A Second Chance With My Billionaire Love

Chapter 2141 “Good morning, Miss Thomas,” Tina greeted with practiced ease.

“I'm Mr. Steve's secretary, Tina Adams.” Laura raised a curious brow.

Edwin had used ‘Nelson Steve’ as an alternate name, and Tina had been instructed to call him that only in Laura's presence.

The reason? It remained a mystery.

Laura looked stunning, draped in a loose-fitting man’s shirt. Her lean calves were accentuated against the fabric.

Tina's eyes kept drifting back to her.

Edwin, sensing Tina's lingering attention, said with a touch of irritation, “Go wait in the car.” Once the door closed behind Tina, Edwin's gaze settled on Laura, taking in her apparent discomfort.

Softening, he asked, “Did last night's birthday surprise sit well with you?” Her cheeks flushed in response.

Spotting her bare feet, he quickly fetched a pair of slippers.

“No more wandering shoeless,” he admonished gently.

“I've got a meeting about an acquisition. We'll spend some quality time later tonight.” Laura's silent response was a prolonged, intense gaze.

A childhood accident had left her with aphasia; and even after receiving treatment overseas, words seldom escaped her lips. Aside from her parents, she was mostly ensconced in her own world. That was until Nelson entered her life.

Their relationship had spanned a year, with Nelson introducing her to this apartment three months back.

She'd essentially moved in, with her studio relocated here, immersing herself in work. Nelson didn't always stay the night due to his demanding job.

The fondness in Laura's eyes as she looked at Edwin was palpable.

He was about to depart, but seeing the longing in her gaze, he couldn't resist pulling her into a tender embrace.

EE oT TR SE i Koos “I've got some new recipes planned for tonight.” Laura nestled closer, nodding her understanding.

Edwin's gaze settled on Laura.

Chapter 2142 Though she was a year his senior, she was so sheltered, thanks to Peter and Lina's overprotective parenting. Laura wasn't acquainted with the nuances of household chores, nor was she keen on mingling in social circles.

She exuded an innocent naivete he rarely encountered, reminding him of someone he couldn't quite place.

Smoothing out his suit, Edwin made his exit.

Once inside the car, Tina shot him a knowing look, noticing the tousled state of his hair.

It was obvious they had a quick session before he left.

Tina remarked, “Miss Thomas is truly captivating. She's not at all how I pictured her.” Diving into the acquisition details, Edwin's attention momentarily wavered as he questioned, “How did you picture her, then?” Wearing a knowing smile, Tina responded, “Given Miss Thomas’ intricate and I her as modern and vintage-styled designs, pegged edgy. But in person, she’s delicate; reminds me of a gentle creature that just tugs at your heart.” Edwin gave a half-laugh, signaling Tina to tread lightly with her words.

Being the perceptive woman she was, she swiftly shifted gears, diving into work chatter.

As the clock struck eleven, Edwin's latest achievement became the talk of the town. At 26, he had risen to the top, becoming the primary shareholder of the Lewis Group.

A massive 12 billion dollar asset shuffle put him in the spotlight.

Over the next couple of years, he had big plans to revamp the Lewis Group and reintroduce it to the market.

That evening, the Lewis Group threw a grand party in honor of this significant milestone.

Edwin, with his newfound status, was the center of attention.

High-profile celebrities and socialites gravitated towards him, but he maintained his distance, always having an eye for the finer things.

‘When Edwin's phone buzzed, Mark's name flashed on the screen.

Edwin greeted him with a grin.

After exchanging a few words, he shared some of his ambitious plans.

Mark, usually hard to impress, genuinely admired Edwin's assertive tactics.

“It's only chapter one,” Edwin remarked, an air of nonchalance in his voice.

Once the call ended, Tina approached with an update.

“Mr. Evans, your appointments for the day are wrapped up. You deserve some rest after today’s whirlwind.” Feeling the weight of the day on his shoulders, Edwin handed Tina his drink and loosened his tie.

Chapter 2143 “I can feel the fatigue. Let the former executives of the Lewis Group know we're meeting at nine tomorrow,” he instructed, already making his way out.

A sleek black Rolls-Royce awaited him outside. Chris Shelton, ever the punctual chauffeur, held the door open for him.

