Although Ste wasn''t fond of social gatherings, she understood perfectly well that these events were prime opportunities to make connections and exchange favors.


    Joshua, apanying Ste as her date for the evening, stayed by her side the entire time, making sure no sleazy hands got any ideas about getting too close or taking advantage of her.


    By the time most of the socializing was done, Ste was feeling worn out.


    She leaned toward Joshua and said, "Let''s go find a lounge to take a break."


    "Sure," Joshua replied.


    Meanwhile, not far away, a man dabbed at the corner of his mouth, unable to hide his hungry gaze.


    What a woman... absolute perfection.


    She wasn''t just stunningly built her face was a rare kind of beauty, the sort that made people stop and stare.


    This man was Stuart Gibson, the only son and current heir of the Gibson family.


    Although Mr. Gibson had his share of lovers over the years, he''d only ever had one child.


    In old European tradition, you might call it a "single line of session"- generation after generation, the Gibson family always produced just one child, always a boy.


    To ensure the family line continued, the Gibsons had a standing rule: the first woman to bear a Gibson heir would be Mrs. Gibson. Any other women who managed to have a child after that would receive money and privileges, but- strangely the so-called Gibson "curse" had never been broken.


    Stuart was notorious for his womanizing. With his family''s power and influence, if he set his sights on a woman, he simply took what he wanted.


    Back in Germany, the Gibson family''s reach was almost boundless. If Stuart wanted you, there was no escaping him.


    Single women were fair game, but even married ones weren''t off-limits he didn''t care if you were a socialite, a young heiress, or the wife of some wealthy magnate.


    If Stuart wanted you, he''d find a way to get you into his bed.


    Though he was the heir, Stuart wasn''t head of the family yet. So when it came time to sign the contract with Ste, it was Mr. Gibson himself who handled the negotiations—Stuart hadn''t even been present.


    It wasn''t until the evening''s celebration that Stuart showed up.


    He''d barely arrived before his eyesnded on Ste, standing beside Joshua.


    She was breathtakingly gorgeous-her features delicate yet striking, her eyes dark and bright, drawing him in with effortless allure.


    Stuart prided himself on his ability to tell the real from the fake, and he could tell at


    a nce Ste was a natural beauty, untouched by surgery.


    As he watched her from across the room, his mind started to wander.


    "Sir," his assistant whispered,


    noticing the look in Stuart''s eyes et


    301


    "that woman is the Williams family''s only daughter you really shouldn''t."  s


    Stuart just scoffed.


    So what? It''s just a woman. What''s the big deal?


    Even if someone found out, he could always im she''d seduced him, use her


    of being loose—problem solved.


    If it ever made the news, all it took


    was a


    push online to shift


    public opinion. People alw


    med the victim in the end  s?novels


    Besides, with his family''s name and status, who was ever going to hold him ountable?


    Stuart was utterly fearless.


    He turned to his assistant. "Go get


    me the key card to that lounge. I haven''t seen a woman this beautiful in a fore time. Don''t mess this up f me"


    s


    for


    The banquet was being held at a Gibson property, so getting a key card was no trouble at all.


    Inside the lounge, Ste rubbed her forehead and sank into the sofa.


    She''d had a few drinks earlier, and now the alcohol was catching up with her, leaving her a little dizzy.


    Joshua noticed she wasn''t feeling well. "Star, get some rest. I''ll ask the staff to bring you some hangover soup."


    He paused, suddenly thoughtful. "I''ll take the key card with me. Until I get back, don''t open the door for anyone, okay?"


    "Okay,” Ste agreed.


    Joshua left.


    Ste leaned back and closed her eyes, letting herself drift off.


    A few minutester, the electronic lock on the door beeped.


    Half-asleep, Ste heard the door open-a faint sound, just enough to rouse her curiosity.


    She slowly opened her eyes. "You''re back already...?"


    But when she saw who it was, she froze.<fn1fc5> Original content can be found at find?novel</fn1fc5>


    "Who are you?"