Her Precious Baby

“As expected of you, Mr. Golding. That’s exactly what I thought. I’ve looked at the account statements after taking

over Forrester Group and found a shipment that hasn’t been written off,” Angeline replied immodestly. “I want to

use that to recover the costs spent, but we’re still short on the expenses.”

“What then?”

“Huh?” Angeline was startled by his nonchalance. “I was thinking of asking if you would like to try your hand at a

fashion brand, given your vast experience investing in enterprises.”

Evander rose from the chair. He arrived before her, set the cup of coffee on the desk, and asked calmly, “Why

should I invest in Forrester Group?”

“There are many benefits,” Angeline said as she sat up straighter, alerted by his technical questions. “With my

reputation, we could entice celebrities with discounted prices to support us. I guarantee we will not make a loss.

Furthermore…”

Angeline met Evander’s eyes. Though there were traces of glee in them, they were not as irritating as before.

“If I win, I will give you twenty percent of the Forrester Group shares promised to me by Hanson. You lose nothing.”

That’s a generous offer.

Evander’s gaze at her deepened. Perhaps it was the sheer amount of hypocrisy he was accustomed to in the

business world, Angeline’s hungry ambition, scarcely concealed, made him feel much more at ease.

“Is this how you ask for help, Angeline?”

Suddenly, Evander took a step closer and shortened the safe distance between them.

Angeline looked up at him and found that her forehead almost brushed his chin. She did not dare move.

The new gap made her uncomfortable. Instinctively, she stepped backward, and her waist collided against the

window partially concealed by the balcony.

“Ah!”

The emptiness behind Angeline alarmed her. Her upper body leaned precariously out the window.

Right then, a calloused palm held her steady by the waist.

Evander lifted her chin and gazed down at her exquisite face. Her chestnut curls were done up in a careless bun

behind her head, but several loose strands framed her cheeks in a charmingly languid fashion.

She had a natural pair of fox-like eyes, and her startled gaze enticed him effortlessly.

Angeline’s hair stood on end from the way he stared at her. “Mr. Golding…” she said, her voice quavering, her

palms pressed against his chest.

“What did you call me?”

Angeline frowned. The grip on her chin suddenly tightened as she pondered the meaning of his words.

Then Evander drew closer and bit her lip.

His lips were thin and had a faint smell of coffee.

This kiss was gentler than before as if he was savoring a fine bottle of wine. Angeline’s mind was a complete blank

at that moment.

“Remember to correct how you address me, no matter the occasion.”

“What should I address you as, then?”

“We’ve talked about this.”

Angeline’s breathing quickened.

Was it Evander? It’s uncomfortable to call him that!

Suddenly, she was swept off her feet and placed gently on the balcony.

Caught unawares, she clutched his shoulders with her slim fingers. “Put me down, Evander!” she squealed

nervously.

Evander smiled, this time of mischief, at her timely correction.

“I suggest you stop wriggling if you don’t want to fall.”

Frightened into silence, Angeline did not dare to move a muscle.

Quickly, the man sealed her lips again, stopping her from uttering the words she was about to say. The sound of his

belt being undone sounded especially vulgar.

The torment lasted deep into the night.

Angeline was exhausted. As her sudden drowsiness prevented her from remaining on her feet, she slumped over

Evander and allowed him to carry her into the bathroom to bathe.

In there, Evander grabbed her for another round. When it was over, Angeline was so tired she could barely keep

her eyes open.

After drying her, Evander carried her to bed and tucked her in.

Angeline was restless in her sleep. Occasionally, she would put her leg on him and, before long, hold him in her

tangle of limbs like an octopus and refuse to let go.

As Evander was a light sleeper, her embrace kept him wide awake.

At last, he rose from the bed to have a cigarette on the balcony in his bedroom slippers and found Angeline

occupying his side of the bed when he returned.

He studied Angeline’s exquisite features, and a warm smile appeared on his lips. His gaze became dreamy.

Although Golding Group was in the business of investment, they dealt exclusively with large enterprises. He had

never bet on a small company with an uncertain future.

At the thought of Angeline’s interest in Forrester Group as a means of taking back her mother’s estate, his heart

twinge with pity for her ordeal.

Besides, Sylas had mentioned earlier that day that Hanson was determined to help Angeline one way or another

and repair their relationship.

I’m not going to let Hanson’s plan succeed.

Angeline slept soundly. Although she had no memory of how Evander had tucked her into bed, she remembered

from her dreams a warm embrace holding her tightly from behind.

When she awoke the following day, Evander was nowhere to be seen.

Throwing open the quilt, she saw a collection of unevenly sized hickeys on her chest, remnants of the good time

from the night before.

There was nothing to be done. Running her fingers through her hair in panic, Angeline cursed her own stupidity.

I’ve allowed Evander to take advantage of me before even convincing him to invest and negotiating the terms.

However, it was no use crying over spilled milk. Angeline scoured the bedroom but found no note he might have

left. She assumed he did not accept her offer.

She sighed heavily, feeling the overwhelming disappointment wash over her.

Looks like I have to come up with something else.

Upon arriving at Forrester Group after breakfast, Angeline decided to get hold of an employee to ask for a uniform

before heading off to set up the live venue.

Since she could not secure an investor, her only other option would be to minimize costs.

Angeline noticed the buzz of anxious discussion among the staff in the hall when she entered the building,

accompanied by the occasional smash of something breaking from the second floor.

“What are you looking at?” she asked. The chatter died down at once.

The employees dispersed and, in a flash, returned to their seats and busied themselves with work.

Puzzled by their antics, Angeline quickened her pace up to the second floor, determined to find out for herself.