From Heir's Ex to His Aunt novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25 Sincerity Matters More Than Profit

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Finishi

Alicia’s carefully styled hair had already come a little undone, a few strands slipping free and softening th sharp, businesslike image she usually carried.

Austin lifted his hand, long fingers brushing against her cheek, his thumb stroking the smooth skin with surprising gentleness. “If we talk about marriage, what exactly are you willing to put on the table?”

The space between them felt charged, almost intimate. Alicia clenched her teeth before answering, “The plot right next to the Westside Factory Zone. If you agree to the marriage, we could develop it together.”

That was her trump card, the heavy weapon Richard had left in her hands, a secret even the Gibsons didr know.

To win her way into the Burtons, Alicia offered everything she had.

But the moment the words left her lips, she caught the flicker of something cold in Austin’s eyes, gone almost as quickly as it appeared. “So to you, marriage is nothing more than a business deal?”

She prided herself on being good at reading people, yet this man remained a mystery she couldn’t unravel. “And what else would it be?”

He was waiting for a particular answer, but she wasn’t sure what.

“Business is business. If it’s not about profit, then what’s it about? Tell me, is there anything in this world more valuable than that?” she shot back..

Austin closed the distance, pinning her lightly against the side of the car. His entire presence pressed dow on her, all dominance and heat. “Maybe sincerity matters more than profit. Carre to find out with me?”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“I’m talking about a love story… disguised as a marriage.”

The corners of Alicia’s lips curved ever so slightly. A breeze swept pas, mugging at her loosened strands of hair and scattering them across her face.

Alicia stood under the streetlight, her features softened by rine glow, almost gentle. But the glint in her eyi was like roses climbing a wall, beautiful at first glance veu erdiged with thorns sharp enough to keep anyone from getting too close.

“I’ve been down that road before,” she said quietly. “Love inrilt half as pretty as people make it out to be f you’re after a wife who’ll worship the ground you walk on, im not the right fit.”

Her tone stayed blunt. “I’ve never been goodan playing by the rules. Take David, for example, the man wh cheated on me. He’s still lurking around Sylonin. And me? I hold grudges longer than I should.”

In families like his, how many people autuilly get to chumse who they marry? Most of the time, it’s about business, two families joining forces with marriaga as the capuension price. After the vows, the couple turns into strangers under one roof, each running separate lis

And then there’s the oder wenson, where some self–important man takes charge of everything. The woman who once

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Chapter 25 Sincerity Matters More Than it

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shone on her own, sharp and Capabbi is worn down piece by picce until she’s trapped in a cage poli labeled ‘marriage.

Maybe that’s precisely zahat Hussin norantse a wife who’ll fall in line. But that’s the total opposite of where I’m he

“Mr. Burton I see maracas away forward, not something that holds me back. You can treat me l partner, not a playthingoniusnarm candy,” Alicia said.

Austin sandied thewoman before him. her flawless smile hiding every sharp edge. He forced down emotions swing his chest. “Seven days.”

Alicia bblikecdnnot following. “What?”

Tesa derved before marriage. Be my girlfriend for a week. If we click, we’ll sign the papers after sever If commoout to be a bad investment, we walk away clean.” He lifted her chin, his thumb brushing herrsoft check. Ms. Alicia… interested?”

Her eyebrow arched. “Sounds perfect. Thank you for the chance. I won’t disappoint you.”

Hier eyes blazed with determination, the look of someone who had already marked the deal as hers

Alicia, closing a contract was always more exhilarating than chasing after a man.

Austin’s hand slid around her waist, pulling her close. She shivered at the sudden contact. His lips c “Limited–time girlfriend… that gives me boyfriend privileges, right?”

“Wha- Her protest was cut off when his mouth claimed hers.

This kiss was nothing like David’s hesitant, barely–there peck. Austin’s was forceful, hungry, strategi man taking territory..

His grip tightened bit by bit, heat rolling off him like fire, dragging her under and stealing every bre until there was nothing left but him.

Alicia wasn’t used to that kind of intensity. Her body went limp, clinging to him like a vine wrappin around solid stone. Just when she thought she’d suffocate, he finally let her go.

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