carlett with a cold stare. "And why would I agr

ridiculous. "Come on, Elyse. You can't honestly believe one

but scorn. "People like you don't get to reach for whatever cat

! She is giving your work a real chance, and you should be thanking her fo

mpathy in her voice was plainly fake. "I'm still willing to be fair about this. If the research proves usefu

se up and down. "Just work with me. You're getting f

ugh, her gaze colder than ever. "I've heard plenty of excuses fr

to take Ian from her, yet Scarlett is willing to let that go.

one else's man," Elyse responded softly, bu

rced your way between Ian and me, but I'm willing to put that behind us. If you accept my offer, I could even set yo

ell to a quiet warning. "So don't start reaching for what do

ebook and gave Scarlett one final, calm look. She took hol

her step, Scarlett slammed

and pretend this conversation never happened. Whether you agree or not won't change anything. Have you thought about wha

e cold, and every muscle

then put on that innocent smile again as if she had said nothing wrong. "It makes no difference to me whether you care about

d and struck Scarle

h the dorm room, and

ys as an angry red mark began

hand to her face, too stunned to speak. Never once had

ight through Scarlett. "Listen carefully, Scarlett. If you hurt anyon

urried to Scarlett's side and grabbed her arm. "Yo

you should think twice before pushing someone you bel

uitcase out of the dorm building. Cold night ai

rom somewhere behind, but Elyse kept

d the school gates, parked i

rward and gently took the suitcase from he

pened the car door and

d he did not bother looking over when he spoke.

icked her seat belt into

lyse remained unaware that Scarlett had take

a small part of the ma

ow it makes sense," she murmured. "You found another wealthy man

n. "I just saw Elyse leave with a suitcase in some man's luxury

.

rsity to Michael's villa too

nced around at the decor, though not

ered the rooms, the furniture had clean lines, and not a single usele

side. "I've got some work to finish," he said casua

looking around. She checked the bedrooms downstairs

nd spotless, and its windows looked out over a wide courtyard. Gentle evening

e near the bed and hea

lready placed a fresh set of toiletries beside it. The sight hel

the tension that had gripped her si

mbed out of the tub. Only then did she realize that s

esitated briefly, then wrapped it securely

ael beside the sofa. He held the phone she had forgot

eyes

irmly against her chest as heat rushed into her fac

" Michael replied without an

emembered that she had entered without checking

drops of water resting along her collarbone, and something in his expression changed. "You used my

my clothes with me! You said I could choose any room in

open doubt before moving one step

nding. "Mr. Wright, don't forget that we signed an agreem

e stayed strangely casual. "You might want to read it again. The contract says y

just for show!"

r her ear. "You honestly thought I was paying