“The conference room is ready, sir. Please come this way! I’ll escort you to your rooms,” said an eager Mr. Albizzi, leading the way to the elevator. “Thank you, Mr. Albizzi. Have you informed the others about today’s meeting?” Skylar followed him quietly, listening to his conversation with Mr. Albizzi. She was angry at him for not introducing her to his staff. She was his fiancée, after all. Shouldn’t he have introduced her? “Yes sir. I have. They should arrive an hour before the scheduled time.” “Good! You can hand the keys over to me and get back to work.” Mr. Albizzi handed the keys and left them at peace. Bursting with curiosity, Skylar couldn’t contain herself anymore. “Why have you booked two rooms?” A small smile played on his lips as he turned to look at her. “For you. I hope you’re happy now! You won’t need to share a room with me.” Skylar glared at him as her heart protested against it. It should have made her happy, but it didn’t. “Won’t your staff consider it weird

Christian took another deep breath and faced her. “You’re overreacting just as you did in Frascati. I have explained this to you before and I’m repeating it now. There will be such women everywhere, in every hotel I own. It doesn’t mean I encourage them or have an affair with them. You might have had admirers too at your college. Did you sleep with them all? It’s the same thing, Skylar!” “No, it isn’t the same thing. You allowed her to insult me. Then you disappeared with her for twenty minutes! What do I conclude from your behavior, Christian?” Her face flushed with annoyance at his lack of explanation. “I didn’t invite her to sit beside me. If she wanted to create a scene, how was I responsible? Did you want me to pick up a fight with her in front of my board of directors? I have my self-respect and position to consider before taking such a step. These people have been with us for years. They are reputable and close to grandpa Ben. How could I create a scene in front of them?” Sky

“When will you marry me, Skylar?” The unexpected question brought Skylar out of her daze. She raised her head and gazed into his melancholic eyes. She searched her soul for an answer but couldn’t come up with any. Strangely, she didn’t want a contract marriage with him any longer. “I will prepare the contract for you to go through. Whenever you’re ready, we can sign it and get married. I will apply for a license.” Skylar nodded, releasing him and scooting to her side. Her heart filled up with a strange restlessness, yet she couldn’t voice her feelings somehow. She couldn’t tell him she wanted a proper marriage with him. Where was the spitfire who could fight all her battles bravely? She had never been so tongue-tied before. She lay down and closed her eyes with a sigh while Christian watched her confusing reaction. He was sure something was wrong with her. She was fine a minute ago. Didn’t she want to marry him? Then why couldn’t she voice her thoughts? Why couldn’t she fight his de

Lillian stood frozen with shock. Who was Steele? Was Grandpa Ben hiding something from them? She tried to overhear but the rest of the conversation happened in low whispers. Maybe Grandpa Ben had heard her approaching his room. She opened the door to see him switch off his phone warily. He turned around to face her, his face pale and nervous. “Who were you talking to, Grandpa?” asked Lillian with a frown. “No one special. Just a friend,” stammered her grandpa. It made her scowl even more. After overhearing his conversation, she was sure it wasn’t a friend. “Or an enemy.” Grandpa sat down and gaped at her with a guilty look on his face. “Why do you say so, Lillian?” “I know you were talking to some Steele. Who is he, Grandpa? Why would he kidnap Seb?” Benjamin St. James rubbed his face nervously, knowing it was time to come out clean. After overhearing his conversation, Lillian wouldn’t let this go so easily. It wasn’t easy to fool her. “He didn’t admit to kidnapping Seb.

After two days, Christian and Caleb helped Sebastian to their jet to return home. Although he hadn’t recovered fully, the hospital discharged him at Caleb’s insistence. “Be careful, bro,” said Christian, as he helped him to the seat. “You can lie down inside after takeoff.” “I’m fine here with you.” Sebastian closed his eyes as a wave of relief washed over him. He had never imagined he would see his family again. Christian and Caleb occupied the seats beside him and waited for takeoff. They were bursting with curiosity to know what was happening. The last few days, they couldn’t ask him anything in the hospital with the cops always around them. It was only after Sebastian could give a brief statement did the cops leave him in peace. Caleb coaxed the doctor to permit them to take the patient to Cleveland while Christian hastened the discharge formalities. Now, after take-off, they relaxed and looked at Sebastian curiously. Did he know about uncle Sylvester’s death? “Tell us wha