âOh!â Kourtney blushed harder, feeling her shyness melt away as they shared this playful banter. His mouth literally had no filter.âI think so too,â she added, recalling the wild moments of their night together.Sebastianâs morning wood was already evident, and she tried her hardest not to let her eyes wander down to the pointy thing peeking from the sheets. It was hard to ignore, thoughâespecially with the way he was looking at her, those horny and lustful eyes she was already getting used to.âYouâre a sight to wake up to, Mrs Woods. I could get used to this,â his voice was rough from sleep, yet it was laced with lust.Gently, he brushed some loose strands of her hair behind her ears, the gesture sending a rush of warmth flood through her body as she met his gaze.Kourtneyâs heart raced at the thought of how easily the man could turn her whole world upside down. She smiled. âYouâre not too bad yourself.ââAah!â he chuckled at her admission, the sound deep and rich.Their little m
At that moment, Grandma Florence entered the living room, her old, frail body shaking slightly. The news had hit her like a ton of bricks, and she clutched her chest as if the weight of the situation was too much to bear. Seriously? When will it all end?âAre you okay, Mum?â Denise Allen rushed to her side in panic. âCall my doctor!â Grandma Florence managed to shrink out the words.They helped her back to her bedroom, where she could lie down and take her medications.Later, as the family regrouped in the living room, the tension thickened.Kourtneyâs aunt, Denise, stormed back in, her face twisted in fury. âThat damn bitch! Who does she think she is, asking that man to take back our land?ââDenise, please!â Matilda Allen, Kourtneyâs second Aunt, interjected. âThis isnât helping. We need to think clearly.â âThink clearly?â Denise scoffed, âThat child has already made her choice to humiliate us all. Itâs despicable!â âLetâs invite her for dinner at her favorite restaurant. We can
Kourtney glanced down at her phone, seeing the screen lighting up with her grandmotherâs name, and her heart sank. The last thing she wanted was another lecture about family loyalty and unity. She took a deep breath and then tucked the phone back into her pocket, trying to shake off the unease that settled over her. Taking hold of the jug, she poured water into Sebastian's glass one last time before settling down to sit beside him.The man watched her with an amused expression, and she could sense his curiosity, but she didnât want to dwell on what her family was trying to do. It was all so exhausting with the back and forth.And as much as she appreciated her grandmother, the thought of her family trying to manipulate her again after everything was irritating. She didnât need a prophet to tell her that Grandma Florence's calling was just another attempt to coax her into giving them back the land they wanted so badly. And still, they hadnât bothered to apologize for how they had t
The Woods Family Villa.The sprawling estate nestled among the prolific hills and lush greenery buzzed with tension. The grand room, adorned with antique furnishings and portraits of ancestors who seemed to watch over the familyâs every move, was where Edwin found himself surrounded by the ever-fuming Grandpa Woods and other members of the family. âCan you believe it? That boy has gone too far this time! Changing the ownership of the San Bora land to his wife? What kind of madness is this?â Grandpa Woodsâ bushy eyebrows knitted together in a frown as he paced the length of the room, his voice echoing with indignation. The other Woods family members exchanged uneasy glances, not daring to speak up at this time. Grandpa Woods was a man well known for his formidable presence with a reputation for his bad temper. The only person who had the guts to always offend him like this was none other than Sebastian, his antagonistic and rebellious grandson.âCan you believe it?â his groggy voice
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue across the villa, Edwin decided to take a stroll in the garden to clear his mind. Damn! He hasnât been himself all day. No, all these days since he met that woman.What was it about her that intrigued him?Why couldn't he shake her from his mind? âEd!â A voice called from behind him, breaking his reverie. It was Clara Woods, his little sister. Her expression was a mix of concern and curiosity. âYouâve been awfully quiet today. Whatâs going on in that head of yours, big bro?ââJust thinking,â he replied, trying to brush it off.âAbout what?â Clara teased, arching an eyebrow. âI saw the way you looked so distracted earlier. Itâs so unlike you. And donât tell me itâs about the whole drama with Seb, 'cause I know you donât give a damn about that!âClara knew her brother almost like she knew the back of her hand. There was something else on Edwinâs mind. Something more...âWait! Donât tell me... youâre falling in love with someon
However, Sebastian sat behind his mahogany desk, barely acknowledging her presence. Instead, he was buried in a stack of papers on his desk, his dark brows furrowed in concentration.Rachael felt a pang of disappointment as he didnât even glance up to greet her.She could feel the embarrassing mix of frustration and sadness swelling in her chest.As usual, he was acting as if she were just another piece of furniture in the room.What would it take for this man to notice her?She swallowed hard, the presence of his two hulking bodyguards hovering in the corner of the room making her feel even more small and vulnerable. She knew they were there to prevent her from getting too close, a reminder of the boundaries he had drawn after their last encounter in his office space.He had made it clear that he didnât want anything personal between them, and that hurt more than she cared to admit.But why is she still...here?âBastian,â she started, her voice smooth and confident as she prepared to
