LOGINA lingering gloom hung over the White Mansion.
Since the scandal at Nebula Hotel and the ten million ransom, the White family had been severely weakened. Chloe White stayed home all day, her former arrogance gone.Winnie Carter’s visit felt like an unwelcome intrusion."Chloe, it’s so nice of you to come see me," Chloe forced a weak smile.Winnie sipped her black tea."Sister, are you feeling better? You still look pale.""Same old," Chloe avoided eyeKnight Group Headquarters, top floor, the CEO's suite.Alexander Knight set his phone aside, the screen still glowing with his last conversation with me.He sank back into the wide leather chair, pressing his fingertips hard against his temples.He tried to rub away the fatigue from too many sleepless nights.But his mind was still filled with the sound of my teasing, tempting voice from our call.He loosened his tie.He closed his eyes.He let his knuckles rap softly against the desk.He really was losing it.The exhaustion was real.So was the ache of missing me.He'd been going nonstop—lining up the board, closing the net, pressuring Gerald, and handling Linda Voss.Not one misstep was allowed.His nerves were frayed to a breaking point.Only when my voice came through did he feel like he could breathe again.I was his sanctuary.His vice.He had to wrap this up.He needed to bring me
My heart clenched tight, an old, familiar ache rising up.How could I forget?Sophomore year, I heard this art book set was going out of print. Limited to three hundred copies worldwide.I called in every favor I had overseas.Came up empty.In the end, with red-rimmed eyes, I begged Ethan. Thinking if he asked Alexander…Alexander would handle such a small thing for him.Back then, Ethan only had eyes for Winnie.He flicked his cigarette ash, utterly indifferent."A stupid art book set? That's worth getting worked up over?""Relax. I'll ask when I have time."I waited.And waited.Waited until the set went completely out of print. Until the last copy sold at auction.He never got around to asking.That pathetic hope melted away, silent as snow in winter mud.Now, that dream I once chased in vain lay in his hands.The auction house's wax seal intact, pristine as new.Mocking the cheap se
The next few days were quiet.Alexander was genuinely nowhere to be found—swamped.Texts became our main way of talking.His replies were hit or miss.His calls always came late, deep into the night.He was flat-out exhausted, yet he still found a way to weave himself into the little moments of my day.When I first woke up.In the middle of my lunch break.Or right before I turned out the lights.I liked the peace.I caught up on sleep for days, finally.The bone-deep ache he'd left me with had finally faded to a faint memory.But some nights, when I rolled over, my hand would land on the cold, empty spot next to me.I'd wake up for no reason at all.A little hollow spot opened up in my chest.I'd even grown a little unaccustomed to the cold, empty space beside me.Habits were terrifying things.I'd grown used to his warmth against my skin.His tight embrace.The soft kiss he'd press
The air in the elevator turned frigid.Clara Hayes clapped a hand over her heart, gasping dramatically. She needed pure oxygen.Was her cousin getting cheated on?No, wait. He'd never even wanted to marry Elena Voss.So… mutual cheating?Ugh, no. More like two people going their separate ways.Her brain short-circuited. The gossip was too much.Luke Cole glanced up, spotting the three of them. He paused."Well, isn't this a coincidence."He recovered first, a lazy grin playing on his lips.His eyes flicked down to Alexander Knight's hand, wrapped tight around mine. The grin deepened, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze.Beside him, Elena Voss turned scarlet. Her gaze darted away, and she ducked behind Luke's shoulder."Alex… Lisa… Clara," she mumbled, her voice thin with guilt."Morning."Alexander's face was impassive.He lifted his gaze, letting it drift over the cat carrier i
My vision went black. I dug my toes into the floor, desperate to vanish right then and there.Perfect.Third day of our underground affair—already down and out.Day one:Ethan Knight cornered me at the office.Day two:Elena Voss blocked my doorway.Day three:Clara Hayes crashed our hideout.And all while I was in this ravaged state.This guerrilla warfare was a minefield.If this kept up,would we be headline news in the Knight family tabloids tomorrow?Alexander Knight remained stone-faced as he gave Clara the boot."Go to the office.Now."Clara squared her jaw, her eyes darting between us.No way was she leaving before she got her fix of this juicy drama!"I’m not going!I want to have breakfast with Lisa!""Unless you tell me—when did you two get together?Was it out in Southwest China?""Clara."Alexander’s voice dropped,laced with warning."There’s an overseas project
Alexander's voice dropped even lower, laced with a seductive husk.My eyelashes fluttered.I could almost picture him in an apron, cooking in the kitchen.His cold, unyielding exterior softened by the warmth of the moment.A flicker of longing crossed my mind, but the ache in my legs and back was all too real."I'm not hungry," I turned my face away, determined."Sugarcoated lies."Alexander chuckled softly."Then I'll come to your place."He spoke with a knowing look, his knee brushing against mine."I've never been there before."I gasped, quickly closing my legs."Alexander! You—"I looked up at him, my eyes still rimmed with red, my gaze hazy with the aftereffects of our passion.It was a weak threat, but it only made me look more inviting."Hmm," he responded, his palm continuing to massage my lower back gently, soothing the soreness."Ms. White, could you sign off on a 'work visit' request fo
The situation was slipping sideways, and I knew when to fold. "Okay, okay! I give up!" "Mr. Knight, I was wrong." My voice was muffled against his thigh—soft, yielding, laced with surrender. Like a cat finally caving, I nuzzled faintly against his palm. "Next time I'll be gentler?" Alexander l
Alexander raised an eyebrow, his gaze catching on my whitened knuckles."Afraid he'll see?"His voice was low, carrying the casual scrutiny of a man who held all the cards."Since when did Assistant Lisa lose her taste for trouble?"I couldn't let Ethan discover us. Not now.
Alexander Knight was not the only one lying awake that night.10:00 p.m.Under the same dark sky, the neon lights of Nebula Club dazzled the eyes.Ethan Knight leaned back against the booth, twirling a lighter in his hand, listening to Winnie Carter sing a sappy love song.Wes
I arched an eyebrow.Well, well-looks like the Cold Patriarch couldn't stay put?It seemed Clara Hayes, the"shipping squad leader,"was as efficient as a priority express delivery.I deliberately left him hanging for a few seconds before slowly tapping[Accept].Almost instantly







