Legally Bound
When brilliant New York attorney Alex Cromwell is sent to Chicago to find a billionaire’s missing daughter, it’s supposed to be purely business and not personal. His mission is to bring her home and save his father’s collapsing law firm.
But Lily Smith isn’t missing. She’s building a new life far from the man who once tried to control her. Smart, guarded, and determined, she wants nothing more than to forget her past until Alex walks in, with a goal to send her back to the past she’s tried to avoid.
What begins as obligation soon becomes something neither expected; quiet laughter, late-night talks, and a connection that feels dangerously real. Yet when the truth surfaces that Alex was sent by her father love turns to betrayal.
Torn between redemption and heartbreak, Alex returns home to face his failure.
Until one day, Lily walks into his office, ready to forgive, ready to begin again.
Because sometimes love beats betrayal
And the hardest cases are the ones the heart must win.
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Chapter: Chapter 151The gates to Mr. Smith’s estate opened smoothly, the gravel crunching softly beneath the tires as Alex drove in. The house stood exactly as Lily remembered it, grand but familiar, stately without being cold. Seeing it again stirred something gentle in her chest, not pain, just memory.Mr. Smith was already waiting by the entrance when they stepped out of the car.“Lily,” he said, his voice warm with relief as he pulled her into a hug. “I’m glad you came to see me before you left.”She hugged him back without hesitation. “I’m glad I did too, Dad.”They went inside together, settling into the living room where sunlight streamed in through tall windows. The atmosphere was easy, unforced. Conversation flowed naturally; Chicago plans, work schedules, travel logistics. Mr. Smith listened attentively as Lily spoke about her upcoming months, about balancing work and healing, ambition and rest.“I’ll visit next month,” he said decisively. “No excuses.”Lily smiled. “I’d like that.”Then, as if
最終更新日: 2026-01-06
Chapter: Chapter 150Alex woke just after 8:30, the city already alive beyond the tall windows. For a moment, he stayed still, taking in the unfamiliar quiet of the hotel suite and the familiar comfort of Lily beside him. Her hair was loose against the pillow, her breathing slow and even. He turned slightly to look at her, a small smile settling on his face.She stirred not long after, blinking sleepily when she realized he was already awake.“Morning,” she murmured, voice still soft with sleep.“Morning,” he replied. “We should probably get moving if we want to make breakfast at home.”She groaned lightly. “Your mother will never forgive us if we’re late.”“That’s exactly my fear,” he said, amused.They moved through the morning with practiced ease and no unnecessary delays. By the time they walked out of the suite, both of them were fully awake, the weight of the night before giving way to the rhythm of a new day.At the front desk, the receptionist immediately recognized Alex and straightened with a po
最終更新日: 2026-01-06
Chapter: Chapter 149The front desk was calm at this hour, the hotel bathed in that late-night quiet reserved for places that had already seen their spectacle for the day. As Alex approached with Lily beside him, the receptionist looked up and immediately smiled.“Mr. Cromwell,” she said warmly. “Happy birthday. I hope your party went well.”Alex returned the smile, still carrying traces of disbelief from the night. “Thank you. It was… unforgettable.”She nodded, clearly pleased. “How may we help you?”“I’ve decided to stay the night,” he said. “I’d like one of your best rooms.”There was no hesitation. No questions. Just efficiency wrapped in courtesy.“Of course, sir,” she replied, already typing. “We have a premier suite available. I’ll have a concierge escort you.”Within minutes, they were led away from the lobby, down quiet corridors, through private elevators that opened directly into their floor. The suite doors slid open to reveal a space that felt less like a hotel room and more like a private r
最終更新日: 2026-01-06
Chapter: Chapter 148Alex was still standing near the table he’d been at moments earlier, a glass of water in his hand, Lily beside him, when his father caught his eye.“Alexander,” Mr. Cromwell called, his voice calm but carrying that familiar authority that always meant something was coming. “Come with me for a moment.”Alex blinked, already overwhelmed from the night, and let out a small breath. “Dad… what is it?”His father’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “I have one final gift for you.”Alex frowned slightly. “Another one?” He shook his head, half-laughing. “You’ve already done more than enough tonight.”“This one,” his father said, already turning, “is just between us.”Lily squeezed Alex’s hand gently, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. “Go,” she said softly. “I’ll come too.” The others on seeing them leave also followed. They followed Mr. Cromwell out of the ballroom, past the quieted corridors of the hotel, until they reached a private elevator reserved for executive access. No one else w
最終更新日: 2026-01-06
Chapter: Chapter 147The room was still warm with applause when Philip was gently nudged forward.He adjusted his jacket, clearly uncomfortable being the center of attention, and cleared his throat. A few people smiled knowingly, Philip was far more used to being behind the wheel than behind a microphone.“I didn’t plan a speech,” he began honestly, earning a soft ripple of laughter. “But I was told I’d regret it if I didn’t say something.”He glanced at Alex, then back at the room.“I’ve driven a lot of people in this city. Important people. Powerful people. And I can say this without exaggeration, Alex Cromwell is the most down-to-earth boss I’ve ever had.”Alex frowned slightly, amused.“He greets me every morning. Asks how my family is doing. Never treats anyone like they’re invisible just because they work for him.” Philip paused. “In this line of work, that matters more than the cars, the houses, or the titles.”The house staff were seen nodding visibly, clearly in approval of what Philip was saying
最終更新日: 2026-01-06
Chapter: Chapter 146The room gradually settled as plates were cleared and the low hum of conversation softened into expectation. Someone tapped gently against a glass. Another followed. Slowly, attention shifted toward the head of the room where Alex sat, still trying to reconcile the fact that this night, this entire room existed because people had chosen him.His father rose first.Mr. Cromwell did not rush. He adjusted his jacket, resting both hands lightly on the back of his chair before turning to face the room. For a man who had commanded boardrooms for decades, there was something unusually personal in the way he looked at his son now.“When Cromwell & Partners was founded,” he began, voice steady, “it was built on one belief, that integrity outlives profit.”He paused, eyes briefly finding Alex’s.“Over the past year, that belief was tested in ways I never imagined. We faced loss. Doubt. Public scrutiny. And there came a point where I was no longer in the position to hold everything together the
最終更新日: 2026-01-06
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