ding sunlight struck his face. His left arm felt heavy, and

at had happened the night before. The memories were hazy, but flashes

y. He recalled feeling dizzy after drinking a beverage brou

m the woman. He leaped off the bed silently and moved quickly toward a pair of pants lying near the bed.

el

e are you

in my

dressing while still hol

urrently at your suite, bu

he room. Sure enough, it was d

ir

his face, then walked back out, gazing intently at the woman still asleep in bed-completely

ifted slightly in her sleep. The blanket slipped, revealing more of her body-covered in red marks, most certainly

hispered. "Whoever you are, I

of her head. Before leaving, he scribbled a note on a tissue and placed it on

s already ten in the morning! Sitting up groggily, she felt something was off. And yes-her eyes widened in

hest. The memories of the previous night came flooding back. She didn'

with a hollow laugh. She buried her face in her hands, overwhelm

en by a stranger she didn't even know. Everything was blurry-only a raspy, deep voice echoed in her memory. She had given in, her

e muttered, standing in fr

-making love endlessly, wrapped in each other's arms. But it wa

longs to me!" the deep voi

h her veins. Her heart pounded. Emelie felt herself becomi

she whispered, trying to s

y, memories of his kisses and heated touches only made her more sensitive. She wanted

He knew exactly why he had been summoned so early in t

. His hair was slicked back neatly, and his tired, siren-like eyes gave off an intimidating aura.

anyone to know about that woman," Franz instructed his personal dr

," Sergio

alyzed the weaknesses and was determined to fix them once he officially took over. He had been away from the busine

ich opened automatically. The car circled a fountain sculpture resembling a Greek god holding a jug

Sergio hurried out, uncaring about the rain, to ensu

entered the mansion, greeted politel

ps toward the dining room, where an extravagant breakfast was set between candles and fresh roses. Yet, no warmth could be felt at

od has been reheated. Sit down

no warmth in return-his stepmother meant nothing to him. He

f you act so irresponsibly? Even if you've managed subsidiary branches before, managing the

e with that responsibility. There's already been a noticeable drop in shares. I

at the hotel? Isn't this mansi

r. I'm planning a promotional campaign with discounts for Christmas and New Year," Franz explained, his han

s the new CEO?" Elija asked, clearly ho

e still in charge for now. I want to start from the

marketing staff?" El

dinary employee for now,"

any of the roses were wilted and neglected. He stared at them blankly, one han

No message. No call from an unknown number. Even though she wore a ring, Franz

are, I won'