GABRIEL“Don’t do this to me, please, miss,” I begged. My chest was growing tight. “You know I won’t do that. You were with me that whole night, and even if I knew the risk, I brought you home because I can’t do that to you… Ah!” This time, a sharp strike from the left side hit me. I bellowed in excruciating pain.I dropped to my knees, screamed, pleaded, and used all the strength I had left in my body. I looked up at my assaulter’s glacial expression. Audrey remained standing still.Two days ago, Samuel asked me to take his sister, Audrey. I was going to New York, where I would start a new life. Audrey Hopkins was the youngest daughter of the vineyard owner where my father and I worked. She was sixteen. I was three years older than her. I guessed she never noticed me even once, but I always saw her. Every day, I watched her from afar, admiring her beauty and her sweet face and listening to her sweet voice. And I thought I was the luckiest man in the world when she suddenly spoke to m

AUDREY“Come home, Audrey. Dad is waiting for you to come home. He’s dying, you know.” Anton stared back at me sincerely. He called me to meet him at the restaurant across from the Stark office building. I was hesitant at first, but I was curious about what they had been up to.My half-brother had grown thin in the past months. His eyes darkened, his skin paled, and his voice croaked. His eyes looked fatigued after working almost twenty-four-seven. According to my source, Linda, our housemaid who didn’t leave Anton and Samuel, still worked under the new landowner at the vineyard. They sold all our properties, except for my mother’s house, and our money was wasted on some bad investment, and of course, Dad gambled. “Look, Anton. I don’t know how you found me or who told you where I am. I’m already guessing that it’s Chelsea, but I’m not coming home. I left, even though Dad was sick. And I’m sure he’s not waiting for me. It’s impossible.” “I don’t know how long you keep running away.

AUDREYAn hour later, I stepped into the dazzling reception area of Gilmore Shopping’s head office. My necessary appointment wasn’t just a simple appointment. It was a job interview.I passed the first two rounds, thanks to the probation at Stark Apparel. The company’s good name and reputation were known to many other companies. They welcomed me as if I was a VIP guest. Now, I was approaching the final interview—the last one-on-one interview with the CEO. I took an elevator to the executive’s floor.I knew I still didn’t receive an employment evaluation at Stark Apparel, but my three-month contract ended today. I needed to find a new job, whatever the evaluation result. Moreover, I didn’t think I could work adequately around Mr. Stark without undressing him in my thoughts. I already got over the fact he was Liam’s dead ringer, but I didn’t move past the point that he could still make me wet despite being an asshole. I didn’t want to be treated like a slave anymore. “Are you Miss Hop

AUDREYThe night was alive when we arrived at the grand porte-cochere of the Camelot Arts Exhibit. Gabriel said that even if he wasn’t going to meet the Italian designer, he was still invited to the opening.The driveway was already packed with luxury cars when I stepped out of the vehicle. When we reached the enormous grand hall, I felt confident when I caught sight of the guests. Thanks to Veronica Park, I wouldn’t look out of place. Everyone was in their fancy dresses and suits. We continued walking inside, and Stark first extended his greetings to the people he knew. I stood back and gave the best smile I could. Stark introduced me as an executive assistant, which made it more official.“Yes, Rickman. We will be launching a brand-new collection for the upcoming fashion show in Las Vegas. I don’t want to spoil anything, but we’re bringing something new.” Stark gulped a shot of his drink.“Then my daughter will have something new to look forward to,” Rickman Perez, a CEO of Foretec

AUDREYI was going to speak again, but I was saved by the bell by a short-haired young woman who approached Mr. Stark. There was no way I would win a one-on-one debate with him.“Maya,” he said gruffly.She grinned so wide it almost tore her lips. The girl sweetly kissed her brother’s cheek. I could see a lot of admiration in her eyes. “Hey, Gabe. We haven’t spoken for a week, and that’s how you’re going to greet me?”According to the records, Maya Stark was twenty-two years old. She had a Master’s degree and had accomplished so much in the family business at a young age. She helped their father run the Stark Group as the COO.Gabriel rolled his eyes. “We usually run into each other at a gathering like this, Maya, and I don’t think we should meet often. I’m swamped.”“You were never free, anyway!” She sighed. “I’m just here because Mom is asking about you. How about you come with us tonight and have dinner at home?” Her eyes gleamed at the anticipation her brother would accept using h