-HUNTER- The office smells like fear . Good . It should . " Mr. Reid , please reconsider ... " I cut him off with a cold stare . " You had six months to meet targets . You failed . " The man ... Johnson ? Jackson ? ... visibly trembles . Pathetic . His tie is crooked , and sweat darkens the underarms of his shirt . I hate weakness . " Clear your desk by five ," I say , already looking at my phone , dismissing him . " HR has your severance paperwork . " He leaves without another word . Smart move . Begging would have gotten him nothing but my contempt . Vincent drops into the chair across from my desk the moment the door closes . " That's the third executive this month , Hunt . The board's starting to talk . " I laugh , short and humorless . " Let them talk . The expansion plans for The Aurelia are finalized . Three new locations in the next eighteen months . When they see the projections , they'll shut up fast . " Vincent studies me , eyes narrowed . " You look like shit . When was the last time you slept ? " " Sleep is overrated . " Ishuffle the papers on my desk , avoiding his concern . Vincent has been my friend since college , the only person who calls me on my bullshit . It's annoying . " It's that maid , isn't it ? " he asks , leaning forward . " The one with the kid . " My pen freezes mid - signature . " Don't ." Vincent raises his hands in surrender , but his smirk says everything . " Just saying , you've been different since she started working for you ." " Drop it , " I warnice in my voice . He shrugs , changing the subject to the Tokyo deal , but his knowing look lingers Hours later , I walk into the mansion , loosening my tie . The house is quiet . It's past eight - most of the staff are gone for the day . Good . I need the silence . In my room , I drop my briefcase , kick off my shoes , and strip naked . My muscles ache from tension . The bathroom mirror reflects a man I barely recognize sometimes - hard eyes , harder mouth , not a hint of softness anywhere . The shower hisses to life . I step under the spray , letting scalding water pound my shoulders . Steam fills the glass compartment as close my eyes , trying to clear my mind of balance sheets and profit margins . But instead of emptiness , her face appears . 1/4 Chapter 49 Celine . With those wide , innocent eyes that somehow see too much . The gentle curve of her lips when she smiles at her son . The way she moves - efficient , graceful , always slightly guarded around me . " Fuck , " I mutter , pressing my forehead against the cool tile . My cock hardens painfully , betraying me . I've wanted women before - taken them , enjoyed them , forgotten them . But this ... this constant , nagging hunger for a goddamn maid is driving me insane . I wrap my hand around myself , gritting my teeth . It's just the release I need . Nothing more .. I stroke once , twice , imagining her pressed against this wall . Would she be shy ? Or would passion burn away that careful restraint she always shows ? Would she moan my name or bite her lip to stay quiet ? My pace quickens . In my mind, she's under me , her hair spread across my pillows , her eyes darkened with desire as I push into her . She'd be tight - I know it . Perfect . Her hands would clutch my shoulders , leaving marks . Her legs would wrap around my waist , drawing me deeper . " Christ , " I growl as release hits me hard and fast . For a few seconds , my mind goes blissfully blank . Then reality crashes back , cold and unwelcome . I'm alone in my shower , fantasizing about an employee - a single mother who needs her job . A woman who probably hates me for how I've treated her . A woman whose son has blue eyes just like mine . Islam my fist against the tile . " Get it together , Reid . " Tomorrow's my appointment with Dr. Maxwell . Another pointless check up to confirm what I already know - that the Reid bloodline likely ends with me . My father's disappointment . My mother's barely hidden pity . The whispers among business associates wondering who will inherit the Reid fortune . Dr. Maxwell keeps pushing experimental treatments , and new specialists . I keep going to shut him up , but the diagnosis hasn't changed in three years . Low sperm count . Almost non - existent motility . The irony that I, who excel at everything , should fail at the most basic biological function isn't lost on me . I shut off the water with more force than necessary and stepped out , not bothering with a towel Water dri the marble floor as I stare at my reflection again . Hard . Cold . Alone . Exactly how I want it . How I need it I push open the bathroom door, steam billowing around me as I step into my bedroom , And freeze . om my body onto Celine stands by my bed , a basket of laundry in her arms . Her eyes widen in shock , fixed on my lace for a split second before traveling downward . To my still semi - hard cock . 2/4 Chapter 49 Her mouth forms a perfect " 0 " of surprise . A blush flames across her cheeks , spreading down her neck to disappear beneath her uniform . The laundry basket trembles in her hands . " Fuck , " I say , turning away sharply , but not before noticing how her gaze lingered . Not before seeing something flash in her dyn that wasn't just embarrassment . " I - I'm sorry , " she stammers . " I thought you were still at work . Sally asked me to collect your laundry and- " " Get out ," I bark , the words harsher than intended . I hear the basket hit the floor , clothes spilling . " I'm so sorry , Mr. Reid , I didn't- " " NOW ! " I roar , not daring to look at her . Her footsteps are quick , panicked . The door opens and slams shut . Alone again , I grab a towel and wrap it around my waist , cursing under my breath . My heart hammers against my ribs - from anger , from embarrassment , from something else I refuse to name . I kick the scattered clothes aside and drop onto the edge of my bed , rubbing my face with both hands . This is getting out of control . I need to get her out of my house . Out of my head . But then I remember Caesar's drawing . The " big one protecting the little ones . " The boys smiled when I sat with them at breakfast . The way Celine looked at me when I offered to spend time with her son - surprise mixed with something softer , something that made my chest tight . A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts . " What ? " I snap " Sir , " Sally's voice , muffled through the wood . " Is everything alright ? Celine seemed upset when she came downstairs . " Iclench my jaw . " Everything's fine . Tell Celine- " I stop , unsure what to say . Fire her ? Apologize ? Pretend nothing happened ? " Sir ? " " Tell her to finish her duties , " I finally say . " And in the future , make sure she knocks , " Yes , sir . " I hear Sally's footsteps fade away . I stand and walk to the window , looking out at the darkening grounds . this . Set clear boundaries . Remind me and her of our positions . arrow , I'll deal with But as I turn away , my gaze catches on the laundry scattered across the floor . Among the dress shirts and ties lies a small t - shirt- Caesar's It must have been mixed in with my things . I pick it up , frowning at the cartoon dingsaur on the front . So small in my hands . Before I realize what I'm doing , I fold it carefully and set it on my dresser . My phone buzzes with a text from Dr. Maxwell's office , reminding me of tomorrow's appointment . I ignore it , walking to my closet instead . 3/4 Chapter 49 As I dress in sweatpants and a t - shirt , my mind keeps replaying the moment Celine sees me naked . Not just her embarrassment - that would be easy to dismiss . No , it was the flicker of heat in her eyes before shame took over The way her breath caught . The slight parting of her lips . She wanted me . For a heartbeat , maybe less . And God help me , I want her too , I grab my laptop , determined to lose myself in work until exhaustion claims me . But instead of quarterly reports , I find myself typing a name into the search bar " Caesar Brown " I stare at the cursor , finger hovering over the enter key . If I press it , I'm acknowledging the question that's been haunting me since 1 first saw those blue eyes - so like my own . But that's impossible . The doctors were clear . Weren't they ? My finger presses down . The search begins . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!