All Chapters of She's Mine To Claim: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Delilah watched Travis’s car stop near the entrance to the garage. He was early. She had expected to have plenty of time to reach the office before he arrived. William got out and walked toward her. “Good morning, Secretary Morris,” he said. “Did you ask Miss Stewart to move her car?” Delilah glanced at the empty parking space. “Yes. She parked in Mr. Blake’s usual spot. I thought I should tell her before he arrived.” William looked toward the far corner of the garage, where Hailey had just parked the Bentley. “Did you tell her that was the only place she could park?” “I told her there were open spaces over there.” “All right. Thank you.” William turned and walked toward Hailey’s car. Delilah watched him go, puzzled. She had heard rumors that Hailey was William’s girlfriend. But if that were true, why had Hailey applied to work in Travis’s secretarial office? Delilah had assumed Hailey was using her connection with William to get closer to Travis. Yet the Bentley and the e

Hailey smiled when Travis gave her permission to speak. “I learned something interesting this morning, Mr. Blake.” Travis looked up from his desk. “What did you learn?” “You're quite popular with the secretaries.” His expression didn't change. Hailey glanced at the coffee cup in his hand. “Did you give me the coffee duty because someone was using it as an excuse to spend more time with you?” “Preparing coffee is a normal task for a new secretary.” “Of course it is.” Hailey tried not to laugh. “I only asked because Secretary Morris seemed disappointed when you gave the job to me.” “Then she can spend that time on her other work.” Hailey smiled more openly. She rarely had a chance to tease Travis without him ending the conversation at once. Today, he seemed willing to let her talk. “Did you like the coffee I made?” Travis took another sip. “It's fine.” “Just fine?” “Would you prefer a written review?” “No, sir. I'll accept that as a compliment.” She turned toward the do

Travis was still standing close to Hailey, his hand beneath hers after fastening the watch. “You seem happy today,” he said. “I am. My first day went well.” “You were happy enough to tease me in my office.” Hailey smiled. “I was only telling you what I noticed.” “And what did you notice?” “That Secretary Morris seemed disappointed when you gave me the coffee duty.” Travis raised an eyebrow. “Then perhaps I should tell you what I noticed. Several men in the office seemed interested in talking to you.” “They were curious because of the rumor about William and me. That's all.” “People see you together and assume you're a couple. Yet you think you know exactly why Secretary Morris wanted to make my coffee?” Hailey opened her mouth, then closed it. He had a point. “All right,” she said. “I was teasing you.” “I thought you said you weren't.” “You don't have to sound so pleased about catching me.” For a moment, Travis looked as though he might smile. Hailey glanced down at th

Hailey was reviewing her presentation when Sonny called her through the office intercom. “Mrs. Stewart, could you come to my office for a moment?” She saved her work and went to see him. Sonny had a page of the Avatamsaka Sutra on his desk. “I spoke with someone who knows how much work it would take to copy the sutra,” he said. “Could you write out this page? A sample of your handwriting will help us discuss the work involved.” Hailey looked at the page. “Have you found someone to copy it for me?” “Not to copy it in your place,” Sonny said. “Mr. Blake asked me to consult an expert about the length of the text and whether a shorter selection would be suitable for Calvin’s memorial. The expert also wants to see how you write.” “Oh.” Hailey took the page. “I can do that.” She sat down and began copying the characters carefully. “I was planning to write a few more pages after work,” she said. “I also have some agarwood incense from the manor. If the expert thinks it would be appr

Travis hadn't expected Hailey's sadness to come from a conversation with a classmate. He understood what she envied. Yvette was looking forward to marrying someone she loved, while Hailey had entered a marriage arranged around Calvin's failing health and her family's need for money. He wanted to tell her that marriage didn't guarantee happiness. He'd seen people stay with partners who treated them badly, just as he'd seen others build good lives after losing a spouse. But none of that would change what Hailey had experienced. “You're thinking about what your wedding could have been,” he said. Hailey looked at him. “I'm thinking about how little choice I felt I had.” Travis fell silent. He knew she had signed the agreement. He also knew Denver had hidden the full payment from her and used her concern for her mother and uncle to pressure her. “You're allowed to be upset,” Travis said at last. “I shouldn't have questioned you for wanting time alone.” Hailey hadn't expected him t