After all, he is my guardian.

I hurriedly slip into a pair of denim shorts and an old t-shirt from the stack of old clothes in my wardrobe, quite pleased that they still fit. The trip back to Tucson was planned, but I didn’t really pack anything since the villa has been under trusted care these past few years and I’d never moved all my things out when I left for college.

“You’re awake,” Mrs. Whittle greets me when she sees me enter the dining hall. She’s the caretaker, and I’ve been familiar with her since I was fifteen.

“Good evening,” I greet back with a smile.

Settling on my chair, my eyes fall on the man sitting at the center of the long table. He looks at me grimly, as if I’ve committed a crime.

I shudder uncomfortably.

“I-I…dozed off.”

“Mmm,” he acknowledges absently before continuing with his meal.

I perch on my seat, observing his form while waiting for my food. Derik looks like he’s shooting an ad for a high-end brand of cutlery. His movements are graceful and refined. Mesmerizing would be an understatement. Without

question, with his impeccable looks, regal aura, and bottomless pockets, women would easily line up from his doorstep to Tokyo for a chance with him.

The sleeves of his black shirt are folded to his elbows, revealing his strong forearms. His muscles contract faintly with his every move. My gaze unconsciously travels to his wide chest and shoulders. Undoubtedly, he’s the only man I’ve ever seen with such a flawless physique. His face is out of this world. Seriously, if Lewis Corporation ever declares bankruptcy, he could still maintain a lavish lifestyle by becoming a model or an actor. From his sharp jaw, chiseled nose, thin lips, and tantalizing grey eyes that seem to suck the energy out of everything he lays them into–he is every bit gorgeous. If someone were to claim he stepped straight out of a romance novel, I wouldn’t argue! To top it all off, he’s only in his early thirties, and already possesses everything any woman could desire in a partner. I can’t help but wonder why he’s still single.

I snigger inwardly, realizing that regardless of how perfect he seems, he’s human, too. He’s not actually flawless. And because of that, he possesses the greatest flaw–his attitude. Any woman would want a warm and happy life full of love.

Derik cannot offer them that.

He’s a statue, after all. Soulless, ruthless, and devoid of emotion.

“Eat,” Derik orders, pulling my thoughts back to the present. I feel heat creeping up my cheeks when I realize he just caught me staring at him.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Mrs. Whittle arranges my cutlery and I focus on my meal in silence. From the corner of my eye, I observe Derik finish eating, but he remains seated, scrolling on his phone impassively. When I’m done with my meal, I feel his eyes linger on me.

“Your grandfather entrusted you to me for one reason. Starting on Monday, you’ll be learning how to run Quinn Industries. You’ll be taking over your

family’s business soon,” he states gruffly, breaking his silence.

I frown and raise my head to meet his gaze.

“I just graduated. I was hoping I could take a little break,” I plead timidly.

He frowns in disapproval.

“Ms. Quinn, there are many people who cannot afford for you to take a break.

Quinn Industries employs thousands of people, and whether you like it or not, their livelihoods are in your hands. This is a serious responsibility.”

I look down, my hopes deflated. I’ve already planned to catch up with my old friends here in Tucson. I want to take a stroll through the places my parents used to take me and reminisce about how happy my life used to be. Is that too much to ask?

“I-I…I just want to stay here for a little while,” I redirect my gaze to the droplets of water cascading down the windowsill and muster some courage to look him in the eyes again. “Can’t I?”

Derik pauses and squints his eyes, sending shivers down my spine. I can feel my ass sweating in anxiety, but I dare to offer him a pleading look–the same puppy eyes I used to give my grandpa when I was asking for something.

His mouth rises into a mocking grin.

Okay, that was a futile attempt.

“You’ll start on Monday.”

My shoulders drop.

“William will arrange your position and the duties you’ll be assigned. Lewis Corporation and Quinn Industries have a joint project in Tucson. You’ll be working on that.”

Hearing this, happiness surges through me. Blinking, I glance up at him in disbelief as a smile slowly creeps across my lips. If I didn’t know him so well, I would pounce on him in an outpouring of gratitude.

“Are you serious? Thank you, Mr. Lewis!”

“Mmm,” he replies before getting up.

I watch him climb the grand staircase to his study, feeling conflicted.

I’d hoped to ask him about the possibility of moving out on my own, but he doesn’t seem to be in the best mood today. Maybe tomorrow.

Chapter 2

DERIK

“T ighten the reins on the media, make sure nothing gets leaked. Lewis

Corporation cannot afford to take a big hit right now.”

I pace back and forth in my upstairs study, on a call with my assistant, William, giving him directives to handle the commotion over SanTech—a company acquired by Lewis Corporation that specializes in the production and research of AI Technology. A burglary has occurred at the site where an exhibition of the newly created tech is being held. If things go awry, it will take a toll; not only on the company’s image, but also a huge plunge in its stocks.

We’re talking about hundreds of millions of dollars of loss.

That addressed, I stay on the call for a couple minutes longer, giving him further instructions for coordinating Natalie’s training. She must learn the ropes of running the business her family left now that she’s finished her studies.

Heaving a deep sigh, I slam my body against the office chair and press my temples with my fingers when I hear a light knock on the door. I glance at the grandfather clock, realizing that it’s almost nine in the evening.

I frown.

“Come in.”

My brows immediately knit together when my gaze lands on the feminine figure in the doorway. She’s carrying a tray with a teacup and pot. Biting her bottom lip, her large, bright, blue-green eyes hesitantly meet my gaze. Her chestnut hair is fixed into a careless bun, giving her a casual, playful look. I observe her for a few more seconds in silence while my eyes travel from her beautiful, innocent face to her slender body that is covered with the thin fabric of her shirt. I still remember how small her waist was and how light she felt in my arms when I carried her earlier. She displays her graceful legs confidently in her tattered denim shorts. It has been three years since we first crossed paths, and I must admit she’s developed into a fine woman in that time—the kind that any man would fantasize about.

I clench my jaw, suppressing the intrusive and inappropriate thoughts.

“I brought you tea,” she announces shyly and sweetly.