[Juliette’s POV] “I don’t want to hear it.” But I didn’t look away. Ralph pressed my palms harder into his cheeks. “I need to buy off her share of the family business. So I went to her.” I stopped struggling. Is he talking about his reformation plans? I listened with piqued interest. He pulled me closer and whispered harshly, “She was all over me. Tried to come down on me. But I pushed her away.” More dirty images filled my mind, and anger shot back into my eyes. “I don’t believe you. Everywhere smelled of her. YOU–smelled of her.” The Mafia King dropped my hands and stepped back. Holding my gaze, he unbuttoned his shirt. “This? You smell her on this?” Once it came undone, he yanked it off and flung it away like trash. “I’ll tell Thomas to burn it.” I swallowed hard at the sight of those fine abs. His chest heaved angrily. “What else?” His eyes fixed on mine, imploring for my trust. “This?” He unbuckled his pants and took them off while seizing my gaze, not letting me out

[Juliette’s POV] The following morning, at the office… I was staring at the final draft of the marketing campaign for HFE-10 on the computer screen, but my mind was on the meeting with the mart king, which would be happening in the afternoon. Ralph and I went for a stroll with Tommy last evening and we had a light-hearted chat about the mansion. Then, we made passionate love again and he whispered many things in my ears that still rang in the back of my mind. And this morning, I woke up feeling guilty thinking: I shouldn’t go behind Ralph’s back and gather evidence for his eviction. He doesn’t deserve such betrayal, not after the ones he’d suffered from his biological family. I should warn him about the company’s board. Ha! The voice in my head chided. You think you’re doing him a favour? Don’t be silly. Ralph will find out about your secret mission to have him removed as CEO, and guess what he’d feel when he does? I bit my thumb nervously. Moreover, it’s his job as the CE

[Juliette’s POV] Thank goodness, Mr. Clifford was ten minutes late—fashionably. For a man of late fifties, he was still keeping up with the latest trend of suits and ties. It was amazing how Ralph could still focus without a trace of what we had done a few minutes ago; I was still in a slight daze after that glorious climax when he was presenting both proposals to the mart king. The presentation, of course, was flawless. I knew because old Clifford was hanging onto Ralph's every word, his smile kept growing until every tooth was out on display. And at the end, he was absolutely impressed. “I like this very much, junior.” The mart king gave a friendly slap on hulkish back. “You are a man of his words.” “Only if they are worth keeping,” replied Ralph. “Right, Juliette?” The sudden attention made me tongue-tied. Ralph glanced in my direction with a teasing twinkle in his eye. And, instantly, for some strange reason, my cheeks got caught in another flush. Damn it! I looke

[Luke’s POV]The elevator slid to shut and the metal box glided downwards. The concerned expression across the attractive features melted away into a relieved smirk. Luke couldn’t believe that his little lie worked. Once again, he won: his little bunny would never abandon him—she loves him too much, even more than that pathetic pseudo husband of hers. Something buzzed in his hand. He lifted his phone to sight, saw the caller’s name and spread his lips into a knowing grin as he pressed the answering button and slapped the phone to his ear. “What is it?” “I was right, weren’t I? Ms. Juliette was alone today,” Melissa chirped. Luke chuckled and whispered in his charming voice, “Yes, you’re right. I’m so proud of you.” “Ooh Luke baby, that’s turning me on.” “Great.” Luke tucked his free hand into his pocket and added gently, “I need my slut tonight. I wonder who’s available?” “Me! Luke baby, pick me! I’m your favourite slut!” Melissa purred. “Alright.” Luke pretended to give in.

[Juliette’s POV]The Mafia King’s version of ‘deskbound’ is as mafia as anything I’ve seen. Looking up from the iron cuffs around my ankle, I stared in shock at Ben. “You gotta be kidding me!” The man snapped the other end to one leg of the desk and stood with a huff. “The boss doesn’t do kidding. You know him.” “I don’t think I do.” I crossed my arms in vexation. “I thought you said, he can’t make you do anything you don’t want to.” Ben shrugged. “Well, I’m on Ralph’s side for this one. Seriously, Juliette, why would you think of him like that? He loves Lux Corp more than anything.” I jerked my gaze away and asked sourly, “He told you?” “Honestly, it wasn’t hard to guess.” He glanced at the door to the CEO’s office as though Ralph was standing there. “I’ve got you to thank for that—.” He shifted closer and lowered his voice. “Your complete lack of faith in us.”The clown does know when to bite, and he bites like a fucking cobra. But I’m not a fucking sheep either. I snorted a