<b>Chapter </b>71


    Harper


    As I stepped out onto the front porch, Maddox was already leaning against his sleek ck car. He was in a suit that clung to his body like it had been made for no one else but him.


    With his silky blonde hair pushed back to entuate his features, I could already tell that he was going to have everyone swooning over him and wishing they were me, without even realizing it was all supposed to be fake.


    “You look dashing,” I said before I could stop myself.


    He smirked, like he had heard exactly what he wanted.


    As he approached me, he curved his arm, the move almost aristocratic. “Shall we?”


    I slipped my hand into his arm and he guided me towards the car. He smelled so good that I inhaled sharply a few times for as long as I was that close.


    I smoothed the elegant dress he’d bought for me after I got in the passenger seat, looking at him as he closed my door.


    “You still haven’t told me why you bought me something like this or where you’re taking me,” I said.


    He got into the driver’s seat, his lips curving into a smile as he fastened his seatbelt. “All you need to know is that you’ll be blown away.”


    It reminded me of thest time he’d left me in suspense and when I’d realized he was taking me to Larkspur Hills, I’d realized that it was worth it, which was why I just needed to trust him at that moment.


    As the ride began to a destination that I still didn’t know, he ced his hand on my thigh, right on top of the fabric. There was nothing sexual about it, yet it was still enough to send a shiver down my spine. Maybe it was because that still counted as teasing as I was made aware of every shift of his fingers. My bodyfortably melted into his touch and I just sat there, watching the road head with him.


    Then, his phone screen lit up, Dad shing on the caller ID. It was going to be the second time that I was around when he picked up his dad’s phone call and I wondered how it would be this time around.


    With his earpiece in, he picked up and said, “Hey, Dad.”


    Without looking at him, I listened attentively and was stunned in just a few seconds. His voice wasn’t cold and distant like thest time I’d heard him. It was warmer.


    The call was short and as soon as it ended, I turned towards him, raising my eyebrows. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I can’t help it since you’re very close to me. You didn’t sound cold this time.”


    He nced at me, his hand finding its way back to my thigh. “Things are a little different now.”


    “How different? That’s if you don’t mind telling me.”


    A


    He didn’t answer right away, like he was wondering whether or not to open up.


    65 vouchers.


    Finally, he raised the corner of his mouth as he said, “I’ll tell you about it soon enough, but what I can tell you for now is that he’s so d I’m dating again after so many years. He’s even invited us to the estate for lunch tomorrow.”


    “Us?” I raised my eyebrows.


    “Yup. Us.” He nodded firmly as he stopped at a red light.


    I tilted my head in surprise as I wasn’t expecting an invitation so soon, but that was exactly what we needed. Tiffany would have no choice but to choke on the sight of me walking in as Maddox’s girlfriend. That’s if she was going to be there.


    “Well,” I said, “it sounds like the perfect ce to sell this rtionship of ours.”


    His eyes lingered on me longer than they should have, and there was something unreadable in them. I thought he had something to say, but nothing came out until he had his eyes on the road again.


    A few minutester, I thought that was the perfect time to bring up an earlier incident.


    “Kate came over to my ce earlier.”


    “To do what?<b>” </b>


    “What else? She went on this rant about you and stuff like that. I got to learn something about her. She has real feelings for you.”


    “And?<b>” </b>


    My jaw dropped. I expected something more. “That’s it?”


    “Yup. She can shove whatever she feels for me down her throat. Like I give a shit.”


    I didn’t even push the matter any further as he clearly didn’t care how she felt about him.


    About twenty minutester, he said, “We’ll be there in ten minutes.”


    I still couldn’t figure out where we were going, but the farther we drove, the more familiar the streets became, until my heart skipped a beat in recognition.


    “Wait…” I inhaled sharply with wide eyes as we approached the ss and marble building known as The Valmont House. “You’re not- You can’t be- What?”


    He chuckled with satisfaction, smoothly, pulling up into the driveway. “What? Surprised?”


    My jaw dropped. “What are we doing here?”


    He didn’t answer me right away, just savoring the look of surprise on my face.


    Then he finally said, “You once mentioned how much you love Dante Moretti and how you could never get


    7:02 <b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>26 </b>


    into one of his art exhibitions. Well, today’s your lucky day.”


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    55 vouchers


    My heart began racing as my whole body buzzed with excitement. If not for the seatbelt holding me in ce, I would’ve thrown my arms around him to hug the life out of him.


    “I can’t believe this!” I whispered, my eyes glued to the building as though it might disappear if I blinked.


    Right in front of it, there were limousines lined up and the people stepping out of them were in breathtaking. outfits that looked like they belonged on the red carpet. And now that I looked at the dress Maddox had chosen for me, it all made sense.


    He stepped out first, then came around to my side of the car to open the door for me. I gave him my hand. after he offered me his and I stepped out, still blown away that he had brought me to the Valmont House.


    He nodded at a few familiar faces and held me closer as we approached the steps, as if marking his territory when he caught a few men staring at me.


    The lobby was so breathtaking that I couldn’t stop looking around. There were crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, multiple ck and golden stairs leading in different directions and the unique lighting gave the entire ce a unique glow.


    There was still so much to see but my neck already ached a little as I’d been constantly moving my head in all directions..


    I didn’t even realize how much I was gawking until Maddox leaned in and said, “Careful, or you’ll give yourself whish.”


    I gently elbowed him, still taking in the view of everything around me.


    Right there on the ground floor, we approached a door that was guarded by men in tuxedos. It was the kind of security that was full of intimidation. I already felt uneasy, but Maddox on the other hand was still radiating confidence.


    One of them held a sleek clipboard as he asked in a cool business–like tone. “Names?”


    “Maddox Aldridge and Harper Moore,” hezily said.


    The guard’s eyes scanned the guest list and I actually held my breath, but quickly realized there was no need when he nodded.


    “They’re here,” he said, stepping aside “Wee.”


    The guards behind him pushed the door open and as we walked in, I sighed with relief.


    Just as expected, when I nced at Maddox, he was still unbothered. I stared at his side profile for a few seconds, his posture at ease with a smirk at the corner of his mouth.


    “What?” he asked, catching me mid–stare.


    “I just don’t understand how you pulled this off. It’s usually so impossible to get on that list, even for people like you.”


    <b>7:02 </b>Fri, <b>Sep </b><b>26 </b>


    He nced at me, eyes filled with amusement as he leaned in closer. “I was able to get us on that list because I’m Maddox Aldridge.”