Semua Bab DARLA FIN:THE HEIRESS'S WICKED REBIRTH: Bab 121 - Bab 130

Darla's POV“Ms. Darla,” he greeted, nodding. “Everything is prepared.”“Good,” I said, slipping my hand out of Xavier’s before anyone could notice. “Let’s do this.”The boardroom doors opened, and the low hum of voices inside fell to silence as I stepped in.The long table stretched across the room, every seat filled. Their eyes were on me, measuring, calculating. A few glanced toward Xavier, curiosity sparking, but his presence alone was enough to make them sit straighter.I walked to my seat at the head of the table and placed my bag down, my lawyer taking the spot beside me. Xavier didn’t sit. He stood at the back of the room, arms folded, watching like a silent shadow.“Shall we begin?” I said, my voice cutting through the silenceMr. Collins, the so-called acting chairman, cleared his throat and forced a laugh. “Ah, yes. Ms. Darla. I wasn’t expecting you to show up after—”“After you illegally voted me out?” I said.His smile froze.I leaned forward, both palms flat on the tab

Darla's POVI didn't notice who strayed off in the opposite direction first, but suddenly the mood between us was strained and lethal. His eyes dipped to my lips, and I was momentarily unable to breathe."Xavier." I started, but my voice came out less strong than I'd intended.He brushed his thumb against my chin, lifting my face to him. "Say it again," he breathed."xavier," I reminded him again, the word still on my lips when he kissed me.Not rushed this time. Slowed and measured, the kind of kiss that took every one of the words I'd not uttered since the day we met.My hands wrapped around in front of his shirt, gripping lightly, feeling the heat of him through fabric.As he slowly relaxed back, I was panting harder than I cared to admit. His thumb brushed my lower lip before he shifted back into his chair, his face expressionless."You said wear power suits because it's for you," he rumbled, "But I believe you're good at winning."I attempted to laugh, but the sound clogged somew

Darla's POVHe shrugged barely, however, his expression didn't shift from mine. "You never speak of anyone else. I wondered."I hesitated, looking down at the table. "No," I said quietly. "My parents died. It's just me and Melanie."He nodded slowly, nearly contemplatively. "That makes a lot of sense."I fixed him with a look, my eyes narrowing slightly. "Makes what?"He smiled weakly, near wistfully. "Why you're so used to fighting by yourself."I fell into silence for a moment. The words hurt more than I'd expected, partly because they were true.Finally, I breathed softly and said, "You make it sound like something bad.""It isn't," he said. "It's just lonely.".For once, I was speechless. I simply sat there with him, over the table, wondering if maybe he really had gotten it hurt worse than he was sharing with me.I cocked my head, watching Xavier cut into his food just as calmly. "You've been questioning me a lot about my family," I said at last. "What's yours, then, other than R

Melanie's povRichard's arm was wrapped around my waist the moment I'd turned to him. His grip was firm but gentle, the type that caused an automatic shiver down me. I didn't even have a chance to register what was happening before his lips landed on mine and the distance between us melted.It was not a soft kiss. It never was with Richard. It was voracious, his lips on mine with an appetite it was hard to breathe through, his fingers along the curve of my spine, pulling me towards him until his chest was pressing into my breasts.I let myself slip into it, into him for a moment. Then the nag that had irked me last night slipped past my lips before I could catch myself.I leaned back, gasping. "Richard," I panted, my breathing increased more than I intended.He blinked, his eyes fogged with lust. "What?""How do we deal with Xavier?" I asked, the words between us heavy and bitter.Richard's jaw dropped for a moment before he took a breath, his arms still on my waist. "You don't need

Melanie's POVI tipped my head, frowning at Richard with half-teasing, half-warning eyes. "You were spying?"He shrugged, leaning in the doorway with that casual assurance of his that never failed to make me smile. "I prefer to think of it as. strategic listening."I rolled my eyes, even as my lips quivered. "Of course you do."He crossed the room, slow, calculated steps, purposeful footsteps. "So," he halted a few feet from me, "what was this project Mandy was mentioning?"I sighed and pushed a few hairs from my face. "It's a possible campaign, big deal. She believes I'm her guy for the job."Richard nodded, his eyes never wavering from my own. "She's right. You generally are."His tone was casual, yet in some manner of his speaking it, incontrovertible and certain, warmth seeped into my chest. You weren't used to compliments from Richard, but they had a weight that lingered with you."Don't go starting with that now," I said. "It'll get you just so far."He smiled. "Wouldn't dare to