Chapter 64
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The faint glow of the streetlamp barely reached Rowan’s eyes, but his sharp nose cut a clear silhouette that radiated menace and pride.
He lounged against the car seat, his suit perfectly smooth and immaculate, every inch the epitome of refined elegance.
When Natalie remained silent, Rowan spoke again, “No need for formalities, Ms. Sutton. You gave me a ride last time. It’s only fair I return the favor. Basic manners.”
Natalie stayed quiet. If she remembered correctly, the last time Rowan had “called in a favor” was because he’d carried her to the car. So, why was he twisting things now?
He was seriously weird.
“Don’t worry about it, Mr. Mattel. I barely did anything,” Natalie said politely.
Some people were better kept at arm’s length and never to be crossed. Rowan was definitely one of them.
Without another word, Natalie turned and continued walking.
Rowan watched her go, his expression tightening slightly. “Ms. Sutton, are you aware that Jason has taken an interest in Dejah Port lately?”
Natalie’s steps faltered. She made it her business to know everything about Jason, but this was news to her. Apparently, Rowan’s sources were better than hers.
“Why don’t we continue this conversation in the car, Ms. Sutton?”
– Without hesitation, Natalie yanked the door open and slid inside. She couldn’t shake her discomfort beside
Rowan, cold and still as a statue. But she knew, at least for now, he meant her no harm.
Natalie broke the silence. “Mr. Mattel, where did you get your information?”
Rowan pressed his hands together, the dappled light flickering over his still expression as the car crept forward. He turned to her. “I have my sources.”
Natalie stiffened. In plain terms, that translated to “none of your damn business“.
She let out a quiet breath. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
Rowan’s brows furrowed slightly, like she’d annoyed him.
Had she read him wrong?
Rowan pressed his lips together. He started to explain, but Natalie cut him off, “Valor Group is barely hanging on, and now, he’s suddenly obsessed with that port–the one he never cared about before. What’s next, is he getting into the shipping business?”
Rowan’s stern expression eased slightly when he saw how serious she was. “No smoke without fire, Ms. Sutton. I’d advise you to dig deeper.”
Natalie had never known Jason to care about logistics. If this wasn’t some kind of career change, then…
A sudden realization hit her. What if he was using it to smuggle something illegal? The more she thought about it, the worse it seemed.
She kept quiet. No way she was sharing everything with Rowan–she didn’t trust him that far.
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Chapter 84
+25 BONUS
Suddenly, Natalle sneezed and instinctively hugged herself against the chill. At almost the same moment, she feir the weight of a suit jacket drape over her shoulders.
She glanced over to see Rowan sitting stiffly, his expression unreadable. Their eyes met for just a fraction of a second before he turned away, staring straight ahead.
“Landon, turn up the AC,” Rowan ordered.
Landon frowned, glancing back in the rearview mirror. “But Mr. Mattel, you’ve always hated the heat. The second it gets too warm, you
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Rowan cut him off with a sharp look, his voice cold as he said, “Just turn it up. No backtalk.”
Fine. If that was how he wanted it. What else could Landon expect from Rowan? He was a hopeless romantic.
Thus, Landon shut his mouth and obeyed.
Natalie watched, feeling more than just surprise. There was something else–something she couldn’t quite place. The scent fingering on his suit jacket tugged at her memory unsettlingly familiar.
She studied Rowan from the corner of her eye.
Then, his voice broke the quiet, dispelling the almost–electric tension. “Ms. Sutton, I’m particular about cleanliness. Make sure it’s washed thoroughly before you return it.”
Chapter 65
