“I’m sorry about that, Beatrix. Eva isn’t keeping well because of her pregnancy and I couldn’t take your call,” apologized Alexander, feeling guilty for ignoring her plea for help. “I understand, Alexander. I know how much I’ve tormented you with my stubbornness and I’m sorry for everything I did,” said Beatrix and this time she genuinely looked ashamed of herself. “So am I. Everything happened for a reason. We weren’t meant for one another.” “Yes and I’ve learned my lesson the hard way,” said Beatrix with a sigh. “It’s better to move on now. Have a good life with Fairfield. I’ll contact Mr. Fitzgerald and start hunting for the evidence Mr. Strasbourg had hidden somewhere,” said Alexander, but Beatrix stopped him. “Wait! I have a request, Alexander.” “Tell me!” Alexander knew what she would ask of him, but he wasn’t ready to go into that again. “Please come back to Rotterdams, Alexander. The company needs you. Right now, Mr. McCabe is the current CEO, but I want you to look aft
The next day, Alexander shifted to his penthouse when Eva was at the hospital. His mom came over with her housekeeper to get the penthouse cleaned up and arrange their belongings. Alexander felt relieved to be home at last, to where he belonged. “Everything is arranged now. I’ll leave, Alex. We’ll see you later after you settle down,” said his mom. After his mom left, Alexander received a call from Ashton.“Bro, I wouldn’t be able to return soon. There’s an emergency here that will take some time to wrap up. I’ve got a big promotion here at the hotel and I can’t overlook my responsibilities here. Why don’t you start without me?” Alexander noted his disinterest in starting a business under the circumstances. “Oh, that’s fine. Dad has released my funds and I can invest freely. Don’t worry, if you want you can join me anytime.” “Thanks, bro. I will.” After he disconnected the call, Alexander called his lawyer, Thomas Goldstein, and informed him about the latest update. “I want to co
The next morning, Alexander reached Mr. Strasbourg’s house on time. His son, Adam Strasbourg, welcomed him and offered him coffee as they waited for Mr. Fitzgerald. Alexander had met him two years ago when he had come down from Frankfurt where he lived. “I know you’re the prime suspect in this case and you shouldn’t be visiting here, but I wanted to see you, Alexander. My mind is very disturbed. Dad was so attached to you, and it’s ironic that you had to be accused of murdering him.”“I’m sorry that I couldn’t save him, Adam. After stepping down from Rotterdams, I was quite busy.”“I understand. For the last two years, we have been pleading with dad to come over to Frankfurt and live with us but he didn’t even consider it an option. He received a strange thrill from involving himself with Rotterdams. He seemed obsessed with saving the empire, which belonged to a deceased friend.”“Yes, he was too attached to Rotterdams.” “What was the outcome of his dedication? He lost his life! Thi
“Granny, grandpa, you have to shift to New York this time. Enough of staying here all by yourselves. Why don’t you sell off the hobby center?” coaxed Alyssa after seeing the way her grandpa was still struggling with his day-to-day activities at eighty-nine.“Yes, Alyssa is right, dad. Please come along with us. You can play with Eleanor or Axel in a few days instead of living here all by yourselves,” said Alexander’s mom. “Who are Eleanor and Axel?” asked a clueless granny. “Alexander and Eva’s baby, mom!” said Jodie Van Every, beaming with excitement. She loved the names the moment she heard them and had been planning a nursery for the baby ever since Grandpa gave his wife an excited look, as if contemplating the suggestion. “Who will buy the hobby center? I can sell everything here and move to New York with you but after Alexander’s baby is born,” said grandpa. “Done. We’ll stay back here and help you sell everything off,” said Daniel Van Every. It was therefore decided that his
Thank you for selecting my story. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of my imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Copyright © Rituparna Darolia. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author. This is the fourth book of the Temptation Series. All the books under this series can be read as standalone books. This series deals with a series of passionate love stories of the Donnelly brothers with spin-offs, all having captivating plotlines to keep you interested till the end. Story Summary Eva Ann Rayner has always loved her best friend’s brother, Alexander who is six years older than her. Soon she realizes the g
Eighteen-year-old Eva Ann Rayner rushed out of the school gates, laughing at her best friend Alyssa Van Every’s crude jokes. However, as bad luck never left her side, she collided with a hard torso while Alyssa gasped with shock at seeing her older brother in front of them.Eva froze, seeing who she collided with! The sinfully gorgeous Alexander Van Every who featured in her dream every night for the last five years. She didn’t just crush on him; she was deeply in love with him. Only he never acknowledged her presence! Eva sprang apart, goosebumps erupting on her skin at the contact with his hot body. She couldn’t help it. He had that effect on her! “Umm, I’m s-sorry!” she stammered, her heart racing like lightning, not having expected him here. His gaze burned right through her skin, although he didn’t utter a single word of acknowledgment. Eva was used to it, though. “Alex, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at your University?” asked a frustrated Alyssa. It was the last day of sc
Eva’s eyes widened, and she sprang from the sofa, but before she could reach the door, Alexander stormed into the tiny apartment. Wearing a pair of figure-hugging faded jeans, a gray tee-shirt, and a black leather jacket, he looked rugged and drool-worthy, like a model straight out of a fashion magazine. “Hey, wait! You may be hot but you can’t just march in,” protested Georgia while Eva stood frozen with her jaws dropped to the floor. Did Georgia really say that to her crush?“And you are?” he flashed Georgia an impish grin, much to Eva’s annoyance. His smiles were for other girls, while she only faced his fury. A tinge of jealousy filled her heart, and she glared at him all the more. “She’s my roommate,” she clarified, but Alexander looked around with interest as if searching for someone. “Where’s George?” he asked impatiently, not seeing the guy around. “I’m George. Actually, my name’s Georgia,” said Georgia, with a goofy smile on her face. A look of surprise flashed in Alexan
Eva chose a short crepe ivory sheath dress with beaded spaghetti straps and a small side slit at the edge. Alyssa chose a light blue A-line dress with a boat neck, pairing it with black designer heels. “Are you planning to wear those flip-flops with this?” laughed Alyssa when the door clicked open and Alexander entered the apartment. Eva’s heart raced with apprehension, wondering if Alexander would like her look. Alyssa went outside her room while Eva stayed hidden under the pretext of choosing a pair of shoes. “Aren’t you ready yet? Where’s Eva?” she could hear Alexander growl in the living room. Wearing a pair of white pumps, she went out, her heartbeats thumping faster than ever before. “I’m here,” she replied. Alexander looked at her, his eyes sweeping over the entire length of her. His jaws clenched with fury and he glared at her, disapproving of her looks. “What the f*ck are you wearing? Is that a dress? Change into something decent right now,” he growled, while Alyssa’s mou