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Evren's POV I'm sitting in my office, tapping my pen on the desk. It's been 15 hours, yet my mind refuses to rest. Thoughts keep filling my brain, and it's giving me a damned headache. I had only wanted to ask why there was a holdup in serving some of my most important guests, even after I'd personally assigned some servers to do so. The men were hard to please, so any delay was going to cost my company a shitload of money. The plan was to go into the kitchen, scold the waiters and chefs, ask about their manager, and tell him or her never to handle anything related to my family. But getting grabbed by a random woman, kissed so hard, and then scolded... scolded and ordered back to work was unimaginable. I give orders—I don't take them. “Levi!“ I scream, the sound echoing off the walls of my office on the 43rd floor of the building. He comes running in, panting hard as if he'd run a marathon. “I have it, sir. Finally, I can rest. Phew.” He smiles, but it drops as soon as he notices my glare. Raising a brow and leaning back in my seat, I ask, “Rest? Do you know how long I've been waiting for this?“ “Uh, yes, sir,” the idiot responds. “Forty-five minutes.“ Levi is testing my patience. He's lucky I have to handle this important document. Pulling the file from his hand, I open it, my heart racing as I anticipate seeing her face. The first picture I pull out has my eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets. My breathing stops, and I grip the paper tight as my lips part. Good heavens. Amber eyes stare back at me, deep auburn hair flying around as she plays by the beach with a little girl who looks just like her. Shoot. “She’s married,“ I whisper. Or so I think—until the idiot in front of me answers as if I asked him. “She’s not, sir. I made sure that was the first thing I checked,“ he beams as if he's telling me something I should be really grateful for. “Levi. Why was it the first thing you checked?“ “Obviously, sir. For the first time ever, you’re interested in a woman. I had to make sure she was yours for the grabbing.“ “...“ I stare blankly at him. Who told him I’m interested in her? I want to make her pay for what she did to me. Nobody orders me around. Or kisses me without my permission. Even if they have the softest lips ever... or that faint scent of vanilla and strawberries that's making my mind go haywire. And yet. She barely kissed me. “Levi, are you working for me or my grandmother?“ I ask the 32-year-old man in front of me. “Uh... you... you, sir.“ He stammers, scratching the nape of his neck. “Then a word about this extends beyond this room, and you're dead meat. Understood?“ He freezes, eyes darting nervously toward the door. Mine narrow, and I'm just about to ask what the hell he's done when none other than my older brother, Marek, walks in, a daunting smirk gracing his lips. My murderous glare is directed at Levi, who refuses to meet my gaze but focuses on the bookshelf beside me. “Oh, come on, brother. Don’t kill the poor guy. He did you a favor.“ I scoff, walking toward the counter to pour him a glass of wine since he can’t seem to do without it. When I hand it over, I notice Levi is still standing in my office. The damn snitch. “Levi, what are you waiting for?“ His eyes dart toward the folder on the table and back to me. “I’m waiting for you to give the folder and tell me what you need me to do.“ “Did I tell you I was done staring at h.. I mean, reading through it? I'll call you if I need you.“ He nods, running out as fast as his short legs can carry him. Marek chuckles, making me glance at him. “...“ “What’s funny?“ He smiles, his grey eyes gleaming. “Talk to me, kiddo. What has you so worked up? A girl? Damn, I never thought I’d see the day.“ Rolling my eyes, I mutter, “at least I’m not the one who’s never been kissed. Stupido.“ It’s his turn to glare and mine to smirk. “Stop the bullshit. Why are you so invested in knowing about a girl that you called your assistant five times in 40 minutes?“ “It’s his job.” “Not the answer to my question. Plus, nobody can find out information about another in 40 minutes. What happened?“ Knowing he isn't going to back down, I tell him everything that transpired at the party. Marek doesn’t reply when I’m done. Instead, he walks to the shelf and pours more wine, twirling it in his cup as he gazes out through the floor-to-ceiling glass window. “Marek... say something.“ “My younger brother got kissed by a random bold woman and is intrigued... what more should I say but damn, bro. You’re a magnet or what?