Meguel Salvador, 37, a formidable CEO with global holdings, carried the weight of a loveless divorce. His ex-wife’s avarice had solidified his resolve to remain single, his energy solely devoted to his vast empire.

Meanwhile, a bright university student, 157cm tall, visited her father, an employee in one of Meguel’s firms, during her holiday. Entering his office unannounced, she found Meguel instead. Her father’s polite introduction brought her face-to-face with the CEO’s intense gaze, his expression unreadable yet his interest palpable in her innocent beauty. Meguel, though intrigued, masked his feelings. Over two months, an unexpected closeness blossomed, subtly fostered by her father, who seemed to disregard the age gap. Meguel’s playful endearment, “darling,” became a frequent tease.

Returning to campus, she faced a barrage of taunts. A malicious rumor, spread by a jealous classmate named Sophia, falsely accused her of having feelings for a lecturer. The slander escalated into physical attacks, leaving her bruised. Her father, deeply concerned, confided in Meguel, igniting the CEO’s protective instincts and a determination to uncover the perpetrator.

One evening, she arrived home, her cheek stinging from Sophia’s brutal slap. Unbeknownst to her, Meguel was in the living room with her father. Seeing her weary state, Meguel swiftly approached, gently tilting her chin. His voice, laced with barely suppressed fury, cut through the silence "Darling?.. what's wrong with you? and who slapped you...?"