Veronica told me a little more about her life and her passion for art. Then she shared how she met her husband and how she was too naïve and in love to notice all the red flags before it was too late. In return, I told her about my studies, my unfortunate relationship with Dylan, and how it all ended. She was easy to talk to, and I only noticed time passing when the sun above our heads began to set.“So… Josephine Clairmont, tell me about your ambitions.” Veronica grinned, refilling my flute with more champagne.I smiled wryly. “I don't think I have any.”“I think you do,” she said, squinting her eyes at me. “You just never admitted you have them. Fortunately, you don't have to be shy in front of me. So take a deep breath, think for a minute, and then tell me, if you could do anything you desire, what would it be? Would you like to create apps and games for the rest of your life?” When I shook my head, she laughed. “Then what would you want to do?”I did as she said and drew a deep br
Kaiden's hazel eyes locked on mine, and his lips curved into a smug smirk. “Josie? Have you watched my fight?”“I…” All the words seemed to freeze in my throat.The eyes of the entire group landed on me, and a wave of soft giggles and muttering spread around the room. Kaiden stepped closer, his smile widening. My instincts told me to flee, but as soon as I inched back, I crashed against someone standing behind me. Before I could think of another way to escape, Kaiden grabbed my hand and dragged me away from the crowd.“What are you doing?!” I whisper-yelled as he pulled my hand, leading me to the other side of the gym room. I gasped as he opened the dressing room and pushed me inside. He joined me there before I regained my footing. Then he closed the door behind us.“Now we can talk.” He chuckled.My heart lurched. This place was the size of my walk-in closet, and I had a rather small walk-in closet in my apartment. Kaiden easily filled half of the space, forcing me against the wall
The car stopped in front of the two-story red-brick building. It took me a moment to notice a restaurant sign since it was nearly entirely covered by densely growing ivy. From the outside, this place seemed almost abandoned, but the inside greeted us with tasteful art deco.I peered over the crowded restaurant without a single empty table in sight. Then I looked at Kaiden, but he only smirked and grabbed my hand, leading me toward the stairs. I drew a deep breath as we climbed four flights. “I apologize for the inconvenience,” he said, glancing at my shoes, “but the view and privacy are worth it.”A moment later, we found ourselves on the roof, where a single table set for two awaited. The roof was filled with all kinds of plants and illuminated by delicate garlands, hanging a few feet above the table. I stepped toward the edge of the roof, surrounded by the glass fence, and gasped as I looked at the night sky. If it had been Killian who had taken me here, I would have called it a pla
“So? What did you say?” Ashley's voice boomed through the phone speaker. I called her as soon as I'd returned home from my odd dinner with Kaiden, and, apparently, I immediately became her source of entertainment.I huffed. “What do you think I said? I told him no.” I unzipped my dress and peeled it off of me.“His offer wasn't entirely stupid, though,” she mused. “As Kaiden Blair's girlfriend, you would become untouchable.”I considered her words and shook my head. “Killian doesn't trust Kaiden, and Killian would lose it if I told him his cousin would act as my boyfriend from now on.”“Then maybe he should reconsider his decisions because I think they can only put you in more danger,” she said dryly. “You could also tell Killian the truth about that girl who died in a so-called accident. What was her name?”“Ciara,” I answered. “And I can't tell Killian anything. I promised Kaiden I wouldn't.”Ashley groaned. “Men and their stupid egos!”I chuckled. “Right? Maybe if they just talked
KILLIANI looked into Josie's eyes and saw the pain slowly crawling out to the surface. Guilt tightened my chest. I hated to see her hurt. I hated being the cause of it. “I'm sorry,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I promise this won't go any further. This engagement will remain as empty as the media announcements.”She sealed her lips and nodded. “I trust you,” she whispered, lowering slightly and placing her head on my chest.I turned to lie on my back so I could accommodate her better, closing my arms around her. “I didn't want this. I tried to stop it… or delay it at least, and I even thought I managed to convince my father… But then Yan Hao called him, and it was as if he had been given an order.” I ground my teeth as I recalled the scene.Josie lifted her head and gave me a rather bitter smile. “I bet that Estelle was thrilled to hear the news.”I tilted my head back, groaning. “You have no idea... Her dumb minions organized a press conference in the main hall of t
I was sitting by the long table set on the dais. Several microphones were aimed at me like weapons. I had never felt any kind of discomfort while facing reporters and answering their questions… until now. The scene seemed almost familiar—this setting, the crowd of agitated reporters sitting in front of the podium, their anticipation satiating the air inside the hall. The only thing that didn't seem to fit was the woman sitting next to me—Estelle.I twisted in my seat, slowly scanning the beam stretching her red-tinted lips, the ridiculous cleavage that almost made her seem desperate for attention, and the large sparkling diamond on her finger. I had nothing to do with the ring, and I could only guess she either bought it herself or it was a gift from my father to help the false story look more “natural.”I kept my hands in front of me, fingers intertwined. I saw Estelle giving me a meaningful glance before clearing her throat. “Your hand,” she grunted.“What about it?” I strained thro
JOSIEThe plan was to avoid every single piece of information about Killian's and Estelle's press conference. I even refused to go to the cafeteria and hear other employees comment on their boss and his newest fiancée. Unfortunately, my plan failed when the coffee machine died, and I was forced to get my coffee from the Marketing Department floor.“I barely stifled a laugh.” A woman's voice came from the other side of the corridor. “Mr. Blair sat there with an emotionless expression while Ms. Yan struggled to convince everyone that they love each other. She looked sooo pathetic!”Another woman giggled. “I almost felt sorry for her.”“Yeah, me too. And have you seen the ring on her finger?” The first one snorted.“No one could have missed it. The diamond was so large, it's probably tragically uncomfortable to wear.”I cursed under my breath as I picked the coffee and waited for the machine to fill my cup. I wished that those two women could go somewhere else or lower their voices, but o
KILLIANIt was restlessness that slowly spread through my veins and tensed my muscles. I was on my feet before I realized it, unconsciously entering the elevator car and pressing Josie's floor button. I should have stayed away from the place where I could find her, but I couldn't, not this time. Thanks to one of my trusted security guards, I knew that Josie was still working despite the late hour. That alone wouldn't have put me on high alert, but the fact that Estelle had entered the building had.I had waited for a few minutes—long enough for Estelle to get from the entrance hall to my office—but she hadn't come. That could only mean she'd been visiting someone else, and I knew exactly where she'd gone.I passed the long corridor as my heart hammered against my ribcage. I heard the sound of a slamming door—the sound that came from around the corner. I cursed under my breath as I realized it could have come from Josie's office. A few heartbeats later, Estelle appeared in my part of t