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"Chloe,you with me?"
The man loomed over me.I recognized him—Lucas Hayes,Ethan's rival,a man rumored to be even more formidable and strikingly handsome at the same time.
I shivered.He crouched,smirking,as if he suddenly took an interest in me:
"See who I am?Am I Ethan?"
I shook my head.
"Still want to kiss me?"
His voice slithered into my ears.His wet shirt clung to chiseled abs,his cool hands cupping my face,his hot breath grazing me.
I felt that my consciousness who had only came back to me vanished instantly.His lips,moving,were like forbidden fruit.I leaned in and kissed him.
He froze,then kissed back fiercely,his tongue prying past my lips,stealing my breath.He lifted me,and I gasped.He pressed on:
"You started this.No regrets later."
The rest blurred.He kept asking:
"Chloe,what's my name?"
I could only repeat,"Lucas,your name's Lucas."
He exhausted me all night.I'd thought Ethan was intense,but Lucas was superhuman.He stopped only after dawn came.
Waking up,he was gone.My body ached,and I realized this wasn't some hotel—it was Lucas's home.
After washing up,I found breakfast ready on the table.A maid greeted me:
"Miss Chloe,call me Mrs.Wren.I've been with Lucas since he was a boy.Anything you need in the future,just ask."
I smiled awkwardly,sitting down.What future with Lucas?
Mrs.Wren,who warmed up to me pretty quickly,gazed at me like I was her daughter and sat down beside me:
"You're the only woman Lucas ever brought home!I thought he'd stay a bachelor forever.Be good to him—he's too busy.If he's unkind to you though,tell me!"
Lucas never brought women here?Last night,his first time was somewhat quick,but after...like a man unleashed,relentless.
My face burned,heart racing with embarrassment.I finished my breakfast fast and fled,feeling restless all the way home.
At my door,an unwelcome guest—Ethan.
His face was cold,my years with him told me he was angry:
"Where were you last night?"
What's it to you?Hypocrite—ignoring me yesterday,now pretending to care.But I held back;one displeased word from him could crush my company.I stepped back,polite but distant,avoiding personal talk:
"Mr.Caldwell,here to discuss my company's projects?"
He handed me a card:
"Out of money?Ask me.Don't mess around.And stay away from Lucas Hayes."
I didn't take it.I couldn't agree to either one of his demands,unsure of his motives:
"No need,Mr.Caldwell.You gave enough when we broke up.Taking more than I deserved would be inappropriate.If you feel guilty,consider cooperating with my company."
Rebuffed,Ethan left without lingering.I knew how to sting his pride.I didn’t want to see him again out of personal reasons.
The new company kept Mia and me swamped,sleeping the moment we hit the bed due to exhaustion.Networking was constant for connections.
I hadn't realized Ethan's company reached so far.Even in a new city,I would still bump into him often at work.
And April Sterling,too.
Everytime she glared at me, I could see venom in her eyes.One day,she cornered me at a stairwell,snatching my wine glass.Unsure but polite,I nodded and greeted him,saying that I knew that her engagement with Ethan was near:
"Miss Sterling,something up?"
Drunk,she was no longer the graceful heiress,she slapped me:
"Stop pretending,Chloe.Just a stand-in,yet you dare show up around Ethan.What,thrilled he's chasing you,helping you behind the scenes?"
Ethan helping me?My recent success in business was his doing?I'd thought it was my skill that got me my success.What was he playing at?
"Why,Chloe?I've known him forever,and his family was still not happy with me,they schemed to send me abroad.Why could you make him defy them?"
Maybe to make up for losing you.
"I'll destroy you and whatever's between you and Ethan."
Her threat had me on guard.Noticing the surveillance camera above me apparently not working,I opened my phone's camera:
"I bet this camera's off.If you plan to fall down the stairs and frame me for pushing you,I'm recording now to prove my innocence.Don't bother."
She paused,smirking as if amused.As she turned sharply,I exhaled.Best to avoid seeing them for my own safety.
