Lahat ng Kabanata ng A Secretive Deal with My Billionaire Boss: Kabanata 321 - Kabanata 330

MadisonThe words hung in the air between us. Alexander's fingers stilled. "End it," he repeated flatly. "Yes. Keep things purely professional between us. No more dinners, no more other activities. Just boss and employee." Alexander studied me for a long moment. "Is that what you want?" No. "Yes." "I see." He leaned back in his chair. "And your mother's medical bills?" "I'll figure something out." I lifted my chin. "I appreciate what you've done for her, but I can't continue like this." "Like what, exactly?" "Like..." I gestured vaguely. "This. The pretending. The sneaking around. Being your dirty little secret while you parade Katherine around town." A muscle ticked in his jaw. "You think I'm parading Katherine around?" "The evidence speaks for itself." Alexander sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Madison, those photos aren't what they look like." "Really? Because they look like you're rekindling things with your ex." "They're business meetings." I scoffed. "With

MadisonHazel's apartment smelled like cinnamon and vanilla. I sank deeper into her couch, thankful for the mindless background noise of some reality TV show about people renovating houses on impossible budgets. "You look like hell," Hazel called from her kitchen, the coffee machine gurgling behind her. "Thanks. Just what every girl wants to hear." "Hey, I'm just being honest." She appeared with two steaming mugs, handing me one before curling up at the opposite end of the couch. "That's what best friends are for." I wrapped my hands around the warm ceramic, inhaling the rich aroma. "Then, as my best friend, you should've lied and told me I look fabulous." "Fine. You look fabulous. For someone who got hit by a truck and then dragged through a hedge backward." She nudged my leg with her foot. "Better?" I couldn't help but smile. "Much." Hazel studied me over the rim of her mug. "So, did you talk to Alexander about Katherine?" My smile faded instantly. "Why do you ask?" "Don't

MadisonThe office felt colder without Alexander's attention. For a week after ending our arrangement, I'd seen him exactly twice, both times in passing, with barely a nod of acknowledgment. The professional distance I'd requested now stretched between us like an arctic wasteland. I drummed my fingers on my desk, staring at his closed office door. He was in there, on a call. I could hear the low rumble of his voice through the walls, but couldn't make out the words. I missed his voice. Missed the way it would drop to that dangerous, seductive octave when we were alone. Missed how he'd call me "Maddie" in private moments, the nickname rolling off his tongue like a caress. Now it was all "Ms. Harper" and curt nods in the hallway. I got exactly what I asked for. Professional distance. No more arrangement. No more confusion. So why did it feel like I'd lost something precious? My computer pinged with a new email. I clicked it open, expecting something work-related. Instead, my stoma

MadisonFor the next week, I threw myself into work. Every morning, I arrived early, left late, and was buried in work. Anything to avoid thinking about Alexander Knight and the hollow feeling in my chest. The day of the gala arrived with cruel swiftness. I woke up with a knot of dread in my stomach, knowing I'd have to watch Alexander with Katherine all evening, playing the part of the professional employee while remembering how his hands felt on my body. At noon, a courier delivered a large garment bag to my apartment. I unzipped the bag slowly, revealing a midnight blue gown that took my breath away. The silk fabric shimmered in the light, its deep color reminiscent of the night sky. Strapless with a sweetheart neckline, it hugged the torso before flowing out in a subtle A-line. Tucked into the garment bag was a smaller box containing a diamond necklace and matching earrings that had to be worth at least twenty thousand dollars. So he'd picked the dress himself, not from the r

Madison"Is it?" His voice dropped lower, taking on that dangerous edge that used to make me weak in the knees. Still did, if I was being honest with myself. "Yes. Professional boundaries, remember? Your idea." "Actually, it was your idea to end our arrangement." "Because you were seeing Katherine behind my back!" "I wasn't seeing her. We had business meetings." I snorted. "Business meetings don't require dinner at Le Bernardin." "Sometimes they do." The car stopped at a red light, and Alexander turned to look at me fully. "You look beautiful in that dress." The abrupt change of subject caught me off guard. "I—thank you." "The diamonds suit you." My hand went to the necklace instinctively. "They're not mine." "They could be." The light turned green, and Alexander returned his attention to the road. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. "Nothing. Just an observation." We drove in silence for another minute before I realized we weren't heading toward my apartment. "Wher