tilda laughed softly. “Now that’s what I like to hear.”

Jude drew her down onto the couch beside him, their fingers interlacing. Tilda rested her head against his shoulder, her eyes slipping shut as though she’d found the safest place in the world - her own private sanctuary. She murmured, “You smell so good… I woke up early today, then drove straight here. I’m exhausted. I just want to lean on you and sleep.”