The Unforgivable Request

I had just started reviewing our upcoming collection's budget when Alistair sauntered through my office door unannounced. Again.

"You look tired, Hazel," he said, sliding into the chair across from me without waiting for an invitation.

I glanced up from my laptop. "Is there something you need? I'm quite busy."

His eyes moved from my face to the scattered papers on my desk. "I heard about your family's financial troubles. That's a tough situation."

The false concern in his voice made my skin crawl. "How kind of you to notice. Now, if you'll excuse me—"

"Have you thought about my offer?" He leaned forward, resting his elbows on my desk. "The fifty million could solve everything."

"I told you yesterday, I'm not interested in your money or the strings attached to it." I kept typing, refusing to give him my full attention.

Alistair sighed dramatically. "Always so stubborn. That's what I loved about you."