Bianca was wearing only a man’s shirt. There was nothing else on her skin.
The thought struck her hard-she had been violated by that monster.
Her chest tightened. Panic slowly crept in. She had to find that bastard now.
But something stopped her. It wasn’t pain. Strangely, she felt full of energy.
“Bruno Aston, this isn’t over!” she growled. She rolled up her sleeves and stormed out of the room.
The sight outside the bedroom took her breath away. A modern, artistic space opened before her. A crystal staircase spiraled up toward the high ceiling, like something from a dream.
Every part of the place screamed luxury.
Bianca frowned. How could Bruno afford all this? Doubt crept in. The bedroom alone was larger than her whole living room at the Waterfront Apartments. The design had been over the top too.
She hadn’t noticed it much earlier. But now, everything made sense. Bruno had to be involved in something shady.
Her anger became stronger. She had to uncover the truth and make him pay.
Bianca stormed across the second floor. Her footsteps echoed, but there was no sign of Bruno. Frustration bubbled up inside her. She rushed down the stairs, her voice loud and sharp.
“Bruno Aston! Where are you hiding?” she shouted.
As she reached the ground floor, a mouthwatering smell made her stop. It was strangely familiar.
Her stomach growled. The scent reminded her of the breakfasts Dave used to make.
She blinked. Could Bruno even cook?
Her curiosity pushed the anger aside. She followed the smell to the kitchen. The door was shut, but behind the frosted glass, someone had been moving.
Bianca took a deep breath to calm herself. She marched to the kitchen, fists tight at her sides. She threw the door open, ready to shout.
“Bruno, you son of-” Her words die down on her lips.
It wasn’t Bruno.
Dave stood there, holding two plates of fried eggs. They stared at each other for a brief moment. The room felt like it froze.
“Morning,” Dave said. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he covered it with a calm smile. “You’re up already?”
Bianca’s thoughts spun in every direction.
She had been with Bruno last night. So why was she looking at Dave now?
Was this a dream? A weird hangover trick?
She rubbed her eyes, hoping things would shift. But Dave was still there. His calm face held a trace of amusement.
“You…” she said in a voice filled with confusion.
Dave gave her a warm smile. He walked past her and made his way to the dining room.
“Hungry? Breakfast is ready,” he said.
Something about the moment felt strangely familiar.
Feeling dizzy, Bianca followed him. Her thoughts were spinning. “What’s going on? Where am I?” she asked, the words rushing out. She still couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Dave sat at the table and calmly picked up his cutlery. Every move he made was controlled and graceful.
“This is my home,” he said in a gentle, yet firm voice. “Did you think you were at Bruno’s place?”
Bianca lifted her head and looked around the elegant, beautifully designed villa.
She never imagined Bruno liking anything this fancy.
But now, she realized she was in Dave’s home.
“Why am I at your place?” Bianca asked quietly as she sat across from him.
Dave looked up at her. “You don’t remember last night?” he asked softly.
“Last night…” Bianca’s eyes moved quickly as she tried to recall everything. The last thing she remembered was Bruno forcing her to drink too much. After that, everything was a blur.
She suddenly hugged herself and her cheeks turned red. She gave Dave a sharp look. “What happened last night? You didn’t take advantage of me, did you?”
Dave looked caught between being amused and surprised. He set his fork down, sat up straighter, and gave her a calm look.
“You might want to think about what you did,” he said, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he leaned back with his arms crossed.
Bianca froze. A tiny flicker of memory came back. She did get a little too bold when she was drunk.
She bit her lip and her eyes dropped to the floor. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
Dave kept his eyes on her. His look turned sharp. “Why did you go to Bruno alone last night? Don’t you see how dangerous that was?”
Bianca fidgeted with her fingers. She wanted to explain but didn’t see the point. Their relationship was over.
“It was work-related. You really shouldn’t be concerned, Mr. Evans.”
The way she said “Mr. Evans” made something snap in Dave. His eyebrows pulled together and his voice rose.
“Work-related? Do you even know what could’ve happened if I hadn’t shown up? That was careless, Bianca.”
Was he blaming her now? Bianca felt her irritation rise. Her choices were no longer his business. Why was he acting like she had a choice? If there had been a safer way last night, she would’ve taken it.
She was already tired and upset. Now he was scolding her? As the CEO of Phoenix Alliance Group, he lived in a world of power and comfort. He had no idea what it was like to struggle from the ground up.
Bianca gave a slight, mocking smile. Her clear eyes looked back ar Dave’s intense stare.
“Mr. Evans, ever since I chose this road, I’ve prepared for the worst. I’m working with what I have. What else can someone like me do when faced with lies, unfair treatment, and shame?”
“You could have…” Dave started.
Bianca cut him off. “You’re saying I should’ve asked for your help, right?” Her voice was cold as she looked at him. “But nothing in life is free. You’ve helped me before because I had something to give. I’m sorry, but I don’t have anything left to offer you.”
Dave’s eyes darkened as he stared at her. “Are you saying I only helped you because I had some hidden purpose?”
“Or else why are you helping me then?” Bianca’s smile turned cold. “Why would the great CEO of Phoenix Alliance Group keep helping a simple agent like me from a modest background?”
Dave looked at her calm, gentle face. Her question wasn’t sarcastic. It was honest-too honest.
He felt both amused and annoyed. One brow lifted as he asked, “Then tell me, Miss Scott. What do you think is the reason why I’m helping you back then?”