She looked disgusted. “If it weren’t for my public image, I would’ve called off the engagement long ago.”
At the time, Linda was just starting her career.
She had landed a decent role, and her future was on the rise.
Afraid of being labeled heartless, she handed the burden over to me instead.
Liam had lived eighteen years without a hitch, then suddenly, everything fell apart.
His temper turned awful.
In the beginning, when I first started taking care of him, he would lash out at me with cold, cutting remarks.
I was paid to do a job, so I never talked back until that one particular day when I went to visit my mother’s grave and returned a little late.
That was all it took for him to unleash his anger again.
“Linda, drop the act! Don’t think I don’t know that you’re just putting up with me because you’re afraid of what people will say. Deep down, you can’t stand—”
The rest of his words never made it out because I suddenly leaned in and kissed him.
It was my first kiss—messy, unpracticed, and fueled by frustration.
It was less like affection, but more like a reckless bite between wild animals.
Liam fell silent.
Even the tips of his ears turned bright red.
“You—!”
With a hint of mischief, I bit his lip again.
Then I pulled back just enough, bracing my hands against his shoulders, breathing hard.
“Did you feel that? Do you still think I can’t stand you?”
…
I took the memory card downstairs to find Wade.
He looked pleased. “Chloe, you’re pretty diligent. Perfect timing—there’s a dinner tonight. I’ll take you along so you can meet more people. Connections are everything in journalism.”
I quickly thanked him.
But when we arrived, I spotted a familiar black Rolls-Royce in the parking lot.
I froze. “Mr. Hughes… he’s here tonight too?”
Wade glanced back at me and winked. “Of course. The dinner I’m bringing you to is with Mr. Hughes himself. Don’t underestimate my connections, Chloe.”
It was too late to back out now.
I had no choice but to brace myself and follow him inside.
Thankfully, the private dining room was spacious.
People like us—small-time reporters—weren’t seated anywhere near Liam’s table.
Wade introduced me to several senior figures in the industry.
“This is our company’s newest recruit. She’s a sharp girl. Her name is Chloe Burns. Come on, introduce yourself.”
