Nathan sighed and simply answered, “I'm at home." The silence that followed Nathan’s “I’m at home” felt unusually long in Natalia’s ear. She didn’t hesitate.“I could come over to you if you don’t mind.” Her voice came out softer than she expected, hesitant but eager. Then she paused and added quickly, “Just send me your address.”There was only a soft hum from his end. A faint, almost indifferent hmm—then the call ended.Natalia stared at her phone, blinking. Was that a yes? She wasn’t sure. Her heart drummed with doubt. She almost placed the phone down when—ding. A message. He had sent the address.She opened it, and her breath hitched as the name popped up on her GPS.Lite Castle Villa.Her lips parted in awe. “Nathan is living in Lite Castle Villa?” she murmured, disbelieving. “Lite Castle is…” Words failed her. The villa wasn’t just luxurious, it was a monument of wealth. Not even the city’s top businessmen could easily claim ownership of it all these years.“How…?” she whispere

Nathan didn’t expect the heat in Taylor’s breath, or the way her lips brushed against his with a soft, teasing pressure. It was light, barely a touch, but it stirred something dangerous inside him.“Nathan…” she breathed his name, so softly, so sensually, it clung to the air between them.Her tone was smoky, dripping with desire, her gaze locked into his like a silent dare. She arched her head closer, and for a second, it genuinely felt like she was about to kiss him—for real this time.Nathan froze. His heart pounded, his breath shallow, his instincts a mix of alarm and confusion.Then he grabbed her arm, holding her firmly but not roughly. “Is this an act, Taylor?”The abruptness made her blink. She tilted her head, studying him as if she didn’t quite understand his resistance.“This act is too much now. You’re crossing the line, Ms. Monroe,” he added, his tone clipped, deliberately formal.Hearing him address her like that stung. The sudden switch in tone slapped the flirtation rig

Nathan had worked on the presentation all through the night, each click of his keyboard echoing through the silence like clockwork. His kind was rare – disciplined, precise, relentless. He moved like a machine, not because he lacked emotion, but because he had buried them under the weight of expectations and memories. The numbers, the charts, the slides – they were perfect. He checked every detail over and over again, eyes heavy but wide open, until finally, he saw the early morning sun stretch through the blinds like a gentle promise. He leaned back in his chair, exhaled, and stretched, allowing a small smile to find his lips.It was done.A quick cold bath came next, followed by a round of push-ups and light stretches. The pain that throbbed across his shoulders reminded him he was alive. His breakfast was silent, quick, and purposeful. Then, dressed in a simple black shirt and pair of jeans, Nathan stepped out.The breeze welcomed him as he climbed the winding path up the hill, th

Nathan ended the call and walked over to the car, gripping the driver door handle. But he didn’t open it yet. Instead, he looked back.She was still there – Natalia coming down slowly, eyes set on him like she still believed there was something left.Their gazes met briefly. He blinked, the flicker of concern too quick to linger. Still, he said, “It’s not good to stay here alone. You should leave after me.”With that, he entered the car and drove off.She watched the car disappear down the narrow road, dust curling behind it. Then her lips curved. A faint smile.“Maybe he’s not all cold-hearted. He’s still caring… even if he tries hard not to show it.”Her chest rose with a breath. But the sting came again.“Still… he’s changed. In just one month.” She looked down, voice bitter. “I guess that’s what being with an affluent woman as Taylor Monroe does.”But a fire returned to her gaze. No. She wasn’t done.“I won’t give up on you, Nathan. Not on us.”She took her phone and dialed.“Hell

Natalia’s words stung even as she tried to keep her tone soft.“I offered you a job once, remember?” she continued. “A simple role as a reporting assistant in my company. You turned it down. You said it was above you and you can't handle it. And you’d rather keep working in that cafe as a waiter.”His jaw tightened. “So?”“So, this is different, Nathan. This is the big league. You’re not ready.”Nathan let out a short laugh.But Natalia didn't care and simply looked past him to Liera. “I see you managed to get a job in Dynasty Group,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean you belong there either. I’m sure if Taylor hadn’t intervened, you wouldn’t have made it through the front door.”“Wow, you're ever right, my lady," he said sarcastically.Natalia flinched but went on. “Yes. But forget about this presentation. Back out now. They will probably fire you, but I can find you another job. A decent one.”He stared at her in disbelief. “Oh, really?" “Yes. I mean, I know you would reject working