تسجيل الدخولMonday, 9:58 AM.
Outside the CEO's office on the top floor of the Knight Group headquarters."Lisa, get it together."Song Sheng whispered, her eyes darting around."We're going in to meet our client..."She caught herself, lowering her voice even further."I mean, your future husband—""Damn it! I mean, our investor!"I shot her a sharp look and shoved the heavy proposal binder into her arms."Act like you're supposed to be here. Remember, yAfterward, the bedroom was filled with nothing but shallow, ragged breaths.I lay limp and sated in the tangled sheets, my throat raw and dry."Water."Alexander chuckled, pressed a kiss to my damp temple, and got up.His back was broad, his waist narrow, littered with fresh scratches.When he returned, he held two bottles of water.He twisted the cap off one and held it to my lips, carefully supporting the back of my neck as he let me drink slowly.The water soothed my throat, easing the hoarseness.I let out a soft sigh. A few strands of wet hair clung to my flushed cheeks.Alexander wiped a stray drop from the corner of my mouth, then glanced at the ruined sheets."I’ve got to change these. No way we’re sleeping on that."He moved toward the closet against the wall, like he already knew where everything was.My apartment wasn’t big, but it was warm, decorated in soft hues.The air smelled like the
My heart pounded like a drum against my ribs."Alexander. Coaching your son to eavesdrop? That's a new low, even for you."I gasped out the words, biting his jaw."Letting him hear it firsthand? That's what really cuts deep.""Knowing isn't enough. He needs to feel it. Understand what'completely out of the game'actually means."Alexander let out a low laugh, his lips brushing the shell of my ear, his voice dropping to a gravelly rasp.His palm dug into my waist.I sucked in a sharp breath.This man, when he went for the kill, didn't spare anyone. Not even his own blood.The hall outside went dead silent for a beat.Then the pounding on the door came back. Harder. More frantic."Who's in there?! Who the hell are you?!"Alexander chuckled darkly, kissing my sweat-damp temple."Tell him who I am."I bit down on his palm. When he flinched, I gasped out loud enough for the hall to hear."The bastard who owns me!"
At my words, Alexander didn't show the slightest displeasure. Instead, a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes, like he'd known I'd say exactly that.He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the entryway console table on either side of me, caging me completely within his space."I know. I rushed it."He admitted it readily, his voice low and smooth."Twenty-two. Your world just opened up. Endless prospects. You shouldn't be tied down by a marriage contract."Alexander seemed to read every hesitation I had. His thumb traced gently across my cheek, cutting off the words still forming on my lips."I'm ten years older. Asking you to marry me at this point probably sounds like I'm taking advantage of your inexperience, like I'm manipulating a young woman who doesn't know any better.""But sweetheart, this isn't some impulse on my part.""The Knights aren't an ordinary family. And the old man is no pushover.""If he can't get what he wants throu
I pushed open the heavy oak door of my penthouse and kicked my stilettos into the corner of the foyer. The motion-sensor lights hummed to life, washing the space in a warm, amber glow. One night. Two aggressive plays for my heart. And each one was more unhinged than the last. I was leaning over to reach for my slippers when my phone buzzed inside my clutch. I pulled it out and tossed my bag onto the console. The screen lit up. The name The Beast pulsed on the display. A sharp smile curved my lips as I swiped to answer. "Hey." "Home yet?"Alexander's voice came through the receiver, a deep, gravelly rumble. "Yeah, just walked in."I slipped into my slippers."Are you finally done for the night?" A beat of silence followed. "Yeah." Then the doorbell rang. I froze, phone still pressed to my ear, my gaze snapping toward the door. A low, dark chuckle echoed through the line. "Open the door." I walked quickly to
Roy Shen guided me along the quiet, tree-lined path.The noise and awkwardness faded behind them.The evening breeze swept through, carrying a sharp chill.Roy slipped off his casual blazer and moved to drape it over my shoulders.I stepped aside.Subtle.Clean.The coat, still warm from his body, fell through empty air."No need. Thanks."My tone was polite.Distant."I’m not cold."Roy’s hand froze mid-air.He withdrew it smoothly.Draped it over his arm.He looked at me.Moonlight traced the sharp, clean lines of his profile.His eyes held something far deeper than casual charm."Lisa. Was what he said true?"I stopped walking.I met his gaze directly."Is what true?""That you turned him down. Completely."A beat of silence passed."Was it because of me?"His voice was low.Direct.Edged with careful hesitation."Is it real? Or j
A massive wave of absurdity crashed over me.There was no point trying to reason with someone like him.He was locked in his own circular logic, selfish and pitiful.I didn't even have the energy left to explain.Exhausted."Think whatever you want.""Just know this:you and I ended a long time ago.""As far as I'm concerned, you were never more than a mistake."Ethan Knight's face drained completely white.His fingers tightened around the bouquet, thorns slicing into his palms, blood seeping through, but he didn't even notice."A mistake?"He forced a smile that looked more like he was about to cry."Lisa, six years. Four years together. And that's all I rate?"Roy Shen stepped forward, fully shielding me behind him."Ethan.""You had six years. You had her. You just didn't hold on.""Maybe that's not your fault. Maybe the timing was off. Or maybe you were never good enough."He paused, letting his
I slipped into the driver's seat but didn't fire the engine right away. I leaned back wearily against the seat, picking unconsciously at the steering wheel. Five million dollars sat quietly in my account, and the ashen, defeated faces of the three White family members still lingered viv
Dawn was breaking when I was jolted awake by my phone buzzing insistently on the nightstand.I pried my eyes open to find the screen flooded with notifications—over ninety-nine missed calls and messages.Icons for Marcus White, Elaine White, and Chloe White flashed relentlessly, t
The night wind turned cold, rippling the moon's reflection on the lake. My heart plummeted. Gerald Knight! How had he gotten here? My plan hadn't included a head-on confrontation with the ultimate authority of the Knight family so early—certainly not during what I considered t
Pine Retreat Villa. Orchid Pavilion.I pushed the door open. The room buzzed with noise. Guests clinked crystal glasses. Laughter rang loud, sharp, totally fake."Oh, look who finally dragged herself here! The second daughter of the White family!"Chloe shot to her feet. She clampe







