10

10

Adrian

When I arrived at the office, Annabel brought me my coffee.

My head was pounding—migraine.

The dull ache that had started at home had morphed into a full-blown attack by the time I stepped through the door.

As she turned to leave, I muttered,

“My head’s killing me. If anyone comes in about the case, tell them to come back in the afternoon.”

“Of course, whatever you prefer. By the way, your assistant officially resigned last night. Should I post the job listing today?”

“No. Let’s wait a few more days. My nephew’s friend is supposed to show up. If she doesn’t, then you can post it.

I’m going to rest for a bit. No visitors. No calls.”

Once Annabel left, I moved to the lounge room behind my office and stretched my legs.

But the pain wasn’t subsiding.

And tonight, I had another violent husband who needed a lesson.

On top of that, I still had to swing by my father’s company for his tender file. There were some issues there too—mainly competitors trying to intimidate him.

That would have to be dealt with. My way.

I opened the office window, hoping some fresh air would help.

Lately, these migraines were impossible to shake without medication… but painkillers messed with my stomach.

Even though I told Annabel not to transfer any calls, the phone rang anyway.

I snatched up the receiver in irritation.

“What is it?”

Lucas’s friend had arrived for the interview.

As if I was in the mood to hear a single human voice.

“Tell her to come back tomorrow,” I snapped and hung up.

She got the job through connections—she could wait a day. That was the least she could do.

I was rubbing my temples when I heard raised voices outside the door.

Then, suddenly, the door burst open.

And there she was.

Framed in the doorway, with dark chestnut bangs falling over her forehead, a pair of sharp caramel eyes locked onto mine.

Brows furrowed, jaw set—defiant.

The fact that she had barged into my office like that meant one of two things:

Either she had no idea who I was,

Or she was completely out of her mind.

But damn… what a beautiful lunatic.

Maybe that boldness came from her beauty.

My eyes lingered on the curve of her full lips for a moment too long.

Her skirt was blue.

Something about it sparked a memory.

I looked more closely.

Her outfit, her height, the way she stood—everything was familiar.

Then it hit me.

She was the girl I had seen that morning from the window—falling in the garden of the duplex next door.

The long legs, the short skirt, the careless confidence…

She was the same girl.

And I was now completely awake.

Her full lips pressed tightly together, one hand clutching her bag, she stared at me with defiance blazing in her eyes.

I met her glare with one of my own.

But the moment she flinched—just slightly, like my gaze had startled her—something about that hesitation stirred something in me. I liked that she was rattled.

I wasn’t someone who believed in coincidences.

Yet here she was—the same girl who had caught my attention from the window earlier that morning—now standing before me with fiery eyes and a stormy expression.

This couldn’t possibly be one of my enemies’ setups. No one could plan something this flawless.

Then I remembered the interview.

Lucas’s friend.

Annabel had mentioned Lucas on the phone. I’d been too consumed by the pain splitting through my skull to process it. I had just brushed it off and told her to send the girl away until tomorrow.

But now… it all made sense.

Was she Lucas’s friend?

If so, I had definitely misjudged her.

There was nothing sloppy or immature about her.

She wasn’t some aimless, entitled brat. She was confident—striking.

And that sapphire pendant she wore, dangling from her slender neck and settling just between her breasts… was dangerously distracting.

Even without Herman’s ridiculous million-dollar bet, I might still consider breaking a few of my principles for this woman.

But that didn’t mean I’d tolerate being disobeyed—especially not in my own office.

When people ignored my rules, I became… difficult.

“Annabel!” I snapped through gritted teeth.

“I told you—I didn’t want to see anyone today!”

The pain in my skull made my voice harsher than I intended.

Annabel looked at me, startled and concerned, but before she could say anything, the caramel-eyed woman cut in.

“It’s not her fault. I ignored her and walked in anyway,” she said calmly.

“I’m guessing… you’re Lucas’s uncle?”

She seemed uncertain, watching me closely.

Her gaze made my body tense under the weight of it.

Those caramel eyes weren’t just beautiful—they were hypnotic.

And her voice… it was melodic.

I forced myself to look away and nodded toward Annabel, my tone more controlled this time.

“You can go.”

Annabel hesitated, then quietly stepped out.

I pressed my fingers to my temples and rubbed my throbbing head.

This woman’s smoldering stare and provocatively full lips weren’t helping. They made the pain worse.

I looked at her again, every nerve in my body stretched tight.

“Who are you?”