Quentin Grant closed the surveillance feed. After a mont’s thought, he left the monitoring room and headed toward the employee dormitories.
He reached Nora Ainsworth’s door and gently pushed it open.
Nora Ainsworth was lying on her side, her back to him.
He walked in, shut the door, and locked it.
Even as he ca to stand by the bed, she didn’t turn her head to look.
Quentin Grant leaned forward slightly to see if she was asleep.
Instead, he found his eyes eting hers.
"Not very alert, are you? And here I thought you’d passed the assessnt."
Nora Ainsworth rolled over to face him. They were barely a foot apart, their eyes locked.
"I knew it was you the mont you reached the door. Why would I need to be on guard?"
Quentin Grant clearly didn’t believe her. "What, you have eyes in the back of your head?"
Nora Ainsworth scoffed. "If I had a superpower like that, do you think I’d still be bowing to your will?"
He chuckled. "Then tell , how did you figure out it was ?"
Nora Ainsworth slowly sat up, propping herself against the pillow. She averted her gaze, her eyes fixed on a corner of the room. "The sound of your footsteps."
Quentin Grant slowly leaned down toward her. "You can tell it’s just from my footsteps?"
"It’s the only way I could have known."
His eyes were fixed on hers. "Have you been crying?"
Nora Ainsworth flatly denied it. "Do I seem like the crying type to you? That’s ridiculous."
"Then why are your eyes so red and swollen?"
Nora Ainsworth sat up straight. "I was just missing my mom."
Quentin Grant pinned her hands down and kissed her.
"You’ve had enough rest, haven’t you? Now it’s ti for to collect—with interest." He was bent over her, forcing Nora Ainsworth to lie half-reclined. There wasn’t a trace of passion on her face.
Like a lifeless doll.
Seeing her lying there completely still, Quentin Grant commanded, "Nora Ainsworth, open your mouth."
Nora Ainsworth, however, was perfectly composed. "President Grant, Miss Callahan had a heart attack and your precious dog is injured. Shouldn’t you be rushing to the hospital to be with them? Must you really waste your ti here with , the woman who has to be kept in the shadows but dreams of taking her place?"
His pupils constricted. "Are you mocking , or yourself?"
"What are you talking about? As if I would dare mock you."
He hated her tone.
He lowered himself further, kicked off his shoes, and pressed a leg down on top of her.
"Catherine’s heart is fine. As for that beast that lunged at you, I couldn’t care less. It’s just a dog; it’s certainly not as valuable as you are."
"Is that what you really think, President Grant?" Nora Ainsworth boldly raised a hand, letting it wander across his chest.
"Of course."
’A faint warmth actually spread through Nora Ainsworth’s heart. It was much better than hearing him say she couldn’t compare to that dog, anyway.’
"I really wish you would let go soon, President Grant. If you gave a written guarantee that you’ll leave alone in the future, I would be willing to kneel and kowtow to you." Her other hand moved to unbutton his shirt.
Quentin Grant grabbed her wrist. "Nora Ainsworth, that day will co. You just wait."
Nora Ainsworth gave a faint smile, the rims of her eyes turning red. "Isn’t that what I’m doing? Waiting? Why else would I have fought so desperately to pass the assessnt? Why else would I have swallowed my pride like this? In today’s world, cries for equality are just sothing for common folk like us. If it were otherwise, I would have escaped long ago."
"Good. As long as you know." He released her hand.
Nora Ainsworth went back to unbuttoning his shirt.
Soon, they were both undressed.
But just as he was about to enter her, there was a frantic pounding on the door. It was Catherine Callahan.
"Nora Ainsworth, open the door!" ’Her voice was urgent. She must have been tipped off that Quentin was in my room, for her to ignore her health and rush back from the hospital.’
’But even if she ca back herself, could she really stop this man?’
’If a man truly loves you, he’ll treat your every word as gospel and spoil you rotten. Bringing , his secret lover, back here... it was obvious to anyone with eyes that Quentin Grant wasn’t the kind of man to get back together with soone just for old tis’ sake.’
Nora’s voice was steady. "What is it? I don’t think we have anything to talk about."
"Is Quentin in there?"
Nora instinctively glanced at Quentin Grant, her eyes asking for his lead.
Quentin Grant’s expression darkened. "I’m here," he answered. "What do you want?"
Catherine Callahan knocked again. "Quentin, open the door. Your mother is here."
Quentin Grant got dressed and climbed off the bed.
Nora imdiately opened the door as well.
Catherine Callahan flung herself at Quentin Grant. "Quentin."
He pushed her away. "Didn’t you say my mom was here? I’m going to see her."
Catherine scrambled to follow him. When she saw Nora following as well, her eyes practically shot fire. "What do you think you’re doing, following us?"
"I’m President Grant’s personal bodyguard. It’s my job to follow him and prevent any... ’accidents’ from befalling him."
A mocking glint appeared in Catherine Callahan’s eyes. Nora understood her aning but pretended not to notice.
Mrs. Grant had indeed arrived.
The smile on her face vanished the mont she saw Catherine Callahan, her expression turning as cold as ice.
"Quentin, what is she doing here?"
Catherine Callahan spoke up first. "Auntie, I’ve been living here for a little while now. Quentin and I were planning to visit you, but we didn’t expect you to co first."
Mrs. Grant snorted. "Don’t bother visiting . You’ve got so nerve. You left all those years ago, so what are you doing back here? I want you out of this house right now. Do you hear ?"
Tears instantly welled in Catherine Callahan’s eyes as she dropped to her knees in front of Mrs. Grant. "Auntie, please, I’m begging you, let stay. I love Quentin so much. I don’t dare dream of marrying him... just let watch him from afar like this."
"Then you can watch him from afar from outside this property. You moved in here hoping to win my Quentin’s heart back, didn’t you? What do you take my son for? This is not up for discussion."
Tears stread down Catherine Callahan’s face. She looked up at Quentin Grant, her breathing ragged. "What about your promise to ? Does it still stand?"
"Mom, I have my own plans for this. You don’t need to worry. I won’t do anything that would upset you."
Mrs. Grant then turned to Nora Ainsworth. "You’re here as well?"
Nora Ainsworth smiled faintly. "Hello, Mrs. Grant. I’m President Grant’s bodyguard now."
A rare smile graced Mrs. Grant’s lips. Looking at this young woman, she felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if they had t sowhere before.
"That boy, Herman... why did he have you beco a bodyguard?"
"It was my own choice. It has nothing to do with him," Nora explained.
Mrs. Grant nodded. "I’ll be having dinner here tonight. You should join us."
Nora nodded. "Okay, Mrs. Grant."
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