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Tristan's friends, Vance Major and Xander Pierce, were already seated by the time Tristan arrived with Rose.It was a private lounge tucked in the back of a pub, all leather booths and low amber lighting, the kind of place where conversations stayed between the people who had them.Only Xander had a woman beside him, a striking brunette he introduced as Sheila, his secretary.Rose got along with Sheila right away. The two fell into easy conversation, their laughter bubbling up between sips of champagne, while Tristan caught up with Xander and Vance.But all along, Vance's gaze kept drifting back to Rose. Lingering. Watching. Too interested."Tris, your sister has grown prettier over the years." Vance swirled the whiskey in his glass, his eyes never leaving her. "She almost looks like a doll."Tristan frowned, his jaw tightening. He never liked people describing Rose like that, though she looked quite delicate than she actually
Tristan ended the call, making a mental note to follow up with HR later. He waited for Rose's response, his eyes searching her face, but she wasn't ready to share what her mother had said either."You know what?" She turned away, her voice tired, defeated. "I'm going to bed."Tristan didn't stop her. But he couldn't help noticing how red her face had become, the flush creeping up her neck and staining her cheeks like she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't.He redialed HR's number."Mr. Roth." The response was prompt, professional."You didn't send me Theresa's personal information." His voice was clipped, impatient. "Next time you send an assistant, I want a complete background check. Criminal records. Previous work experiences. Companies. Everything."With all that information, he could verify things himself, cross-reference what HR sent him against what he found on his own. At first, he hadn't been so concerned about these matters. Assistants came and went. But with Rose ba
Tristan couldn't figure out why Franklin wanted to speak to him alone. Not at the dining table, not in the study, but out here in the garden, away from everyone else. It didn't sit right with him."Dad, you're acting strange." Tristan kept his voice light, but his eyes were sharp, watching his father's face for clues. "What's so important that you couldn't let the rest of the family hear it?"Franklin took a deep breath, his gaze drifting around the garden like he was checking for eavesdroppers. This garden seemed to carry a lot of secrets, and it was a wonderful thing that gardens could not speak.If they could, too many secrets would spill out into the open, and none of them would survive the fallout."It's about Rose."Tristan's posture went rigid instantly, his shoulders squaring, his jaw tightening. "What about her?"Franklin took another careful glance around before asking, "You love her, don't you?"Tristan chuckled, but the sound was hollow, defensive. "Dad, I do love Rose. Bu
Earlier, Cassie had forgone her plans to swim with Franklin. She'd put on casual clothes instead and waited for Hailey in the garden, her mind already turning with questions she wasn't sure she wanted answered.The girl was a crying mess when she arrived, throwing herself at Cassie's feet as sobs wracked her body."Aunt Cassie, it was my fault." The words came out broken, gasping, desperate. "I got upset and called Rose names, so she hit me. But I love Tristan. I really do."Cassie pulled her up gently, guiding her to the chair beside her, her hands steady even as her heart raced."Let me get you something to calm your nerves." She brushed a strand of hair from Hailey's tear-streaked face. "Wipe your tears."When she left, she suddenly remembered she hadn't asked if Hailey had eaten breakfast. That morning, Hailey had skipped it entirely the moment she found out Tristan had already left with Rose.It was as if she wanted to cat
The table went quiet, the kind of silence that pressed against the eardrums, as all attention focused on Hailey.She turned to Cassie and Franklin, her movements measured and deliberate, like a woman who had rehearsed this moment a hundred times in her head."Aunt Cassie, Uncle Frank, I'm grateful for your hospitality." She paused, letting the words settle. "And I think it's about time I returned home."A sigh of relief escaped Rose, quiet but unmistakable. For some reason, a nagging discomfort had settled in her chest the moment Hailey confessed to being in love with Tristan, and it hadn't left since. It clung to her like a second skin, whispering warnings she couldn't quite decipher."You know you can always come back." Cassie's voice was warm, genuine, the voice of a woman who believed in second chances. "Our doors are always open."Hailey smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She rose from her chair with the grace of someone who had spent years learning how to make an exi
Tristan didn't speak. He didn't even acknowledge the hand hanging in the air between them. Instead, he reached for the intercom on the assistant's desk and dialed HR, his movements slow and deliberate, like a man who had already made up his mind and was simply going through the motions."Send me a male assistant." His voice was flat, brooking no argument. "And send Theresa to another department."Theresa's hand, still waiting to be shaken, dropped to her side. Her smile froze on her face, caught somewhere between shock and humiliation, like a deer in headlights."Mr. Roth." Her voice wavered, filled with disappointment. "Do you have a problem with me?"She straightened her shoulders, pulling herself together, refusing to let him see her crumble."I've been working at the branch for about six months, and I was grateful for the transfer because it keeps me closer to my family." She paused, letting the words sink in. "I have a husband and a daughter."The mention of the daughter loosened







