"If she wants evidence of how close we are, why not give her the real thing? Sometimes the hunter has to play the part of the prey, right?" Chloe's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "The more confident she feels, the more likely she is to slip up. This time, I won't give them any room to turn the tables. Understand?" Eugene raised an eyebrow at her words. "If we're talking about proving how close we are, a simple kiss isn't nearly enough." "Then what would be?" Chloe looked genuinely puzzled. Before she could finish her question, Eugene's strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her firmly against him. As she looked up to protest, his other hand cradled the back of her head, and his lips captured hers in a deep, deliberate kiss. Chloe froze. What was he doing? And why so forcefully? Before she could gather her thoughts, his tongue swept in, claiming her mouth with an intensity that left her breathless. In that moment, her mind went completely blank. She forgot who she was, where she was—everything faded into a haze of sensation. Her head spun; she couldn't remember her surroundings or what she had been doing. When the kiss finally ended and Eugene released her, Chloe found herself slumped against his chest, supported by his arms as he gazed down at her with clear satisfaction. She could feel her own breathing, ragged and unsteady. "Admit it," Eugene murmured, his voice low and confident. "You have feelings for me too, don't you?" Chloe refused to acknowledge his words. She pushed him away, suddenly regretting the impulsive plan she'd concocted to turn the tables on Carolyn. Once free, she glanced toward the spot where the photographer had been hiding. Carolyn was long gone. It seemed she had gotten the shots she wanted and made her escape. Good. At least she wouldn't have to keep up the charade any longer. Eugene scanned the empty space around them and smiled faintly. "However you want me to cooperate from here, it's your call. Even if it means going public with my identity, I'm willing." Chloe met his gaze coolly. "The billionaire sure has a lot of free time. Some of us have real work to do." "I'm leaving," she said curtly, turning to walk away. Behind her, Eugene let out a deep, resonant laugh. For the first time, Chloe felt as if she were fleeing—retreating from something she wasn't ready to face. Maybe, just as Eugene said, she did have feelings for him. For a moment, she even wondered if she'd fallen for the way he doted on her. But she quickly pushed the thought aside. She wasn't a good person. What right did she have to accept someone's wholehearted affection? She didn't deserve it. Eugene was a good man. She couldn't drag him into the darkness she carried. It was enough that she alone was sinking into the abyss. She didn't need to pull anyone else down with her. ***** "Crash." Monique hurled an antique vase against the marble floor of the villa's entryway. Ernesto's face darkened as he watched the porcelain shatter. That vase had cost him nearly six figures at auction. He'd only just placed it back on display, and now, in a fit of rage, Monique had destroyed it. His mood, already sour, turned stormy. "Damn it! I have never been this furious!" Monique raged, completely oblivious to Ernesto's expression. She continued her tantrum in the living room, tossing her purse and high heels aside before launching into a shrill, venomous tirade. "That old fool Scott! After all these years I've spent by his side, look at him—fawning over that washed-up executive like some lovesick puppy. That man is practically on his deathbed. Is it really worth groveling like that? "And those shareholders—a bunch of spineless idiots! No principles whatsoever. The moment they caught wind of that fifty-billion-dollar investment, they turned into a pack of obedient dogs, wagging their tails at whoever threw them a bone." She spat out the words with contempt. "Pathetic!" "Ernesto, I can't take it anymore. We need to get that little witch Chloe out of Lewis Group—now!"Our daughter is scrubbing floors as a janitor there. It's a disgrace! That little bitch has won over the shareholders this time. Who's to say she won't push Scott out of the chairman's seat next? By then, it'll be too late for us. "Ernesto, do you really want to see Carolyn spend her life cleaning up after others? "Ernesto, when will we finally be together? When will Lewis Group truly become ours?"