ra was on a mission to reim the Bradford family''s project. With billions at stake, it was a significant deal. But the contract was already inked, and there was no turning back for the Bradfords. Ferguson Corporation wouldn''t let such a lucrative opportunity slip through their fingers.


    Though things had been pretty smooth between her and Dntely, ra knew better than to expect him to scrap the deal for her sake. Exhausted from a sleepless night, she headed to Ferguson Corporation, her fatigue etched on her face.


    Once at her desk, she dove into the details of the Bradford project. Johnny had his eyes set on this because the Bradfords held all the cards, with no otherpanies involved. They nned to build a colossal shopping mall, and right after they bought thend, the Dawson family announced ns for residentialplexes nearby, making the mall a no-brainer.


    In a twist of fate, the Dawson family''s ns boosted the Bradford project. Johnny had snagged thend back then purely by luck. It was worthless at first, but after some savvy moves, it became a hotmodity.


    The contract Quinn handed over to Ferguson Corporation had a use saying that all retail spaces in the mall would be filled by Ferguson brands, at no cost to them. It was a sweet deal, ensuring their brands were everywhere in the mall. However, if the Bradfords didn''t build the mall, the use would be moot.


    Quinn''s contract was sketchy to start with, and when she tried to fix it the second time, ra''s timely interruption blocked any changes. ra was thankful for her persistence.


    Now, bringing up a new idea as the Bradford''s rep could ruffle some feathers at Ferguson. It felt like offering a feast and then wanting to renegotiate. ra was caught between upsetting Dn and leaving Johnny so drained in anxiety.


    As she was mulling it over, a message popped up on her phone from the contact with a ck avatar, directing her to a hotel room. Feeling restless and not keen to go home, she decided to check it out.


    The hotel was a posh ce, rumored to be owned by the Dawson family.


    Stepping into the dimly lit room, she was pulled inside and blindfolded with a dark cloth that blocked out all light, cool and oddlyforting.


    A man''s urgent kiss followed, lifting her onto a cab. Instinctively, ra wrapped her legs around his waist, breathless from the intensity.


    He whispered, "I''ve missed you," with a sense of urgency. Dazed, she tried to pull away, but he held her firmly in ce, stealing her breath with his kisses.


    After a long, breathless moment, she leaned against his shoulder, trying to catch her breath. He gently patted her back, asionally pecking her cheek, offering an escape from her worries.


    When she tried to remove the blindfold, he stopped her, saying, "I don''t want you to see me like this," his voice rough with unspoken desires.


    As he knelt, she tensed, gripping his hair, her mind spinning. His teeth left marks on her calves-sharp, painful, yet somehow intimate. She felt like a swan caught in a breathless embrace, and strangely, she liked it.


    The man stood, holding her close. To him, she was small, clinging like a ko. As she rested against the headboard, he traced the bite marks on her calves, the pain still tingling. She tried to pull away, but he held her gently.


    His kissing skills were impressive, and she wondered where he''d honed them. He was skilled in other ways too. Curious about his face, she reached for the blindfold, but he''d always say, "I''m not good-looking, quite the opposite."


    In the dark, she touched his face, feeling sharp features and a high nose. How bad could he look? As she tried tofort him, he turned slightly, biting her fingertip. She could feel his neat teeth.


    Truthfully, he was quite clingy. Since entering the room, they''d been inseparable. Maybe she was just lonely, but having someone to hold her felt nice. She yawned, feeling the quality of the bed beneath her.


    But wasn''t he a waiter? In that job, he shouldn''t be making much.


    As he continued to kiss her neck, enjoying the closeness, she absentmindedly asked, "Can you afford such a fancy room?"


    He paused, silent. ra feared she''d hurt his pride, cursing herself until he asked, "Do you want to take care of me?"


    She didn''t reply, and he watched her, his expression darkening. Then she said, "Is half a million enough?"