CRUSHING ON MY FRIEND'S BILLIONAIRE BOSS

erfectly tailored navy suit that hugged his athletic frame, Maverick was the heir to a zillionaire-dollar legacy. His hazel-green eyes, striking and sharp,

uity, and worldwide investments. He wasn't just smart; he was strategic, not just outspoken, but fiercely articulate. Charisma an

and patriarch of the Rylan dynasty. Maverick reached for the sleek brass

ll...? he thought, pressing his

n without another thou

his father, half-dressed grinding against his s

g open, scrambling to pull themselves together. Maverick

n here?" he demanded, his

k, Maverick," Laurent stammered

ough the office like a clap of thunder. "You were literall

im in shame, but Maverick blocked her path. Without wa

Laurent bark

gh to be your father," Maverick growled at the wo

ously before storming out, leavi

o his own office. The moment the door slammed shut behind him, he le

muttered through clenched teeth, tryin

t his mind wasn't on work. It was spin

going on with that woman, but no...'There's nothing going on,' he

ghtened. "

could catch them. They didn't fe

.. after the p

nd falling as he looked up at the ceil

et the memory etched itself into his heart with a clarity that refused to fade. It was late at night, and he was supposed to be

jar door, he watched, frozen, as

haking with emotion. That night she looked tired, her eyes

of her anguish. "You went to lodge with a lady... but I already know abo

took a step toward her, reaching for her hand. "It was a mistake," he pleaded, his voice low and urgent

alling with heavy breaths, before finally turning away in

family, mending what he had broken with his wife's trust. But Maverick

er body weakened from bringing Isabella, Maverick's baby sister into the world. Machines beeped steadi

tears, and her fingers gripped Lauren

husband, fear and sorrow written in every line of her face. "Please, promise me something... Take care of Maverick and the girls. Don't let them

brushing her hair away from her forehead with

," he had

the corner of the room, too scared to com

at even without his mother, they would still be safe. It had been a vow forged in grief

est expanding with every breath. He wasn't a

or jolted him from the

voice calmer now, though the

stepped in, guilt carved deep

d softly, trying to

fixed on the table, his fingers laced ti

ry," Lau

up now, cold and

ell out of

"I couldn't handle it anymore. I'm still a man,

ed behind them. His voice was low, controlled, but every word carried the weight of

andy was the one who held everything together when Mom died, not you while you locked yourself away in boardrooms, buried under contracts, acquisiti

house, too focused on maintaining your corporate image to notice your children were drowning in silence and sorrow. You didn't ask how we wer

stance, neglect, and silence, you come to me talking about needing a companion? You stand here flirting sha

word around like it means something. Not when you had a family that

said n

. And I saw you make that promise. And now

laptop and phone an

aid quietly, not even

ight to the elevator. Moments later, he was in the backsea

his fists in his lap, wh

audac