Howard had already signed the project proposal.


    With a proud smile, Sarah handed the file to Cole as if offering a treasured gift, then nestled into his arms. "Cole, thank you for giving my family such an incredible opportunity. I honestly don''t know how to repay you."


    Cole leaned backzily on the leather couch.


    Outside, the thump of music and chatter from the club''s dance floor bled through the walls, but here, it was quiet-peaceful.


    He slipped an arm around her shoulders and smiled warmly. "I don''t need you to repay me."


    "I knew it! You''re the best," Sarah purred.


    She leaned in to kiss his cheek, but just before her lips could touch him, Cole caught her chin in his hand. His gaze turned dark and unreadable as he stared straight into her eyes.


    "Just so you know, the Jansen family isn''t the only one on this project. There are other investors, and they''re waiting for someone toe negotiate. A few of them are some filthy old men. You''re beautiful, so I''m worried about you."


    Sarah''s heart skipped a beat. So, he really was worried about her. Still, thest thing she wanted was to deal with some lecherous old men.


    Her fingers slid teasingly down to his abs, tracing slow circles as she gave a slyugh. "Jansen Group has plenty of people. I don''t need to negotiate by myself. I''ll send someone else."


    Cole caught her hand and lifted a brow. "And if you send some nobody, what do you think people will say? That Jansen Group doesn''t respect its partners?"


    "Then, what should I do?" Sarah pouted, looking frustrated.


    His grip on her wrist tightened just slightly.


    Although they were sisters, they were different. If it were Serena sitting here, she would''ve already found another way to handle things without all the pouting.


    Cole reined in his irritation and offered a suggestion. "Don''t you have a sister? If she goes instead of you, what difference does it make?"


    "Well... that''s true..." Sarah murmured, and a new thought flickered to life.


    Send Serena to entertain the creepy old investors and let her deal with them. That way, Sarah could stilt lock down the ind project and throw Serena under the bustwo birds, one stone.


    Later that night, Sarah stepped out of Cole''s private lounge. She was about to pull out her phone to call Serena and tell her to attend the dinner meeting tomorrow.


    But before she could do so, a few of Cole''s drunken friends stumbled past,ughing and swaying. They didn''t seem to recognize her and were too tipsy to


    care.


    "Did you see the chick Cole brought tonight? Damn, she''s gorgeous."


    Sarah''s heart swelled with pride. She paused, phone forgotten, eager to hear more.


    But one of the guys scoffed. "Yeah, but so what? She''s just a stand-in. Cole''s just toying with her. The one he really wants is his uncle''s wife."


    "No way! He''s trying to steal from Hugh? What? Wasn''t kneeling at the family chapelst week enough for him?"


    "Whatever. A woman''s a woman.


    Whether Hugh has her or Cole


    sit matter? The Larson


    does-does it


    family paid a fortune for her either way." Their voices were thick with booze and mockery, and they burst intoughter.


    Sarah felt the blood drain from her face. So it was true. Cole wanted Serena.


    She''d believed he admired the calm, businesslike rtionship between Serena and Hugh, and so he wanted to marry Regina.


    And then Cole had only called off the wedding with Regina because he''d realized how spoiled she was. But now... thinking back...


    It was all for that bitch, Serena?


    The thought slipped out before she could stop it, startling even herself.


    No... No way!