Chapter 25: Honey, Are You Waiting for Me?
Chapter 25: Honey, Are You Waiting for Me?
Mateo and Eliza hadn’t gone far when Ambrose chased after them.
“Miss Foster, please wait.”
Eliza turned around, confused. “Ambrose, is there something else from Mr. Gates?”
Ambrose’s gaze lingered on Eliza for a moment.
“Mr. Gates said you were decisive. He gave you three days, but you used just one to make a bold move. However, Miss Foster, you may have used too much force, causing Gates Corporation’s stock to keep falling. Mr. Gates will let this go since it’s your first time, but once you enter the Gates family, you’ll need to learn the rules.”
Eliza froze, her expression turning sour. Was he implying that she had caused all of this last night?
She quickly shot a guilty glance at Mateo.
Mateo frowned. “What do you mean by three days?”
Ambrose, pretending to have misspoken, smiled awkwardly. “Oh, I forgot, Mr. Gates asked me to discuss this privately with Miss Foster. Sorry, Miss Foster, you should talk this over with Mr. Mateo.”
After finishing, Ambrose left without looking back.
Mateo stood silently, connecting the dots in his mind.
“So, you were behind the reporters this morning?” he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.
Eliza’s fingers clenched tightly, and she struggled to suppress her guilt.
“Mateo, I just wanted some paparazzi to take a few photos. I didn’t know they would turn into full–on television reporters and make such a big deal out
of it.”
Mateo liked Eliza and had even thought about marrying her, regardless of the Gates family’s opposition.
But now, being manipulated like this made him feel uncomfortable.
He was being pushed into a corner, and it stirred up a sense of rebellion.
Seeing that Mateo looked upset, Eliza reached out, attempting to take his hand. “Mateo, I just wanted to be with you so badly.”
Mateo didn’t respond, walking forward.
“Mateo?” Eliza’s eyes quickly filled with tears when he avoided her touch.
Finally, Mateo turned his head to look at her. His voice was tinged with a trace of helplessness. “Didn’t you want to have a press conference? The reporters are already in place. You’d better wipe those tears off!”
Eliza let out a sigh of relief upon hearing his words.
She hurriedly ran up to him, throwing herself into his arms and wrapping her arms around his waist. Her voice was soft and humble as she spoke:
“Love is selfish. I just want to stand with you openly, Mateo. If you blame me, I accept it, but your uncle only gave me three days. If I don’t stand by your side, he’ll deal with me.”
“It doesn’t matter to me, but I just can’t bear to leave you, so I had no choice but to do this.”
10:20
From His Cell to His Uncle’s Bed
12.6%
Chapter 25: Honey, Are You Waiting for Me?
Mateo’s heart softened as he thought about the years Eliza had quietly stood by his side. He pulled her into his arms, feeling pity for her.
Indeed, love was selfish. Everything she did was because she loved him so much.
But Lily had never schemed against him…
He lowered his gaze, his expression melancholic.
Maybe it was because of the change of environment, or maybe because they were going to get their marriage certificate the next day, but Lily couldn’t
sleep.
She tossed and turned in bed, unable to find rest, when she suddenly heard the sound of a door unlocking from outside.
She glanced at the time–it was already 12:30 AM. Had he returned?
Lily slipped on her slippers and got up. She was just about to walk toward the entrance when the door was pushed open from the outside.
A man in a suit, clearly drunk, stumbled through the door. He tripped on the threshold and, without warning, fell directly into her arms,
Lily staggered backward, completely unprepared, and ended up being held tightly by Jaxen.
She widened her eyes in surprise.
The masculine scent of alcohol filled her nostrils as his nose brushed against her cheek, causing her face to flush.
The door behind them made a sharp noise as it closed automatically, blocking out the light from the corridor.
In the dim light, all she could hear was the man’s heavy breathing, and his nose gently brushing against her cheek.
Lily instinctively turned her face slightly, but her lips accidentally brushed against his cheek.
The moment her lips touched his, a shock coursed through her body, and her heartbeat raced like a drum.
What had she just done?
Had she kissed him?
Her fingers trembled slightly as she subconsciously gripped his shirt to prevent him from falling.
At the same time, she lowered her gaze and carefully checked his expression.
Fortunately, he was so drunk that his forehead was pressed against her shoulder, and it seemed he didn’t notice her sudden action.
Lily let out a breath of relief and softly asked, “Are you okay?”
How much had he drunk to get this drunk?
No wonder being a boss wasn’t easy.
Jaxen didn’t say anything. His dark eyes glinted when she accidentally kissed his cheek.
He waved his hand and pulled her waist toward him. His warm breath mixed with the smell of alcohol as his deep voice, slightly hoarse, whispered, “Honey, you’re still awake?”
H–Honey?
Lily bit her lip, and the moment she heard that word, it felt like she had been struck by lightning.
But then, considering that they were about to get their marriage certificate tomorrow, it didn’t feel too strange to be called that.
10:20
From His Cell to His Uncle’s Bed
12.8%
Chapter 25: Honey, Are You Waiting for Me?
Because he had drunk too much, Jaxen spoke slowly. “You’re still awake this late? Were you waiting for me?”
Lily didn’t respond but helped him sit on the couch.
Because he was drunk, the usual restrained, composed man had lost some of his intimidating presence. Instead, he seemed… almost cuddly.
Cuddly?
That thought crossed her mind but was quickly dismissed.
“Would you like some water?” Lily crouched down in front of him, looking up at him.
“Should I get you a glass?”
The man closed his eyes and didn’t respond. He seemed like he was about to fall asleep.
Lily waited a moment but, when there was still no response, she turned to leave. But just as she did, a hand suddenly reached out from behind, grabbing her by the back of her neck and pulling her back.
Lily, unprepared, ended up kneeling on his lap.
Before she could react, Jaxen suddenly pressed his forehead against hers.
Their eyes met, and Lily’s heart skipped a beat, racing as if it were going to jump out of her chest,
Jaxen, drunk, exuded a sense of dominance, an almost aggressive energy.
His breath, mixed with the scent of alcohol, brushed against her face.
Time seemed to stretch, and just when Lily thought she might be able to breathe again, his hot lips suddenly pressed against hers.
Lily felt like she was dreaming.
Why else would she be kissed by a man and held so tightly in his arms?
She found herself sitting on his lap, her legs spread apart, with his hand holding her waist, pulling her closer to him.
Lily was so stunned that, for a moment, she forgot to push him away.
By the time she came to her senses, his lips had already claimed hers, stealing her breath away.
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