ing lunch break. After all, I'll be back in San Francisco in three

n't be foolish. Perhaps Mr. Shaw has merely been courteou

e to lunch, and

reflection in the hotel mirror; today, I wore a blood-red blouse, a gift from Lana, and a black pencil skirt. I rarely wear this b

r brown, but unfortunately, I never got around to it. My amber eyes looked b

*

tea to take to the office. Julio chatted with me briefly before returning to serve other customers. I'l

ith the sun shyly peeking through the clouds. It was a

to Mr. Shaw. I waited until the elevator door in front of me opened on the top floor, the 19th floor. A small mini-lobby we

he glanced at my em

Mr. Shaw

ichola

Shaw." I cut i

ave an app

before taking out an envelope containing a check. "Please, deliver this from Elea

ehind me, before I could turn aroun

ed my name. The fine hairs on the b

behind me. He looked different from last night; this time,

comfortable. He pulled up one corner of his mouth, forming

ly at him, then

et him afterward." He said without diverting his gaze from me at all. He didn't have the inti

need. I just w

oday." He cut me off before I could refuse. Then, he walked towards th

ded a

, "I'll make su

as I walked. He continued staring at me expressionlessly even after I entered the elevator. I sighed after the elevator

*

w. Mrs. Lynch didn't check on me at all today; she just asked me t

and this wasn't the first time. At least ten transfer reports to various accounts i

Mrs. Lynch and glanced a

row morning because there's no point in send

ticed the leakage? Or maybe there was another reason? But why would Shaw & Partner transfer its funds to Thom

dling billion-dollar cases or significant embezzlements. As far as I know, the Shaw brothers handle more cases like that, no

awyer of his caliber ge

ean

the door frame. His blue eyes, though slightly tired, still managed to be intimidating as he stared at me. He wore a light blue shirt with rolled-up sleeves and dark blue fo

. And he looked very,

full minute. How does he do it? How does he

ell you?" Suddenly, he pulled

u

ept your mon

The

o say that? "Well then, I can't

laced both hands on my desk in an intimidating position, and I looked up slowly to meet his gaze

use of the

Then we can go to dinner soon." His voice sounded dee

Stubborn? Me? Doesn't h

ed with a defeated tone. "Mr. Shaw, I can't a

from my desk and tugged his mouth corners up slightly, for

ag. Mr. Shaw just stood in his place, observing me. I stood up and walked past him; his gaze didn

with me?" I asked when e

ered, and his gaze returned to my face with his intense stare. Unlike his brother

ner

d with his deep voice. My heart raced when I heard him speak, no man has

he followed. We walked out of the Shaw & Partner building into the Manhattan night air. His black SUV wa

ely. He wore a black suit without a tie, the same a

sculine cologne and a hint of mint. I tucked a few strands of my hair beh

ke French cuisine?" He t

nsive restaurant. "So... what case are yo

before looking back at me. "Tax evasion. You won't be

job was the most b

ting blue eyes softened a bit when he smiled.

ting. Not just small talk like usual. "80

is face. "I thought you told me your job w

to start from scratch." Our conversation reminded me of the financial data of Bank Rotterdam. Should I ask him? Tomorrow

a furrowed brow. The top two buttons of his shirt were op

es in the financial re

unning his dark brown hair through his hand

, all sent to different accounts in Bank

attention was focused on me when I ment

rred to a subsidiary company owned by Thompson & Thompson. If all the funds ar

for a company the size of Shaw & Partner. P

the lines on his forehead deepened. That meant only one thi

he beginning, the culprit's trail is likely still fresh. He loo

the back of the driver's seat. We were so close that I could see every detail of his face – the

ask your company to extend you

is face, just for a split second, before it

ate matters like this, Mr. Shaw. Besides, this

kberry from his pants pocket. "I'll ask Mrs. Lynch to take care of your

a m

s more than two weeks if done alone, and I can't sta

orners of his mo

ed sli

hat prevents you from sta

just don't like being in a foreign place alone for too long."

" I laughed softly to cover my embarrassment. "A few months ago, I was

ace, then his expression turned cold... almost dangerous. I

d he do

her to tell him the truth. "It might so

assailant?" His voice sounded strange, like someone hol

I don't rem

ng brighter light. Mr. Shaw closed his eyes for a moment, his forehea

ing dinner at my house." His voice had returned to normal. He looked at

atch briefly;

ime, Ella. Besides, I'll be back to San Francisco the day aft

" I re

ments before he asked again, "About you

story sounding ridiculous, that man really did bite me. I could still see the mark on my neck, though it had faded a bit. His

sound a bit crazy, an

's just that you don't..." Suddenly, he stop

...?" I

s attention to the streets outside, and w