mother said, her voice echoing in the sitting room as she walked away

oked voice even as he continued to st

re, Mr. Sterling?" Anna asked, her ton

e while he motioned for her to come in. "

ce but the air itself. Her assistant followed and as she passed Marcel with the bo

atched Anna come in. "What is s

ed to talk. Privately." Her eyes flicked to every corner in t

felt his face flush with embarrassm

d her gaze lingered on just long enough to make the other woman squirm. "Very well. Let's make this quick." S

ider it an apology for the mis

loody rich woman he'd left behind at the alley now standing in his home, offer

I'm the one who owes you an ap

rupted him by sayin

her hands on her hips. "I'm sorry, but who do you think you are, barging

curled into a smile that didn't reach h

as her rude bravado defla

p it. "Okay, that's enough," he said as he stood up and s

urned flashing eyes to him in shock.

er me?

Anna said as she cut her off. "And

nything else, she shot Marcel a venomous look, grabbed her p

of soup from the kitchen. Marcel exhaled as he ran a hand throug

t. "I have a way of

nsion in his chest hadn't quite eased. "So, w

na said as she sat down gracefully on the couch that was

r even as his curiosity outweighed his di

you to m

ing to make sense of the explosion. This was the last thin

ed in a matter-of-fact tone despite his reacti

he asked as he looked at

rried within the year to maintain my position as CEO of Blackwood Corporation. I have no intention of marrying for love and I need someone trustworthy, discrete,

was hearing."You think I'm... what? Trustworth

dge in his voice. "You saved me in that alley withou

xactly the kind of job offer I

ship. One year, no strings attached. You'll be g

ed as he felt overwhelme

cleared. Your mother's medical bills? Taken care of. You'll have access to a lifestyle

t's what made it terrifying. It was as if he was in a dream

, I control my future not my family. You

ly. "This... this is i

s. But I'll tell you this, Marcel...opportunities like this don't come often. And if y

was already settled. "I'll have my assistant email you the detail

n back at her. "You think I

t happens to be wrapped in integrity. That is what I saw when I went through

with her assistant, leaving him alone with the wei

around as she wiped her hands with a paper wiper. " Wha

to her. His mind was spinn

happened?!" he mutte