Brayden stammered for a moment, seemingly caught off guard by the question. ‘Well, it’s a long story,’ he finally managed to say, trying to sound nonchalant.Logan’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward, his voice laced with scepticism. ‘A long story, huh? You still seem pretty interested in your ex-girlfriend despite being married, don’t you?’Brayden shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes darting towards Alessia before averting his gaze. ‘Look, it’s not what you think. Alessia and I, we have a history, but it’s not just about romance,’ he said, attempting to justify his lingering feelings.Alessia’s fists clenched under the desk, her patience wearing thin at Brayden’s audacity to air their past like it was an open book.Logan noticed her irritation and decided to put her on the spot. ‘Is what he’s saying true, Miss Jansen? Did you and Mr Scott have something more than just a romantic relationship?’Alessia’s jaw tightened, and she shot a glare at Brayden, silently telling him t
Brayden was taken aback by Logan’s tough stance, unable to find a suitable response.His eyes shifted uncertainly between Logan and Alessia.Finally, he relented. ‘Fine, Mr Wilde. I’ll agree to twenty-five. When can we sign the contract?’Logan looked up. ‘Whenever convenient for you.’‘Tomorrow then,’ Brayden rushed to reply.‘Sure,’ Logan responded flatly.‘Since our business is concluded, can I have a word with Miss Jansen in private?’ Brayden asked.Logan smiled slightly and said, ‘I’m fine with that. But it’s not my call to make.’Then, he looked at Alessia.Alessia frowned. ‘Sorry, Mr Scott, I’m busy. And I have nothing to say to you. Goodbye.’‘Maybe some other time.’ With frustration evident on his face, Brayden left the office.The sleek modern office seemed to crackle with tension even though no one spoke for a long time.Logan narrowed his eyes.In a voice laced with a hint of jealousy, he asked, ‘Is Brayden Scott your ex-boyfriend?’Alessia’s expression remained composed a
Logan’s possessiveness was starting to irritate Alessia, but she didn’t want to create more drama. ‘Fine, I’ll take them. But I don’t owe him anything,’ she mumbled under her breath.Logan stood at the open doorway, his voice sharper than ever. ‘You can eat it or throw it away for all I care.’Alessia rolled her eyes, refusing to let his words get to her.Why must the man turn a kind gesture into a bossy order?She opened one of the lunch boxes and found a delicious spread of her favourite dishes.Despite her irritation, she couldn’t help but appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gesture.As she savoured the food, she couldn’t deny that Logan’s chef knew exactly how to make her taste buds sing.The flavours were exquisite, and she found herself enjoying the meal more than she wanted to admit.Alessia sat back in her chair, feeling content and satisfied after the delicious lunch.The flavours of the mouth-watering wagyu beef carpaccio still lingered on her taste buds, and she couldn’t h
Alessia couldn’t believe what she was hearing.Logan wanted her to be his girlfriend for real?She couldn’t help but ask again, needing confirmation. ‘Are you serious?’Logan nodded. ‘Yes, Alessia. I want you to be my girlfriend.’‘Girlfriend, as in, the woman you go on dates with, watch movies with, the one you introduce to your family and friends?’ she pressed.Logan chuckled, finding her cautious approach amusing. ‘Exactly. I don’t do things half-heartedly, Alessia. You’ll be my girlfriend in every sense of the word.’Alessia’s expression turned sceptical, and she couldn’t help but sneer. ‘Do you remember what you said to me before?’Logan raised an eyebrow. ‘What do you mean?’Alessia sighed, trying to keep her emotions in check. ‘The first time we met at the Grand Opulence hotel, you offered me money to spend the night with you, treating me like a... a hooker.’The memory still stung.‘Alessia, that’s not what I meant,’ Logan tried to explain.‘Oh, really? Enlighten me then. What
Alessia had to admit that his persistence was starting to wear down her defences.‘You never give up, do you?’ she remarked, her voice tinged with both frustration and a hint of amusement.A smug grin appeared on Logan’s lips when he sensed she was starting to relent. ‘I didn’t get to where I am today by quitting after failing just a couple of times.’Alessia rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. ‘Well, no one can say you haven’t tried.’Logan leaned closer to her. ‘So what’s your answer? Be my girlfriend. Yes or no?’Alessia almost blurted ‘yes,’ but she caught herself.She knew she was attracted to him, but she had to be cautious.‘Your grandfather wanted you to go on blind dates,’ she reminded him. ‘He probably has a long list of girlfriend candidates picked out for you.’Logan’s expression hardened slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. ‘I’m the one dating you, not my family. And I don’t take orders from anyone about who I choose to as
Alessia’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Mrs Scott—Connie Jansen.It had been six long years since she last saw her older sister, and the memories that flooded back were far from pleasant—Connie ending up in bed with Brayden, Connie getting engaged with Brayden, Connie rushing her to the hospital when Alessia’s water broke, and Connie standing by her bedside when Alessia woke up, groggy and in pain.Alessia could never forget how she felt as she listened to a tearful Connie tell her that she’d given birth to twins but unfortunately, one of them was stillborn.That was the day her life was turned upside down.She thought she had put it behind her, that six years were enough time to heal most wounds.But she realised no amount of time could heal the pain of losing a child.And Connie’s name would always be associated with the most painful period of her life.Logan’s eyes narrowed as he watched Alessia’s face pale visibly.‘What’s wrong?’ he asked. ‘Are you feeling unwell?’Aless
‘I didn’t know you had a sister,’ Logan said.‘Two, actually,’ Connie said. ‘Alessia’s the second oldest. I’m the eldest, and we have a younger sister too.’The mention of Alessia seemed to bring a mix of emotions to Connie’s face, and Logan sensed that there was more to the story than she was letting on.‘You mentioned Alessia left Veridian about six years ago,’ Logan probed further. ‘You haven’t seen her or had any contact with her since then?’Connie looked away, a hint of sadness crossing her features. ‘No, I haven’t seen her in six years,’ she admitted. ‘After some… unfortunate misunderstanding, she left home and the city. I tried to find her—I hired six different private investigators, but it was like she vanished without a trace.’‘It must have been tough for you.’Connie nodded. ‘It was. Especially because I had to take over as the CEO of Redwood Group when my father passed away. I was just twenty-two, still in college, and inexperienced. Saving the company took all my energy,
The two of them sat in silence for a while longer.Then Logan tapped his Breitling. ‘You’ve been taking a break of almost half an hour.’Alessia rose to her feet. ‘Fine, let’s go.’‘Why didn’t you ask?’ she questioned him once they returned to the empty office.She was relieved to find Connie gone.‘About what?’ Logan replied, seeming nonchalant.Alessia hesitated before mentioning her sister. ‘About Connie. About what happened between us. You might have noticed we are not exactly on the best of terms.’‘It was hard not to notice. But I don’t like to pry into other people’s private business.’‘Says the man who keeps meddling in my life,’ Alessia mumbled under her breath.‘What did you say?’‘Nothing.’‘Connie Scott, or should I say, Connie Jansen, asked me to relay the message that she’d be here to pick you up after work.’Alessia slumped into her chair. ‘I knew she wouldn’t give up so easily.’‘You don’t want to see her?’‘That’s the last thing I want to do.’Logan summoned Terence i