THIRTY ONE

I.V Chapter 31: A Spoonful of Tenderness POV: Adrian My racing heart finally slowed down the second Margaret told me they hadn’t gone anywhere. She’d managed to steer Sarah away from that mess. A quiet wave of relief washed over me. Thank God. “Okay then,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “Have them prepare dinner. I’ll take it up to her myself. Just let me know when it’s ready.” Margaret’s eyes widened in clear surprise, but she quickly smoothed it over with a small, knowing smile. “Alright, I’ll go see to that now.” She hurried off toward the kitchen, and I stood there in the garden for a moment longer, letting the cool evening air brush against my skin. The scent of night-blooming flowers mixed with the distant city hum. “Let’s see how long you can keep being angry, Sarah,” I muttered under my breath, a grin tugging at my lips. I started walking back insi

THIRTY TWO

I.V Chapter 32: The Softest Yes POV: Sarah The spoon hovered between us, still warm from the last bite he had just fed me. My cheeks were already burning from his teasing threat, but when he looked at me with those dark, serious eyes and quietly asked, “Can I kiss you again, Sarah?” …my heart forgot how to beat for a second. I stared at him, lips slightly parted. The powerful, cold CEO who barely showed emotion was looking at me like I was the only person that matters to him in the whole world. His hand still rested lightly near my cheek, not forcing, just waiting. “I…” My voice came out softer than I intended. “You’re really asking this time?” A small, almost boyish smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Yes. This time I’m asking.” He answered almost softly yet with a pleading voice. Something warm and dangerous fluttered in my chest. I could still feel the heat of our earlier kiss, the way my body had betrayed me and melted into him. Claire’s shocked voice still

THIRTY THREE

Chapter 33: The Slap and the Storm POV: Sarah I woke up slowly. My head felt heavy and my body was still a little weak from the medicine I took the night before. Soft daylight came through the thick curtains, painting pale lines across the big bed. For a few seconds I just lay there, staring at the high ceiling of Adrian’s bedroom, trying to remember what day it was. Then I turned my head to the side. Someone was sitting on the couch across from the bed, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees, staring straight at me with wide eyes and a huge grin. She looked like she had been waiting for a long time just to catch the exact moment I opened my eyes. I almost jumped out of my skin. “Claire?!” I called out. Claire burst out laughing and threw both hands in the air. “Finally! I was starting to think you would sleep forever. Should I have just left you alone and let you become a sleeping princess in this giant bed?” She teased me. I hurriedly yanked the heavy duvet off my bod

THIRTY FOUR

I.V Chapter 34: Buy and Bury POV: Sarah Dead silence filled the boutique. No one moved. No one spoke of anything anymore. The air suddenly felt thick and heavy, as if the entire room had stopped breathing at the same time. Workers stood frozen in place with wide eyes. Lilian and her two friends remained still, the red mark from Claire’s earlier slap standing out clearly on Lilian’s cheek. Even the soft background music seemed quieter than before. From the inner room, the boutique owner, Anthony, walked out with a small group of well dressed partners. They were still smiling and talking among themselves, clearly coming from a pleasant conversation. Anthony’s smile slowly faded when he noticed the strange quietness. He looked around, confused by the stunned expressions on everyone’s faces. His eyes swept across the room carefully until they finally landed on the man standing beside me. Adrian stood with both hands tucked deep into his pockets. His posture was relaxed, but his face

THIRTY FIVE

I.V Chapter 35: Out of Control POV: Adrian My phone vibrated quietly on the long conference table. I glanced down at the screen while one of the board members continued speaking. It was a text from Stanley. Some girls are causing trouble for Mrs. Sarah and Miss Claire at the boutique. My fingers paused over the phone. A small line of irritation formed between my brows. I typed a short reply under the edge of the table. Why haven’t you handled it? His answer came almost immediately. Mrs. Sarah didn’t want me to interfere. She stopped me. I stared at the message for a second longer than necessary. She had stopped him. That was so like her. I typed again. Who is the person? Stanley understood what I wanted. Within a minute he sent the full background report. Lilian. Daughter of the Burgs family. Our company held a major share in theirs. I asked how serious the situation had become. Stanley’s next message made the muscles in my shoulders and jaw tighten hard. Heat r

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THIRTY ONE

THIRTY TWO

THIRTY THREE

THIRTY FOUR

THIRTY FIVE