Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 53 Not Happening "You want me... to feed you?" "Didn't you say you owedfor saving your life?" Caden smirked as he fixed his eyes on me.

I didn't know what to say.

It had been a joke, but somehow, he'd taken it seriously.

I glanced at the cut on his hand and sighed, feeling cornered. “Alright He was impossible to shake off.

# Finished But before I could even pick up the fork, his expression shifted. His gaze turned sharp as he reached out and took it from me. A faint smile played on his lips. "I was kidding. I can manage on my own." I rolled my eyes. This guy, always so detached and proper, suddenly decided to crack a joke? Caden ate the noodles slowly, his movements deliberate. Once finished, he dabbed at the corner of his mouth with a napkin. "Not bad. Especially the sauce." "Glad you liked it." I stood, ready to clear the table.

"Leave it. The housekeeper can handle it tomorrow," he said, pressing his fingers to his temples. I'm worn our" "Then I'll help you to your room. After everything tonight-cooking, arguing, and now this-I was just as tired. All I wanted was to crash.

Tomorrow wasn't going to wait for me, and there was plenty to get done.

"Fine," he said, his tone quiet, almost detached.

As usual, he leaned onwhile I half-dragged him down the hall. When we reached the bathroom, he cto an abrupt stop. “I need a shower," he said flatly.

I stared at him, stunned. "Don't tellyou expectto help with that too." He loosened his tie with his good hand, a sly grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Good imagination, but no. Just run the water.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. For a second, I really thought he'd expectto play nursemaid. Once the bath was ready, I dropped onto the couch, waiting for him to finish.

The sound of water running in the bathroom was steady and rhythmic, a background hum that quickly faded into the edges of my thoughts. I leaned back on the couch, planning to ask Caden about sleeping arrangements when he cout. But as soon as I closed my eyes, the weight of the day caught up Sleep overtooklike a thief in the night, swift and unrelenting.

with me.

When I opened my eyes again, sunlight streamed through the windows.

1/3 Chapter 53 Not Happening "Breakfast is on the first floor. Don't rush to work-I've already called in for you." Caden's gesture tookby surprise, Finished I couldn't even remember when I'd drifted off. The fact that he hadn't wokenor done anything questionable- and even thought to coverwith a blanket spoke volumes. He could be considerate when he wanted to be..

After finishing breakfast downstairs, I asked Willa where Caden was. She said he'd already left for the office early that morning.

Of course he had. Even with an injured hand, he never slowed down. The man was a machine when it cto work.

Since my absence had been cleared, I wasn't in a hurry. I lingered over breakfast, savoring the rare chance to take it easy, then called for a cab to taketo the company.

It was close to noon by the tI arrived. Once at my desk, I powered up my computer and dove straight into the spreadsheets I hadn't managed to finish the night before.

The steady rhythm of work hadfocused until the buzzing of my phone interrupted.

I glanced at the screen. It was Bruce. "Hello?" I answered, keeping my tone professional.

Bruce's voice cthrough, sharp and direct. "About the 'Ice and Fire' series-when's the launch? We need to confirm the timeline for mass production. When would you be available for a meeting, Ms. Sinclair?" "This afternoon works," I replied after glancing at my screen. If I kept up the pace. I'd be able to wrap up the spreadsheets and prepare a proposal in time.

"Good. See you this afternoon!" Bruce said before hanging up, clearly pleased.

At precisely three, Bruce arrived at Eclipse Group with his assistant.

I greeted them at the door, my smile polite and practiced. "Mr. Collins, I've prepared the production plan for the Ice and Fire' series. Let's head to the conference room to review it." "Excellent," he said, following me.

We settled into the conference room, and I had just opened my laptop when hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.

The door flew open with a loud bang.

Startled by the sudden commotion, everyone turned to look at the doorway.

"Cout here this instant, Rosaline!" Eleanor and Queenie stood in the doorway.

Eleanor, despite being in her forties, carried herself with an air of om elegance. She still turned heads, but her expression now was clouded with fury.

I couldn't figure out what had sparked her anger. While I had no reason to fear her, I knew it wouldn't hurt to offer scourtesy to the CEO of Lady Couture. Rising to my feet, I kept my tone steady. I'm in the middle of a meeting. If it's urgent, please wait outside until I'm finished." 2/3 60% Chapter 53 Not Happening "Rosaline, you-" Finished Before Eleanor could complete her thought. I stepped forward, ushered the two of them out, and firmly locked the door behind them.

"Sorry for the interruption, Mr.

Collins," I said, returning to my seat.

"Shall we proceed?" I opened then presentation and began my explanation. "Here's a detailed summary of the costs, labor, and materials required for the mass production of the Tee and Fire' series? Bruce nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Impressive. This is exactly what we need." The discussion stretched on for two hours. The topics were extensive, but by the twe finished, Bruce seemed satisfied.

As he and his assistant left, the door barely had tto close before Eleanor and Queenie charged back in.

I had to admit, their determination was commendable. Waiting outside for so long was no small feat.

"Rosaline, what happened to Caden?" Eleanor's voice cut through the room, sharp and demanding.

So that was what this was about. Without looking up, I calmly packed my laptop. "Why don't you ask him? It has nothing to do with me." 60