Se connecterEpisode Playlist - Reckless by Madison BeerJust when Kourtney thought her nerves would flare up in flames, she began to feel calmer, slowly but surely.Because why not?Last time she'd been here, sheâd felt like an outsider, but now, after everything that had occurred within the last few weeks since the Silverstone Gala, it felt way different.Warmer. And today, sheâd worn a lovely lavender corset dress, that made her look like a Disney princess. They stepped forward, and the family surged towards them. Grandpa Woods quickly enveloped her in a bear hug first, his voice gruff but kind. "Kourtney, my dear! You look radiant. Come to keep this Old man some company?"She laughed, hugging him back, feeling the warmth seep into her. "Iâll try my best, Grandpa.âFunny enough, the old man barely acknowledged Sebastianâs presence as they only nodded silently at each other. It was typical of them as they barely got along. Kourtney always wondered why. She figured she would ask him about the r
âI was not that bad,â Sebastian protested, though his grin said otherwiseâŠâYou were worse!â She bit her lip, remembering that day. The fear. The confusion. The strange pull sheâd felt toward this infuriating man even then. Even when he was all tall, big, scary, and intimidating.He was the one with faulty brakes! He was the one who blackmailed an innocent woman!How terrified sheâd been. How her hands had shaken when sheâd signed the marriage papers.She couldnât help but giggle at the memory now, though at the time sheâd been horrified. âYou didnât even smile. Not once. Just stood there with your arms crossed, all âYouâll marry me or face the consequences.ââ She dropped her voice low, trying to imitate him.âI do not sound like that.ââYou totally do when youâre in CEO mode.ââCEO mode?â He glanced at her, eyes twinkling with mischief. âIs that what weâre calling it?ââThatâs what Iâm calling it.â Kourtney pouted childishly. âYou have two modes, CEO Sebastian whoâs all cold and bos
Sebastianâs sleek black Rolls-Royce glided down the winding Melbourne highway, its engine purring like a contented cat. Kourtney sat in the passenger seat, her fingers tracing the soft leather armrest, stealing glances at the man. Finally, they were on their way to his familyâs villa to spend the week. He drove with that effortless confidence, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on his thigh. They had both wanted to have a private time together on the way, almost like a road trip and so opted to use his Rolls rather than the Limo where theyâd be surrounded by bodyguards.Sebastian looked every bit the powerful billionaire he was, with that sharp jawline that could make her knees weak, and that infuriatingly perfect face that she wanted to both kiss and slap at the same damn time.This was the very same car that had crashed into her life, literally months ago. Kourtney couldn't help but smile at the memory, even if it still made her blood boil a littleâŠ.just a littleâŠok
The previews started, bathing them in flickering light. Edwin was hyper-aware of how close they were sitting, how her shoulder occasionally brushed against his when she reached for some popcorn.âThis better be good,â Lilian whispered as the opening credits rolled. âI gave up a fancy dinner for this.ââA fancy dinner where you verbally destroyed one of Melbourneâs most prominent heiresses,â Edwin whispered back.âShe deserved it.ââShe did.âLilian turned to look at him in the darkness. âYou really didnât mind? That I talked to her like that?ââThat was the hottest thing Iâve ever seen.â He was completely sincere.And even in the dim light, he could see her blush. She turned quickly back to the screen, but she was smiling.The movie was a romantic comedy about a woman who gets upgraded to first class on a flight and pretends to be someone sheâs not to impress a man. It was light, funny, and exactly what they needed after the disaster at The Sapphire Crown.âOh God, sheâs going to get
Audrey Larson stood five feet away, dressed in a designer gown that probably cost more than a car. Her perfect golden brown hair was swept up in an elaborate style. She was surrounded by her usual entourage, three equally polished friends and two bodyguards in black suits.Her ocean blue eyes swept over Lilian with the precision of a surgeon wielding a scalpel, taking in every detail of the leather jacket, the worn jeans, the casual ponytail.âEddy,â Audrey repeated, her voice dripping with false sweetness. âI almost didnât recognize you. Iâve never seen you bring⊠someone like this here before.âThe air in the restaurant seemed to freeze. Several nearby tables had stopped their conversations to watch, ears perked for drama.Lilianâs hand tightened on Edwinâs arm, but when he glanced at her, her expression was perfectly calm. Dangerously calm.âAudrey,â Edwin said flatly.The woman was heiress to the Larson empire, one of Melbourne's top six families. Tall, pretty, with a smile that
They were neck and neck through the first turn, Edwinâs Lamborghini hugging the inside line while Julianâs Porsche took the outside. The track curved sharply to the left, straightening out for a long stretch.Edwin pulled ahead by half a car length.âCome on, Jules,â Lilian whispered, fingernails digging into her palms.No!She did not want to go on a dinner date with that man!Not after she'd caught the way he looked at her earlier like a piece of meat to be chewed by a godamn predator.Oh! She'd be damned!He was a sexy motherfucker after all.But then Julian surged forward, his Porscheâs engine screaming as he shifted gears with perfect precision.âThank God!â She let out a huge sigh of relief.They were even again, racing side by side at speeds that made Lilianâs stomach flip.Another turn. Edwin braked late, almost too late, and took the inside line aggressively. Julian had to back off slightly to avoid a collision.âOh my God,â Lilian breathed. Her heart was hammering so hard sh
Across town, Sebastian Woods sat in a sleek conference room, surrounded by his British investors. The mood was tense; the meeting had been called unexpectedly. They were supposed to arrive the next day morning, but their flight had changed, and now he had to face them early.It was annoying just si
The shift in conversation was immediate. The women around the table erupted into excited chatter.âOh, I found the most stunning dress at Marissaâs Boutique!â Sheilaâs sister, Sophie, exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. âItâs this deep emerald green, and I think it will look fabulous with my new earring
The next day began with a shocking twist.The atmosphere in the Woods household had been buzzing with the sound of clinking cups and soft chatter in the living room as numerous members of the family enjoyed their usual Sunday morning tea and pastries.But the moment the local news channel flickered
âWe can leave now if you want,â Sebastian said as he took her reddened hand, massaging it softly.She didn't have to put up with this nonsense.Kourtney looked up at him, her heart swelling with gratitude.âNo, I donât want to. I can handle them,â she replied, determination flooding her veins.You can c







