Sean didn’t return to Jersey City until a weekter.
The breeze inte April carried a hint of warmth.
Dressed in a ck shirt and tailored cks, Sean cut a tall, striking figure. Broad-shouldered and trim at the waist, he exuded sharp elegance. His handsome features were cool and reserved, and his eyes-dark and unreadable-held the stillness of a
midnight sea.
But the moment he saw Charlotte, that coldnesspletely melted away. In its ce was a tenderness so soft, it felt like spring sunlight breaking through clouds.
Charlotte looked up and greeted him casually, assuming he was just stopping by thew firm to “check in” as usual.
“Morning, Mr. Jasper.”
Sean’s gaze briefly swept across the office, pausing for a beat on an unfamiliar face before returning to her as if nothing had happened. He handed her a box.
“Lottie, open it.”
The unfamiliar woman was Petra, a foreign bodyguard Desmond had recently hired to protect Charlotte.
Petra had a sharp bob cut, sun-kissed skin, and a lean, athletic build. She stood nearly six feet tall, all muscle and zero body fat.
She gave off a strong, grounded sense of safety-someone you instinctively trusted to handle danger.
Charlotte had ced her at the firm as a personal assistant, mostly to help with non-legal tasks. But she was paid like a full- fledged bodyguard-two million dors a month, directly out of Desmond’s ount.
Petra had been at the firm for five days now. Not only that, she had moved in with Charlotte. Wherever Charlotte went, Petra went
too. They were living together, eating together, sticking close day and night.
Charlotte nced at the box Sean was holding.
“What is it?”
“A gift.”
Without looking up from herputer, Charlotte replied coolly, “I don’t need it.”
“You’re not even going to look at it before turning it down?”
Sean stepped closer and opened the box himself, pulling out a silk scarf.
Charlotte couldn’t help but nce over. It really was beautiful. She had to admit that he had good taste.
Sean caught that brief flicker of appreciation in her eyes. The corners of his lips lifted slightly.
SUMMALE 1/4
“These scarves are really popr with women. It’s a local brand from Antis-only sold in the capital. Most girls who visit make
sure to bring one home. The moment I saw this one, I thought of you.
Charlotte shot him a sharp look.
“Mr. Jasper sure knows a lot about what women like.”
Sean, not thinking, replied, “Lucinda rmended it.”
“Oh?” Charlotte’s tone cooled instantly. “It is a beautiful scarf. But you should give it to Lucinda then. Wouldn’t that be more
appropriate?”
At that, Sean suddenlyughed. The frost in his eyes melted in an instant, reced by a tare, dazzling warmth.
“Are you jealous?”
His teasing voice made Charlotte immediately annoyed at herself for slipping up
Her brows drew together, and she lowered her voice.
“Of course not.”
Sean’s eyes stayed on her, warm and unhurried.
“Lucinda’s grandfather and my grandmother were siblings Technically, she’s my cousin. I’ll introduce you two someday.
Charlotte gave a snort. “No thanks. I’m not interested and it has nothing to do with me.”
Sean’s smile deepened, gentle and a little amused.
“All right, all right. No introductions. I’ll leave you to work”
He gently ced the scarf back in the box, then set it down on her desk
“But keep the scarf. It’s yours.”
Then he left.
The delicate white gift box remained on Charlotte’s desk.
After finishing the work in front of her, Charlotte’s gaze drifted toward the box. She paused for a few seconds, then let out a silent
sigh.
After work, Charlotte went out to dinner with Jenny, Sophie, and Petra.
Every time Sophie saw Petra, she couldn’t help but gush.
“She’s so cool. Seriously-so hot. She’s totally the dream butch in the lesbian world. Like, top-tier!”
Jenny shot Sophie a fake-terrified look.
“Okay, Sophie, if you keep going, I’m really gonna start questioning your orientation.”