II


    Sophie quickly crossed her arms over her chest, blurting out, "I''m just a junior in high school! And here I thought you were a gentleman. Are you nning to take me to your ce and then...?"


    The more she spoke, the more James''s face darkened. "Sophie, what do you think I am?"


    "Some creep who invites a girl to stay over the first time they meet."


    James tried his best not to let his mouth twitch in amusement or frustration. What on earth was going on in seventeen-year-old Sophie''s head? How could shee up with such wild ideas?


    "Listen, you''ve got two options: either hop in the car with me now, or head back to Uncle Perry''s and keep dealing with their nonsense."


    James went on, "You might''ve noticed your aunt being extra nicetely. Let me spell it out for you: it''s because you''re now my fiancée. If I call off our engagement, your life will get pretty tough for the next few years. Trust me, no other guy in Devonport would dare to date someone I''ve dumped."


    James''s words hit home. Sophie was effectively cornered.


    "Fine... I''ll get in the car."


    She climbed in quickly. If James had said that sooner, she would''ve been in the car ages ago, sparing herself the chill of the wind.


    Inside, they sat in silence. It wasn''t until they pulled up to the Burke estate that Sophie realized how massive James''s home was. The Russell ce was big, but the Burke estate was on a whole different level, several timesrger.


    "You''ll be staying here from now on. I won''t be around much, maybe just returning at night after work, so you don''t have to worry about me being in your space." Sophie paused, surprised. "Don''t you have weekends off?"


    James gave her a look, half amused and half incredulous. Seriously, how could Sophie ask such a naive question?


    "Sorry, I always figured CEOs like you just drank tea and yed golf, leaving the big stuff to your team while you globe-trotted. Looks like I was way off."


    "Well, you''re not entirely wrong."


    "Huh?"


    "CEOs like us rarely show up for the usual stuff. We might meet presidents attend UN conferences rub elbows with business elites, go to a few gs, asionally hold a press conference or do interviews, and sign documents. We only hit up the bigpany meetings now and then, that''s about it."  swnovel


    "So, basically, it sounds like a life of leisure."


    "Pretty much."


    "Then why are you always out and about?"


    "Traveling the world isn''t as easy as it sounds, sweetheart."


    James added, "There are plenty of rooms here at the Burke estate. Pick one you like, and I''ll have it set up for you. I''ve already had your suitcase brought over. If anything''s missing, I''ll arrange to get it from the Bussell ce."  swnovel


    "No, I think I have everything. I didn''t have much to begin with."


    As it was Sophie''s first time in such an enormous house, her eyes were filled with wonder. She couldn''t help but marvel at how much money James''s family must have to maintain such a grand estate.  swnovel