His gaze followed the light spilling from the building downward.
In the dimness, he spotted a slender figure pacing.
She got out of the car, popped the hood, slammed it shut, and got back in to turn the ignition…
She repeated this cycle several times, but the car refused to start.
Finally, she gave the car a hard kick as if venting her frustration.
He mused that she was truly a violent woman, completely lacking any ladylike grace.
Staring at the clunker that had been with her for three years, Shalma Hughes wondered if it was time for an upgrade.
However, the thought of her meager salary quickly reminded her that such a possibility was virtually nonexistent.
Serenity Tower was located on the outskirts of Aethelgard.
Its usual patrons were dignitaries, socialites, and wealthy elites.
In other words, they either drove luxury cars or had dedicated chauffeurs.
The chances of hailing a taxi in a place like this were about one in a hundred.
Shalma didn’t think she possessed that kind of luck.
She figured she would have to spend the night stranded at Serenity Tower.
Although it was nearly July in Aethelgard, the nights were still quite chilly, especially with the current breeze.
Shalma was dressed thinly in a black button-down shirt and a lightweight suit.
A shiver ran down her spine.
Wrapping her arms around her chest and rubbing her shoulders for warmth, she turned around to head back inside.
The moment she turned, she realized someone was standing right behind her.
Shalma looked up to meet a calm, profound gaze.
With one hand tucked elegantly into his pocket and a set of car keys in the other, he appeared ready to leave as well.
She wondered how he had come back out so quickly, considering he had just walked in with a beautiful woman.
“Car broke down?” Julian Winslow asked smoothly, glancing at the vehicle behind her.
“Uh…” Shalma turned sideways to glare at her disappointing ride before looking back at him.
“Yeah, it’s dead.
I’ll probably have to crash at Serenity Tower for the night.”
Julian offered a smile.
A halo of light seemed to wash over his refined, jade-like features, leaving Shalma a little dazed.
She sighed inwardly.
This man was simply too gorgeous.
Perhaps it was his stunning looks that had compelled her to make such a bold decision back then!
“I’ll give you a ride,” he offered.
Shalma froze, feeling completely thrown off guard.
To make sure she hadn’t misheard, she asked, “You’re offering me a ride?”
“Mhm.
Given your relationship with Miss Laura, isn’t it only right that I give you a lift?”
This put Shalma in a difficult spot.
She hated letting outsiders into her private territory.
Allowing him to drive her home meant revealing where she lived, and she wanted absolutely nothing to do with him anymore.
“That won’t be necessary.
I’m sure you have plenty to busy yourself with,” she deflected, trying to redirect his attention.
“For instance, shouldn’t you be keeping that beautiful woman from earlier company?”
Julian raised a brow.
“Are you jealous?”
“Jealous?
Please!
I have an appetite for many things, but jealousy isn’t one of them!” Shalma retorted.
The moment the words left her mouth, she realized she was rambling.
Ugh! Get faster updates on g.com.
What on earth was she saying?
Amidst her inner turmoil, she noticed his unwavering gaze fixed upon her.
His thin lips parted.
“Shalma, are you avoiding me?” he asked.
“No,” she replied with absolute resolve.
“I just don’t like unnecessary entanglements.
Especially not with you.”
“You don’t want unnecessary entanglements with me, yet you have no problem laughing so brazenly with another man.” Julian’s tone was light, but Shalma could distinctly hear the chilling edge in his words.
Shalma’s beautiful eyes shimmered as she flashed a playful smile.
“So, who is the jealous one here?
You or me?”
“What do you think?” he countered.
“How could I possibly guess what’s on your mind?” Shalma wasn’t lying.
In Aethelgard, Julian Winslow was the very definition of unfathomable.
No one could ever predict his next move or deduce the underlying motives behind his actions.
It always felt as though everything was firmly in the palm of his hand, and everyone else was merely a speck of dust at his mercy.
He possessed an incredibly elegant and handsome face, yet he radiated a ruthless, domineering aura.
These two drastically contrasting extremes managed to coexist within him flawlessly.
Shalma wondered what kind of terrifying figure she had provoked.
Looking back on it now, her actions from six months ago had been far too reckless.
Before Shalma could snap out of her thoughts, Julian stepped directly in front of her as if appearing out of thin air.
The distance between them was now so short that if he simply lowered his head, they would be touching…