He didn''t believe it for a second.


    She''d reacted to him before-more than once.


    What exactly was she after?


    She''d already taken his body. Did she want his heart now, too?


    Timothy''s usual elegance had darkened, a shadow of gloom settling over him.


    Seeing him unmoved, Jessica strode forward, intent on snatching the case from his hands.


    Suddenly, Timothy''s grip tightened. His voice was low and steady. "Jessica."


    Jessica flicked her eyes up, meeting the cold, brooding look in his.


    Both their hands were locked around the handle, neither willing to let go.


    She was the first to relent. Her slender fingers released the case, anger shing


    in her dark eyes. "Timothy, did you n to break your promise from day one?"


    He''d never intended to go back on his word.


    But fine. He wasn''t about to squabble with her. It''s not as if he cared about her money.


    Timothy pressed his lips together, then handed the cash box over.


    Jessica had gone to such lengths, ying her little games-he was curious to see just how far she''d go.


    It was only a month, after all.


    He could y along.


    Jessica took the box and headed straight for the door.


    She didn''t expect Timothy to unfreeze her bank ount. Even if he did, she wouldn''t trust putting her money there.


    She was just an orphan, and he was a man with power to crush anyone beneath his will. Who knew if, on a whim, he''d pull the same trick again?


    She''d find her own way to secure the cash.


    Jessica had just pulled open the front door when she found Sallie standing on the step, supporting Phelps, who was about to ring the bell.


    The moment Phelps saw Jessica, his face turned gray with anger.


    He jabbed his cane at her, his voice sharp and scolding. "You''ve got some nerve, going after Timothy!"


    Timothy heard his grandfather''s voice and walked over, unhurried.


    Jessica shot Phelps a cold nce and tried to walk past him.


    What kind of attitude was that?


    No one had ever dared look at him like that.


    Rage red hot and quick in Phelps. When fury took hold, reason went out the window.


    He swung his cane, aiming right at Jessica.


    Her eyes widened in shock. She raised the cash box, bracing for the blow.


    But in the next instant, she heard the dull thud of wood striking flesh.


    She found herself wrapped tightly in Timothy''s arms.


    "Timothy!" Sallie let go of Phelps and rushed forward, grabbing Timothy''s arm. Her voice trembled with worry. "Are you out of your mind? Does it hurt?"


    Phelps hadn''t meant to hit Timothy. The cane slipped from his hand and ttered to the floor.


    This was his beloved grandson-he''d been strict over the years, but he''d neverid a finger on him.


    Jessica lifted her head from Timothy''s chest.


    His lips were pressed into a hard line, eyes clouded with a flicker of pain and something darker concern.


    He''d taken the blow without flinching, hisposure unshakeable.


    Something about his calm strength made Jessica''s heart skip. Her grip slipped, and the cash box tumbled to the floor, popping open on impact.


    Bundles of crisp hundred-dor bills spilled out, scattering across the floor.


    Sallie''s eyes narrowed as she took in the mess of cash. She immediately turned a re on Jessica. "Why on earth are you carrying around so much cash?"


    Timothy slid an arm around Jessica''s shoulders, turning her gently away from the scene. His gaze, dark as midnight, swept over the scattered bills before settling on Phelps and Sallie.


    His tone was icy, each word sharp as ss. "Is this the kind of behavior the Lawsons are proud of?"


    Showing up at his home at the crack of dawn just to start a fight?


    Did they think he''d just stand by and do nothing?