eeks as she instinctively drew ba

ite, leaving a dusting

leaned in and gently brush

gh the thin paper-so casual, so precise,

nstead of going back?" Bryson's voic

e dropped her gaze and nodded, voic

s attention never wavered from Janice. The sight left a dull

e aftereffects leaving her with a vicious stomach ulcer. She spent two miserable wee

own up once-always excusing himself with

brushed the pastry crumbs off Janice's lips himself, his m

h Madelyn's chest, though

son's first time introducing me to his family. He knows I get nervous, so he's bei

y where she stood. Bryson's fa

his mother, Julissa Brennan's biting jabs and a string of veiled insults. She'd barely set her purse down before be

a pretty face in PR, meant for pouring drinks-not

t, Madelyn avoided their ma

ntract, she would have happily stee

n, a jewelry mogul with a fortune and spotless reputation, she moved through these

Madelyn replied with a polished smil

ping her head down, never asking for protection,

s a simple heads-up before para

e to make a scene

delyn remarked, her voice tight as she searched for an e

stepped out into the dim corridor, only to r

her, exuding that familia

th white dog hair, but he didn't so much as

uthority. With a glance as sharp as ice, he finally spoke-voice

ying her voice as she demanded, "And wha

lenge glinting in his eyes-catching the hint of

ay lock of hair behind her ear, his fingertips linger

one, he told her, "She's pure-noth

hout learning how to handle the parade of jealous women in Bryson's orbit, bu

e drew that line-"She's pure-nothing like you"-som

th challenge. "So I'm tainted now? Is th

arp and measured. "Janice starts at the company

d Bryson's right hand in the executive o

PR; under Bryson's watchful gaze,

ngued, predatory men who lurked behind polite smiles, always looking for an opening. After every night of forced smiles and

oving into the executive office, hoping

is the backbone of this company. I put you th

t of his way to shield her, never allowin

sed her because of her job entertaining clients, ignoring th

emotion. In a voice that betrayed nothing, s

grave, leaving no ro

hrough Madelyn's chest

ansion blurring around her as she blurted, "And what

breath ghosting over her lips as he answered in a tired, alm

lways be the sharp, unflappable PR director; behind closed doors, just the loyal woman who quietly stood in his sh

herself to look away, voice steady but cold. "I refuse to be your secon