Kayla’s POV”Miss Williams represents the professionalism of this office,” Lucien continued, taking a step closer to Stella, lowering his voice into a chilling promise.
“If you cannot address my staff with basic corporate respect, I will personally pull Throne Corporation out of this deal before you even sit down at the table. Do I make myself clear?”
Stella looked completely humiliated.
Her confidence shattered in a single second.
“I… I apologize, Mr. Thorne.
I didn’t mean any offense.”
”The conference room is to your right,” Lucien said coldly, not giving her another glance as he gestured toward the double doors.
“My team will join you shortly.”
Without another word, Stella flushed with embarrassment, turned on her heel, and practically walked down the hallway toward the meeting room with her assistants.
The surrounding staff quickly hurried back to their desks, suddenly finding their own computer screens deeply fascinating.
I stood there, my chest heaving, my hand clutching my stomach beneath my Jacket as I tried to regain my breath.
My heart was pounding so hard I felt dizzy.
Lucien turned around slowly to face me.
The cold, ruthless mask he had worn while dealing with Stella softened just a fraction as he looked down at me.
His gray eyes searched my face, scanning my trembling lips and pale skin.
“Are you alright, Miss Williams?” he asked softly, his voice dropping into a low, Private tone that only I could hear.
“I… I am fine, Mr. Thorne,” I managed to speak out, keeping my head bowed so he wouldn’t see the tears threatening to spill over my lashes.
“Thank you. For… defending me.”
Lucien remained silent for a long moment.
I could feel the intense heat of his gaze burning into me, heavy and protective.
“I don’t tolerate disrespect on my floor,” he said quietly.
Then, his tone shifted, adding a subtle, commanding weight.
“Go take a fifteen minute break in the staff lounge. Drink some water, Kayla.”
Hearing my first name roll off his tongue in that soft, gentle manner sent a powerful rush through my chest.
“Yes, sir,” I whispered. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
I turned and walked away, my legs feeling like jelly.
But as I reached the quiet safety of the break room, I leaned against the counter, touching my burning cheeks.
He had defended me.
A billionaire who didn’t even remember saving my life from a freezing road had just risked a multi million dollar deal to protect my dignity.
And as much as I wanted to stay invisible, I knew the walls I had built against Lucien Thorne were officially starting to crumble.
Sarah’s POV
The bell above the café door rang softly.
I sat at a corner table, my fingers nervously tearing a paper napkin into tiny, pieces.
I kept checking my watch every thirty seconds until a tall, intimidating handsome figure blocked the sunlight streaming through the window.
Marcus
Marcus walked in, wearing his sharp corporate suit, looking just the same, hot and unreadable as the night I had met him at a hotel bar four months ago.
The night that was supposed to be a meaningless, one night stand.
He pulled out the chair across from me and sat down, his posture stiff.
“You have five minutes, Sarah,” Marcus said, his tone entirely business-like, without a drop of warmth.
“I’m in the middle of a high priority assignment for Mr. Thorne. What do you want?”
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my hands from shaking.
“Nice to see you too, Marcus.
Thanks for coming.”
”I came because you called my private cellphone three times,” he replied coldly, leaning back.
“If this is about our… past encounter, I thought we made the terms clear that night.
No strings.”
”This isn’t about us,” I blurted out, leaning across the small wooden table.
“It’s about Kayla. My roommate. She works at Throne Corporation now.”
Marcus didn’t even blink.
“And?
Thousands of people work at Throne Corporation.”
”You don’t understand,” I said, my voice dropping into an urgent whisper.
“Four months ago..the exact same night you and I met at that hotel. Kayla had a one night stand with your boss! With Lucien Thorne!”
Then, his eyes narrowed into a sharp gaze, his defensive corporate armor locking into place.
“What does that have to do with me?” Marcus cut me off ruthlessly, his voice dropping into a dangerous, low tone.
“It’s been months.
If this is some cheap attempt to blackmail Mr. Thorne or leverage an old fling, I suggest you stop talking immediately.”
”It’s not blackmail!
Marcus, listen to me..Kayla is-”
I was about to shout ‘Kayla is pregnant with his baby!’, but before the words could leave my mouth, the sharp, ring of Marcus’s phone shattered the moment.
He pulled out his phone, looked at the caller ID, and immediately stood up.
“I have to take this.
Mr. Thorne needs me back on the floor.”
”Wait!” I gasped, getting out of my seat.
Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed his hand to stop him from walking away.
The sudden skin to skin contact rushed through my veins, bringing back vivid memories of our past night together.
I instantly recoiled, yanking my hand back as if I’d been burned, wiping my palm on my jeans.
I forced a tight, bitter smile onto my face, my mind racing.
He thinks I’m lying.
If I just say ‘she’s pregnant,’ he’ll think it’s a scam to get Lucien’s money.
“Fine,” I said, twisting the truth into a cryptic puzzle, my eyes burning with desperate frustration.
“Don’t listen. But when a ghost from four months ago shows up right under your boss’s nose, carrying a ‘package’ that belongs entirely to him… don’t say I didn’t try to warn you when the truth hits the fan.”
Marcus stared at me, his brow pulling down into a deep, confusion.
He didn’t understand the double meaning behind my words, but he could hear the raw, terrifying sincerity in my voice.
He gave a sharp, stiff nod, turned on his heel, and walked out of the café without saying another word.
I sat back into my chair, burying my face in my hands.
“God damn it, Kayla… I tried.”