ALICE RILEY
"You are determined. Beauty with intelligence. Vivian Scott isn’t an easy man. I’m impressed you got the signatures on time."
Alexis Segal, the head of Lexis Consultants, praised my work in front of the entire department. I’d just returned to the office the next day after that awkward, yet successful, meeting with Mr. Vivian Scott, the CEO of Scott Group.
Only two months into my internship, and I’d already earned enough goodwill with Mr. Segal for him to assign me to assist with the company’s key accounts. He wasn’t always the hard-nosed leader he pretended to be, but when critical clients weren’t handled properly, his wrath was legendary. I knew working at Lexis Consultants was a stepping stone to my ambitious career plans. One day, I wanted to run the best legal firm in the city.
Thanking Mr. Segal, I smiled politely and returned to my section. Maria and Sofia, my fellow interns, waved at me as I settled into my seat.
"How did it go?" Maria asked eagerly.
"Success," I said with a grin.
"Thank god, we’re saved. I was not ready to face Segal’s wrath," Sofia muttered, throwing a cautious glance toward his office.
"Relax. I’ve got it covered," I replied with a smirk, exuding confidence I wasn’t entirely sure I felt.
A week ago, I was added to the Scott Group account when Sussane Donovan, the account manager, went on sudden medical leave. While Maria and Sofia had been assisting her for six months, I was the new addition, eager to prove myself. The infringement case involving Scott Group was up for hearing next week, and we were still scrambling to get the required documentation in order. The last-minute chaos had infuriated Mr. Segal, creating the perfect opportunity for me to step up.
When I volunteered to visit Scott Group’s office and secure Mr. Scott’s signatures, I knew it was a calculated risk. Fortunately, it paid off, and I had earned my boss’s approval. Yet, despite the success, I felt far from satisfied.
"So, tell us, Alice," Maria leaned in conspiratorially, distracting my thoughts. "Did you actually get to meet him? The infamous Vivian Scott?"
I gave her a questioning look. "Why does that sound so dramatic?"
"Because Sussane Donovan said he’s the kind of guy you don’t forget after the meeting," Sofia interjected. "She said he’s ridiculously handsome—like unfairly handsome. Is that true?"
I rolled my eyes, trying to appear nonchalant. "I met him. He’s fine. Nothing to write home about." A blatant lie, but I wasn’t about to fuel their curiosity.
"Come on!" Maria nudged my arm. "Fine? That’s all you’re going to give us? Wasn’t he intimidating? Or charming? Or both?"
"Maybe a little intimidating," I admitted grudgingly. "But honestly, I was just focused on getting the signatures."
"Sure, sure," Sofia said, smirking. "Focused on work while standing in front of a Greek god. I totally believe you."
I shook my head, forcing a laugh. "You two have active imaginations. Trust me, he’s just another CEO—rich and arrogant."
In reality, I was furious with myself for letting Vivian Scott intimidate me. In my twenty-one years, I’d never allowed anyone to rattle my confidence. Life taught me to be strong and self-reliant, and I lived by those rules. Men flirting with me wasn’t new, but the way my body reacted to Mr. Scott’s words and proximity was something I couldn’t ignore.
I didn’t want to feel those fluttering butterflies or entertain any romantic thoughts. Emotions led to vulnerabilities, and I refused to let anyone have that kind of power over me. I was stubborn, driven, and fiercely independent—qualities most men would likely find off-putting. So, I’d always kept my guard up, and it worked. But then, why had Vivian Scott’s whispered words and smirking gaze left me breathless?
I cursed myself, replaying the encounter in my mind. Yes, the day was a professional success, but I couldn’t shake the lingering embarrassment. It had to be a one-time lapse in control—a moment where I let my hormones override my senses. That wouldn’t happen again.
With a deep sigh, I pushed the memory aside. This was no time to dwell on distractions. Turning back to the stack of work on my desk, I steeled my focus. There was no room for weakness in my plans, and Vivian Scott, no matter how charming, was not going to be the exception.
