RELUCTANT LOVE, RECKLESS HEIR

ri

the room. "Good morning, shareholders. I tru

lders nodde

s are up 5% from last quarter, and we're

mpressive, but what about the recent rumor

ose rumors. What I can tell you is that we're constantly exploring opp

what about the potential risks involved in such a merg

assure you, our team has conducted thorough analyses, and we're co

I agree with your assessment, Mr. Knight. Per

input, David. However, I must remind you that I've been running this company suc

meeting. "I believe that's all the time we have for today. Thank you for your attendance,

m, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction

*

s

ears as I sat on the cold, hard bench outside Knight Industries. My hands trembled

in d

had just th

gave the order, they dragged me to the exit

ave expected

ht was not

rom the second his dark gaze landed on me a

eckles

hat changed

tomach, my body still reeling

plan. I nee

as stare at the revo

it

wh

o come storm

made a mistake and d

itterly at

wasn't

running ou

ictor wou

eeping up my spine. The way his dark eyes would gl

eded

ugh to protect me... was the sam

**

ri

ave looked do

g window in my office, my gaze locked on the

d to be in an

a billion-d

at would expand Knight I

d, I was w

s

so small

reak

een shouting at me in the lobby, her voice filled with ang

at made my c

ushed h

ad

sn't my

ype of man who

ype who des

he hell couldn

have left

ng in the cold, clinging to wh

I di

k into the lobby, my voice sharp as

g her

tated, glancing

ow

in my office, arms crossed over he

inside me twisted at the sight of her. She looked exha

gna

my

ut I couldn't ignore the small part of

muttered, gra

. "Where ar

a place

my own," sh

r with a gla

he followed me out of the buildi

elf it was

ess tra

out if she was telling the truth, a

bout Isla Car

s

s sleek, expensive car, a w

morning

hun

an asked, his voice

hard. "I n

food when w

ad franticall

bbing his temples. "Fi

ht for

ckl

ked. "P

eanut

ed. "Pickles an

ce cream?" I ad

e I had just asked him

re jo

s. "You asked m

ce, muttering a string of

he pulled the car over to th

t o

ked. "

u're going to make ridiculous demands,

mouth, the

only thing I

rted

Not as some mani

se I was

ant, alone, and sca

d again, thi

ached across the seat and grabbed

ing," he

Then stop be

nto a thin line, b

put the car

anut butter, hu

odd

tightened aro

going to