panther stalking its prey, scanned the executives.

lummeting satisfaction, and complaints filling the internet l

leather seats, accustomed to Dash

our competitors are leaving us choking on dust. They offer personalised experien

l wasn't criticising, he was demolish

s eyes blazing. 'We shed this mediocrity

undeniably more ambitious than his father, a key factor in his

ilence, his voice a hushed whisper against the hu

hiell's eyes. 'Mrs Kellan, huh?' he drawled. 'So, th

for forgiveness, igniting a spark of perverse pleasure in his chest. He wou

e suffering never

e wave of his hand. He sauntered into the CEO's pr

fingers grazed his jawline, detecting the faintest hint of stubble. 'Tsk, tsk,'

Dashiell Kellan, the epitome of success and charisma. A little b

face pale with regret. He would be merciful, of course. Perhaps a generous cheque would ease her pain, or maybe even a

is office, the anticipation of watching Elod

e cream cone on a hot summer day when his assi

icited advice, was the last person he needed to see after the messy business with Elodie. He envisio

ing like a fifty-year-old who'd discovered the secret to eternal youth

f champagne. 'I just got the most fascinating book for El,

slightly as Dashiell's

choosing his words carefully, 'w

. 'Did you finally realise you couldn't handle her intellectual

arily speechless by his mother's bluntness. He'd e

sted. 'And I didn't run away. In fact,

sharply. 'Oh dear, this

id of

k I arranged the

g to be stuck in a wheelchair for the rest o

odded. '

a wheelchair anymore, Mom, an

ggerated sigh. 'El, that poor girl probably had enough of being stuck with

o sigh. 'I don't think t

divorce. 'Dash,' she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement, 'this is just like Jane Eyre! R

'Poor El, she's penniless and now jobless and homeles

he hero, Dashiell! Go find her, bring her back

nt return to his life had only exacerbated his mother's dislike. He opened hi

out that. that woman. She's not right for you, Dashiell. She

l, you're giving me palpitations! Please, promise me you'll f

his mother was a losing battle, especially whe

ed, 'where would I even

everything about everything. Besides, Elodie wouldn't have gone far without her beloved books. I bet she's holed up in

emember, love conquers all, even a bad case of male arrogance. And who knows, you might even get a