Lahat ng Kabanata ng Tie Me Up Daddy: Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

Seraphina's POV"What do you mean, when did you say I could leave?"Lorenzo's expression remained infuriatingly calm. "I believe I was clear. You're here to recover. Not to gallivant off to job interviews.""But I just secured a business deal! With actual investors! Who want to pay me actual money!""Congratulations.""So I can go?""No."I stared at him. He stared back.This man was impossible."Look," I said, following him as he turned and walked back into the house. "I understand you're upset about the golf club thing. That was petty. I admit it. Very childish of me."He kept walking."And I'm sorry about challenging Vivienne at the ceremony. That must have been embarrassing for you."Nothing."And the thing with the fingers—okay, I probably deserved that one—"He stopped so abruptly I nearly crashed into his back."Are you going somewhere with thi

Seraphina's POVThe Hartley Group headquarters towered over Midtown Manhattan.I stood on the sidewalk, tilting my head back to take it all in.Mr. Hartley had been true to his word. Better than true—he'd fast-tracked my paperwork, arranged for an immediate start, and even had someone call ahead to ensure I'd have everything I needed on my first day.The lobby was all white marble and modern art, the kind of space designed to make visitors feel simultaneously impressed and insignificant. But I didn't feel insignificant today.I felt ready."Miss Ashford?" A young woman with a tablet approached me, her smile professional but warm. "I'm Rebecca from HR. Welcome to Hartley Group. If you'll follow me, I'll get you set up."The next hour was a blur of paperwork and orientation videos. I signed NDAs, reviewed company policies, collected my laptop and access cards. Every step felt like confirmation that my years at Tho

Seraphina's POVThe first week at Hartley Group flew by in a blur of spreadsheets and coffee runs.Being team leader wasn't glamorous. Mostly it meant staying late, double-checking everyone's work, and trying to keep the peace between interns who all thought they were smarter than each other.But I loved it.For the first time in my life, I felt like I was building something real. Something that was mine."Sera, can you look at this?" Kevin, one of my teammates, waved me over to his desk. "I'm not sure if these numbers are right."I leaned over his shoulder, scanning the figures. "You forgot to account for the currency exchange fluctuation. See here? That's throwing off your whole calculation.""Oh." He blinked. "That's... actually really obvious. How did I miss that?""It happens." I smiled. "Fix it and send me the updated version before lunch."As I walked back to my desk, I caught Madison watching me.

Seraphina's POVMy legs moved on autopilot while my mind replayed the image of Lorenzo sitting across from Vivienne and Madison. Laughing. Enjoying dinner. Living his life without a single thought about me.Good. That's how it should be.I was halfway to my apartment when my phone rang.Mother.My thumb hovered over the screen. She never called unless something was wrong—or unless she needed to remind me how much I owed her."Hello?""Seraphina." Her voice was sharp. Shrill. "Where are you? Why aren't you home?""I just got off work. I'm on my way—""Work?" She laughed bitterly. "What work? You think I don't know what happened? Everyone knows. The Ashford name is ruined because of you. Again."I closed my eyes. "Mother, I can explain—""Explain what? That you're incompetent? That you destroyed another opportunity?" Her voice cracked, and I realized she was crying. "Do you

Seraphina's POVI never thought I'd end up here.Sterling's guest house was beautiful. Polished hardwood floors, designer furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a manicured garden. Everything was tasteful and expensive and absolutely suffocating.My mother had claimed the master bedroom without a second thought. She'd walked through the house like she owned it, touching the silk curtains and marble countertops with something close to reverence."This is more like it," she'd said, smiling for the first time in days. "Sterling really knows how to treat a lady."I'd said nothing. Just carried my single suitcase to the smaller room at the end of the hall and closed the door.Now I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall, wondering how everything had gone so wrong.A knock."Sera?" Sterling's voice, soft and concerned. "Can I come in?"I didn't answer. He came in anyway.He looked good