The men walked straight to her, ignoring Liam completely. âMrs. Woods, Mr. Woods wants you to come join him in his car right away,â one of them said.Kourtneyâs heart dropped. âHeâheâs here?â she stammered, glancing nervously out the window. Sure enough, her husbandâs white limousine was parked outside, surrounded by a crowd of curious onlookers. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie!âOh no! What now?â she winced inwardly.How did he even find out she was here?Would he accuse her of being promiscuous again?Surely, he might confuse this little luncheon with Liam for a romantic date. Right?The man was quick to jump to conclusions, and she feared facing the wrath of his anger again.What would he do to her this time? Drive her to Coolaroo again?Kourtney shivered with that thought in mind. Her heart started racing with fear and confusion.She stood up, her hands trembling as she shot Liam an apologetic look. âI... I have to go.ââGo? Go where?â Liam demanded, his expression
Sebastian stepped out of the car, holding the door open for her. âCome on, letâs go inside,â he urged gently as he extended a hand to her.Kourtney hesitated for a second but then took his hand, feeling the warmth of his grip. As she stepped out of the limousine, she was greeted by the bright lights of the boutique and the luxurious aura that surrounded it. Inside was a treasure trove of elegance. Silks, satins, and shimmering fabrics adorned the racks, each piece gorgeous and unique. She felt a flicker of excitement as she walked through the aisles while Sebastian watched her, admiration filling his eyes.She looked like a delicate flower in a garden of riches, and he wanted to shower her with the best of the best.âPick whatever you like,â he ordered.Her heart fluttered at his words. âReally? You donât mind?â âNot at all,â Sebastian rasped.The way her emerald eyes lit upâit was mesmerizing. Just like that, they spent the next few hours shopping.The shop attendants treated Kour
Kourtney glanced around the room, eyeing the other women. They were all looking at her with suspicion as if she were a suspect in a crime she didnât commit. Indeed, she was the target.âOh wow! This has never happened in our history before.â âWho could be the thief?ââWe've never encountered such cases at any of our gatherings in the past!âKourtney sneered on hearing their annoying remarks.It was painfully obvious they were trying to make it look like the thief was someone new in their circle. It all seemed like a slow-motion scene from a bad movie that made her bored, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes in disgust.Did they really think they could frame her like this?She didnât need a prophet to know she had been set up. The irritation bubbled within her. These women were more petty than she had ever imagined.âThat's true! Why donât we start by checking the purse of our beloved new young mistress?âBefore Kourtney could say, Jack, Sheila had moved swiftly, snatching her purs
The next day came quicker than expected for Kourtney. It was Saturday afternoon, and the Woods ladies always hosted a tea party. It was like a compulsory family-friendly tradition, they said.âWho still holds tea parties in the 21st century?â she muttered to herself, shaking her head in disbelief.The Woods family, apparently.Over here, everything felt ceremonious with a touch of rigid formality.Just the thought of it made her want to laugh and cry, at the same time.The ladies were dressed in elegant gowns, their hats adorned with flowers while holding dainty china teacups and sitting beneath a grand oak tree at the center of the Woods estate garden. Kourtney felt like she had stepped into a time capsule that took her to the past.Oh lord!Itâs giving the 19th century.It was the Victorian era once again!What would they have next?A masquerade ball?She chuckled lightly as she placed her own flowery hat on her head, feeling as though she was part of some kind of regency novel.Li
âWe can leave now if you want,â Sebastian said as he took her reddened hand, massaging it softly.She didn't have to put up with this nonsense.Kourtney looked up at him, her heart swelling with gratitude.âNo, I donât want to. I can handle them,â she replied, determination flooding her veins.You can call her so many things. But a âquitterâ isn't one of them.âVery well then. They will either accept you or face my wrath. I assure you this,â Sebastian spoke with ruthless precision as he pulled her closer.As a child, he had watched helplessly as his late mother was bullied continuously by members of the Woods family.Because of her poor background, they had never liked her.Back then, he couldn't do anything about it except clench his fists in frustration. However, one day, he vowed never to feel powerless like that ever againâa promise that fueled his fierce determination to succeed and made him become the man he is today.And now, he couldn't help his protectiveness over Kourtney a
