Chapter 101

Howard's POV

My phone vibrated in my pocket for the seventh time tonight. I didn't bother checking it. Sarah was becoming increasingly desperate, her tactics more brazen.

A cold smile tugged at my lips. It was time to end this game.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts.Mytthumb paused over Robert Johnson's number.

Sarah's ex-husband would prove more useful than he could imagine. I pressed the call button.

He picked up on the third ring.

"Mr. Thompson?" The surprise in his voice was gratifying. "You're calling me?"

"You're starting a new business venture, but no one's willing to invest.correct?" I kept my voice calm, deliberately casual.

"Yes,but how did you-"

"They all believe you'll squander the funds. A rich boy who inherited wealth but lacks actual business acumen." I cut him off, my fingers tapping lightly against the railing.

There was a pause. "Since my family business went bankrupt... yes."His voice dropped, laden with resentment.

"I can provide full funding." I went straight to the point, seeing no reason

to waste time.

"What do you want in return?" His wariness was immediate.

"Do you still love Sarah?" I asked, knowing the question would strike a nerve.

Robert's silence spoke volumes. I could hear his breathing quicken on the other end of the line.

"With my financial backing, your company could be successful very quickly,

"I lowered my voice. "A successful man-Sarah would willingly return to you."

"So... what do you need me to do?" Interest had crept into his voice now.

"Create a social media account using my name. Add Sarah, engage her in conversation." My tone remained even, betraying nothing.

"Why?"

"She's been interfering in my life recently, affecting my relationship with my girlfriend." I offered enough truth to seem forthcoming,but not the complete picture.

"You want me to... pretend to be you?" Suspicion colored his words. "To what end?"

"Simply talk to her. See how she responds to what she believes is attention from me." I paused. "You'll understand once you begin."

"I don't know about this..."

"Consider it carefully,"I said. "Five million dollars in investment capital against a few hours of cnlin

Contact me when you've made your decision." I ended the call,feeling a sense of release as I set the phone down.

Robert was merely a pawn on my chessboard, unaware he was helping me play a much larger game. When he impersonated me and chatted with Sarah,he would witness firsthand her true nature-the greed sparkling in her eyes, not love. He would discover her "affection" was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated performance, a tool to gain what she wanted.

And when Philip discovered the child in her womb might not be his,he would discard her like a worn-out rag.

I couldn't suppress the cold smile that formed on my lips. Sarah would ultimately be left with nothing-no Philip, no Robert, and certainly not me.

The men she had tried to manipulate would see her for what she truly was,one by one.

The only variable was Robert. I needed him to be intelligent enough to execute my plan, yet foolish enough to believe the reasons I'd given him.

The glass door slid open behind me, and Annie's perfume reached me before she did. My body responded immediately to her presence-a visceral reaction I couldn't control. She moved to stand beside me,offering me a glass of water. Her fingertips brushed against the back of my hand.sending an electric current through my skin.

"What are you thinking about?" She leaned forward, her eyes searching mine. "You're smiling so mysteriously."

She was close enough that I could count each of her eyelashes. Her lips were moist from the water she'd just sipped, tempting me.

"I'm planning a surprise for you," I deliberately lowered my voice,"after

Sarah's baby is born. You'll be pleased."

Curiosity flashed in her eyes, but her wisdom prevented her from asking further questions. That was something I admired about Annie-she knew when to remain silent.

"Then I'll look forward to it." Her smile contained a trust that warmed something deep inside me.

I took a sip of water, my gaze never leaving her lips. She noticed,her cheeks flushing slightly, but she didn't look away.

The silence wasn't awkward at all.

"It's getting late," Annie finally said,glancing at her watch. Her voice carried the gentle weight of tiredness. "We should get some rest."

I caught her wrist, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my thumb.She didn't pull away. Instead,she moved closer.

"When I'm less busy, we should travel together," I said, my thumb gently caressing the soft skin on the inside of her wrist."Just the two of us.I want to know you better."

"Is that necessary?" Annie tilted her head, her eyes particularly bright in the moonlight. "I feel like we already know each other quite well."

My fingers traveled up her arm, feeling the subtle trembling of her skin.

"We've never really had a conflict," I looked directly into her eyes,my voice dropping lower. "I want to know how you react when we disagree...I want to see all of you, the good and the bad."

Her breathing quickened, her eyes flickering with desire mingled with

thoughtfulness.

"Why not wait until Lucy's school break, and the three of us can go together?" she suggested. her voice slightly husky. "That way,we can see how we function as a family."

When she said "family." I felt a satisfactionI'd never experienced before.I couldn't resist pulling her closer, my arm encireling her waist.

"Whatever you want," I whispered near her ear, feeling her shiver against me. "Your ideas always surprise me in the best ways."

Annie nestled against me, her soft body pressed to mine. Her hair brushed against my chin, sending a pleasant tingle down my spine.

"If only Philip and his family would stop interfering in my life," she said softly, her lips almost touching my neck,"everything would be perfect."

I tightened my arms around her, my hand sliding down her back, feeling her breath catch as I touched her.

"That will happen soon," I promised, my voice deepening with desire."Tll help youresolve this problem."

She looked up at me, our faces inches apart, her pupils dilated with wanting.

"You sound so certain," she breathed.

I lowered my head, stopping with my lips just centimeters from hers.She unconsciously licked her lips, a gesture that sent heat coursing through me.

"We're together now, and we're good together," my fingers wound into her hair. "As time passes, it will only get better."

"Eventually, we'll marry." I continued, my voice growing huskier."Philip will understand he has no hope left."

I gently bit her earlobe, satisfied by her soft gasp.

"He'll avoid you on his own, knowing you belong with me forever."

Annie's fingers clutched at my shirt, her body growing warm in my embrace.

"I wish that day would come sooner," she said, her fingertips tracing the muscle contours of my chest through my shirt.

I captured her hand and brought it to my lips, placing a light kiss on her fingers. Desire flickered in her eyes.

"By the way," I deliberately changed the subject, wanting to test her reaction, "I'm planning to groom Lucy to inherit my company."

Annie's expression shifted from desire to surprise, but she didn't pull away from me.

"I need to start preparing her soon," I said, my fingers tracing her collarbone.

"She's only five!" Annie's brow furrowed slightly.

My hand rested on her shoulder, my thumb gently caressing her neck. Her pulse quickened, but she didn't move away.

"To develop a business mindset, you have to start early. I won't be teaching her complex strategies," my tone was firm but gentle. "Rather,values and principles for handling situations."

Annie listened attentively, her expression soft. She neither dismissed my

words nor questioned them. I suddenly realized she was the first woman T'd met who truly listened to me.

"I didn't realize you were planning so far ahead... I support you," she said softly.

That simple statement of support tightened something in my chest.Not because of what she said, but because of the trust in her eyes as she said it.

"Thank you," my voice was rougher than I'd intended. "Your support means a great deal to me."

"Lucy is your daughter," Annie's hand came up to touch my cheek. "I already think of her as my own."

Her words struck something deep within me.I held her tightly, controlling myself to not appear too emotional.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll make time to be with Lucy,teach her some basic principles," I murmured into her hair.

"All right," Annie looked up, her lips nearly touching mine. "I'm confident she'll become an excellent heir."

I couldn't restrain myself any longer and claimed her lips with mine. Her mouth opened eagerly to mine, a soft moan escaping her throat as our tongues met. The sound sent heat rushing straight to my groin.

In one fluid motion, I lifted her into my arms, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist. Our bodies pressed together, my hardness evident against her softness.

"Bedroom," I growled against her neck, already carrying her through the doorway.