Chapter 15 -HUNTER'S POV- 38 ) I tapped my fingers against the desk , skimming through the estate's daily operations report , but none of the words were registering . My patience was already razor - thin , and I knew exactly why . Celine . She was getting under my skin . The way she had looked at me last night - steady , unshaken - like she wasn't afraid of me like she wasn't intimidated . It was ... frustrating . And I didn't like feeling this way . I needed to remind myself why she was here . To work . That was it . Nothing more . So I made a decision . If she was going to work under my roof , she would do so under my rules - no special treatment , no leniency . That was the only way to handle this . I breathed out sharply and clicked open the security feed on my laptop , scanning the live footage of the main foyer . And there she was . On her knees , scrubbing the floor . Her hair was tied back , but a few strands had escaped , clinging to her forehead . She moved with precision , her shoulders tense , her hands gripping the brush like she was scrubbing away something far deeper than dirt . She pushed forward , pressing harder . Too hard . Like she was punishing the floor for something it hadn't done . My jaw tightened . For a moment , she stopped , sitting back on her heels , exhaling slowly . Her fingers reached up to her shoulder , rolling it in small circles , working out a knot . She was tired . And yet , she wasn't stopping . I stared at the screen , a strange tightness forming in my chest . And then , before I could stop myself , I shut the laptop . Hard . This - whatever this was - it needed to end . Because she wasn't just an employee . She wasn't just anyone . She was a distraction . One I couldn't afford . -CELINE'S POV- 1/4 9:08 pm G GGG . в в вв Chapter 15 It wasn't even noon , and I was already running on empty . Hunter had been ruthless all morning , piling on task after task - ones I knew the other maids weren't dealing with . " The table settings in the dining hall are incorrect . Redo them , " he had said earlier , his voice clipped , impersonal . I had redone them . Three times . Then came the staircase railings . Polishing , even though they were already shining . And now ? Now , I was scrubbing the foyer floor on my hands and knees , my arms aching , my fingers raw . I paused for a second , rolling my shoulder to ease the sharp pull of exhaustion . My body begged me to stop . But I wouldn't . I couldn't . Not when I knew he was watching . " Mommy ? " Caesar's voice snapped me out of my daze . I turned to see him standing at the bottom of the staircase , his tiny face scrunched in concern . I forced a smile , ignoring the way my throat tightened . " What is it , baby ? " He walked closer , his eyes flickering between me and the bucket of soapy water . " You're working too much . " I breathed out , sitting back on my heels . " It's my job , sweetheart . " His brows pulled together , frustration clear in his little face . " Is the big man being mean again ? " I almost choked on a laugh . " No , honey . He's just ... particular . " Caesar didn't look convinced . And before I could reassure him , his voice cut through the room . " Caesar ." A chill danced down my spine . Slowly , I turned . Hunter stood at the edge of the hallway , hands in his pockets , unreadable eyes locked on my son . Caesar hesitated , shifting on his feet . " Yeah ? " " You should be at the servant quarter , " Hunter said , his voice steady . Controlled . " Your mother is working . " Caesar glanced at me , searching for an answer I couldn't give . I nodded , silently telling him to listen . With a reluctant sigh , he turned and padded back toward the stairs . Hunter's gaze flicked back to me then , lingering . Heavy . I held my breath . And then- " Your break is over ," he said simply , before walking away like he hadn't just turned my entire morning inside out . I exhaled , my hands curling into fists . I had never met a man so infuriating . 2/4 9:08 pm G GGG Chapter 15 And yet , here I was , scrubbing his damn floors like he hadn't just gotten under my skin all over again . -HUNTER'S POV- I had expected her to complain . I had expected her to slip up , to make an excuse - any excuse - that would prove she wasn't cut out for this job . But no matter how hard I pushed , she didn't break . And I hated that I was starting to notice . By late afternoon , I found myself standing in the doorway of the living room , arms crossed , watching as she knelt in front of Caesar , helping him button his tiny shirt . " There , " she said softly , smoothing the fabric over his chest . " Now you look very handsome ." Caesar grinned , his dimples deep . I clenched my jaw . " He can dress himself ." Celine turned , her brows pulling together . " He asked for help ." " He needs to be independent . " ow breath , shaking her head . " He's " three * . " Sir . dn't have a response . od , brushing dust from the hem of her dress , before looking me straight in the eye . " Is there a problem , * sir * ? " The word sounded unnatural coming from her . Like she was forcing herself to say it . Like she hated the way it felt on her tongue . I stepped closer , closing the space between us , watching her carefully . Testing her . " You tell me , " I murmured . " Are you struggling with the workload ? " Her lips parted slightly like she was trying to read between the lines of my question . Then , her expression hardened . " No. " " Are you sure ? " My voice dipped lower , intentionally . " Because if you * can't handle this job , you should leave now . " Her breath hitched . For the tiniest second , she hesitated . But then- She lifted her chin , fire sparking in her eyes . " Not a chance . " Something sharp and unexpected cut through my chest . I exhaled slowly , letting the corner of my mouth tilt upward . Good . 3/4 9:08 pm B Chapter 15 She was stronger than I thought . And for the first time in a long time , I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a very , very bad one . 7 4/4 38 AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!