ALICE RILEYMonday morning arrived too soon. Standing in front of the mirror, I adjusted the collar of my blouse, making sure everything looked perfect—even if I didn’t feel that way inside. The extra day off had given me time to clean my apartment, but it had done nothing to declutter my mind. No matter how hard I tried, the emotional turmoil of my past continued to churn within me, relentless and consuming, keeping my mood a little off.I shook my head, determined to focus on work. No distractions. No complications. Grabbing my bag, I stepped out of my apartment, expecting to see the usual sedan waiting to pick me up. But the sight that greeted me made me freeze.A sleek black luxury car sat in its place, polished and intimidating, the kind of vehicle that turned heads.My brows furrowed. Was this some kind of mistake?As I stood there confused, a man in his late thirties, dressed in a crisp black suit, stepped forward and nodded politely.“Good morning, Ms. Riley. I am at your serv
ALICE RILEYBy the time Vivian pulled the car onto the curb outside my apartment building, it was well past midnight. The quiet hum of the engine stopped, and for a moment, neither of us moved. The night hung heavy with exhaustion, yet the events of the day still lingered in my mind.Vivian turned to me; his expression softer than usual. “I’m sorry, Alice,” he said quietly. “For ruining your weekend and making you wait so long at the hospital. You didn’t sign up for any of this.”I shook my head, offering him a reassuring smile. “Don’t apologize. I’m glad I got to meet Tristan,” I replied. “He’s an adorable kid, and it’s easy to see how much he looks up to you.”His brows lifted slightly at my words, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Adorable isn’t usually a word people use to describe him,” he said, chuckling softly.When we finally stepped out of the car, the cool night air wrapped around us. I led the way upstairs to my apartment, unlocking the door and pushing it o
ALICE RILEYTristan shifted on the hospital bed, wincing slightly as he adjusted his position. The bruises along his jaw and the cut near his eyebrow were stark against his pale complexion, but his demeanor was anything but weak. He carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who had already decided he wouldn’t be beaten—not by the pain, and not by the situation that landed him here.“Do you know what happened?” I asked softly, not wanting to push but feeling curious.Tristan shrugged; his nonchalance almost convincing. “Just a stupid fight. A couple of guys thought they could mess with me. Guess I proved them wrong—mostly.”The “mostly” hung in the air, a bitter reminder of the hospital bed he was currently confined to.“They shouldn’t have messed with you in the first place,” I said firmly. “No one deserves that.”His lips quirked into a half-smile. “You sound like Vivian.”At the mention of his brother, my gaze flickered to the door. Tristan noticed, his smirk deepening. “
ALICE RILEYThe drive to the hospital was quieter, just as I expected it to be. What truly surprised me, though, was Vivian's decision to bring me along. I had assumed he would drop me off—perhaps at my apartment or somewhere nearby—before heading to handle his family matters. Instead, he drove straight to the hospital, his expression unreadable and his focus unwavering on the road ahead.When we arrived, he didn’t hesitate. He parked, got out, and gestured for me to follow. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I walked beside him into the brightly lit hospital lobby, but I could feel the tension radiating off him in waves. Whatever lay ahead, it mattered deeply to him.We made our way to the room where Tristan was admitted. I braced myself, not knowing what state we’d find him in. When we stepped inside, the sight of the boy on the bed caught me off guard. Tristan looked strikingly like a younger version of Vivian—same sharp jawline, same piercing eyes, though his face was slightly bruise
ALICE RILEYSilence took over the space between us as we sped away from the resort. The evening sky was darkening, and the soft glow of headlights illuminated the empty road ahead. I sat quietly in the passenger seat, sneaking glances at Vivian. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by something I hadn’t seen in him before—worry, perhaps even frustration. His fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly, and his gaze was fixed on the road, his jaw clenched.It was strange to see him like this. Vivian was always in control, always so composed. Now, he looked like a man carrying the weight of something heavier than he wanted to admit.“Vivian,” I said softly, breaking the silence. “Are you okay?”He didn’t respond immediately, as if debating whether to answer or brush it off.Finally, he sighed, his voice quieter than usual. “I’m fine.”Fine. The word was unconvincing, and I could tell there was more beneath the surface. His eyes didn’t leave the road, but there was a flicker of something—
ALICE RILEYAfter spending hours wandering the resort and soaking in the quiet beauty of the surroundings, we returned to our private villa, both of us slightly tired but content. As I stepped inside, my mind still lingered on the moments we'd shared by the lake, on the boat, and in the gardens. There had been laughter, easy conversation, and an unspoken connection between us that felt almost too perfect.Vivian walked in behind me, but as soon as we crossed the threshold, his phone rang.I saw the shift in his posture—the familiar way his eyes narrowed, signaling a call he couldn’t avoid.“Sorry, I’ll take this,” he said, his voice apologetic but already distant. He made his way to the other side of the room, his focus shifting entirely to the call.I nodded and took the opportunity to slip outside for a walk. The air was cooler now, the sky painted with hues of pink and purple as the sunset. I wandered aimlessly at first, enjoying the peaceful isolation. Something was calming about