ログイン“Don’t meet so often at the office. It’s not good.” Hagia adjusted her appearance in front of the mirror, touching up her lipstick and applying the rest of her makeup.“You’re the one who challenged me. This is my office, I can do whatever I want.”Hagia rolled her eyes, catching the man’s silhouette behind her in the mirror.“Do I need to remind you who you really are, Hagia?”The voice struck straight into her chest. Her fingers tightened around her makeup bag, her jaw set hard.“You’re my puppet, so don’t defy me.” After saying that, the man turned and walked out.Hagia stared at the back of the man, far older than her, her gaze sharp, her hands clenched. “I hope Austin can free me from all of this. I want that old man dead so I can be free from being his slave. I’m sure he’s wanted my body for a long time.”**“Damn it, why does he want me to come? What does he mean by this? He must be doing it on purpose.” Inside the car, Alexi grumbled nonstop until she arrived at one of the sky
The door to Hagia’s office opened slowly after Alexi knocked twice. A soft throat-clearing sound came from inside, like someone trying to hide something.“Hey, Lex. Come in!” Hagia approached after putting on her blazer, her smile widening as she stood behind her father. “Dad, didn’t you say you had an appointment with Mr. Michael? You should go. I’ll talk to Alexi first,” she said, gently brushing her father’s arm.Darwis gave a short nod without shifting his gaze from Alexi. “Yes. If you have any difficulties, ask Hagia. She’ll help you, Lex.”Alexi watched the two of them, then nodded and stepped aside to let him pass. “Why do you both look like you’ve just seen a ghost?”Hagia let out a small laugh, too quickly. “No. We were just discussing company files. You showed up suddenly, so we were startled.”Alexi studied her stepsister’s face, then shifted her gaze to Darwis. Something was off. Too many forced expressions, too much silence that felt like it was hiding something.“Do you
"Why did you not listen to me? Why did you not tell me that bastard hurt you? Why did I have to hear it from someone else, Lex?""Quiet. Your wound is being treated." Alexi dabbed antiseptic on the gash in Austin’s shoulder. She was now in Austin’s apartment. "Why were you suddenly there?""I was sent to save you."Alexi stopped moving and lifted her gaze. Their faces were very close. She could see the darkness in his eyes. "Thank you."Austin curved a smile at the panic and relief mixed in her expression. "Only thank you? I saved your life, you know."Alexi pressed a wad of gauze on the torn flesh of Austin’s shoulder and the man yelped."Are you trying to kill me, Lex? This is your gratitude? Wow, I cannot believe this." Austin purposely made a sulking, pained face.Alexi’s lips quivered. If Austin had not come, she did not know what would have happened to her. Arron had been brutally torturing her. She stood abruptly, not wanting to be caught drowning in Austin’s gaze.But a firm h
“Damn it, why do I keep thinking about it,” Alexi muttered, running a hand through her hair as she stared at the rows of numbers on the monitor. “It’s too quiet.”It had been a week since she started working at her stepfather’s company. In that entire time, she hadn’t seen Austin or Hagia even once.Part of her felt relieved that no one was bothering her. But at the same time, she felt lonely. And somewhere deep inside, there was a hollow emptiness. Had she started getting used to Austin’s presence?She had to admit one thing to herself.Her heart was beating normally again.No burning gaze at the back of her neck.No deep voice appearing without warning near her ear.No mocking smile that made her both angry and embarrassed.Her life was straight again, orderly.Too orderly.“Finally done.” She stretched her arms overhead, trying to ease the tension in her muscles.By the time Alexi stepped out of the parking building, the sky was pitch black, without a single star. The night air fel
"Oh, no." Alexi answered quickly as she caught Austin's sharp gaze on her. "It is from someone else." She tossed her eyes away. Damn Austin. Why did he send a message like that? she grumbled silently."Then who is it, Lex?" Hagia demanded.Before Alexi could respond, Austin's phone rang. The man stood, glancing at her and Hagia. "I have to get back to my office.""Okay, I will walk you downstairs." Hagia moved toward her fiancé and they stepped out of the conference room.**"Stupid Austin. Why did he dump all this work on me until I am stuck pulling overtime alone like this?" Alexi muttered nonstop at the mountain of documents on her desk. Hagia could not stay because she had left the office that afternoon for a trip out of town. Typical. The woman was insanely busy."You are not alone." A man's voice answered from the corner.Alexi froze. She turned slowly, her heart banging hard when she saw a man standing in the doorway in a black shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbows, arms fold
“Austin, you really are insane," Alexi whispered shakily. It was not the cold air that made her voice tremble, but the heat of Austin's fingers tracing along her jaw. Her hand pressed lightly against his chest, more a formality than any real resistance."Why? We have not even moved yet." Austin answered low. His voice was deep, scraping down Alexi's spine and forcing a shiver out of her. He grasped her chin, holding her gaze to his."Did you forget where we are, huh?" Alexi tried another excuse, even though her thoughts were already fogging. "If someone comes and sees us then what?"Austin chuckled softly and lifted his hand from her smooth thigh. "These car windows are tinted. No one will see." He leaned closer, his breath warming her lips."Who told you to wear something like this, hm?""Austin." Alexi's tone sounded like a plea with no clear direction. She swallowed hard. "We should not...""We should not be seen," Austin finished. "That is different from not being allowed to do it
Alexi’s breath caught, her eyes darting uncertainly between the door and Austin, who remained unmoving. “Austin, please leave. There’s someone outside,” she pleaded.Austin stayed where he was, standing in front of Alexi, indifferent to her begging for him to go. He still had not gotten a definite







