Rose_love_4995

Ethan Grayson has it all: a multi-billion-dollar company, a penthouse view, and a personality so charming it’s borderline unbearable. But after one too many dinner dates with women who talk more about his stock portfolio than their hobbies, Ethan decides he’s done with high society. His grand plan? Marry a “normal” woman who doesn’t care about his money. Simple, right?

Enter Emily Carter, a bookshop employee who thinks a “luxury” is buying two cups of coffee in one day. She’s witty, stubborn, and entirely unimpressed when Ethan waltzes into her shop one afternoon, throwing around compliments like confetti. For Ethan, Emily is everything he’s looking for: genuine, grounded, and refreshingly immune to his usual charm.

There’s just one tiny problem. Ethan’s arrogance is the size of his bank account, and Emily has no patience for egotistical billionaires—no matter how good their jawline is.

As Ethan awkwardly tries to “woo” Emily in the most unromantic ways possible (think unsolicited business advice and overly generous tips), Emily starts to wonder if this handsome stranger might actually have a heart hidden under all that bravado. But when she discovers his real reason for pursuing her, all bets are off.

Will Ethan learn to drop his ego long enough to win Emily’s trust? Or will Emily decide that some books are better left closed?

When pride meets

Ethan welcomed Sarah into his home with a warm smile, surprised to see that she was still as naive and innocent as ever. She had always been gentle, her presence soothing like a calm breeze. But this time, she didn't come alone. Her personal assistant, Amy, trailed behind her, an observant yet silent shadow. Ethan didn't mind—after all, he had his own assistant, and Sarah had always been someone who needed an extra hand.

Emily, on the other hand, stood frozen in place, unable to believe her own eyes. A sharp, unfamiliar ache twisted in her chest as she watched Sarah, elegantly dressed, adorned with just the right amount of jewelry to enhance her natural beauty. Her soft, warm expression was the kind that could make even other women admire her. But what truly caught Emily off guard wasn't her appearance—it was the way she clung to Ethan's arm as if she belonged there.

Sarah smiled kindly and greeted her with a cheerful "Hello."

But Emily didn't respond. Instead, she glanced at her phone as if she had just received a call. The screen lit up with Dylan's name, ringing insistently. A smirk curled at the corner of her lips as she realized just how useful Dylan was at that moment.

She slipped her phone into her sling bag and turned to Ethan with a bright smile. "I'll be off then. Duty calls," she said breezily. Then, her gaze flickered to Sarah, and her smile widened with unmistakable mischief.

"Oh, Sarah, I didn't even see you there, darling. You can steal my Ethan away if you want," she said, her tone light but laced with hidden thorns. "You know why? Because if you actually manage to do it, it'll just prove how foolish you really are. And one more thing—no need to wear your makeup so thick. Ethan is a genuine guy. He won't fall for cheap tactics. You know what I mean?" She winked playfully and didn't wait for a response.

Before Ethan or Sarah could get a word in, Emily turned on her heel and walked off, her head held high.

The moment she stepped outside, she answered Dylan's call. "Where are you?"

Emily did, spotting Dylan leaning casually against his car, waiting for her.

She slid into the passenger seat, exhaling sharply. Dylan was watching her with open amusement, a knowing smirk on his lips.

"Wow," he said as he started the car. "You basically just called Sarah a fake angel to her face, then told her she could have Ethan while subtly warning him against falling for her tricks. That was bold." He laughed.

Emily arched an eyebrow. "How do you know exactly what I said?"

Dylan flashed his phone at her. "You left my call on. I heard everything."

Emily's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, you mean—"

Before she could finish, the driver suddenly slammed the brakes, narrowly avoiding another car. The sudden stop jolted them both forward, and in that instant, Dylan's hands shot out to steady himself—one gripping the edge of the car seat, the other landing dangerously close to Emily's waist.

Emily's breath hitched as Dylan's lips lightly brushed against hers from the abrupt movement.

The air between them grew thick with tension. Dylan's golden-brown eyes locked onto hers, searching, hesitant yet intrigued.

From a distance, a figure wearing a dark coat watched them closely. A faint click echoed as a camera captured the intimate moment.

Unbeknownst to them, this single snapshot would soon make waves—turning whispers into headlines and complicating things even further.