Chapter 4

The press conference ended with Hayes Corporation declaring bankruptcy.

Jaxson practically pushed me into his beat-up car.

A suffocating silence filled the car.

I stared at the night scenery, my mind a mess.

Ethan's betrayal, Serena's scheme, and Jaxson's unbelievable phone call.

"Who are you?" I finally broke the silence, turning to look at him.

Jaxson gripped the steering wheel with one hand. His profile was sharp.

He chuckled. "Me? Your good-for-nothing bodyguard, hired for three thousand bucks."

"Jaxson, stop lying to me." I took a deep breath. "An ordinary bodyguard couldn't bankrupt Hayes Corporation with one phone call."

"Maybe Ethan brought it on himself?" He turned his head. "Chloe, instead of my identity, shouldn't you be more concerned about your situation?"

I froze.

He was right. Hayes Corporation was bankrupt, but the "plagiarist" label still stuck to me.

Serena had her "original sketches," and all my early drafts had been destroyed by Ethan.

In the design world, plagiarism was a capital offense.

My brand, Zephyr, was being boycotted. My studio was shut down. I was penniless and homeless.

The car stopped in front of a rundown apartment building.

This was Jaxson's rented place.

"Go on up." He pulled out the keys and opened the door for me.

The apartment was small but clean.

I sat on the narrow sofa, watching Jaxson take two cans of beer from the fridge. He handed one to me.

"Here. To calm your nerves."

I took the beer. My fingertips brushed his cold ones.

"Jaxson, why are you helping me?" I looked up.

He leaned against the table, his long legs crossed, and took a sip of beer.

"Because you are my boss." He put down the can, a half-smile on his lips. "If you go bankrupt, who will pay me?"

"But..."

"No buts." He suddenly leaned in, his hands on either side of the sofa, trapping me.

His masculine scent enveloped me.

I was forced to look up at his handsome face so close to mine.

"Chloe Miller." He dropped his lazy smile. His gaze became intense. "Remember, from now on, you can only rely on me."

His voice was deep and husky.

I bit my lip and turned my head away. "I don't need to rely on anyone. I will prove my innocence myself."

Jaxson chuckled. His fingers pinched my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"Prove it? With what? You don't even have money to buy fabric."

His words were like a sharp knife.

"That's none of your business!" I pushed his hand away and stood up to leave.

But he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his arms.

"Let me go!" I struggled.

"Stop moving." His hands were like iron clamps around my waist. His chin rested on my head. "Chloe, you are so stubborn. You will only get hurt."

His voice held a hint of helplessness.

I froze in his arms, feeling his powerful heartbeat. Finally, my tears fell.