Chapter 1 He had an exception in his mind

Inside the presidential suite.

Two breaths intertwined, reaching a peak, and finally ending with two sighs of ultimate satisfaction.

Katherine lay with her eyes closed, her face mostly buried in the soft pillow.

Her breathing hadn't yet steadied when the large hand resting below her collarbone withdrew, brushing aside her hair.

Her slender neck was exposed to the air, and the man's warm, moist kisses landed, causing her body to tremble slightly.

The room's atmosphere quickly heated up again.

Suddenly, the phone on the bedside table vibrated with a buzzing sound.

The man paused, extending his long arm to grab the phone.

Katherine opened her eyes, still veiled with mist, unable to see clearly who was calling Vincent before the weight on her body suddenly lifted.

Vincent took the phone and headed towards the bathroom.

As the bathroom door closed, a gentle voice calling "Vincent" clearly reached Katherine's ears.

Instantly, the desire in Katherine's eyes vanished completely, replaced by the image of colleagues whispering, discussing rumors that "Mr. Murphy is getting engaged."

Her heart felt heavy and constricted, making each beat laborious.

She had been Vincent's secretary for five years and his secret lover for three.

Vincent rarely avoided her when taking calls.

She had never seen him halt their intimacy for an unanswered call.

Now, there was an exception.

It was clear that the girl on the phone held a special place in Vincent's heart.

And their absurd relationship...

The sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Katherine's eyes dimmed as she silently buried her unusual feelings.

She could be an unnamed mistress, but she would never destroy someone else's marriage or become the homewrecker she despised.

When Vincent emerged from the bathroom, he was wearing a bathrobe, water droplets still clinging to his hair.

Katherine, seated on the sofa, was already dressed, checking Vincent's upcoming schedule on her laptop.

Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, her collar slightly open, revealing a neck still tinged with pink and the suggestive marks partially hidden by her shirt collar.

Vincent's gaze lingered on those marks, his Adam's apple moving, as the desire he had just suppressed began to rise again.

"Mr. Murphy, you have a dinner meeting with the partners at eight tonight," Katherine's cool voice pulled Vincent's thoughts back.

The emotionless schedule announcement made it seem as if they were merely in a superior-subordinate relationship.

Vincent detested Katherine's calm and rational demeanor, her ability to separate work from personal feelings so clearly after leaving the bed.

His brows furrowed, his slightly hoarse voice tinged with inexplicable irritation and coldness," Arrange a driver to take me back to Sacford."

Katherine looked up, somewhat surprised," Now?"

"Yes."

Katherine opened her mouth, impulsively wanting to ask if it was because of the girl on the phone.

But as the words reached her lips, she realized she had no standing to ask such a question.

In Vincent's eyes, she was merely a bed partner who could be dismissed with money.

Lost in thought, the man had already approached her.

She quickly lowered her gaze, returning her focus to the computer screen," Mr. Murphy, this collaboration is very important for the company."

As soon as she finished speaking, her hair was grabbed, forcing her to look up.

Simultaneously, her knees were rudely pushed apart by the man's leg.

A dominating presence enveloped Katherine.

She felt both ashamed and angry, unable to understand why Vincent was treating her this way.

In the past, Vincent had been tender and patient with her.

But starting about six months ago, Vincent had become moody and erratic, often humiliating her in various ways.

A few water droplets fell from the man's hair onto her slender neck, trickling into the subtle, hidden contours.

Katherine shivered from the cold, instinctively tightening her trembling legs.

This reaction only fueled Vincent's fire.

Though he intended to punish her verbally, he couldn't resist pulling her up and forcefully embracing her.

Katherine's arm hurt from being pulled, but her attention quickly shifted to Vincent's deep kiss.

In matters of intimacy, she and Vincent were very compatible.

She knew Vincent's preferences, and Vincent equally knew her sensitive spots.

The man sucked and nibbled on her neck, provoking her to tilt her head, seeking more.

At that moment, the man abruptly pushed her away.