er long, exhausting day, but one that left her feeling a sense of accomplishment. She loved the children in her care-each of them so f
ending over to assist children all day. She was used to the physical toll her job took on her bod
t spoken with her a few hours ago, and the conversation hadn't been reassuring. The pressure of Mason's tuition payment weighed he
swered with a force
. "Your brother's been asking about his tuition. I don't know what we're going to do
f the financial hole they seemed to be stuck in. Despite her best efforts, nothing see
," her mother murmured. "But you're t
fall. "I know, Mom. I'll do whatever it takes." She ended the cal
keep going like this? Between the mounting debt, the loans she still hadn't paid off, and her d
stigious education, and didn't belong to any family that could lend her financial help. It was a constant reminder that she was on her own. And yet
e roar of a sleek black car pulling up to the curb. She looked up and froze. It was the same car she had notice
n to him. He was always impeccably dressed, his demeanor cool and composed, rarely speaking more than a few words to anyone. There
ckly looked away, feeling her face flush. He had a way of making her feel like she was
ilt, and exuding an effortless air of authority. There was something magnetic about him, something that made her stomach flutter and her m
istakably clear. It was the first time he had spoken to her
er palms suddenly cla
enjoys spending time here," he continued
remain composed. "Mason's a great k
t her face. There was a long moment of silence between them, where Valentine could feel the weight of
said, breaking the silence. "I've been meaning
d through her at his complime
fore speaking again. "Listen, I know this might sound odd,
n aback by his sudden p
e explained. His eyes narrowed slightly, as though he was carefully choosing his wor
e if she had heard him correctly. "I-I'm flattered, but I do
d be surprised. It's not about qualifications so much as i
. This was an opportunity most people would jump at-working for a billionaire CEO, stepping into a world of lux
, just a few minutes from here. You could move in, stay there, and still keep working here until you ge
an offer to someone like her-a simple, small-town girl who barely made ends meet. And yet, his gaze was unwaver
ightly. She wasn't sure what she was getting into, but there
is tone softening just a little. "I'm
her chest. She had no idea what this offer meant, but she couldn't deny the curiosity gnawing at her. Was t
r lingered in her mind. It felt like a door had opened before her, one that could lead to a wo