chapter156

Connor reached for Lydia's hand.

The moment their skin met, it was like a spark shot up their arms, leaving a warm, tingling sensation that made both their hearts skip a beat.

"Let go," Lydia muttered, trying to pull her hand away, but Connor held on tight. It was a good thing it was so dark. Otherwise, Connor would have seen the faint blush spreading across her cheeks.

"I'm afraid of the dark," Connor said, completely unapologetic. He squeezed her soft, slender hand a little tighter.

Lydia rolled her eyes.

Afraid of the dark? Seriously?

The eldest son of the Jefferson family, the big boss of the Jefferson Group, a former Major General with a mile-long list of achievements... afraid of the dark? Who would ever believe that?

She definitely didn't.

But right now, there was no use fighting him. She let him hold her hand.

Guided by memory, Lydia moved through the darkness toward the warehouse. Connor followed close behind, practically glued to her side.

Just as they reached the warehouse door, they heard voices from inside, low and urgent.

"I'm telling you, my guys will come pick up all this stuff at two in the morning. You better make sure the accounts look perfect. If there's even a hint of a mistake, we're both dead."

"My whole finance team's been working overtime to cover your tracks."

"Oh please, like you haven't gotten your share of the profits."

"You've only ever thrown me crumbs. Now there's a problem, and you expect me to clean up your mess?"

The conversation was getting heated, almost to the point of a fight.

her eyes. She

Lydia narrowed h

recognized the voices. It was Peter from production and Colt from finance. A cold little smile appeared

on Kielps She knew there neared

wa

something fishy going on with the production department.

"Whatever. If things go south, Mr. Ragain will take the fall. He and his wife planned

all of this," Colt said, sounding almost casual.

Peter didn't sound convinced. "I

think Mr.Ragain's in real trouble this time is son's in jail and he can't even get him out. Ms. Norwood isn someone to mess with. We'@better be careful."

Colt scoffed. "She's just a kid. Honestly, you're way too nervous."

Right then, a soft clatter sounded from just outside the door. It wasn't loud, but it was enough to make them both freeze.

They bolted to the door, nerves stretched tight.

Outside, the production floor was as silent as the grave, still swallowed by darkness.

Peter swept his phone's flashlight around, searching for anything suspicious. He didn't see anyone, but he did spot a toolbox tipped over near one of the workbenches.

Colt glanced around too, and finally let out a breath. "Must've just been something falling over. No one's here."

Peter frowned, his guard still up. "Let's leave separately. No one can see us together."

"Yeah."

Peter locked the warehouse door, took one last look around, then turned off his phone's light. He and Colt slipped away in different directions.

Behind a tall shelving rack, Lydia

was pressed so close to Connor that

she could feel every beat of his

heart, their bodies molded together in a way that felt way too intimate.

Connor couldn't see a thing, but the scent of Lydia's hair and the soft curve of her body sent his senses reeling.

His breathing grew heavier. His heart thudded in his chest.

She was driving him crazy. If this kept up, he wasn't sure how long he could keep his cool.

He shifted, just a little, and Lydia whispered, Don't move."