All Chapters of Guilty Pleasure #2: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Elena stood in front of the full-length mirror in her hotel room, scowling at her reflection, frustration mounting with every passing second, her suitcase wide open, a battlefield of dresses, shoes, and accessories scattered around her like casualties of war. “Nothing fits. Nothing works. I look like a college girl trying to impress her boss,” she muttered to herself.Three discarded outfits lay strewn across the bed, a silk blouse and slacks that made her look like she was heading to a boardroom, a sundress that felt too casual, and a jumpsuit that had seemed like a good idea until she’d put it on. “Why didn’t I pack something classier? Sexier? Fancier?” She felt like crying at that moment.She held up a silky blue off-shoulder dress, frowned, and tossed it too back on the bed.“Too much,” she muttered, running her fingers through her curls. “Why do I even care what I wear? It’s not like it’s a date.”But even as she said the words, her pulse quickened. The idea of going sightseeing

Elena barely had time to process Ryan’s icy command “wait here” before he was already moving. Elena blinked. “Ryan…” One moment, he stood beside her, rigid with restraint. She watched him disappear into the lounge through the tall glass doors, her heart pounding. The look in his eyes was a storm she didn’t know how to name, cold fury wrapped in lethal precision. His stride deceptively calm, like a storm disguised as a breeze that didn’t match the tension radiating from his frame. One of the men, the tall, cocky one in a navy blazer who had made the comment, smirked and stood up as if greeting an old friend. Whatever he was expecting, it wasn’t what came next. Ryan didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t throw a punch. But the way he leaned forward, one hand braced on the table, the other in his pocket, made every man there flinch. His lips moved, sharp, clipped words. But something about his posture made even the office help nearby take a cautious step back. “Let’s clarify something,”

The boardroom hummed with soft murmurs, glass walls glinting with sunlight that poured in from the panoramic windows of the Singapore skyline. The mahogany table stretched long, sleek, and polished to perfection, its surface cluttered with crisp papers, glinting pens, and water glasses that barely had a sip taken from them.Elena sat straight beside Ryan, her notepad in front of her though she hadn’t jotted a single word in the past five minutes, her fingers tapping lightly. Her eyes darted across the room, from one suited executive to another, her nerves surprisingly steady. The previous day’s meeting had softened the pressure, today was more of a formal gesture, a signature to mark success.The final terms had been negotiated, the numbers triple-checked, and now, all that remained was the flourish of ink on paper.Vivian, poised and immaculate in a tailored navy suit, slid the document toward them with a practiced smile. "A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Johnson."Ryan didn’t

Elena pushed open the door and froze. She stopped dead in her tracks. Her breath caught. Her lips parted as her mind scrambled to process what she was seeing. Her heart stuttered in her chest, skipping two full beats before racing ahead like it was trying to make up for the shock. The last thing she expected after that exhausting, confusing, emotionally draining night was this.Oh God!Before she could even react, her phone buzzed loudly from inside her clutch, which had slipped from her grasp and hit the floor the moment she’d stepped inside. Snapping out of her trance, she blinked rapidly and bent down to retrieve her clutch. She fumbled for it, her pulse racing as she saw the caller ID.Papa.She glanced at the time. It was exactly midnight.A breathy smile escaped her lips as she answered, “Hey, Papa.”"Happy birthday, princess!" His warm, booming voice filled her ear, and she could practically hear the smile in his words, her chest tightened with affection. "Did I wake you?""Not

The crowd gathered under the warm glow of fairy lights in the Carter garden, laughter and conversation weaving through the air like a soft melody. A large table sat at the center, elegantly adorned with a three-tiered birthday cake, fresh flowers, and glimmering candles. The space brimmed with friends, relatives, and well-wishers, all here for one person.Elena Carter.Dressed in a simple yet elegant blush-pink gown, Elena stood near her father, her eyes scanning the gate for the hundredth time. But there was no sign of Ryan. Avonlea nudged her with an elbow, whispering, “Stop staring at the entrance like a lovesick puppy. Everyone’s gonna notice.”Elena forced a smile, turning back to the cake. She tried to push down the flutter of disappointment that had started stirring within her chest. Her smile never faltered, but the sparkle in her eyes had dulled slightly.Her father stepped forward and tapped his spoon gently against his glass. The noise rang out clearly, quieting the murmurs