ESTELLE “Oh, God! I’m so relieved you’re finally back.” Mom had been hugging me for about a minute, and she hadn’t let me go just yet. “Mom, you have to let me catch a breath.” I couldn’t help but chuckle. Finally, she pulled away and inspected me from head to toe, then to Quinn behind me. “She’s not going anywhere. Leave us, Quinn.” When Quinn shut the door behind him, Mom said, “You look beautiful. Not too tan. And you look happy.” “Because I am.” I couldn’t let go of her hand. I really missed my mother. Mom always looked beautiful and sophisticated at fifty-five. I hoped I would look just like her when I turned her age, and I was her carbon copy anyway. “Are you ready to come back to work?” “This is your office, Mom. The job suits you well. You’re meant to be the CEO of Star LLC.” “What about you?” “I will still be the chairman, contribute to the design, be the consultant, attend meetings, continue with the campaign and donate to charities. Are you okay with that?” “Yes,

ESTELLE “What the hell?” I yelped in surprise to find Linden already sitting next to me in the backseat of my car. “What are you doing here?” “I told you I need to talk to you.” I shot him a sharp glance. “Then a normal person does by calling my office to arrange an appointment.” “I think we both know that we pass beyond that.” “Mr. Linden, would you mind stepping out of the car, please? You’re making my client uncomfortable,” Quinn interrupted. Linden was unbothered and hadn’t moved a muscle. His gaze was still pinning it on. “Just give me two minutes, Hunter. And I wouldn’t do anything to harm Estelle.” “You’re doing a great job showing it, Mr. Linden,” Quinn said. When Quinn got out of the driver’s seat, opening the door for Linden, I butt in, “It’s okay, Quinn. He said two minutes. Just please wait outside.” “Are you sure?” He looked straight at me. “Yeah. I can handle this type of man,” I said in contempt. “What type of man exactly do you think I am?” I faced him, mee

ESTELLE “Agh. I’m gonna regret this.” “Don’t chicken out now. Linden is a good guy.” “Really?” I asked exaggeratedly. Sarcasm dripped in my voice. “Since when? Because he’s your boss now?” “Then get to know him. He’s actually a—” “A good guy? You said it already.” “I was about to say a trustworthy person. You have to give it a chance.” His reply was conciliatory. “I hope you’re right.” I looked outside the car window. “This is a business dinner. I know what you’re thinking, so don’t get any idea.” He chuckled. “The only idea I get is he’s a good cook. His father is a chef. When Linden saved money, he bought a restaurant for him. The older Linden doesn’t work in the kitchen anymore but is always in his restaurant. I found that admirable. His father is his hero, Estelle.” “Whatever. I hope I won’t regret this,” I said dismissively. I didn’t want more convincing because I knew I had misjudged Linden. “Just chill out. You can always walk out and call me if he makes you uncomfort

ESTELLE I had never wanted a man in my life more than I wanted Gabriel Linden. It was loud and clear how I was so drawn to him like I was a moth, and he was a flame. No matter how I told myself this, whatever we had would only put me in so much trouble, but I only listened to his voice and sensed him close to me. I lost all my willpower. This man lying next to me completely consumed me, but I couldn’t also ignore that he sacrificed something to take me to his bed. We were still naked. Linden was tracing the back of his finger on my collarbone. His simple touch already hardened my nipple, and the ache between my legs began to spike again. “What’s in your head right now?” “You,” I admitted. “It’s ridiculous. I don’t even know you, yet here I am, lying next to you naked, letting you break all rules.” “There are no rules to break, and you know you can trust me deep in your heart. Your mind, your body, and your heart know you can trust me with them.” “You’re my undoing, Gabriel.”

ESTELLE “I’m glad you could make it, honey.” My father kissed me on the cheek before he went to my mother. Of course, I didn’t come alone. I needed someone I trusted as my plus one for tonight’s dinner. Gustav Bladwyn, the Chairman of Connect Technology and E-commerce Company, or CTEC, to everyone who had a fortune of three billion dollars as of tonight. He was always dressed to impress. Even women as younger as my age fell for him. “Cut the formality, Dad. I know exactly what this dinner is all about.” I went to the chair to his right. Then I realized he was alone. I expected to see Klayton and Tyrion, but it looked like they were fashionably late, or this was supposed to be a family affair. “Am I missing something?” Mom sat across the table and asked Dad. “Don’t tell me our guests are late?” “No guest. It’s just us, as a family,” my father replied as he placed the table napkin on his lap. “We are not together. Are we really calling this family when it was over years ago?” “It