Mackenzie’s phone burst out ringing on the kitchen counter. She straightened up from the dishes she was washing and wiped her hands on a towel before reaching for it.It was Uncle Maverick calling.She answered, “Hello, Uncle Maverick. How’s it going?”“You will not believe what just happened, Kenzie.” His excited voice came over the phone. “I’ve got amazing news!”Mackenzie moved away from the counter, clutching the phone tighter. “What happened?”Uncle Maverick cleared his throat, and said in a levelled voice. “One of the hotels got back to me. They are interested in buying your design and hiring you as their major designer, Mackenzie!”Her mouth dropped in surprise. For a moment she was speechless, filled with a mixture of shock, disbelief and unexplainable happiness. When she finally got her voice back, she exclaimed, “W-what?” She let out a big breath. “Wait a minute, Uncle Maverick, did I just hear you right?!”He was laughing on the other end of the phone. “I mean every word I

Those words felt like boulders in her mind the moment Chase pointed them out. But that meant nothing to her. Even if the world came crashing down, she would never let herself be involved with the Axfords ever again!“I don’t care!” She snapped. “I’ll pay you that fine, even if I have to sell everything I own! I’ll terminate this contract even if I have to sell myself! And every valuable organ in my body! I would gladly do it!”Her voice held the defensive tone of a cornered woman who would do anything to stay away from a threat.Chase raked his gaze over her body, noting how beautiful she was, even when she was sending him death glares and resisting him with every fiber of strength in her body. That only made her more attractive to him.More damn desirable.Her pretty, creamy complexion was glowing. Her hazel eyes were brighter, framed by dark eyelashes that batted seductively each time she blinked. Her dark hair fell down her back in thick, shiny curls that looked perfect for Chase t

Chase walked into his office, to see Selene perched against his desk, with her legs crossed provocatively in her scandalously short dress.He paused, pinning her down with a flat look. He was definitely not amused by her presence here. She had ignored the pristine couches decked out in one side of the large office, and the visitor chairs in front of his desk as well.Making herself comfortable right on his desk, with her ass pressing on some important documents.“What are you doing in my office, Selene? You are not allowed in here.” Chase said.“Your staff, especially that assistant of yours, know better than to try to stop me from coming in here, Chase.” Selene responded haughtily, flinging a couple of papers at his feet.He did not give her the satisfaction of looking down at the papers. He already knew they were her copy of the divorce papers.She leisurely moved her eyes to meet his, then she uncurled her legs and got off his desk. Her skyscraper heels clicked as she took a few st

The gloom of defeat followed Mackenzie all the way back home like lead on her shoulders. Not just defeat, but utter devastation.It was just cruel.Dashing all of her hopes so carelessly. She had gone there confident and sure she would get the job. All of a sudden, they chose someone else? She didn’t even see any other candidate there except her. So how?With all those painful questions banging around in her mind, she walked closer to her apartment door. But stopped when her eyes fell on the bouquet of Pink Camilla flowers propped right in front of the apartment.What?That stranger had traced her house address here in Greensville as well? All the flowers they sent back in North Dakota was not enough?Anger erupted inside Mackenzie and she grabbed the flowers, smashing it against the wall with so much force. An angry sound left her as she flung her bag away to smash the flowers around better.All the frustrations and stress she had kept bottled in, all this time were all violently com

Chase swallowed a bite of the food he couldn’t even taste, and felt it settle wrongly in his stomach. Suppressing a grimace, he took a sip of water.This was torture.He loathed the sight of Jeffrey and his mother. That was why this food looked so unappealing. He would have asked West to come with him to the dinner, but he had a feeling that this was strictly family time.Besides, West was in the hospital receiving treatment for the injuries he sustained from they fight that landed him in jail.His eyes moved over to where his father sat, and noticed that he was picking at his food as well. The food couldn’t be unappealing, because Jeffrey was wolfing down his plate like an animal.Eleanor placed one hand on his arm, encouraging him to eat more in her sickening “worried” tone of voice. That was unusual. His father usually had a healthy appetite. Chase was still staring at them when he felt the pressure of someone’s glare at the side of his face.Before he turned, he already knew it w