A One Night Stand With My Boss

"I have my own business, and Passos Corporation was Grandpa's."

Annabelle chuckled lightly, "Do you really think that if your other two uncles had taken over Passos Corporation, your little company would still have a chance?"

Connor was silent for a moment. That was the truth.

Annabelle smiled and said, "What I want is to have a closer relationship with you. We can start as friends, get to know each other, and see if there's a chance for something more intimate."

Connor shook his head with a smile, "Sorry, I can't give you what you want."

Despite the tempting offer Annabelle had made, he had his own principles and boundaries; he wasn't willing to sacrifice his emotions for the sake of benefits.

Upon hearing Connor's response, Annabelle's expression slightly soured, but she quickly regained her composure, maintaining her smile, "Connor, you really don’t know what’s good for you."

Connor ignored Annabelle’s sarcasm, glanced at her and said, "Ms. Annabelle, it’s getting late. We should head back."

Annabelle scoffed, "You'll regret this."

Connor didn’t reply, just offered a slight smile, "Let's go. Mr. Jordan will be worried if we don’t return soon."

Annabelle scoffed again but remained silent, although her eyes betrayed a hint of displeasure.

Connor walked ahead out of the garden. After hesitating for a moment, Annabelle followed.

The path back to the main house was eerily quiet, with only their footsteps echoing around them. They maintained a mutual distance, walking in silence, and soon arrived at the front door of the main house.

Connor stopped, "Ms. Annabelle, I won't accompany you inside."

Annabelle pinched her skirt, smiling and nodding in acknowledgment.

After seeing Annabelle back to the main house, Connor returned to the River Pavilion.

In the garden, Emily was arranging pies while chatting with Peter. Seeing her son return so quickly, she raised her eyebrows slightly.

Teasingly, she said, "Back so soon, was the date not smooth?"

Connor shrugged and pulled out a chair to sit. "What date?"

Emily raised an eyebrow, "Miss Mullins is smart, beautiful, has the looks, the talent, and the family background. So many people are after her, why aren’t you satisfied?"

Connor felt a mixed emotions, "Mom, what are you trying to say?"

Emily glanced at her son, her lips curving into a sly smile. "I’m saying, you rejected such a great girl, do you have someone else in mind... perhaps... Ca...?"

Connor groaned, "Mom, please."

During their conversation, Peter didn’t interject, instead, he forked a piece of the pumpkin pie and took a bite, "This isn’t from our usual place, is it?"

Emily winked playfully, smiling, "Yep, homemade pumpkin pie with love, can’t find it anywhere else."Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

"You made this?" Peter asked, surprised.

Emily laughed, "I can only make soup." She raised her eyebrows at Connor with a teasing smile, "Camila made it."

"She knows how to make this?" Peter said in surprise, picking up a differently shaped piece with a new fork, "What flavor is this?"

"Savory," Emily said, with a meaningful look at her son.

Connor’s lips curved up in a subtle smile, pretending to be casual as he picked up his phone, and while his parents weren't paying attention, he snapped a photo of the tea table and the moon, and sent it off.