He had this helpless yet fond smile on his face. "You've done it before. You've got a track record."I didn't even know what to say.My cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.Seriously? It was one thing for him to know, but did he really have to spell it out?Clearly, his emotional intelligence was lacking."Kiki," he said softly, "you're so bold when you're doing something naughty, but afterward, you act all scared. You've been like this since we were kids."I was about to snap back, but then it hit me.Doing something naughty?Last night, when I showed up at his door in my nightgown... he didn't think it was some innocent mistake. He knew I did it on purpose?Oh my God!This is beyond humiliating.I almost crushed the car key in my hand as I straightened up, ready to argue back. "Who are you calling naughty? It's clearly you! You're the one who—Mmm..."Before I could finish, Hayden leaned in and kissed me.Maybe because he'd just been running, his lips
"What's wrong?""Hayden!"We spoke at the same time."You said you were leaving today, right? Where are you going?" I asked, panting as I ran over to him.He frowned a little, probably because I'd just jumped out of my car, but when he heard my question, his expression softened, and a smile tugged at his lips. "What, worried I'm gonna run away?"His teasing made my cheeks heat up. I pretended to be mad. "Seriously, where are you going?""I'm not leaving, at least not right now," Hayden said, dodging the question.I frowned. "Huh?""I was planning to leave because my work here was done and there wasn't much keeping me around. But now things have changed," Hayden said as he stepped closer and leaned down, his eyes locked on mine. "Because now I have a girlfriend."It felt like a jolt of electricity shot through me. I took a step back, overwhelmed, then turned around.But before I could take another step, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me right into his arms.His chin brushed a
Thinking about how he'd accused me of stuff before, I decided to get back at him. "Let go, or I'll report you for harassment."Brad just laughed. "Go ahead, I'd love to see that."He looked way too confident for my liking.Ugh, dealing with guys like him was so exhausting. I tried to pull my hand away, but he still didn't let go, that stupid smirk still plastered on his face. "It's been a while. You look even... prettier now.""Ew, get lost!" I snapped, yanking my hand back again.But he still wouldn't let go. Instead, he stepped closer, still holding on. "Your temper's gotten worse, too."Seriously, there's a saying that shameless people are invincible, and it's definitely true for someone like Brad."What are you doing? Flirting with a girl? Get your ass over here!" someone yelled from a few feet away.So that's why he was in such a rush earlier—he actually had somewhere to be.But now? He didn't seem bothered at all. He just ignored the person and tightened his grip on my h
My eyelids twitched, hard. This was definitely not a good sign.But even if there were trouble ahead, I had to go.Obviously, I wasn't just gonna walk into it. So, I texted Steve: [Hey, I'm heading to see Cole. Keep an eye out, okay?]No response. He was probably busy training.Yeah, training, not sleeping in. Steve was prepping for some big tournament, and when he wasn't practicing, he was doing intense workouts.Sleeping in just wasn't his thing.I wasn't worried, though. He'd check his phone after practice, and I had some time before I had to face Cole.With a deep breath, I hit the gas and drove straight to Serenity Retreat.When I got there, Cole's massive Range Rover was already parked outside. He was out front, going through some slow exercises—either taking it seriously or just putting on a show.I couldn't tell if he was really into it or just playing around, but it definitely looked better than smoking or staring at his phone.Of course, his little show also meant h
Cole stepped closer, and I instinctively took a step back. He smirked. "Be my girlfriend."I blinked, totally caught off guard. Then I scoffed. "Not the best joke for this early in the morning. You know—""I'm serious," Cole interrupted. "Only my girlfriend gets to meet my dad."I froze. He was definitely using this to trap me.So, my twitching eyelids weren't just a random fluke. They were warning me about this."You probably don't know this, but my dad's always been paranoid. He doesn't trust anyone, especially now with his new position," Cole continued, launching into a whole explanation. "Too many people are trying to get close to him, and none of them have good intentions. So, to save his energy, he won't meet with anyone who isn't family."But I knew he was just making excuses.Then he added, "And as for me, let's be real. I was into you from the moment I saw you. I know I've got a rep as a player, and yeah, I've been with a lot of women, but they were all just for fun. Br
"What do you think?" Cole threw the question back at me.I kept my smile steady. "Then I guess I'll be on my way."I handed the bouquet back to him.Cole raised his hand but didn't take it. Instead, he plucked a petal and brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply. "Just tell me, why do you want to see my father?"I frowned a little. Was he changing his mind again?Earlier, when I mentioned needing his dad's help to appraise something, he assumed I had some rare item. Now, it seemed like he realized there was more to it.Since I was already here, there was no point in hiding the truth anymore. I decided to be upfront.After listening, Cole's expression turned serious. "Then you should leave."I felt something was off. "Why?""If you're planning to meet my dad for this, you're wasting your time. He's not going to tell you anything," Cole said, like he knew his dad's every move.But if there was nothing to hide, why would his dad be so cagey? His dad's refusal would only make me m
