The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 561

"Alright."

Dorothy nodded in agreement.

She had her own agenda. She figured that once Kenneth laid eyes on Everett, he'd further cut his losses and move on. Dragging this out for years had been enough, and any further delay would only deepen his misguided attachment.

After helping Everett out of the tub, Dorothy went the extra mile to blow-dry his hair before letting him leave the steamy bathroom. The man's wounds were stubborn healers, and the last thing they needed was the flu. That could turn the wound into an infection.

She took a quick shower herself, carelessly splashing water before slipping into a bathrobe and wandering out to join him.

Everett was planted in front of the computer. Head slightly bowed, he was deep in conversation with Kevin about some business matter.

Dorothy found a spot where she could gaze at his profile undisturbed, a small indulgence she allowed herself. Watching Everett work was, in its own right, a form of pleasure.

Sometimes he'd pause and frown a little, and his jawline would go taut with concentration. Other times, he'd nod slightly in agreement, though his expression always remained cool and detached, and his firmly sealed lips seldom gave a smile away.

Everett was the epitome of untouchable royalty, his approval feeling like a blessing from on high.

Dorothy watched for a while, then sneakily pulled out her phone to capture the moment with a photo again.

Flipping through the pictures, she realized Everett's piercing gaze was fixed on her. His eyes were deep and enigmatic, with a lot of thoughts hidden behind.

"Why aren't you back in bed?" he asked, closing the laptop and turning to her with a frank stare.

She pocketed her phone with a smile, "You were on a video conference. I didn't want to be caught lounging in bed in the background."

"What's there to be afraid of?"

She sighed with exasperation in her voice, "You're the CEO! It wouldn't look good if your employees saw someone in bed during a meeting. It would ruin your superior image."

Everett reached out and pulled her onto his lap.

"We've named the new project."

If it weren't for the Lopez family business expanding in Havenbrook City, he wouldn't have stooped to attend middle school there, and he wouldn't have met someone as ordinary as her.

He cracked a half-smile, "I only regret that letter. I should've read it to you right then and there."

Instead of leaving it on her desk and making her return it unopened.

Dorothy paused, then her eyes twinkled mischievously, "If you had done that, I would've asked the teacher to change my seat."

Back in her school days, she hadn't given a thought to dating. Sure, there were boys who chased her, and there was a lot. But all she cared about was earning extra cash to help with her mother's medical bills, or maybe buying a few extra test prep books.

"It wouldn't have mattered. The teacher wouldn't have agreed to it."

"Why not?"

"Because I wouldn't have allowed it." The head teacher wouldn't dare cross him.