Scarlette and Morgan stepped into the living room together, the housekeeper already waiting for them with the door wide open, as if she''d known exactly when they''d arrive.


    "Mr. Evans, wee," she said with a warm smile.


    Morgan nodded in greeting and motioned for the people behind him to start unloading the gifts from the car. His aunt, Carrie, was there too, wearing her signature gold-rimmed sses. Her face lit up the moment she saw him.


    "Morgan, you''re here so early!" she teased.


    He grinned. "I wanted to have breakfast with you, Aunt Carrie. Maybe we can take a stroll after? The sunshine out here feels so much better than in the city."


    Carrieughed and walked over, but when she noticed the mountain of gifts being brought in, she let out a small sigh. "You really didn''t have to go this far. Having you here is more than enough."


    Morgan just shrugged, a little sheepish. "I''ve been nning this for a while. I wanted it to be special."


    Carrie''s eyes softened as she looked over at Scarlette. She knew exactly who Scarlette was theirpanies had crossed paths plenty of times. Carrie had turned down Scarlette''s partnership offers more than once, but after so many meetings over the past year, her stance had started to change—especially since it was obvious Scarlette and Morgan were more than just business acquaintances. Morgan wasn''t the kind of guy to bring someone home unless he was serious. Now that he''d brought Scarlette to meet family, Carrie figured he must really be thinking about marriage. He was thirty-five already, after all-maybe wedding ns would being sooner than anyone thought.


    As an older rtive, Carrie thought a business partnership wouldn''t be a bad wedding gift. And truthfully, Scarlette was talented. If it weren''t for all the gossip, her career would probably be even more impressive by now.


    Carrie''s smile grew as she reached for Scarlette''s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You two are both wonderful. I''ve heard a lot about yourpany, Scarlette. It''s still on the rise, right? Wasn''t it founded by several partners? How are things with themtely?"


    It wasmon knowledge that partnerships like that could unravel fast, and when they did, things often got ugly.<fnea10> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find?novel</fnea10>


    Scarlette nodded. "We''re all still on good terms, thankfully."


    Morgan slipped an arm around Scarlette''s waist, then turned to Carrie. "Aunt, is breakfast ready?"


    Carrie nodded, and her gaze drifted to the window. "Almost. But there''s someone elseing today, too. Remember I mentioned that new government contract? It''s about an overseas trade route-pretty big deal. The guest today is important. You should meet them. If you ever want to invest in Scarlette''spany, you two could buy out the other partners. Then I could really help support your business." With the other partners still involved, there was always that risk someone might back out and leave the rest in a mess.


    Morgan was just about to ask who the guest was when the doorbell rang. The housekeeper went to answer it, and as the door opened, Scarlette''s expression changed in an instant.