Sure enough, my phone rang just as I had that thought.This was beyond awkward.Cole's mouth twisted into a mocking smile. "Guess you don't trust me, huh? So why bother messing with me?"I didn't have a good answer for him.He took a step back. "Let's just pretend we don't know each other from now on."Then he got into his car and took off, leaving me standing there as the wind whipped at my clothes and tangled my hair.Wow. This guy could change his mood in a split second. Ten minutes ago, he was all about his feelings and wanting to pursue me. And now, one phone call later, he's throwing a fit?But maybe it was for the best. At least now I wouldn't have to worry about him chasing after me or causing any more drama.As Cole drove off, I glanced again at the locked gates, wondering who Thorsten's important guest could be.Was it Matthew?The thought made me pause before I called Lindey."Rea! I was just about to call you!" she said, not even letting me get a word in.I can
I decided to go. Maybe Lindey could tell me something about my parents' car accident.After making up my mind, I checked the time. I still had a few hours before lunch, so I headed to the office."Good morning, Ms. Kay!" Ron greeted me with a big grin, like I was some sort of miracle cure that brightened his day."Morning, Mr. Shane!" I replied."You're glowing today, Ms. Kay. Is it love?" he teased, like we were old buddies or something.Hayden's sweet kisses flashed through my mind, and I couldn't help but smile a little. "Maybe it's just the good weather."Since we weren't exactly close, I wasn't about to spill my personal life.He laughed, and I headed straight to my office.It was Monday, which meant the usual department meeting.During the meeting, everyone gave their updates.Sean Lyon, one of our employees, handed me a contract. "Ms. Kay, this is a new lighting supplier I've been talking to. They're a startup and want our technical guidance. Could you take a look at t
Peter's expression darkened at Hayden's playful jab, but Hayden merely smiled lightly, as if relishing the discomfort. "From what you’ve said, Mr. Mitchell, you must be quite the romantic," he teased. The tea began to boil, releasing a rich fragrance into the air. Hayden had done his homework on Peter. Despite his dignified reputation, Mr. Mitchell had married three times, fathered no children with his wives, and even had an illegitimate child with a mistress. This mistress had borne him a son and then tried to leverage the child to gain the title of "Madam Mitchell." Peter, stubborn and prideful, refused her demands and even sent people to take the child by force. But the mistress, knowing Peter’s methods, preemptively entrusted the child to someone else. When Mitchell’s men came to seize the boy, an explosive argument broke out. In a fit of rage, Mitchell struck her, and in defiance, the mistress stabbed herself in the chest, intending only to scare him. Unfortunately, the blad
When Hayden arrived at the teahouse, Ron glanced at his watch and tapped it meaningfully before saying in a low voice, "The man’s been waiting for half an hour." "Getting impatient?" Hayden asked casually, his tone devoid of concern. His attire was simple and understated, nothing to draw attention. If not for his sharply defined features and the naturally aloof aura he carried, his outfit would have rendered him almost invisible in a crowd. "No, not at all. I’m quite patient," Ron replied with an exaggerated expression of innocence, as though pleading not to be falsely accused. Hayden gave him a glance that seemed to say, Then why bother pointing it out? "But arriving this late does come across as impolite, doesn’t it?" Ron added, his tone that of a model citizen, someone who might have been a class leader or an exemplary student back in the day. "I did it on purpose," Hayden replied, cutting him off with five simple words that silenced Ron. Hayden pushed open the door an
"Because this love didn’t give me the happiness I imagined," Lena explained with a faint smile. "It’s like going to the supermarket, picking out a snack you’re excited about, and then finding out it doesn’t suit your taste. After that, you just don’t like it anymore and won’t bother with it again." Her metaphor was strikingly apt. "And what does the happiness you imagine look like?" Aaron asked, as though playing the role of a persistent interviewer. Lena, softened by the alcohol, answered obediently, "I don’t know. But whatever it is, Nate didn’t give it to me." Aaron observed the peaceful resignation in her expression and pressed further. "Do you still believe in love? Do you still want to start a new relationship?" "Of course," Lena said, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyebrows arched into a cheerful expression. "I’m not the kind of person who gets scared off by a bad experience. If I meet someone who makes my heart race again, I’ll love them boldly and passiona
He was waiting for her? What for? "Uncle, you didn’t skip dinner, did you?" Lena’s first thought was his meal. In truth, he hadn’t eaten. After receiving her message, he had been uneasy all evening, unable to focus on food. "You didn’t eat? I’ll make something for you," Lena assumed his silence was confirmation. "There’s no need," Aaron refused. "Then why were you waiting for me? Is something wrong?" In Lena’s view, Aaron would never wait for her without a reason. He gazed at her, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "You’ve been drinking?" She nodded, flashing him a sweet, soft smile. She even gestured with her hand, "Just a little." Aaron stepped closer, his tall frame looming over her with an intensity that made her feel small. Though the light above bathed his eyes, they remained dark and inscrutable, filled with a depth that was hard to read. Lena sensed something was off. "Uncle, what’s wrong?" She looked into his deep, clear eyes, untouched by any impurity.
