CHARLOTTE’S POV
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I sat at the dining table, waiting for Leslie and Liam to come downstairs, blowing lightly on my hot coffee before taking a sip.
“Are you sure you don’t want breakfast, Doctor?” the chef asked peeking out of the kitchen. “I can make something quickly.”
“I’m not hungry. Just pack lunch for Liam
She nodded and disappeared. A few minutes later, she returned and placed Liam’s lunch box on the table.
I heard two footsteps coming from the stairs. I looked up to see liam and Les walking in.
“Mummy,” Liam said immediately, already slightly frowning, “I don’t want to go to school today. Can I come to the hospital with you? I promise I won’t disturb you. I’ll stay in Aunt Les’s office and read,” he scratched his head, thinking really hard. “Anatomy.”
Les burst out laughing. “Anatomy?” she asked, arching a brow at him. “And what exactly do you know about anatomy?”
“I saw some anatomy books on your table, I want to learn anatomy too.” He flashed Les a cute smile. “Please take me to the hospital, aunty.”
“And what part of anatomy are you planning to study?” Les asked, clearly enjoying this.
“The bones. And the heart. And, the part where blood goes up and down and makes people strong.” He nodded like understood what he was saying.
Les laughed again. “You mean circulation?”
“That one,” he said happily.
“You know it’s important you go to school first. You won’t understand those big books if you don’t. Tell you what,” Les continued, “I’ll personally pick you up from school this afternoon and take you to my office. You can read anatomy there. I have better books than the ones you saw.”
He hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Okay. But don’t forget.”
“I won’t,” she said.
A few guards followed us as we dropped Liam at school and then headed to the hospital. The whole thing felt uncomfortable. Les wasn’t complaining but I knew she felt uncomfortable too. I made a mental note to convince Ace to withdraw his men before the day ended. It felt like I couldn’t breathe properly.
When we got to my office floor, my secretary greeted me and handed me another cup of coffee. I thanked her and walked into my office. The morning paper lay on my desk, just like she left it every day. I was about to set it aside and read it later when my eyes caught something on the front page.
It was a photo of Ace with me and Liam outside a restaurant. Liam was asleep on his shoulder. His face wasn’t captured in the picture, only his small hands and hair. My back was turned to the camera. It was probably taken when we were leaving the restaurant that night.
The headline was insane.
“Billionaire businessman, Ace Virel, and his secret heir. And who is the woman beside him? A mistress?”
I didn’t
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even need
to re know it was written by a human. If it were a werewolf reporter, Ace weak fare feet
08:49 Mon, Feb 9 GG.
Chapter 31
called an Alpha.
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10 vouchers
It felt like someone had walked into my space without knocking already knew people would start asking questions and start digging into things that had nothing to do with them.
My door opened and Les walked in, her phone in her hand. Right. Of course. It’s all over the internet.
“I wasn’t sure at first,” she said, “because it was your back. But I’d recognize Liam anywhere. And you told me Ace took you both to his pack that night.”
She sat in the visitor’s chair across my desk and leaned back slightly. “What is going on?”
“I wasn’t myself that night. My head was pounding like crazy. I didn’t even know someone took a picture of us.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” Les shot back. “Ace moves alone, even at parties. And when he doesn’t, it’s only with his wife, unless it’s absolutely necessary. Seeing him with a woman and a child was bound to raise questions.”
I rubbed my temple slowly. Ever since I met Ace, it has been one chaos after another.
“Can you help me contact Michael?” My tone was pleading. “He can help take this down.”
She studied me for a moment. “You really need to be careful. This isn’t the time for paparazzi sniffing around our business.”
She stood up, straightened her coat, and reached for the door. “Il contact Michael right away.” Then she left.
I took a break around noon after finishing two major surgeries. There was a knock on my door, then Genevieve walked in holding a fancy paper bag.
“Something came in for you, Doctor,” she said, placing it on my desk before leaving.
I stared at the bag for a moment, wondering who would send me a gift. Inside was a single rose and a brand–new phone, the latest model. A small note was attached to the case.
“Thought I’d replace your phone since it broke because of me. And don’t bother returning it. I won’t take it back.”
A smile slowly crept onto my face before I could stop it. Typical of him. Thoughtful, and very stubborn. I had planned to order a new phone later today, but clearly, I didn’t have to anymore.
I turned it on and saw he had already saved his number and put it on the speed dial. Unbelievable.
I spent the next few minutes setting it up, moving my contacts, pictures, and a few important things from my old phone to
the new one.
The phone rang in my hand. It was my dad. “Hello, Daddy.” I answered, placing the phone against my ear.
“I haven’t been able to get through to you for the past few days, is something going on?” He asked in a worry filled voice.
“No, Dad. I’ve just been really busy,” I replied. It was a lie. I didn’t want to worry him with everything going on.
“If you say so.” He paused. “About the project with Alpha Virel, I want to applaud you for sealing the deal. We’ve made a lot of contacts in the past few weeks. A lot of investors want in because we partnered with Virel Holdings.” He sounded really excited. It was something he’d always wanted, hearing his excitement. I feel happy too.
“I’m glad,” I muttered, a small smile stretching on my lips.
He took a deep breath. “I know I promised to let others take over after the contract was signed so you could focus on the hospital. But Ace is insisting on working directly with you. I refused, and he threatened to pull out if I didn’t agree to his terms. He said there would be damages to pay. Now, I’m not worried about the money, but this could ruin our chances of ever getting into the automobile business again.”
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08:49 Mon, Feb 9 @ a a
Chapter 31
I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, suddenly pating my office
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“Why does he insist on working directly with me?” I quizzed, mathing my lips together. “I’m not even that good with cars. Your men would do a better job.”
“I told him that, but he insists you’re good enough, I know you don’t want this, and I understand. I’m only asking. And if your answer is no, I won’t hold it against you. You did your part and I love you so much no matter the decision you make
“I love you too, dad.”
We talked about a few other things before I promised to think about it. He sounded hopeful when we hung up, and that alone made my chest feel tight.
Why won’t Ace leave me alone?
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
