MasukBeverly's face was exquisitely lovely, and her complexion was fair. Dark, luxurious lashes swept like butterfly wings above eyes as clear and deep as a lake, where a shy smile seemed to shimmer in the changing light.When James didn't respond to her, she slowly reached out and tugged gently at his sleeve."Are you busy?" she asked.Beverly noticed the people waiting behind James. She'd expected as much. She held out the box in her hand toward him."I'll leave you to it then. Bye."Having worked for James for years, she knew exactly how he looked when he was busy. That was why she'd hesitated earlier.She'd only come over to give James the gift. Since she'd already bought it, she figured she might as well hand it over and leave right after.Beverly's radiant reflection shone in James' clear, dark eyes. Suddenly, those dark irises brightened, as if light had broken into their depths.He reached out and wrapped an arm around her slender waist. The sweet, familiar scent of her fill
"James will probably like whatever my dad likes," Anna said, beaming. "After all, they're both the old-fashioned type.""For your information, James is young and handsome," Beverly retorted, annoyed. "So his taste might be nothing like your dad's."Anna chuckled. "Trust me, all men like what I've got in mind.""Really?""Absolutely, so don't worry."As the signing ceremony came to an end, Evan still hadn't arrived at the office.Anna walked Beverly out, then handed her a gift box that Judy had just picked up. "Go see James now." She glanced at her watch. "It's lunch break—perfect timing. He's free and so are you. Go on now. I've got plans with Damien, so I can't have lunch with you anyway.""Alright, alright." Beverly took the box and tugged at the ribbon. "What's inside?""Open it when you get there. Once you untie the bow, do you know how to retie it?""Not really. I've never been good with delicate stuff like that," Beverly muttered."Since you closed the deal today, it's
James' heart lurched slightly. He placed a large hand on Harold's back. "I'll try every possible way to save your mother. But Harry, can you do something for me?"Harry looked up at him. "What?""Don't tell anyone about this—not even your mother. And just live well with her. That's all."Harold nodded, tears welling up and spilling from his eyes.…The next day, Beverly was woken by her ringing phone.On the other end, Anna was sharp and impatient. "Don't you want the 50 million dollars? You're already an hour late. If you're not here soon, I'm lowering the price to 40 million dollars."Beverly rubbed her head groggily. "I'll be there right away."She knew Anna was only joking.After washing up and changing, she hurried downstairs.Harold and Esther were having breakfast in the dining room, with Maya and Kathy looking after them.Beverly went over and kissed Esther on the cheek. Then, she ruffled Harold's hair and said, "I'm already late to work, so Ramon will take you two t
"Oh, go ahead then," Beverly said, nudging James away.James remained still, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other encircled her slender waist. He pressed her tightly against him.Eventually, Beverly fell asleep in James' embrace.He carefully laid her on the large bed, then walked over and opened the door himself.Vern, who'd been waiting outside, stepped in."Good evening, Chief Bronson.""Examine her." James' tone was detached, all traces of warmth gone.After walking over to Beverly, Vern first injected her with a sedative before giving her a heart examination.James sat on the sofa, his gaze dark and brooding as it lingered on Beverly's slightly swollen ankle.Half an hour later, Vern said, "Chief Bronson, Mrs. Bronson shows no signs of shock and is stable. Her heart, however…""Just spit it out."Vern held Beverly's medical report—the one from her last checkup at the base a month ago. It was also the most recent record in Gwen's possession, as the repo
Evan stood under the veranda with a glass of whiskey in hand."Let's hear it," he said after taking a light sip."When Esther and Harry come to see you, there must be someone from our side accompanying them," Beverly replied."That's fine," Evan replied softly.Ideally, Beverly herself would come. But he knew James would never allow it. Still, Evan would find a way. As long as Esther and Harold were willing to come, Beverly would have to follow eventually."After the signing ceremony tomorrow, we'll discuss the details of the agreement," Evan continued."Of course."It went without saying that they would need to work out the time and specifics.Suddenly, a soft gasp came through from Beverly's end.Alarmed, Evan instantly tightened his grip on his phone. "Bev? Bev!""T-talk to you… tomorrow then." Her broken, breathless reply came through before the call was abruptly cut off.Evan's heart was racing like a roller coaster. He'd heard the sound of kissing and Beverly's shy moa
Time seemed to stand still in that moment.As James met Beverly's gaze, he closed the laptop and set it aside. He then reached up to brush away her tousled hair, his calm gaze deepening slightly as it lingered on her delicate, fair face.Was it time, he wondered, to confess and ask her to give him her heart?Just then, his phone rang. It was Wendell.He lowered his head and kissed her soft, pink lips. "Let me take this call first.""Okay." Beverly leaned obligingly against James' shoulder, idly toying with the exquisite, finely crafted marble buttons on his shirt.James answered the call, his eyes resting on Beverly's serene profile as she fiddled with his shirt."Chief Bronson, the truck driver has disappeared from the hospital. This was a planned assassination. We don't know yet whether the target was you or Mrs. Bronson."A faint frown touched James' brow as he recalled the few minutes he'd left Beverly alone in the passenger seat outside the hospital earlier. If the truck h