"Should we drink a little today?" Lena asked. Nate nodded. "Let’s have a drink." They warmed a bottle of wine and ordered a few small dishes. Neither of them spoke, simply sitting quietly, gazing out at the river and the occasional boats passing by. "Lena," Nate called her softly. Lena turned to look at him. The warm yellow light above cast a gentle glow on his nose, brows, and lips. His gold-rimmed glasses exuded elegance, and the texture of his shirt spoke of refined taste. Even after their breakup, Lena had to admit that Nate was precisely her type. In all her life, among all the men she had met, only Aaron and Nate could truly be called attractive in her eyes. Even Hayden and Jace were merely "not bad." It wasn’t that her standards were excessively high—it was simply that if someone didn’t resonate with her, no matter how perfect they were, she wouldn’t care for them. "Thank you," Nate said softly. Lena was momentarily stunned, assuming he was referring to their wor
Recently, Lena had been in a constant state of distraction. Aaron's decision to sever ties with the Aces weighed heavily on her mind. He hadn't told her the reason, only saying that she would find out in due time. She could live without knowing why, but she feared the fallout. When the truth came to light, she worried her grandparents and her mother would crumble under the weight of the news, collectively breaking down. Aaron had assured her he would handle everything, but she didn’t trust that he could shield the family from such devastation. Most importantly, she couldn’t understand why he would choose to leave the Aces. Could it really be, as the old saying went, that someone else’s child was like an ungrateful wolf? If it were anyone else, she might believe it, but this was Aaron. She couldn’t bring herself to believe he would be so heartless, so ungrateful. And yet, he had said it to her himself. It felt so unreal that Lena wondered if she had imagined it all. This tur
Mrs. Lane finally pieced together all the questions Lena had asked her and understood everything. Gabriel furrowed his brow and looked at Lena. "Is this really what you think?" Lena stayed silent. She did have those suspicions, but seeing how her mother had reacted so strongly, she began to wonder if she had been overthinking it. Aaron, who had already figured out the situation, looked at Lena and spoke up. "She must have misunderstood something." And he knew it was his fault. "She’s just an ungrateful brat! She doesn’t appreciate the kindness she’s been given and can’t stand seeing me be good to someone else," Mrs. Lane fumed again. Gabriel wiped away her tears gently. "Alright, maybe she was just joking with you." "Ask her if she was joking! Look at the things she’s been asking me—let her tell you herself!" Mrs. Lane pointed an accusing finger at Lena. "Big Sis," Aaron called out softly, "I’ll take Lil' Lena out for some fresh air." Without waiting for a reply, he r
"You’ll find out soon enough," Aaron’s answer echoed in Lena’s ears, leaving her restless and unable to sleep. The next day, Mrs. Lane arrived with chicken soup for Aaron and a bag full of fresh produce. "These vegetables are from a village I visited. They’re all organic, no chemical fertilizers," she gushed proudly. Lena's gaze followed her mother’s every move, scrutinizing her intently. Wherever she went, Lena's eyes followed, making her incredibly uncomfortable. "What are you staring at me for? It’s creepy," Mrs. Lane said. "Mom, why are you so good to my uncle?" Lena finally asked. "He’s my brother. Isn’t it normal for me to care for him? You think everyone’s as heartless as you?" Mrs. Lane scolded her, throwing in an insult for good measure. Lena didn’t retaliate to the insult. Instead, she pressed further, "It’s normal, sure, but the way you care for him doesn’t feel like how you’d treat a brother. It feels more like..." She paused before continuing, "Like how you’d
Keira chuckled softly. "Well, a DNA test isn’t a bad idea. At least then you won’t have to worry about being related to Mr. Ace if you two get together." Lena's eyebrows shot up instantly. "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you want me to hit you?" "Go ahead. If you break anything, you’ll have to compensate me," Keira said smugly, knowing full well she had a trump card—her precious little one growing inside her. Their playful banter caught the attention of the people in the room. They exchanged amused glances. "The things girls find joy in are beyond us," one of them said with a smile. "Let’s hope they stay happy forever," Aaron added, just as his phone began to ring. Glancing at the caller ID, he nodded at Hayden. "I’ll take this call." Aaron walked toward his study. Hayden also pulled out his phone, while Lena and Keira moved to the sofa. Keira recounted Lena’s gossip to him. "Hayden, do you think I could be the person the Mitchell family owes a debt to?" "It’s not