“ I facepalm, regretting my decision to tell him this. I should have kept my mouth darned shut. “Firstly, I’m not intrigued by her... not. At. All.“ He raises a brow, a hint of a smile dancing behind his eyes. Then he motions toward the file on my desk. “Not intrigued, huh... what’s that doing there? Why are you trying to find out more if you don’t want to taste more?“ “Stop being silly, Marek. Everyone will try to find out more. Plus, I need to make her know her place. She can’t just order me around like I’m her servant or something. I’m the CEO of—” “Spare my ears the rambling, Evren. Don’t you see you’re trying to deny the truth? There’s nothing wrong with being infatuated with a woman... I think your grandparents will appreciate this.“ I grip the edge of my table, trying hard to keep my calm. I hate that he's right. I could just let it slide. She was clearly trying to get away from the man in the corridor and used me as a shield, thinking I was her employee. Marek’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Brother. I know feelings are new to you here. But if you like her... go get her... if you don’t and really just want to show her 'her place,' then it’s okay... still do it.“ I nod, accepting the last part of his sentence. I am not infatuated with her, but I have to show her the basics of respect. He slams his glass down on the table and picks up his bag. “I am going to my office. I’m working on getting a new assistant since the last one got fired yesterday. Do what you must. Just remember: nobody says no to a Valesca.“ Once he leaves, I stare at the folder on my desk. He’s right. I shouldn’t be doing this. It’s not a big deal. I pick it up, flipping through the pages. Just one last look, and I’ll have Levi discard them. Name: Liora Wilder Age: 25 years old Occupation: General Manager of Marina Catering Services. Marital Status: Single. Has a six-year-old daughter, Selina Wilder. Child’s father: Unknown Yeah. She’s not worth my time. I’m getting rid of this. “Levi!“ He rushes in again, and this time, I hand him the folder, albeit reluctantly. “You can, uh, discard it.“ Her face flashes before my eyes again, but I shake my head to get rid of the thoughts. Levi’s face falls, his lips pulling into a pout, making me wonder how I employed a child instead of a grown man to work for me. “Oh, really, sir?“ He furrows his brows. “Did you glance at the last page... I thought it could have you interested.“ I flip to the last page. Liora Wilder was recently seen at the fertility clinic and, after further investigation, has been found to be a surrogate. Status: Not signed with any couples or families. Hell no! “Levi, I want you to do something for me.“Chapter 50Liora's POVHis silver-grey eyes don’t blink. They just stay transfixed on my face. So intense, like he’s trying to memorize every inch. It’s like he’s trying to know the deep secrets I hide behind my eyes.Good grief, why is he looking at me like that?My heart starts doing those annoying things again. It's racing, jolting, tumbling over itself like drunk people on a rampage. Okay, Liora. You need to get away from him. Slowly and steadily. One step at a time.I try to play it cool, shift backward like I just want to lean against the headboard, only this time… I forget I’m at the edge of the bed.“Ahh—!”The scream has barely left my lips when his left hand is already around my waist, the other tossing my poor laptop onto the bed as he catches me like it's his job.No effort.No stress.Not even a wince from my weight pressing onto his hand.“Oh, my poor laptop,” my brain, trying to distract me from the Adonis before me, says in my head. “You’ve been through so much tod—”M
Chapter 49Liora's POV“So, girl, what's going on now, huh? You were beating yourself up one minute, and the next, you had this full-blown smile on your face like you won. Did the judge call you back to change his verdict? Do those things happen in court? Wait—do you know I've never been to court before?” Arianna spits out stupidly, like the buffoon she is.“Shut up, Ari. I'm trying to focus here.” I'm typing away fast on my laptop. There's some pending work I haven't been able to do since the court case came up. And this girl is making it harder.“No, no, nope. You have to entertain my questions first before you continue with whatever you're doing. So, spill, girl. What happened, huh?”Groaning, I raise my head towards the sky. Maybe God can hear my prayer and take this girl away from me. Not death. Just someone to help me distract her. But it's not happening anytime soon, is it? I'd rather just give in.“Well, Evren happened.”“Evren? Oh my God, I knew it! Billionaires are so cool.
