“I’m so pissed off! She doesn’t know what’s good for her,” Ernesto cursed, <b>his </b>anger boiling <b>over</b>.
“Ernesto, is this about Aubree?” Stuart Diamonde, Alice’s younger brother and the third child in the Diamonde family, asked as he lounged with his legs crossed.
Phoenyra Jewelry, the Diamonde family business, was mainly inherited by Ernesto, while Stuart and Alice each held a stake. Stuart wasn’t interested in thepany; he preferred trading stones and ran his own <b>natural </b>stone business.
Sometimes, when he came across top–quality stones, he’d bring them home <b>as </b><b>a </b>favor, gifting them to some big shots on behalf of the family.
Just the mention of <b>Aubree’s </b><b>name </b>made Ernesto’s blood pressure spike. “<b>She’s </b>really a tough nut to crack.”
Not only was she tough, but Aubree even managed to <bnd </b>a partnership with Windward Group. With Windward Group, and Manchotech joining forces, even with Ernesto’s <b>reputation</b>, it was not easy to find anyone willing to help him mess with her.
“I’ve said it before, you need to keep someone obedient close by. Looks like we were right to treat her the way we did from the start. As for Carmen, since we raised her from childhood, being good to her might make <b>Alice </b>easier to <b>handle</b>,” Stuart said.
<b>“</b>Speaking of <b>that</b>, Alice has been acting weirdtely. Word from Rithol City is, she’s got her eye on some guy.”
Stuart shrugged it off. “So what? It’s normal for Alice to have her own needs”
“Let’s hope so.” Ernesto was too busy scherming against Aubree to spare any time or attention worrying about what Alice was <b>up </b>to in Rithol City
“I should find some time to talk <b>to </b>Carmen,” he added.
Outside the Cloud Design studio building in Rithol City, a man stood alone.
As instructed by Aubree, Kyler finally agreed to be Alice’s fashion model after Alice backed him into a corner.
His agency had terminated his contract and cklisted him, so he could only scrape by with small roles to make a living. But now, with Alice meddling, even those were out of reach.
After <b>months </b>of training by Aubree, he could now truly step into the shoes of Xander, bing the characterpletely.
Standing at the studio entrance, he clenched his fists, hesitation and uncertainty written all over his face. Ultimately, all <b>that </b>doubt faded into helpless resignation to the realities of life, and he slowly walked inside.
“Remember, <b>from </b>the moment you show up in front of Alice, you’re no longer Kyler. You’re Xander. Even if no one’s watching, <b>you </b>have to live and breathe as <b>Xander</b><b>, </b>Aubree had told him.
Alice’s <b>assistant </b><b>was </b><b>already </b><b>waiting </b>for him at the door.
“Mr. Bradley, you’re finally here. Ms. Diamonde <b>has </b>been waiting for <b>you </b>for quite a while, the <b>assistant </b><b>said</b>.
Kyler managed a polite smile. “Sorry for the <b>trouble</b>.”
<b>Alice </b>stood by the floor–to–ceiling window in her office, taking in every detail of his earlier performance. Her eyes <b>sparkled </b>with excitement and <b>longing- </b>
That’s my <b>Xander</b><b>, </b>she thought. “Xander has finallye back <b>for </b>me:
The <b>assistant </b>led Kyler into the office and then left. Alice’s office didn’t <b>look </b><b>any </b>special. <b>Design </b>sketches covered the desk, <b>and </b>mannequins <b>and </b>sketches of sample outfits were scattered <b>around </b>the room.
“Ms. Diamonde, I honestly don’t get it. Why are you so set on <b>making </b>me your model?” Kyler <b>was </b>the <b>first </b>to <b>break </b>the silence.
Even though he knew he was being singled out, there <b>wasn’t </b>a hint of anger in his voice. That calm <b>attitude</b>, paired with his killer looks, made Alice’s cheeks <b>flush </b>with excitement.
823 PM <b>? </b><b>? </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>414 </b>
“I told you. I want you to be my model,” Alice said. A model just for <b>me</b>, and me alone,‘ she added inwardly.
Alice’s gaze was so heated that it made Kyler uneasy. He quickly looked away. “Well, I just hope that after you get your inspiration from me today, you’ll let me go. <b>I’m </b>just an ordinary guy. I can’t afford to cross you. I just want to keep my distance.
<b>‘</b>Keep your distance? No way! <b>Alice </b>thought to herself. Tve already lost you once. There’s no way I’m letting that happen <b>again</b>.”
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