That fear!It was that fear that somehow protected her like a shield, making them comply with whatever Sebastian commanded, even if it meant accepting her as his wife.They hated her presence here but could do little to nothing about it.Great!Just great!As they moved deeper into the grand living room, ornate chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a warm glow that seemed almost mocking in contrast to the chilly reception she was currently receiving.Apart from Grandpa Woods, other family members began to step forward to greet her. But their attempts felt empty and void, mere formalities arranged with forced smiles, making her feel small and insignificant.âWelcome to the family, Young Lady,â a middle-aged woman with perfectly styled blonde hair said. âWeâve heard so much about you.â The words dripped with sarcasm, and Kourtney could see the flicker of contempt behind her bright blue eyes.Oh!They knew!It was clear they already knew her entire history.Her identity and recent
The drive to the Woodsâs ancestral villa was filled with an electric tension that made Kourtney feel alive yet utterly terrified. She perched on the plush leather passenger seat of Sebastianâs Bentley while he drove, gliding through the streets with great skill and charisma.Her heart was thumping loudly in her chest, and she placed a hand on it as if to calm her raging storm of emotions.Sebastian, effortlessly handsome behind the wheel, glanced over at her with an eyebrow raised. âCan you stop being so nervous?â He asked, a hint of irritation seeping into his voice while his dark eyes narrowed slightly. He saw no reason for her to feel that way. She was making him feel like they were heading to a live-or-die boxing match instead of just his family villa.The woman simply had nothing to worry about. If only she knew....... Meanwhile, Kourtney rolled her eyes at him, a small gesture of defiance, but she said nothing.He still didnât understand. He still didnât get it.And she gue
After a moment of silence, when she didnât hear any response, she shrugged it off as if nothing had happened.Edwin Woods's heart was hammering in his chest.That was a close call!He peeped, watching her from the small hole by the door.He realized she was still wrapped in that delicate white towel, her hair cascading down her back in damp waves. His mind raced, imagining how soft her skin would be if he could touch her. But he had to stay hidden.He observed every little movement, from the way she brushed her damp hair back to the way her towel hugged her curves. She was so beautiful, so enchanting, and he couldnât tear his eyes away from her.He felt like a thief, stealing moments of her life, but in his mind, he was merely a guardian waiting for the right time to make his presence known.He watched as she rummaged through her closet, pulling out clothes.She resumed her whistling, a carefree tune that made him smile. The way she moved, so blissfully unaware of his presence, sent a
Sebastian stepped out of the car, holding the door open for her. âCome on, letâs go inside,â he urged gently as he extended a hand to her.Kourtney hesitated for a second but then took his hand, feeling the warmth of his grip. As she stepped out of the limousine, she was greeted by the bright lights of the boutique and the luxurious aura that surrounded it. Inside was a treasure trove of elegance. Silks, satins, and shimmering fabrics adorned the racks, each piece gorgeous and unique. She felt a flicker of excitement as she walked through the aisles while Sebastian watched her, admiration filling his eyes.She looked like a delicate flower in a garden of riches, and he wanted to shower her with the best of the best.âPick whatever you like,â he ordered.Her heart fluttered at his words. âReally? You donât mind?â âNot at all,â Sebastian rasped.The way her emerald eyes lit upâit was mesmerizing. Just like that, they spent the next few hours shopping.The shop attendants treated Kour
The men walked straight to her, ignoring Liam completely. âMrs. Woods, Mr. Woods wants you to come join him in his car right away,â one of them said.Kourtneyâs heart dropped. âHeâheâs here?â she stammered, glancing nervously out the window. Sure enough, her husbandâs white limousine was parked outside, surrounded by a crowd of curious onlookers. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie!âOh no! What now?â she winced inwardly.How did he even find out she was here?Would he accuse her of being promiscuous again?Surely, he might confuse this little luncheon with Liam for a romantic date. Right?The man was quick to jump to conclusions, and she feared facing the wrath of his anger again.What would he do to her this time? Drive her to Coolaroo again?Kourtney shivered with that thought in mind. Her heart started racing with fear and confusion.She stood up, her hands trembling as she shot Liam an apologetic look. âI... I have to go.ââGo? Go where?â Liam demanded, his expression
However, Sebastian sat behind his mahogany desk, barely acknowledging her presence. Instead, he was buried in a stack of papers on his desk, his dark brows furrowed in concentration.Rachael felt a pang of disappointment as he didnât even glance up to greet her.She could feel the embarrassing mix of frustration and sadness swelling in her chest.As usual, he was acting as if she were just another piece of furniture in the room.What would it take for this man to notice her?She swallowed hard, the presence of his two hulking bodyguards hovering in the corner of the room making her feel even more small and vulnerable. She knew they were there to prevent her from getting too close, a reminder of the boundaries he had drawn after their last encounter in his office space.He had made it clear that he didnât want anything personal between them, and that hurt more than she cared to admit.But why is she still...here?âBastian,â she started, her voice smooth and confident as she prepared to