Three years ago, Hazel Vance made a choice that changed everything. One night of passion with a mysterious stranger at a masquerade ball left her with more than just memories—it left her with a son whose rare violet-blue eyes are a constant reminder of the father she'll never find.

Now a struggling single mother, Hazel desperately needs the executive assistant position at Sterling Group. The salary could finally give her two-year-old Leo the life he deserves. But her new boss, CEO Liam Sterling, is nothing like she expected.

Demanding, brilliant, and devastatingly handsome, Liam has a reputation for being impossible to work for. Most assistants don't last a week. When Hazel refuses to be intimidated by his cold demeanor and sharp tongue, something shifts between them. The attraction is immediate and electric, crackling through every professional interaction.

But it's his eyes that stop her cold. The same striking violet-blue shade that stares back at her every morning when she looks at her son.

As the tension between them builds and the lines between professional and personal begin to blur, Hazel finds herself caught between her desperate need for this job and her growing attraction to the one man who could destroy everything she's worked for.

She doesn't know that Liam has been searching for the mysterious woman from the masquerade ball ever since that night changed him forever. And he has no idea that the composed, fiery assistant who challenges him at every turn is the same woman who haunts his dreams.

When the truth finally comes to light, will it bring them together or tear apart the fragile new life Hazel has built for herself and her son?

The church doors had barely closed behind me when Kayla rushed over, eager to share the latest town gossip. That woman was a walking newspaper, collecting every whisper and rumor like precious gems. According to her, Cole and Orson had left town yesterday afternoon—no doubt running to check on that little rat. I was certain she'd called daddy dearest whining about my visit.


It didn't matter. As long as I remained her mother in everyone's eyes, I could handle that spoiled brat however I pleased. My visit was merely to vent frustrations after what that fool Ophelia did to me. When anger boils over, you need a punching bag, and mine happened to be available.


Upon reflection, I needed to accelerate my plans. The inheritance situation required swift resolution, and I needed to deliver the girl to Connor quickly.


Chapter 544 - S3 - Chapter 140- Wicked Bargain