on of Justin Ross was no

e, the hard angles of his face always framed by the latest fashion trends, the cool, effortless confi

Justin Ross stormed in with the kind of self-assurance that made Ad

mous master suite when he appeared at the door, his gaze flic

even bother to look at her properly-he was too busy scanning the room, as if mentally redesigning it. "I asked for a

the weight of his dismissive

Her eyes didn't meet his, instead focusing on finishing the task at hand. She had unpacked

in the air as he assessed her. "You don't look like

ssess every detail, every flaw. He looked her over like she was an inconsequential detail, like she was part of the background. Sh

r than she liked to admit. She turned back to the task, trying to ignore the sudden

ut the words tumbled out b

ou're dealing with, do you?" His voice held a condescension that she hadn't yet become

"I'm here to help, Mr. Ross. That's what I'm paid to do. I

efully unpacking the last of the toiletries. She heard him mutter something un

ger, she tried to push down the rising resentment. This wasn't

e shifted to Pete, who had entered the room quietly behind him, moving with a slight limp. The crutches, tucked under his arm, gave him awa

ing. His frustration was palpable, bu

aid through gritted teeth. "I'll handle

ved him off. "Time isn't someth

learly struggling to keep up with Justin's ruthless pace. She felt a sharp tug of sympa

ced herself. The villa felt more like a cage than a luxury escape, and she was trapped

e had first asked her to join him. She barely had time to think as she rushed around, fetching coffee, rearrang

e way he seemed to take up every inch of space around him, demanding attention. Addison had seen entitled people before, but he w

down. She was in the villa's kitchen now, preparing a simple meal fo

n staff here y

rustration inching up her spine. "

His eyes locked onto hers for a moment. "I'm not payi

e his condescending attitude. She knew better than to engage. Still,

e said tightly, keeping he

stin's voice was the loudest, dominating everything around him. The others-his subordinates-barely s

more difficult by the hour. She was learning, slowly but surely, that in Justin Ross's world, everyone existed to se

ep her head down. To do whatever was ne

tration that simmered beneath the surface. She had to find a way to navigate t

e Justin Ross hadn't yet learned th