A faint, cold smile touched Khloe’s lips. This was classic Trey. He leaned on her to solve every critical problem, yet never granted her any official authority. She held no shares, not even the title of a mid-level manager. And every time she made a decision in his absence, he would publicly reprimand her in meetings, just to reassure the shareholders of who was really in charge.
“Leave them on the desk,” she said. “I’ll look them over later.”
The moment she was alone, she pushed the files aside. She had far more important priorities today.
The Hunt family had invited her to dinner. If this was to be her first meeting with Nick Hunt, she intended to make an unforgettable impression.
She spent the afternoon at an exclusive spa. By five o’clock, she was browsing the racks of her favorite luxury boutique. She selected an elegant gown.
“Miss, you wear it even better than our campaign models!” the sales associate gushed.
In the mirror, the dress seemed to have been crafted for her alone. It was a lilac slip gown, its sheer layers delicately dusted with glitter. The soft, flowing fabric would have washed out many women, but against Khloe’s snow-pale skin and striking features, it was pure perfection.
“This is the one,” Khloe said with a confident smile, giving a slow, graceful twirl.
The asymmetric neckline, clean lines, and understated elegance struck the perfect balance.
It had been two years since she’d last dressed like this. Two years wasted on Trey. She had almost forgotten the formidable, breathtaking woman she used to be.
At the counter, she reached for her wallet-only to be informed the bill had already been settled. Not just for the dress, but for the matching handbag, the jewelry set, and the shoes, too.
“Who paid for this?” she asked, startled.
“The gentleman only left a surname,” the clerk replied. “Hunt.”
Her heart gave a single, hard thud. She turned, scanning the store, but it was empty.
Hadn’t Oscar told her Nick was cold and unapproachable?
Her question was answered as she stepped out of the boutique. A sleek, unmarked car idled at the curb, its custom license plate discreet but unmistakable. It was the same type of vehicle she had seen at the Morrison estate.
“Miss Roswell, we met previously. My master is awaiting your arrival. Please, allow me.”
Khloe had barely taken a few steps when a man emerged from the car and opened the rear door for her.
It was the same man who had given her the business card, but today he wasn’t in his formal uniform. Dressed in a simple black suit and sunglasses, he seemed far more approachable.
Khloe offered a faint smile and slid into the car.
The interior was quiet; aside from the two of them, it was empty.
“May I ask who you are…?” she began.
“I’m Mr. Hunt’s personal assistant. You can call me Lenny.” He anticipated her question before she could finish it.
“Lenny, why would your employer choose me for this marriage alliance? We’ve never even met, have we?” Khloe asked, choosing her words carefully.
Lenny’s lips curved into a slight smile. “I’m not privy to his personal considerations. But my employer only recently returned to the country. It’s unlikely he’s had the opportunity to meet you before.”
“Then…” Khloe hesitated, her curiosity getting the better of her. “What does your employer look like?”
After all the secrecy, never showing his face-what if he was disfigured or unappealing?
Even if this was a marriage of convenience, she wanted to be mentally prepared.
At that, Lenny couldn’t hold back a soft chuckle.
He had worked for Nick for years, and never once had a woman been concerned about his appearance. But he quickly schooled his expression back to neutrality. “I’m not at liberty to comment on my employer’s appearance. You’ll see for yourself soon enough, Miss Roswell.”
‘That probably means he’s very ordinary,’ Khloe thought, mentally lowering her expectations.
Before long, the car pulled up to an opulent villa. Though still within the city limits, the location was secluded and intensely private.
“This is a renowned member’s-only club,” Lenny explained. “Mr. Hunt has reserved the entire venue for this evening.”
Inside, Lenny and the other guards remained at the entrance, while a server escorted Khloe into a serene, private dining room.
“Mr. Hunt?”
Beneath the dazzling radiance of a crystal chandelier stood a tall, commanding silhouette.
When he turned, Khloe froze.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.