uses dangled from lampshades, skirts were draped across chairs, and one of h

in front of the mirror, hair tied up in a messy bun, wearing mismatched socks and a t-shirt that said I Hate Mondays. "This

aos, sipping an iced Americano as though nothing was wrong. She wore

aving her straw casually. "Just pick

! Ethan Maverick's grandfather! The man who could fire me-or worse-if he figures out I'm a

if you act like you do. Confidence is e

ress to her chest. "I can't do this. He'll see through me in five seconds. He'll a

took another sip,

irl. I don't even know how to use half the cutlery they serve in chaebol mansio

oftened. "jessica, listen. You're smart. You're funny. And you're

aid of!" Jessica cried, toss

lace trim, and shoved it into Jessica's arms. "Wear this. It's classy but not over the top. Pair it wi

dress up doubtful

before I lose pati

ped. "Sometimes I think

"Sometimes? Sw

est apartment building. The polished chrome gleamed under the streetlamps, and even the neighb

ike a lifeline. Her ivory dress fit like a dream, her hair fell in soft waves, and her makeup had taken nearly an ho

edan opened, and out s

than her yearly rent. His hair was styled immaculately, his features sharp enough to cut glass.

ded on her, they

that smooth, clipped ton

y seven!" She whipped out her phone

at her, lips curving faintly. "I don

ngle minute? She bit back a retort, instead forci

ward and opened the car door with a gentlemanl

you," h

her interior, which smelled faintly of cedar and money.

date anymore

ched toward the high ceilings, crystal chandeliers glittered like captured starlight

ke a burglar ca

. At the head sat Chairman Maverick ,a man whose presence dominated the room despite his age. His s

boomed, rising to greet her. His voice e

ly. "It's an honor

tioning her to a chair b

n array of silverware that looked like an exam waiting to be failed. Jessica

ck began, his eyes sharp but k

he silence stretched unbearably until, in a moment of blind desp

than froze, his pen poised over a

o crawl under th

oom. "Horror dolls and chicken feet! Ha! What a pa

Ethan's eyes bored into her with silent fury. She could p

ay her role. "Yes, well... I believe a

arly amused. "Excellent answer! You a

her trembling hands, praying the

ssed, something un

ife. She had the same spark in her eyes, the same way of speaking her mind no ma

ment, the weight of her lie lifted. She wasn't pretending to be someone

er smile trembling but genuine. "

rmly. "You'll bring life back into t

is grandfather so open, so charmed. And the fact that it was her w

man felt... suspicious. And yet, he couldn't deny the effe

t she might survive the

arrying a tray. "Chairman, here are

's bloo

the way her family's shop prepared them. Her heart stopped. What if

tchen prepare these especially for

into a brittle smile. "

cks. She couldn't refuse. That would look suspicious.

ould: she shoved one into her m

despite her throat threatening to clos

ghter, clapping the table. "

she wouldn't choke. Across the table, Ethan

spicion tightening ar

cool night air, nearly collapsing from relief. She lean

urvived

oonlight. He stood close enough that she caught the faint scent of

randfather well,"

laugh. "Oh, well... I j

pened, pierci

rrifying moment, she thought

ts, his voice low and steady. "Don't think you've convinced me yet.

carefully constructed wor

ck. Ethan gestured for her to step

ather seat, one thought ech

do