SEAN'S POV

When she agreed to have dinner with me, I felt a happiness I had not experienced in a long time. Of course, I didn’t show it on my face. I was used to hiding my emotions. I didn’t want her to think I was too eager. I simply acted calm, as if it was nothing more than a polite gesture.

During the meal, I decided to explain something important. I knew she must have wondered why I tolerated Vivian’s behavior so much. Vivian could be reckless, rude, and sometimes even cruel, but I had never punished her harshly.

Looking across the table, I told her quietly, “Vivian’s father was my father’s driver. The two of them died together in a car accident many years ago. Because of that, I have always seen Vivian as family. She is very talented, but her temper is… difficult. I try to ignore it, as long as she does not cross the line completely.”

She listened carefully, her eyes softening with every word. I could see she felt sorry after hearing my explanation. For the first time, I felt she was beginning to see me differently not just as her boss, but as a man with a past, with responsibilities, and with scars of his own. Something had shifted between us. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew it was there.

That night, when I returned home, my phone rang. It was Ethan. His voice was urgent. “The investigation has hit a snag. We need you to look into that girl. She might have clues.”

I froze. “That girl” meant Evelyn.

I felt torn apart. On one hand, I liked her. I wanted to grow closer to her. But on the other hand, my grandfather’s life was still hanging in the balance. I had promised myself I would do whatever it took to save him.

I sat in silence for a long time after the call ended. The struggle inside me was fierce. Finally, I reminded myself: Family comes first. No matter what I felt for her, I had to know the truth. I decided then I would test her.

The next day, I arranged a short business trip and insisted that she come with me. It would be the perfect chance to ask her questions, to see if she revealed anything about her past that might connect to the case.

When she handled the bookings, she came to me nervously. “Sir, there was only one room left in your hotel. So I booked another room for myself at a hotel nearby.”

For a reason I didn’t fully understand, disappointment struck me. A part of me had hoped she would share the same hotel, maybe even the same space, though I couldn’t admit that even to myself. I nodded and pretended it didn’t matter. “That’s fine,” I said simply. But inside, I felt strangely let down.

The business trip went smoothly. She worked hard, and together we secured the contract. To lighten the mood, I smiled at her and said, “You’re a lucky girl. You bring success with you.”

I didn’t know how else to show her I cared. The only thing I knew was money, wealth, and power. So I tried to use that. I took her out shopping, buying her small things here and there, even though she seemed uncomfortable accepting them.

Later that night, I brought her to my favorite local bar. I wanted to celebrate with her, but also, I wanted to learn more. Over drinks, I casually asked about her family.

She started talking, her voice steady at first, but when she mentioned her father, she fell silent. Her eyes darkened, and I could tell there was pain she wasn’t ready to share.

I tried to trick her gently, guiding the conversation back, hoping she might reveal something without realizing it. But instead, she drank more and more until her words slurred. By the time she leaned against the table, she was completely drunk.

I couldn’t leave her like that. So I took her back to my room. She was light in my arms, and her soft breathing brushed against my neck. For a moment, I felt an impulse I had never felt before.

Laying her down on the bed, I caught myself staring. The alcohol had painted her cheeks red, and she looked beautiful in a way I hadn’t noticed before. Her lips parted slightly as she slept, and her body shifted under the sheets.

Desire hit me, sharp and sudden. She was sexy in that unguarded state, and I had never thought she would be the type of girl to catch my interest. But she had.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to turn away. No. I couldn’t take advantage of her like that. She was drunk, vulnerable. And besides, I wasn’t sure if what I felt was real or just part of the confusion of this dangerous game I was playing.

I spent most of the night awake, fighting with my own thoughts.

The next morning, she stirred awake. Her eyes widened when she saw she was in my room.

“You… you didn’t did we…?” Her voice was shaking, her face pale.

She thought we had slept together.

For a long moment, I didn’t answer. I just watched her, my mind running wild. Should I tell her the truth and calm her fears, or should I let her believe what she wanted?

Her panic, her innocence, her fear it all made my chest tighten.

And in that silence, I realized something dangerous: she had become more than just a suspect.

She had become someone I could lose myself to.