CHAPTER 32 - THE PERMAFROST IS MELTING

"Oh my goodness, it's Claudina Rigal!" Edna exclaimed in surprise when she saw Claudina standing in

the room with Arthur.

Edna had heard all about the previous night's incident and had even seen a video of Arthur being

chased by the police. However, she never expected to see Claudina in the same room as him. When

she laid eyes on the famous celebrity, whom she had only ever seen on TV before, her excitement

soared sky-high.

"Ah..." Arthur replied, then he turned to Claudina and introduced her. "This is Edna, my personal

assistant."

"She is so cute!" Edna gushed, then walked up to Arthur and grabbed the hem of his sleeve. "Mr.

Gardner, can I get a picture with her?"

Claudina then flashed a small smile when she saw Edna, "Hello, Ms. Edna," she said softly, dipping her

head in a polite greeting.

Claudina was taken aback when she saw Edna, who looked truly stunning as a woman. Her radiance

and cheer were tangible, and her sophisticated air made her seem like a celebrity. Yet, here she was,

merely a personal assistant to Mr. Arthur. "Could he have found a public figure to be his assistant?,"

Claudina mused.

"Mr. Arthur," Claudina remarked, "I must say I'm rather surprised to find someone of Ms. Edna's quality

assisting you. If it weren't for the fact that she's your assistant, I'd think she was a famous celebrity!"

Claudina then strolled slowly towards Edna, her face lit up with a bright smile, "Would you like to take a

picture with me?" she asked, eagerly awaiting Edna's response.

Edna beamed with delight and nodded, "I absolutely adore your songs. You are incredibly friendly."

Claudina's lips curved into a smirk. "Thank you so much, I didn't expect Mr. Arthur to have an assistant

as kindhearted as you, Ms. Edna."

Arthur quietly observed Claudina and Edna, noting that they were deeply engrossed in their

conversation. He felt confident that he could leave the two of them alone and that he could proceed

with his morning activities. Just as he was about to turn away, the two girls called out to him.

"Mr. Gardner!"

"Mr. Arthur!"

Surprised, Arthur turned his head and said, "Yes?"

"Why don't you take a picture with us, boss?" Edna then smiled and suggested.

Claudina also smiled in agreement.

Arthur shook his head, saying, "I'd love to take a photo with the two of you, but if anyone were to find

out that Claudina is staying here, it could be very dangerous for me."

"Then," Claudina responded confidently, "This photo won't be posted anywhere, so no one will find out,

correct?"

Edna nodded quickly in agreement. "Please, boss..." she pleaded.

Arthur nodded, and the two girls rushed up to him, Edna on his right and Claudina on his left. Edna

eagerly grasped Arthur's arm while Claudina tentatively took hold of it.

Arthur attempted to plaster on a smile for the picture, but he looked a bit stiff.

"Can you smile more naturally, boss?" Edna asked, a hint of teasing in her voice. Claudina let out a

small giggle in response.

After a few more photos, Arthur was ready to go. "I'm heading out for a morning jog," he declared.

"Wait, Mr. Arthur!" Claudina called.

He turned to face her. "Yes?"

"I'm being collected shortly, so I may not be here when you return. However, I would like to invite you

and Ms. Edna to my solo concert in the near future. Would you two be interested in attending?"

Claudina's invitation elicited a smile from Arthur. "Of course, Edna and I would be delighted to come,"

he said. With a hint of fondness in his voice, he added, "And we'll cherish you."

Arthur waved goodbye and departed, leaving Edna and Claudina alone in the room. They settled on

the living room couch and began chatting amiably.

"So when I saw that car chase," Edna said with a cheerful face and a warm smile, "I was really

nervous. If I hadn't met Mr. Gardner in person, I would have thought it was a scene from a movie."

Claudina chuckled at Edna's words, her cheerful demeanor and personality always lifting the mood. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Hum, hum..." she nodded in agreement.

"I closed my eyes tightly, my body tense. He was driving like a professional race car driver," she said,

"and the speed of the car was so extreme that I thought I was going to faint. All I could do was close

my eyes."

"He really is like a hero, isn't he?" Edna said with a warm smile, her eyes twinkling in admiration.

Claudina nodded in agreement, her lips curving into a pleasant smile. "Yes, I guess he is so unreal,"

she said, then chuckled lightly. "He's like James Bond - he can do it all! He can even drive a car like a

professional."

"You know what, Ms. Claudina," Edna continued, "I was just a waitress at this place before Mr. Gardner

came and purchased it."

"Waitress?" Claudina tilted her head, her brow furrowed in confusion, as she attempted to comprehend

Edna's words.

"Someone as beautiful as you couldn't just work as a waitress, right?" Claudina said, trying to think of

other roles that Edna could take on. She could easily become a supermodel with her beauty and

perfect body shape. Moreover, she was very confident and well-spoken, so she could make a great

host or presenter.

"Yes," Edna responded thoughtfully. "Mr. Gardner came to my rescue when I was about to be let go

from here. But then, to my surprise, he offered me a job to be his assistant. I'm sure you thought he'd

be like other wealthy men, didn't you?" She shook her head. "But he's really kind and treats women

with respect."

Edna nodded once more. "I heard what happened to you last night. They were going to sell off your

virginity at an auction, and as a female I understand how that must have made you feel. I'm sure that if

Mr. Gardner was to rescue you, it is out of genuine concern. That's what I believe," she said

reassuringly.

Claudia nodded slowly, her expression solemn. "Yes," she said softly. "I shudder to think of what might

have happened to me last night if it hadn't been for Mr. Arthur. He put himself in danger to come to my

aid, and I owe him an immense debt of gratitude."

"I think you don't need to worry too much," Edna reassured Claudina. "He appears to be the type of

person who wants to lend a helping hand to those who are unfortunate. For instance, he rescued the

cleaning service here at the hotel that had been mistreated by the manager, and he did it without

asking for anything in return."

"I see," Claudina said, her admiration evident. "He sounds like a very kindhearted person."

"He certainly is," Edna agreed, nodding her head.

She then sighed in relief, "Forgive me if I seem to be flattering my boss too much; this is simply my

personal opinion, regardless of the various things he has done for me."

Claudina smiled brightly, listening intently to Edna's every word. "I've had such a great time talking with

you," she said, her face aglow with pleasure. "I really hope we can be friends and chat about even

more topics in the future."

A few minutes later, Claudina departed from the Golden Chamber Hotel, and with that, Arthur's initial

meeting with the snow white princess came to an end.

[Host, do you anticipate receiving a notification from me that reads, 'You have got a partner! Claudina

Rigal'?]

[It was, unfortunately, apparent that Claudina lived up to her title of "The Frozen Heart Princess"]

[Don't worry, Host. You're doing great. The permafrost is melting, but it's happening very slowly.]