บททั้งหมดของ CLAIMED BY THE MYSTERIOUS BILLIONAIRE : บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

ZALDEN It's been one hell of a week. Going from one meeting to another, trying to bag a new project. I barely had time for anything, and that is perfect for my chaotic emotions.I scanned through the files on my desk, checking for the important ones when the door creaked open. I didn't look up to know who it was. My last secretary resigned yesterday because she's too weak to get things done, so now, Andrew is doing her job.I blame him for hiring incompetent people anyway.“You look like a mess, Zalden,” he sighed. “Take a break.”If I didn't know better, I'd think he was begging me. My gaze remained fixed on the files, searching for the slightest mistake and trashing it, sending files flying all around my office.“I don't need you telling me what to do. All I asked was for you to hire competent people and what did you do?” I pointed to the sorry excuse of a report piled up on my desk. “You picked the worst among all.”Andrew massaged his temple as if he had expected things to take a

AUTHOR'S POV Zalden was supposed to pick up a file at his office, but since he left early, Andrew had to pick it up for him. He arrived at Zalden's mansion shortly after and went straight to his study room.“Here is the file,” he said, as he dropped the file on his desk.Zalden looked up from the file in his hand, his eyes bloodshot red and Andrew immediately knew he had been drinking. “What the fuck, Zalden? Why are you drinking in broad daylight?”His eyes settled on the glass cup on the desk and the bottle of wine next to it. He went to pick it before Zalden could pick it and he hissed.“God forbid a man needs a distraction,” Zalden sucked his teeth. “Are you listening to yourself? A distraction from what exactly? The same woman you offered a job in your space knowing how much her presence affects you? What do you think you're doing, Z? Is it so hard to admit that you're hurt and move on? Do you have to torture yourself like this?”A thin line formed on Andrew's head as he watche

ZALDEN “We're having a meeting with the Anderson corporation today. We have pushed the meeting a little too much, so when they reached out this time, I couldn't resist,” Andrew said, flipping through the pages of the file in his hand before dropping it on my desk.After meeting with their new CEO, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue anything with that company. He lacked a clear judgment unlike every other businessman, and something tells me not to get involved with him, but I am eager to find out how Belle would react around him, especially after seeing them together at the hospital.I didn't ask Andrew what he found about him because, for some reason, I was certain it would only upset me more, so instead, I decided to stay professional and handle things like I would on a normal day.“What time is the meeting?” I trailed my fingers on the nameplate on my desk as I waited for Andrew's answer.“Erm… Looks like it hasn't been added to your schedule. I'll reach out to them to confirm the

ZALDEN An hour has passed since I told Belle to go get changed. If she was going to hide somewhere and cry every single time she was scolded, why did she bother coming back?I paced around my office, a part of me wondering if I had gone too far. I knew she couldn't afford to live like the rest. She has responsibilities… Maybe sending her off was a bit too much.Just then, the door cracked open. My head snapped towards it so fast I could feel it crack. “Mr. Rowan is here,” Andrew announced.A low groan escaped my parted lips. He was the last person I wanted to see right now.“You look quite disappointed. Are you expecting someone else?” Andrew raised his brows. I picked up my tablet from the desk and headed towards the door. “She's not back yet, is she?”Andrew didn't bother with a response because we both know the answer to the question. “How about you give her a break?” He finally asked.“I run a business here in case you haven't noticed. If she doesn't show up in the next ten minu

BELLE The moment his lips crashed against mine, it felt like the world froze in place and the only sound I could hear was the frantic pounding of my heart.I stood still, a thousand thoughts scattering through my mind, but all I could focus on was the scent of him. Rich. Intoxicating.My hands went to his chest to push him off, but instead they curled into his shirt, pulling him closer. My lips parted on their own, giving into every sweep of his tongue and god help me, my body responded like it had been waiting years for this.What the hell are you doing, Belle?!My pulse pounded in my ears, my knees threatening to give out as heat swirled in the pit of my stomach.It was wrong. I knew it was wrong. Yet when his hands slid up my side, grazing my breast, a sharp breath escaped me. My nipple tightened instantly, aching under the thin fabric.“Do you, now?” He broke the kiss, his hot breath fanning against my skin as his mouth went to my ear. “You sounded so sure earlier,” he bit my ear