Chapter 2

​Despite the utter chaos and confusion of the moment, Christopher Hugh Blackwood did not expose Valerie’s lie. Instead, his hand remained firmly anchored on the curve of her waist, pulling her closer against his side.  

​“Babe, are you done here?” Christopher’s low, rich voice carried across the silent room, smooth as silk. “I told you I was going to wait outside in the car for you.” 

​Valerie’s mind was spinning at a hundred miles an hour. She had no idea why this striking stranger was playing along with her absurd claim, but the sight of Trevor and Cassie gaping in paralyzed terror was far too satisfying to pass up

.  

​“Yeah, I’m done,” Valerie said, forcing a soft, brilliant smile as she wrapped her arm through his. “Let’s go, darling.”  

​Together, they walked past the stunned crowd of alumni, leaving her former classmates whispering in utter shock.

  

​As soon as they stepped out of the hotel’s grand entrance, a sleek, custom Maybach pulled up to the curb. The chauffeur immediately stepped out, opening the rear door with utmost deference. Before Valerie could offer a polite thank-you and make her exit, Christopher leaned down, gave her driver her old family residential address, and guided her into the leather interior.

  

​The heavy door clicked shut. Before Valerie could open her mouth to demand answers, Christopher pressed a button on the armrest, raising the black privacy partition between the front cab and the rear cabin.  

​In the dimmed interior, he leaned over her suddenly, his broad shoulders blocking out the light. For a terrifying second, Valerie thought he was going to kiss her roughly, his dark eyes fixed on her lips.  

​Slightly annoyed, Valerie placed her hand against his broad chest, pushing him back with a firm glare.  

​“Excuse me,” Valerie said coldly, her hazel eyes sharp. “I appreciate you helping me out of an awkward situation back there, but that doesn't mean I’m an easy target for you to mess around with.”  

​To her surprise, Christopher didn't look angry. Instead, a slow, intriguing smile touched his lips as he sat back, casually wiping a trace of her lipstick off his mouth with a crisp linen handkerchief.  

​“You really don’t remember me?” he asked softly, his gray eyes searching her face.  

​Valerie frowned, studying his sharp jawline and intense gaze. She searched her memory, but nothing came up—certainly not a man of his dangerous stature. “No. Should I? Look, I'm grateful, but can we just leave it at that.”  

​Christopher gave a light, low chuckle, leaning his head back against the leather headrest and closing his eyes. “If you say so.”  

​The rest of the drive passed in dead silence. When the car smoothly pulled up outside the gates of the Sterling residence, the driver tapped respectfully on the partition to announce their arrival.  

​“You can get off now,” Valerie told him, grabbing her bag.  

​Just as she opened the door, curiosity got the better of her. She turned back to ask how he knew her family address when she hadn't given it to him. But before she could speak, Christopher leaned toward the front partition and instructed the driver: “Let’s go.”  

​Valerie stood on the driveway, watching the red taillights of the Maybach disappear into the night. “Obnoxious and rude,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head. “I guess arrogant behavior just runs in Trevor's family.”  

​She turned and entered her family home. Inside, her parents were waiting in the living room. Their faces lit up with emotional joy the moment they saw her. Her mother rushed forward to hug her, crying soft tears, while her father embraced her tightly. They spent the next two hours talking, sharing stories about her years abroad. Valerie made a conscious decision not to bring up the looming bankruptcy or the bank notices sitting on the foyer table; she didn't want to ruin their reunion. She also noted that her younger brother was not around at the moment.

  

​The next morning, Valerie woke up early, long before her parents were awake. Determined to pull her weight and save her family, she had applied for a senior project management position at Blackwood Enterprises—the largest conglomerate in the region—weeks before returning. Miraculously, her impressive portfolio from abroad had secured her an immediate hiring offer.  

​Dressed in a sharp ivory suit with her employee ID badge pinned to her lapel, Valerie arrived at the massive glass skyscraper of Blackwood Enterprises.  

​As she walked through the marble lobby toward the executive elevators, a voice sneered behind her.  

​“Well, well, look who’s crawling around looking for a job.”  

​Valerie turned to see Trevor standing near the turnstiles, looking disheveled and arrogant.  

​“I saw your name on the new hire board, Valerie,” Trevor mocked, stepping in front of her. “Are you so broke that you came to work as a low-level paper pusher in my family’s ecosystem? If you had just stayed obedient five years ago, you’d be sitting in a mansion right now instead of begging for a paycheck.”  

​Valerie was about to fire back when a cold, imposing figure stepped off the private elevator elegantly.

​Christopher strolled into the lobby, flanked by two assistants. The moment Trevor saw him, his posture instantly cringed into one of submissive fear.  

​Christopher stopped in his tracks, his eyes locking onto Valerie. He dismissed Trevor with a single, icy glare that made his nephew shut his mouth instantly.  

​“What are you doing here?” Christopher asked Valerie, his tone even.  

​Valerie lifted her ID badge, her chin held high. “I’m here to work. I’m the new Director for Estate Development Design.”

  

​Christopher glanced at the badge, a faint spark of amusement flashing in his eyes. “Is that so? Follow me to my office.”

  

​Leaving Trevor standing in dumbfounded silence, Valerie followed Christopher into the private elevator, completely unaware that she was walking straight into the office of the Chief Executive Officer.