Chapter 48Evren's POVI can't believe it. Two weeks? Two weeks with my child. No. That will happen when I die and leave this earth. Not while I'm still breathing.We were so close to winning. So close. But I think Ronan had paid that judge off. No one in his right senses would give a child to a man who told the mother to abort—not once, but on several occasions.Now he thinks I'm going to let him take my child for a whole two weeks? No way.Liora hid herself in our room as soon as we came back. I've been trying to get her to come out and eat. Tough work."Liora, please come out and eat. You know you barely ate anything this afternoon."Thankfully, Ariana was still with Selina when we got home, so she was able to stay with her in another room. I wouldn't want the child to see her mother crying. I know what seeing that did to me."Liora..." I bang hard on the door, making it vibrate on its hinges. If it comes to it, I'm going to break it down. We can use another room."Please come and
47Liora's POVWhen Pete refuses to speak, Mr. Davis turns with a little bow to the judge. “Your Honor, you can see that things aren't adding up. My client is clearly being framed. First, we have fake medical results, the doctor goes missing, and then the footage showing her being beaten up, most likely because she refused to deal drugs.”The judge taps his pen on his desk, looking from Joseph to Mr. Davis, until his eyes land on me. I freeze, my mind racing. Why is he looking at me? He shouldn't look at me.With how intense his gaze is, if not for Evren's hand holding mine, I'd have bolted out the door faster than a cheetah.“Mrs. Valesca.”He calls me, his voice stern.“Your Honor?” I respond quickly, standing on trembling legs as I exchange a nervous look with Mr. Davis.“I'd like to ask you some questions. Don't be nervous. Are you fine... you look sick.”I know I'm paler than normal. I can't help it. My spit gets stuck in my throat, as my body seems frozen to the spot. I nod, try
Chapter 46Liora's POVHis words make the air shift in the courtroom. While my heart flutters with hope, Ronan and his lawyer exchange a brief glance, filled with hatred—or is it fear?I don't notice because Evren starts walking down towards us. In his hands is a folder, which he hands to Mr. Davis.The judge gives a brief recess so the lawyer can go through the evidence Evren has brought in.Then, right there. In front of the judge, the lawyers, Ronan, and his family, Evren gives me a peck on both sides of my jaw and a soft, lingering kiss on the lips.I push him away, clearing my throat and averting my gaze to the floor. Not before noticing the twitch in Ronan's jaw as his eyes remain locked on us.Evren's hand slides to my waist, pulling me flush against his body. A gasp escapes my lips as my eyes fly to his face only to find him engaged in a serious conversation with Mr. Davis. I had been so lost in the sensations of the kiss I hadn't noticed Mr. Davis was back in and the session
Chapter 45Liora's POV“If that's all, Dr. Madison, you can step down.”She does, her trembling state almost making her fall if not for the police officer who stabilizes her in time.I just can't believe she'll go this far. The question dances in my mind: Was she threatened, bribed, or just decided to ruin another mother's life like this? She knew everything about what Ronan had done to me. I can't believe she wanted my child to go to him.Whatever the case, I'm happy Mr. Davis was able to fight back. I can't ever regret having him as my lawyer.“And now we are calling on our next witness,” Ronan's lawyer announces smugly, making the faint smile I was exchanging with Mr. Davis drop.Witness? Who could it be this time, I wonder. His smugness is bad news already. I'm not left to wonder for long, as the name rolls off his tongue. I freeze, my brain sinking back into the hole of memories I had struggled to bury.“Joseph Pete.”No. No. No.Not Joseph testifying against me. Mr. Davis looks