All Chapters of Charmed By A Rival: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

“Don’t mind the board. As long as the chairman trusts you, they can’t do anything,” Dawn said, resting her head against Ralph’s shoulder as they drove home.“But who prompted the board to call that meeting and make such an inquiry?” Ralph muttered. His brows remained furrowed as he stared intently at the road ahead. “It was obvious they were after something. I don’t like how the meeting ended earlier.”“Your personal life has nothing to do with K-Line Shipping’s stock price. What right do they have to meddle in your marriage?” Dawn raved. “You’re a man, Ralph. You deserve to be a father. They can’t expect you to stay married to that woman when she can’t even fulfill her obligation to you.”She raised a hand as if emphasizing her point when she mentioned the word *marriage*.“She can’t give you or your family an heir. Can’t they understand that?”Ralph remained silent.“Good thing you never registered your marriage. Otherwise, you’d have another headache dealing with the settlement of

“How are you, Bella?” Alice asked concernedly after taking a sip of her juice.She had messaged me earlier to check on me, and when she suggested that we meet, I readily agreed.These past few days, I had barely left my hotel room. I chose to rest, sleep in, and allow myself a few lazy days without worrying too much about what came next.It had also been days since Zachary Simon's unexpected sleepover.I had been staying indoors, too lazy to go anywhere, and I hadn't heard anything about him since then. He was probably busy.Unless, of course, he decided to barge into my hotel room again like he had before.But he hadn't.For some reason, I didn't want to admit that a part of me had been waiting for him.Instead, I had been avoiding every thought of Zachary altogether. I convinced myself that I was simply enjoying my time alone and that his absence didn't bother me in the slightest.Alice's invitation, however, had been too tempting to refuse.And now, I was sitting across from her in

Zachary accompanied her to her hotel room despite her weak resistance. For some reason, part of her wanted him to stay, while another part desperately wanted to get as far away from him as possible.She hated how conflicted she felt whenever he was near.“I can manage, Mr. Simon.” She weakly swatted at the hand holding her close.“If you say so.”To her surprise, Zachary immediately released her and raised both hands in surrender.The sudden loss of his support caught her off guard. Her knees buckled, and she instinctively reached for the nearest thing to keep herself from falling.She lost her balance, tumbling backward onto the couch, dragging Zachary down with her.For a moment, neither of them moved.Isabella's eyes widened when she realized Zachary was sprawled over her, their faces only inches apart. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin, carrying the faint scent of alcohol they had both consumed earlier.“Isabella...” Zachary whispered.His voice was low, alm

“Don’t do this, Isabella…” Zachary’s voice fractured into a rough groan as he writhed beneath her deliberate assault. Her teeth continued their wicked teasing, grazing sensitive skin just enough to make him twitch, while her eyes never left his face—enjoying every flicker of pleasure that contorted his features. He propped himself up on his elbows, the muscles in his arms corded tight, determined to watch every second of what she was doing to him. Then, with maddening patience, she slid the waistband of his boxers down just far enough to free the slick, swollen tip of his erection. It gleamed under the low light, already weeping for her. “You’re huge,” she murmured in low, awed wonder, staring at the broad, mushroom-shaped head. “Don’t you dare compare me to anyone—even in your mind, Isabella.” The hard edge in his voice startled her. His hand shot into her hair, fisting a thick handful and forcing her gaze up to his. The look in his eyes was dangerously dark, almost possess

"The Chairman had never taken part in the management of K-Line Shipping since its establishment. But this time, a decision had come from the Chairman’s office concerning the collaboration with the Wright Group of Companies."Director Waltz delivered the announcement in the middle of the board’s emergency meeting, his voice calm, almost casual.Hushed murmurs of curiosity swept through the room. Directors exchanged glances. Ralph and Dawn locked eyes across the long mahogany table, a silent conversation passed between them in a single shared look.Ralph straightened. “The documents are already being finalized,” he said, addressing the table. “Once Vice President Simon approves the latest revision, the contract signing will follow immediately.”He turned fully toward Waltz. “I believe the Chairman does not concern himself with rumors. I have managed K-Line for two years. I have proven I am the right person in this position.” Waltz’s mouth curved in a faint, almost pitying smirk. “Of c