CRUSHING ON MY FRIEND'S BILLIONAIRE BOSS

rick announced, his voice calm but carr

artled. "Wait,

ne asked, eyes narr

ch, so did Isabella, sitting close t

. "You always tell us in advance when you have

e and leaned forward. "Yeah, why

mething really important... extremely important." He lied, k

ne?" Isabella asked, her

for sure. I honest

t least. You always know the duration of your trips. Even when thi

forcing a tight-lipped smile. "I'll call

exchanged glances, worr

t be safe," Isab

arted smirk. But just as the tension seemed to

know about

bringing back the fury he fel

rd, but then quickly composed himself. He c

t's a business trip, and I'm traveling with one o

or a moment, then nodd

t the time. "It's getting late. You girls

y answered

ase ask one of the maids to bri

and with that, she and

fter freshening up, he sat down, ate a few bites mechanically, and then climbed into bed. He didn't wait fo

his room but couldn't sleep. What he had done weighed heavily on his chest. Aft

asting a soft shadow over his face. Mr. Laurent stoo

to no one in particular, his voice barely au

eaceful in her dreams. He walked in softly, bent down, and kissed her

Unlike her sister, she was wide awa

nt said softly. "Y

slowly. "No, Dad,I

the edge of the bed. "Is

ou already know... so Maveri

ned for a brief second.

ou don't know? He's flying out

se. I remember now," he replied quickly, trying

said, her voice bar

f hair behind her ear. "I know, swee

u s

forehead gently. "Now get s

murmured, turning

leave. At the doorway, he paused and looked back at his daughter once

the switch and turned off the lights. He lingered for a moment in the doorway, c

e entered his room, his voice a broken whisper. His feet moved automatically, but his m

on the nightstand. Picking it up, he saw

. He dialed her back, she answered quickly, her v

by," sh

latly, exhaustion soak

sed," she said, not bothered to ask if

it now,"

cal, proud son hadn't barged in like he owns the place, well we know he'll own it very soon but

tomach hearing more, not tonight, not when the image of Maverick's heartbroken expression kept replaying in his mi

times. His wife stood beside him, smiling with radiant grace, her hand resting gently on her swollen belly. She had been pregnant with Isabella then. Ma

minder of the promises he had broken. The life they had dreamed of, the vows they had exchanged, the quiet conviction in her voice when she made him

he had be

reveal generous amounts of cleavage. She swayed her hips around him like a siren, drawing him in with every calculated step. One day, she pretended to

t exactly past his prime. At forty-nine, he still held onto his looks. With his chiseled jawline, well-maintained physique, and confident air, many mistook him

hree times now, their affair had crossed every moral boundary, and yet he had sent her money more times than he

second wife but tonight Maverick had seen them, the shame of that moment clung to Mr. Laurent's skin like smoke, suffocating

so deeply? He had made promises on their mother's grave, promises that had meant

scape his thoughts, he grabbed his laptop and threw himself into work, hoping the numbers and

him, and he fell asleep with th