As long as the Cossio affair is resolved.


    Adrian nced at M, as if making sure his mother was telling the truth. Only then did he finally burrow into her embrace, pressing his face against her shoulder and murmuring, his voice muffled.


    "I believe you, Mom."


    But please... don''t lie to me.


    Don''t be like Dad.


    ...


    That evening, M helped Adrian with his homework and yed some games with him. When it was time for bed, she gently told him that he was growing up and needed to get used to sleeping on his own. With that, she left his room.


    Before leaving, she promised to pick him up from school the next day.


    Dropping him off in the morning wasn''t an option-her schedule was packed. That night, she left Grandfather''s house to attend a business g she''dmitted to long ago.


    She chose a powerful, tailored suit in a ssic mix of ck, white, and gray— sharp, British style. With modest heels clicking on the marble, M strode into the glittering event, nked by Leonard and Cara, both equally impably dressed.


    "What are you doing here? Cara can handle this just fine," M said, her voice cool.


    She''d been trying to keep her distance from Leonard as much as possible. Tonight was supposed to be just Cara apanying her—yet Leonard had insisted oning along.


    "Chairwoman Suthend, your safety is important," he replied, his tone even.


    "I can hire a bodyguard."


    "I don''t trust them."


    M pressed her lips together. "Then go find someone you do trust. I''m fine with that."


    Leonard looked unmoved. "No one puts me at ease like myself."


    M picked up her pace, heels tapping faster on the polished floor.


    Cara hurried to keep up. After a few steps, she nced back at the silent man trailing behind. Unable to resist, she lowered her voice, "Chairwoman Suthend, Leonard is just looking out for your safety, he—” But M shot her a sharp look, and Cara quickly zipped her lips-literally, pantomiming a zipper across her mouth.


    Relieved M wasn''t angry, she breathed out quietly.


    Still, she couldn''t help being curious.


    She''d been working alongside M for some time now, and to her, Leonard was just about perfect. He anticipated what M needed, always had the right documents ready, and prepared multiple contingency ns without being asked.


    With someone that capable, who needed a second assistant? Leonard could handle it all.


    Cara sometimes felt like a mere go-between-her role little more than a glorified messenger. It was clear M truly didn''t care for Leonard.


    But honestly, what was there to dislike? He waspetent, loyal-and easy on the eyes, to put it mildly. Having him around the office was a treat for everyone. Yet M insisted on keeping him at arm''s length, even in thepany headquarters-she''d arranged to work in a different office.


    What was their history? If she disliked him so much, why not just let him go?


    Oh well.


    The lives of the wealthy are alwaysplicated.


    No business of a humble employee like her.


    Cara sneaked another nce at the tall, striking man striding behind them, enjoying the view before hurrying after M.


    Great pay and an office heartthrob for free-what more could she ask for?


    At the g,


    M made her entrance and


    exchanged pleasantries with a few


    executives from partner


    corporations. She met several up-anders introduced by Ker peers, offered some politepliments, then excused herself at the earliest opportunity.


    She''d just taken a sip of champagne when her gaze froze across the room.


    Some ghosts really did haunt you.


    "M, long time no see." Giselle''s golden gown shimmered as she glided over, every inch the picture of icy perfection.


    ?


    M''s voice was cool. "Didn''t we just talk on the phone yesterday?"


    Giselle smiled with practiced grace.


    She nced around to make sure no one was watching, ignoring Cara entirely. "That''s not the same as seeing you suffer up close."


    Cara: "?"


    She could tell this beautiful woman meant trouble, but was she really being this overt about her animosity?


    Still reeling, Cara heard M''s even frostier reply.


    Pin


    "What now?" M''s brow furrowed, irritation clear in her voice. "Giselle, will you eyer quit? You''re smart


    enough why not put that energy to good use for once? Must you always fixate on me? If you''re sick, get yourself checked out. I''m not your cure."


    She had no patience for Giselle''s drama. M turned to go, but a hand mped down on her arm, nails digging in so hard she could feel them even through her jacket sleeve.


    She was about to yank free when suddenly the grip loosened.


    "Ms. Harvey, I believe I warned you," Leonard said, smoothly prying Giselle''s


    hand away from M''s arm, his gaze cold and unwavering.


    "You really are a good littlepdog, aren''t you?"


    Giselle clutched her aching wrist, ring at Leonard, biting her lip in fury.


    No sooner had she returned to the country than fuck seemed to desert her-always running into the worst possible people. M wasn''t interested in sparring with Giselle any longer. She turned to leave, but coffided with someoneing from the other direction. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a sh of deep red fabric-and caught the faint scent of tobo.


    "So you''re M?" said a voice above her.