k

tuall

ant composure shattered. Her

of the bracelet, or had he been tar

to get where she was-climbing her way up step by step. She

. This bracelet style has been very popular lately. If

o, she'd lose a lu

efore she could, Edward's hand closed arou

as lazy, his tone icy. "Then

pression, but it gave noth

ure. If it's importan

ess laugh, his dark eyes unreadable. "By calling the

red. He knew. He

ough her weak attempt

ould have opened up and swallowed her, she wou

ver if he wanted to. That was exactly why she'd been so desperat

to lie. I just. didn't want

. His grip on her wrist tightened almost

ou doing at

nearly colliding with his chest. Flustered, she qui

you please let go of

r a moment before finally releasin

o

ce met his cold, handsome g

with some friends. We had dinner, had a bit

state, so they booked me a room at The Imperial

ened. And now she had to face the consequenc

e was cold. "

Mr. Hawthorne, last

an accident. Something tha

up, his gaze sharp

his. I especially don't want my wife

d. "Wait-Mr. Hawtho

eligible bachelor in the capital, the dream man of every socialite i

a sidelong gla

uickly shut her mouth, re

s personal life? Majo

m an intern. You should know w

igorously. "

aving no room for argument. "I'll transfer compensation

ned last night was both our faults. Like you said-it never happened,

"But I really don't want to lose my job o

n her position as senior secretary. She wa

anding. It won't happen again. I would never use it against you, and I would never interfere with your relationship. I h

eyebrow. "You

d, "Yes. we grew up togethe

d was her career and financial stability. But if a w

silence unnerving. Alice clenched her fists, gave a sligh

, and her income along with it. Quitting now-e

eep voice brok

in

p, relief washing

u, Mr. Ha

his expression unrea

d. If word gets out, the c

mediately. "I w

taught her to keep her head down. Trying to outsmart

. "You may go. I'll have the compen

need to pay me, Mr. Hawthorne. Money would only make

appraising look, then tur

out of the office. Once she reached her desk

n she'd ever had with Edward. Th

she walked in-proof that powerful

ief. At least now she wouldn't

n't replied. He was overseas-probably still aslee

ward's office. Seeing him focused

t you Mrs. Hawthorne's n