Chapter 12
723 Words
"Master Nate, Lady Barbara would like to speak with you tonight," Ryan informed Nate as they rode in the backseat of his private car on their way to the mansion.
Nate glanced away from the window and looked at Ryan, who was seated in the passenger seat.
"What does she want to talk about?"
"She didn't say, Master Nate. She only mentioned that it's about Luke and Oceana."
He fell silent for a moment before giving a slight nod.
"I'll meet her at my penthouse. Drop me there instead."
Ryan inclined his head respectfully before instructing the driver.
The car immediately changed course.
As they continued toward their new destination, Nate couldn't help replaying everything Luke and Sofia had said earlier. It seemed he had finally figured out how to get inside Oceana.
After Debbie spoke with Ryan, she and Barbara left the penthouse and headed to where Nate was waiting.
During the drive, Barbara's mind remained occupied with the steps she would take once Nate carried out her plan.
A short while later, the car stopped in front of Skyline's towering luxury residence. Debbie handed her a black keycard.
"Master Nate is waiting for you inside his penthouse, Lady Barbara."
Barbara blinked in surprise as she accepted it. "You're not coming upstairs with me?" she asked.
Debbie smiled apologetically before shaking her head. "Master Nate doesn't allow just anyone into his private penthouse. Only Ryan and the regular cleaner have access."
Barbara couldn't hide her surprise. "Really?"
"Yes, Lady Barbara. Master Nate values his privacy very much."
She simply nodded before getting out of the car. She stared at the keycard for a brief moment before walking inside the building.
She stepped into a silent lounge.
Like the penthouse Nate had arranged for her, this one exuded immense wealth—only this residence was even larger and more luxurious.
"Nate?" she called.
No one answered.
Her brows furrowed.
She had expected Ryan to be there as well, but there was no sign of him either. She wandered through the spacious penthouse until she came upon a door that had been left slightly ajar.
Assuming Nate might be inside, she gently pushed it open and stepped in.
A dark navy king-sized bed immediately came into view. Mounted on one wall was an oversized portrait of Nate.
He stared directly into the camera with the same intense gaze that made his sharp features even more striking.
She took a deep breath and continued looking around the room.
It was enormous.
Even larger than the bedroom in her own GoldenScape penthouse.
A moment later, her attention shifted to a framed family photograph. It showed Nate standing beside two younger men, along with an elegant couple she assumed were his parents.
"What are you doing in my room, Barbara?"
"Nate!" She gasped and spun around.
She was about to apologize for entering his room without permission— But the words died in her throat the instant she saw him.
Nate stood only a few feet away, his body still glistening from the shower. His damp hair was slightly disheveled, while droplets of water slid down his sculpted chest, tracing the firm ridges of his abs.
The only thing covering him was a dark towel hanging dangerously low around his hips, leaving far too much to her imagination.
"N—Nate... I—I'm sorry. I was looking for you," she stammered, desperately trying to avert her eyes.
But her traitorous gaze kept drifting back to him.
How had she not realized he was still in the bathroom?
She swallowed hard several times before instinctively taking a step backward. Unfortunately, the heel of her shoe caught on the thick carpet.
She lost her balance.
She let out a startled cry as she realized she was about to fall.
Nate reacted instantly and lunged forward to catch her.
But everything happened too fast. Instead of grabbing Nate's arm to steady herself, Barbara's fingers instinctively clutched the first thing they could reach—
The towel wrapped around his waist.
As she fell...
The towel came with her.
A deafening silence settled over the room.
Nate's hands remained suspended in midair, frozen halfway through catching her.
Meanwhile, Barbara slowly lowered her gaze.
Her eyes widened in horror.
In her hand...
Was the towel that had been wrapped around Nate's waist!
- Writer
