Chapter 23: Dark SecretsElizabeth stared at him presumptuously and annoyed that he had stayed."How dare you?" she asked, continuing to dry her hair with the towel."You ask the same questions so irritatingly. Why not tell me why you need that data? I'm curious. What have you been up to?" he asked."It's nothing much. Have you heard of Miss Zany Bay?" she asked, raising her eyebrows."Every self-respecting businessman knows that woman. She's becoming well-known without even showing her face.""She's above you as well," she commented mockingly. "She's one of the main benefactors of the college. You're second, destined to be second.""Are you trying to provoke me? Because the Leblanc family is fifth as a benefactor of that university, so you shouldn't mock me."He coughed and changed the subject."True, shall we go out?""I didn't wait for you here to go out; sit down."He invited her to sit next to him, but she resisted."That kiss yesterday was a misunderstanding. Besides, you kissed
Chapter 24: Suspects and AssassinsElizabeth arrived home anxious, locked herself in her room, and began reviewing each document and its authenticity. There were all sorts of files, including money laundering. There was also a charity institution in Richard's name, which was a sham, used even for illicit activities."It can't be…" she murmured, her voice trembling. "But if my family gets involved with this man, it will be the end of everything we've built," she grumbled, getting up from bed determined to take the documents to her father. However, suddenly, she stopped to think.Taylor and Richard, despite being relatives, had a rivalry that was noticeable to everyone, and Elizabeth didn't know Taylor that well. Connecting the dots, she thought he couldn't be trusted since, unlike her and Richard, they had married transparently. However, Taylor was deceiving Emma
Chapter 25: At Richard's MansionRichard ordered Jayden to fetch Elizabeth, who wasn't expecting him to send someone to pick her up."Why did he send you?" she asked unenthusiastically."The location is a bit far; he thought it would be more suitable for us to take you there."She just shrugged and got into the car, sitting in the back seat, and they set off on a half-hour journey. When they arrived, she was speechless. Richard's house seemed like a palace; the enormous gates, the unique garden, but she could hardly imagine that the walls of plants a few meters beyond the garden were part of a maze where Richard loved to spend time. He was the only one who knew his way around there, as it had a single path and destination but could lead to many dead ends without an exit, making it impossible for anyone to leave. Even trying to climb over was futile because the top of the wall had plants with red m
Chapter 26: Drink and Embraces"What do I do with you..." he grumbled, observing her sleep in a relaxed manner."Sir?" Jayden called, tapping gently on the door without entering."Don't come in, I found her," he warned, a bit jealous because of the outfit she wore. "How could you be so reckless, Miss Leblanc..." he grumbled irritably."Please, leave me alone!" her voice quivered as she mumbled."Request denied!" he growled, displaying annoyance, and carried her.He knew there was no one else in the hallway. Jayden understood that he wanted some privacy, so he safely escorted her to her room while she continued to display uneasiness."You have to behave!" he grumbled as she pushed his face, although he wasn't even trying to
A Hint of JealousyShe sat at the table, remaining curious as Ailda stayed serious."You're jealous because he showed interest in another woman?" she suddenly asked, heading to the fridge to grab a jug of juice and bringing it to the girl. "You haven't had dinner yet. I thought you were asleep. How's Richard?" she asked, making her blush."What do you mean? Why would I know?" she stammered, nervous."He's your husband, weren't you in the same room?""Don't misinterpret. We only have the title, nothing more. He and I will never have a husband-wife relationship. Besides... I need a driver to take me home. It's not appropriate for me to sleep here.""How come? This house... maybe because of the circumstances of the marriage, you're in total denial, aren't you? But I assure you that Richard is not a bad man. Allow yourself to get to know him, and you'll see that behind that cold exterior is a man with a huge heart and values.""Do you think so?" she asked sarcastically."Isn't he?""I don
Chapter 28: LucidRichard remained close to Elizabeth for a few minutes as she stared at him fixedly in the eyes, displaying bitterness."I'm starting to understand you..." He smirked cunningly, not releasing her face. "Why not admit that you have feelings for me? You're just playing hard to get, right?" He asked just as he started feeling water droplets falling on them, signaling the beginning of the rain Ailda had warned him about."For God's sake..." She murmured mockingly. "Me, liking a man like you?"Richard skeptically smiled as he saw her eyes falter; she didn't even believe what she was saying. She tried to pull back and free herself from his touch when she lost balance, forcing him to hold her, placing one arm around her waist to keep her close to his body."You are simply fascinating...
Chapter 29 - SuspectThe scene could even be comical: a tall, well-built man carrying a moderately slender girl on his shoulders. She pounded his back and squirmed, trying to break free while he calmly walked through the dark hallway towards his room."You wretch, I told you I don't want to sleep by your side.""You don't have a choice," he grumbled, stopping in front of his room door.As soon as they entered, he threw her onto his bed and began undressing in front of her, noticing her wide-eyed panic while she tried to disguise the attraction she felt at seeing him shirtless."Stop!" she shouted when he was about to remove his pants."Childish!" he grumbled, heading for the bathroom."How daring," she whispered breathlessl
Chapter 30 - Escape AttemptAilda rushes into the office, her clothes drenched."Richard said she shouldn't leave, but right now she's trying to open the gate in this storm!" she announced, concerned."That..." Jayden growled impatiently, following Ailda, but when they go out, they don't find her there."Did she leave?" Ailda asked, worried."No, she couldn't get out.""She was so scared, what happened?""She believes Richard is a murderer.""I told her she couldn't leave until he arrived.""That's exactly what I said. Get an umbrella, don't stay out in the storm like this," Jayden advised.He walk