All Chapters of Married In My Step Sister’s Place : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Adrian had meticulously engineered the environment, but he hadn't accounted for the disruptive power of a single, accidental touch. As Zara retreated from the Consul’s office, leaving him to manage the diplomatic pleasantries, the brief, electric contact remained a cold burn on his palm.He completed the final handshake, his mind already racing. The successful deal a coup that had secured Voss International a lucrative position in the satellite communications market felt secondary. All he could focus on was her reaction: the sudden, rigid recoil that had been so purely instinctive, so divorced from the polite performance of the evening.It wasn't simple anger or annoyance; it was disgust. A deep, physical rejection of his presence.Good, Adrian thought, a sharp, unpleasant satisfaction cutting through his irritation. He preferred hatred to indifference. Indifference was forgettable. Hatred was focused, and focus could be controlled.But the incident also underscored the fatal flaw in

Zara studied him in silence for a moment before answering. He wasn’t like Thorne. There was no scholar’s calm in his movements, no trace of the passion that came from real study. Instead, there was a predator’s stillness in the way his eyes lingered.“I see,” she replied coolly. She placed her gloves neatly on the table, refusing to break her poise. “Then let us begin. The holdings list is extensive. I will require the most recent acquisitions records.”Keene’s smile widened, though the effect was unsettling rather than charming. “Of course, Mrs. Voss. Mr. Voss was most insistent that I meet all your needs.”Zara ignored the insinuation, lowering herself gracefully into the carved chair at the table’s head. She had learned long ago that silence could be sharper than words.The first hour passed without incident. Keene provided documents, answered her questions with mechanical efficiency, and even fetched reference books from the upper shelves. But there was something in the way he hov

Alaric sat alone at the corner of the restaurant long after Zara had gone. His teacup trembled slightly in his hand, untouched now, gone cold. His heart was heavy. For years he had carried the gnawing guilt of not being there for his daughter. Every night it pricked him like a needle, sharp and merciless, whispering of his failures as a father. And now after finally seeing her, after finally mustering the courage to face her the guilt only deepened.He closed his weary eyes and lowered his head. Oh good Lord… forgive me, he prayed silently. Forgive me for putting my daughter into that mess. She’s not happy. She’s hiding it from me so I won’t feel guilty, but I see it. I see her pain in those tired eyes, the tears she swallows back. Oh, Lord… what have I done?The old man’s lips trembled as he set down the teacup, heart breaking at the thought of his little girl suffering in silence. Yet, amidst the sorrow, there was the faintest thread of relief. He had spoken to her. He had held her

Zara’s POVShe hadn’t slept much the previous night. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind replayed the confrontation she was planning. His sneers, his mocking tone, the sharp way his voice could cut her into pieces she imagined it all. Yet, instead of fear, it fueled her resolve. She was done being caged, done being treated like an ornament.So, early in the morning, even before thinking about making breakfast, she marched to Adrian’s office. Her heart pounded, but she inhaled deeply, whispering to herself, Here goes nothing. Then, with a steadying hand, she knocked on the door.“Come in,” Adrian’s deep, calm voice called.She stepped inside, meeting his sharp gaze. Surprise flickered across his face, but before he could speak, the words burst from her lips.“I want to work.”His brow furrowed. “What?”“I want to work!” she repeated, louder, firmer.The room seemed to freeze. Then, his calm shattered into rage.“Are you out of your senses?” he snapped, slamming his hand on the des

Zara’s POVZara woke up early, her body buzzing with a strange mixture of excitement and anxiety. Sunlight streamed through the blinds, highlighting the neat folds of her new work outfit. Today was her first day at Blake’s Company, and though she had fought tooth and nail for this opportunity, a small knot of fear twisted in her stomach.She dressed carefully, smoothing the fabric of her blouse over her shoulders, tucking it neatly into her pencil skirt, and making sure her heels were polished. Every detail mattered her appearance had to be perfect. Not just for the job, but to prove to herself that she could step into a life that was hers, no longer defined by Adrian’s control.Downstairs, the driver was already waiting. The sleek black car gleamed in the morning sun, immaculate as always, a silent reminder of Adrian’s meticulous nature.“Good morning, ma’am. I’ll be taking you to Blake’s Company,” the driver said politely, opening the door.Zara nodded respectfully, sliding into the