“Rosebud.” He pulled his hands out from his pocket and walked towards me with his long strides. Before I could warn him to stay away, he pulled me into him and nuzzled his nose against the crook of my neck. My skin tingled against his rough stubble. “You came,” he whispered in my neck, taking a sharp inhale.

My heart palpitated as I stood there for a moment, unable to say anything. His voice, arms, and scent were tampering with my head. But then my lips pressed together.

“Let go of me!” I wiggled in his hold.

“Never.” He kissed my jaw.

My eyes widened. The nerve of this man! When my gaze met with my brother, he just scratched the back of his head awkwardly, not doing anything to help me.

What?

Traitor!

“Let me go this instance, Ace! Or else—”

“Or else what?” Pulling his head away from my neck, he challenged me. His slightly red eyes stared at me hard. “You already punished me enough. Now I can’t even hug you?”

“It’s nothing compared to the seven years you punished me!” I snapped.

Remorse flashed across his eyes. Slowly stepping back from me, he sighed. “Rosebud, let’s talk inside my office. I’ll explain everything to you.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. I know what I needed to know. You had no choice, you had to use Tess to hurt me, you were looking out for my well-being. I know enough. I don’t need to learn anything new.” My eyes burned with tears, but I tried my best not to let them fall. His proximity not only affected my brain but also my emotions.

He grimaced as if in torture, as he tried to reach out for me again. But before he could, I turned around and walked away.

“Rosebud, wait!”

“Em!” Tobias’s voice rang.

Ignoring their calls, I climbed down the stairs. I didn’t want to wait for the elevator right now. I needed to make some distance from them. The worst thing was, even my brother was on his side. Did he not know anything?

Reaching the finance department, I went to Sierra’s desk. She was the only one I was close to in this office after Liza. And I also had to discuss Arthur with her.

I hope her leave is over.

To my surprise, another girl sat in her place. No Sierra there. Once trying to know what she was doing there, the newcomer told me she joined yesterday after the previous girl resigned. Means Sierra.

I just stared at her, dumbfounded. Why did she resign?

Now it was extremely important for me to meet her.

I needed to talk to Matt first.

“Ms. Hutton?”

Turning around, I found Carter grinning at me. The devil’s secretary. Even he seemed relieved seeing me.