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