My Ex Boyfriend Is My New Company CEO

Hadley felt perplexed. Why did he keep changing the subject? It was baffling.

Coleson cut to the chase, "Did you mess up at work? Are you lacking skills? Or did you embezzle funds?"

Upon hearing the accusation of embezzlement, Hadley’s gut reaction was: "No way! I didn’t do anything like that!"

Coleson spread his hands in a conciliatory manner. "There you go. This is a company, and I'm the CEO. I don’t let personal feelings interfere with business. Since there’s no misconduct, why would I fire you?"

Hadley was momentarily stunned, looking at the coffee on the table. Was it really just about making him coffee?

"Did you summon me to your office just for a cup of coffee?"

Coleson grinned wider. "Not at all. Here's your ID badge." He opened a drawer and placed Hadley's work badge, which she had left behind the other day, on the marble tabletop.

"Oh, I thought I'd left it at home," Hadley awkwardly took back her badge and thanked him, "Thank you, is there anything else, Boss?"

Coleson chuckled with a twinkle in his eye, "Keep up the good work, and Heritage Corp will treat you right." With that, he dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "Get back to it."

Hadley nodded, put her badge away, and turned to leave the office. She had an unsettling feeling that something wasn’t quite right. This CEO wasn’t at all as she had imagined. Maybe she’d misjudged him, and he really didn’t care about what happened at the pub.

As Hadley left, the door quietly closed behind her. Coleson clenched his jaw, slammed the table, and stood with a malicious grin, muttering under his breath, "Hadley, you started this, and you don’t get to walk away unscathed. Actions have consequences."

In the conference room, the new CEO made his entrance. The phrase "new broom sweeps clean" loomed over everyone, keeping them on edge. They feared their work might not meet his standards. It felt like a ticking bomb.

In a surprising move, Coleson waited till the reports were finished before speaking: "To mark my new position, I’ve booked a place. Everyone is welcome to join me for Happy Hour after work, on me. I look forward to seeing all of you there."

His announcement brought a collective sigh of relief followed by enthusiastic applause.

The venue Coleson reserved was a short drive from the office, located conveniently nearby.

The space was expansive and buzzing with energy. Some danced, others sang, and everyone was in high spirits. Hadley sat on the sofa sipping a soda, while Emir was roped into singing by Keianna.

Coleson quietly drank on the other side, his gaze occasionally drifting to the composed Hadley on the sofa. A cunning smile formed on his lips as he moved to join her. He shifted the ring on his thumb to his middle finger, picked up an empty beer bottle, and approached her.

"Let's play a game, everyone. Spin the bottle, and whoever it lands on drinks. Who wants in?"

Coleson’s suggestion drew a gathering of colleagues. Even if the game was a bit old-fashioned, nobody dared refuse the boss’s invitation. Hadley wanted to leave but found herself enveloped, so she reluctantly stayed.

Coleson signaled for drinks and set the bottle spinning.

The first spin targeted Luke, who accepted his fate and drank a beer.

The next spin landed on Coleson. Following his orders, the waiter brought vodka, and Coleson downed a glass.

Everyone was caught off guard when the penalty was vodka rather than beer.

"This makes it more thrilling. Beer is like water. And there’s a rule: first time, one glass; second time, two; third time, three, and so forth. Adds a bit of challenge."

Some began to regret joining. As Coleson spun the bottle again, their eyes watched anxiously.

The bottle slowed to a halt.

Coleson’s grin widened as it pointed at Hadley.

Hadley hadn’t expected it to target her and looked startled.

Playing the gentleman, Coleson handed her a glass of vodka with a teasing expression.

Hadley took a deep breath. It was just vodka; she’d handled her drinks before. She accepted the glass and drank it down amid cheers from her male colleagues.

She coughed slightly as the vodka burned her throat. Coleson’s grin became more satisfied. Hadley, the evening was just beginning.

He twisted the ring on his finger and spun the bottle again. It stopped on Hadley once more, causing relief among the other players.

Coleson poured two glasses of vodka with a bright smile. "I’ve heard bottles have favorites, Hadley. This bottle must be fond of you."

Hadley reluctantly picked up the glasses and drank them.

Guided by Coleson’s manipulations, the third spin also landed on her. Watching Coleson refill the vodka glasses, she was bewildered, her gaze questioning his smug grin.

Seeing Hadley hesitate, Coleson goaded, "Bottoms up."

Hadley exhaled and reached for her glass.

Suddenly, the glass was taken from her. She turned to see Emir standing there.

"I’ll drink for her," he said calmly.

Everyone was surprised, then burst into cheers as coworkers gathered around.

"Woo~!"

"Way to steal the spotlight!"

"You're the man, Emir!"

Coleson shrugged, feigning indifference. "Hadley, your drinking is telling. But if Manager Emir wants to drink for you, that’s fine since you’re a woman."

The remark was taunting. Hadley calmly glanced at Coleson, then picked up a bottle of vodka and poured herself a drink. With defiance, she downed the three glasses one after another.

"Woo~!" Applause erupted in response.

Coleson had anticipated she’d let Emir step in, but with some light provocation, she showed surprising resolve. He clapped, acknowledging her, "Nice job. Want to keep playing?"

Hadley’s cheeks flushed as she slightly turned her head, shooting him a sidelong glance, "Strange, aren't we already playing?"