The receptionist blushed, but her eyes flickered with a hint of trouble before she firmed up."I'm sorry, sir, but that's against the rules."She sounded like she was pleading with David.David backed off with a chuckle. "Okay, okay, I won't bother you. However, surely I can speak to the director, right?"My girlfriend raves about your facials. I thought I'd surprise her with a gift card for her birthday."The receptionist eyed the well-dressed man before her, his designer outfit and unique aura convincing her of his sincerity. "Sure thing. I'll take you to the VIP room to wait, and I'll get the director for you."Once inside the VIP room, David's first move was to scan the area for any cameras. Satisfied, he messaged Walter, [We're all good here.]David sprawled on the sofa relaxedly as if he were lounging in his own living room, not the VIP suite of Sunny Glow Beauty Salon.The director seldom met with clients herself, but the prospect of a lucrative deal had her hurrying ove
Celina played it by the book, but David's easy-going face got serious real quick.'She's on to me,' he thought.She had caught the whiff of trouble and laid down a smooth warning: The security system would shut down trouble the moment one arose.Too bad David was not there for a facial or a membership card."Really? Well, I appreciate the heads-up."David's voice was steady as a rock, but then, like lightning, his arm shot out, his hand clamping down on Celina's wrist like a vice, twisting it behind her back in one swift move.Just the two of them in the big, fancy VIP room.Celina was no match for David's grip, and she let out a sharp, panicked scream.Alas, the room's outstanding soundproofing was great for privacy but meant her cries for help did not stand a chance."What are you trying to pull?" Celina's voice was steady, betraying none of her fear. "Let me go, and I'll agree to anything you want. You know our Sunny Glow Beauty Salon rakes in serious cash. Just one deal, a
David did not beat around the bush and owned up to it."Sharp as a tack! But relax, I'm just here to ask you a few things. Answer me honestly, and I'll be out of your hair in no time."In that moment, David might as well have been Walter himself. Walter, even though they had never met, she felt like she knew him inside out.Then she knew who she was dealing with, Celina's nerves settled, and she even cracked a smile."So, I'm curious. What if I don't spill the beans? What's your play? I'm new to Avalon City, and I'm not sure if an assistant to the president of Gordon Group making people disappear is the kind of headline that gets attention. Could that stir up trouble for your Gordon Group?""Feel free to test the waters." David pulled out a tiny vial from his pocket, his meaning crystal clear as he spoke, "Okay, I know it sounds nuts, but I'm dying to see how this works on you. I mean, the Gordon Group has been the big dog in Avalon City for years. It's a total waste to let all th
However, things were different. Minnie's top priority was to have Walter's baby, and fast.If David, the ever-watchful guardian, was truly absent, was this not the golden chance to charm Walter?The thought brought a gleam of excitement to Minnie's eyes, but knowing Walter's sharp mind, she reined in her eagerness, squashing down her thrill.Walter glanced up at her briefly before his eyes darted back to the papers he was reviewing. "He mentioned something urgent at home. I figured since there's nothing pressing for me here, I let him take off."Minnie listened to Walter's laid-back tone and realized he was not at all concerned about David's sudden departure.However, she could not afford to be so nonchalant. David was a straight shooter, and if he returned just as she was about to seal the deal, it would ruin everything."Will he be back later?" Minnie glanced at the clock. There was still an hour left until quitting time.With David needing to handle his family situation and t
"As long as you're happy," said Walter, his smile just a flicker. The hard edge and fierceness in his eyes were tucked away, leaving only what Minnie hoped to see.Out of nowhere, a delicate finger poked at Walter's chest, followed by Minnie's voice, tinged with a hint of jealousy."Walter, have you ever been this nice to any other girl? Ever been this patient, explaining things to keep another girl's worries at bay?"The thought alone soured Minnie's mood like a spilled bottle of vinegar. If Walter dropped Evangeline's name right then, she was sure she would lose it."Just you," said Walter, without missing a beat.For him, the question was a no-brainer. His status meant he never had to justify himself to anyone."You're fibbing," Minnie accused with a playful pout. "Didn't you ever have to explain yourself to Evangeline? You've been married forever..."She drew out her words, teasingly leaving the sentence hanging, inviting wild guesses.However, Walter was not having any of
"Walter, how long have we been together?" Minnie asked."A little over a month, why?" Walter replied, eyeing her with a hint of suspicion but with a smile hidden in his heart.Minnie always tried to outsmart him, and he had grown tired of playing her games.She had nearly gotten her way last time because he had not been on guard. This time, her intentions were clear as day. Was she planning to pull the same stunt again?"So, you're aware it's been a month," she said.Minnie's eyes blazed with the hurt she had been bottling up, and she let it all out at Walter, not bothering to hide her frustration. "For the past month, the most we've done is hug. Don't you think that's a little too... well, you know."She could not even bring herself to say the word. It was too mortifying. There was Walter, smirking at her like he knew exactly what she meant."Come on, you don't like me, do you?""Why do you say that?" Walter chuckled, his hand that Minnie had grabbed slipped away unnoticed."
Walter's finger pressed gently against Minnie's lips as he teased, "Don't talk like that. There are lines I've drawn that I won't cross. Stirring the pot will only make things harder for me."Frankly, he wanted zero physical contact with Minnie at this very second.Minnie mistook his self-control for deep care, and her cheeks turned a rosy pink. "I wish we could keep this up forever."Just as they were wrapped up in each other, Walter's phone shattered the moment. He hit the answer button, and his face said it all—total resignation."Where in the world are you, you rascal?" Trey's voice crackled through the phone, bristling with anger."At the office." Walter's reply was detached, brief, and to the point."Swing by after you clock out!"Trey did not even flinch at his grandson's curt tone, barking out the command."Why should I bother going back?"If Evangeline was not there, Trey would just go on and on about chasing her down.With Minnie still in the picture, how could he e
Juggling Minnie every day was draining enough for Walter, and adding Trey's nagging about Evangeline to the mix? He was on the verge of a meltdown.Ever since he had fallen for Evangeline, his nerves were shot—so much that he almost laughed at his fragility.Love, he figured, was a real piece of work. It had him all tied up in knots and walking around like a lost soul.Trey could see Walter was set in his ways, so he did not push him. "Tell me, after you pulled that awful stunt, did you ever apologize to Evie?"A whole month had gone by, and Walter had not stepped foot in the Gordons' place since the day he left with a bruised ego—and face.Trey was torn between being furiously angry and feeling a pang of sympathy for his pregnant granddaughter-in-law, all alone."Grandpa, just leave Evangeline and me out of this, okay?"The whole mess was so knotted up that Walter could not figure it out himself. Thus, how could Trey, who was pretty much out of the loop, get it?Walter was dro