Mona stared quietly at the cocky businessman. The man was right, though. The outer appearance would always be a woman’s vainest possession, but Mona had never bragged about hers. “Mr. Graves, I don’t think we’ve met. I believe I’m seeing you for the first time today.” Mona put on a courteous but rusty smile as she tried to keep it together. Dave looked askance at Mona. “That’s right. The first time.” “I’ve never done anything to offend you, and the personal attack was uncalled for.” Dave put down his wine glass on the table with a clink. He commanded the room with his presence. “Tim, is this the girlfriend you canceled the marriage engagement for?” Tim said nothing, but his silence was his admission to that fact. Surprised, Mona turned to look at Tim. “What’s going on here? Aren’t we here to talk about the design sketches?” She then turned her attention to Dave. “Mr. Graves, I believe you are mistaken. I’m not…” Before she could finish, Tim stomped on her foot unde
“Of course, it’s her. How else would you have gotten a chance to steal the sketches from me? The designer had to be someone close to me.” Tim’s airtight statement gave Dave enough reason to gradually take his word for it. Dave turned his attention to Mona. However, this time, he was without the previous haughtiness. He dropped the dripping sarcasm in his tone of voice. “What is your name?” “Mona. Mona Ortega.” “Ortega? Are you an heiress of JW Corp?” While the name of the company sounded familiar, Mona believed she was not. “Why do you ask, Mr. Graves?” Tim put down his cutlery and pushed his chair back before scooting in Mona’s direction. “There is only one family among Worchester City’s rich and powerful with that last name.” Mona was taken aback as her name was given to her by Thaddeus. She had not questioned why he would call her by it. Did the name mean anything? “Dad, it’s rude of you to ask.” Not one to embellish his words, Tim pulled no punches with his
“Yes, all good here. Living in this sort of old home is new for me.” Bobby looked around the bedroom curiously. “That’s good. Why don’t I see Millie? Where is she?” “Oh. Millie went to the kitchen with Great-Grandpa to enjoy some dessert.” Bobby took the phone from the bedroom and walked through the corridor to the kitchen. Millie sat at the square mahogany table and swallowed hard at the display of cakes. Master Fontaine slid the tray of cakes across the table to Millie and picked a piece for her. “All of these are for you, Millie. Try them and see if you like them.” Mona stared at the screen, where Master Fontaine had given Millie limitless access to sweet confection, and anxiously yelled, “Hold on, Grandpa.” Master Fontaine took the phone and put on his reading glass before pouting his lips at Mona on the screen. “What’s the matter? Are you craving the food because someone else’s having it?” “This is not a time to joke. Millie can’t take too much sugar. Her b
Two hundred thousand dollars was quite a lot of money, and it would be hard to say no. “Surely, the generous payment would mean that it won’t be an easy job?” “Of course. Our family runs a five-star hotel. We’re talking about more than a dozen departments. Creating different and unique designs for each department will be time-consuming and take a lot of effort.” Mona nodded her head. It was true that no money came easy. However, as it was good money, she had no reason to refuse the opportunity given by Mr. Graves. She made up her mind. “I’ll take the job. He must approve of my competence since he picked me to do the design. I will do my best.” “Okay. I’ll let my dad know later.” Tim stole a glance at Mona. There was a glint in his dark eyes. His admiration for Mona grew the more time he spent with her. With the traffic lights turning from red to green, Tim looked straight ahead and stepped on the gas to get to Mona’s residence. …Up on a snow mountain in Swertland, a
Yawning, Marcus tried to stay awake as he waited for Thaddeus to arrive.Thaddeus came out from the exit and walked out with a dark expression.Marcus got out and opened the car door for Thaddeus.The man did not say anything else and simply ordered him to drive to Galaxy Bay. The atmosphere during the entire journey was suffocating as he did not say a single word to Marcus.Mona was working overtime in the study, drawing designs. Since she had agreed to cooperate with Dave, she had to go to the hotel during the day to understand the situation. When she got home, she only had a few bites to eat before going to work in the study.Perhaps because she was too focused, she did not look up at the clock to check the time until she heard a rustling sound at the door.Her heart skipped a beat as her nerves tensed.She remembered locking the door when she came back, and the security system in this neighborhood was very strict. Someone would not be able to get into the elevator without an
In the study, Mona was kissed deeply by Thaddeus. The man used so much force that she was about to run out of oxygen.She pushed his shoulders away and bit his tongue as hard as she could. Thaddeus felt a sharp pain and finally let go.Mona took the opportunity to retreat. Thaddeus swallowed his copper tasting saliva and stepped forward, pushing Mona back to the corner.With nowhere to retreat, the oppressive dark shadow enveloped her, and the man’s burning breath sprayed over her head from his nostrils.“Did you take advantage of my absence and got together with that boy?”Thaddeus’s breathing was rough and heavy as he questioned her in anger.“Watch your mouth!” Mona looked up and glared at Thaddeus with misty eyes. “There’s nothing going on with me and Tim. On the contrary, you’re the one who doesn’t know what respect means, Mr. Fontaine.”After saying that, Mona snorted coldly. Her expression was full of ridicule and mockery.She suddenly realized how selfish and indifferen
Mona returned the coat to Thaddeus and turned to walk away.Thaddeus’s face was gloomy. His hawk-like eyes stared at Mona’s back, watching her walk away with determination and indifference. His cold and hard pride finally surrendered to the woman’s stubbornness.He sighed helplessly, strode after her, and walked beside her.“Let’s have breakfast.”“No. I still have work to finish.”Mona walked forward without looking back. She still had anger in her heart.This man had lost his temper, gave her the cold shoulder, then disappeared for some time. Then, he suddenly came home to question her relationship with Tim. What gave him the right?What a selfish and cold-blooded guy!Thaddeus grabbed Mona’s wrist. “I’ll say it one last time. Let’s have breakfast.”His tone left no room for refusal. Mona was somewhat fearful. After all, this man could do anything when he lost his temper.Stopping, she stood beside the man and looked at the vehicles on the road, feeling somewhat at a loss.
The Maybach speeded down the road. Perhaps the other cars saw that this car was too expensive to hit and consciously avoided it. So the journey was smooth all the way, even though it was rush hour.Mona leaned against the back of the seat. The heating was turned on and warm enough to make one feel drowsy. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.Thaddeus glanced to the side at the sleeping woman curled up. He pulled over to the side of the road, took off his jacket to cover her body, turned down the music, and continued to drive.Mona took a nap and woke to find the car parked across the street from the breakfast store.“We’re here.” Sitting up, she rubbed her drowsy eyes and looked at Thaddeus, who was holding his phone and dealing with his emails beside her.The sun had already risen high, and the gentle golden rays enveloped his deep face. The image was very much like a clip from a movie, making her mesmerized for a moment.Thaddeus noticed the movement of the person be