Chris caught sight of Edwin and promptly opened the car door, a gesture of respect.

Edwin slipped inside gracefully.

As he settled, Tina leaned closer, her voice gentle yet professional, “Good night, Mr. Evans.” Edwin simply nodded, his thoughts already drifting elsewhere.

A memory flickered-his promise to Laura about a homemade meal. He glanced at the time and sighed, realizing it was far too late.

The rich aroma of perfume encircled him.

Swiftly, he handed over his jacket to Tina, instructing, “Send this to dry-cleaning.” For amoment, Tina looked taken aback.

But before she could process, the limo's door clicked shut and the vehicle glided away.

ANGELA'sLIBRARY Edwin's voice broke the silence after a while.

“Pull over at the next corner; pick up some wontons at that restaurant.” Chris, well-acquainted with the routines and preferences in Edwin's life, grinned.

“Ah, Miss Thomas’ favorite?” Receiving no response, Chris focused on the road while Edwin sank into deep contemplation.

Memories flooded back; the chance encounter with Laura overseas and his deliberate efforts to win her heart.

about her, it wasn't

wondered if he'd put too much

There was an impending meeting with the Smith heiress on Saturday. Potentially, an

wasn't part of his

mental image of Laura, vulnerable and

was delicate, the type to weep

pulled up to Edwin's apartment, Chris, his driver, remarked, “Your villa is way closer to your workplace, Mr. Evans. Why not

2144 Holding a takeout box, Edwin shot Chris a piercing look that

his parents once called home? Absolutely impossible! Their connection was

the lights and moved towards the northern workroom, where

casually in his shirt and shorts, she was oblivious to his presence, Drawing closer, Edwin lightly brushed her

Her voice a blend of frustration and surprise, she muttered, “This is your doing.” Acknowledging the blame with a soft, “It is,” Edwin wrapped his arms around her, lifting her effortlessly from her

brushed against

and lunch, didn’t you? Why would you do that?”

his neck and murmured, “I had some breakfast.”

he certainly showed Laura a lot of patience and

couch, draping a

your jacket?” Laura

searching for a

a smooth talker, he managed to shift the topic with

to the kitchen, Edwin began

to her sketches and sensing his lingering frustration, shuffled in behind

in a shirt, work his culinary magic, Laura found herself

her arms around his waist, and on a rare whim,

you eat?”

His response came tersely.

“I did”

silence stretched between them until she ventured, “You mentioned you'd be back early.” Turning off

in the kitchen's soft lighting, his features were undeniably

for him, but there was so much she didn’t know

and probing, broke

1 didn’t come back, would you just let yourself starve? Would you continue

was new territory

before Laura could discern it, he tilted her chin upward, sealing their

woolen blanket was slowly pulled

an oversized black shirt; her entire form seemed

embraced her with a

Their intimacy deepened.

their passionate encounter concluded, Laura found herself in

It was quite dim.

fear of the dark, especially

her childhood. She couldn't forget how her sitter locked

the woman's return, she

and damp confinement for a

they eventually discovered her, Laura

her fear of the dark, Laura found solace in Edwin's presence; fear

yet the twenty-six-year-old man was brimming with energy. She

all she

2146 Edwin was

fingers against his handsome face and, in

found himself in a

bad to reveal his true name, Edwin Evans. However, he refrained, instead channeling his inexplicable emotions

was bathed in

he felt revitalized. Retrieving his trousers from the foot of the

herself in the blanket, perching

blush of

Her heart

had marked her birthday, and now he presented her with a velvet

contain a ring? Edwin offered a gentle, hoarse smile and encouraged her, “Go ahead, open it.” The gift was meant for her the previous night, but

mood, he finally presented it to her.

head, her hands trembling slightly as she

the box was a

two carats, with the surrounding smaller diamonds artfully arranged to resemble a pair of

a distinctly

held a touch of surprise, accompanied by a subtle hint of disappointment. Yet, she was a person content with even the smallest kindness shown to her. Swiftly, she lifted the necklace to

his voice growing even hoarser than

his assistance in fastening the necklace, though he found himself inexplicably irked. He reached for a pack of cigarettes on the bedside table, extracted one, and lit it.

a long drag, exhaling a plume

he

her with

Are you hungry?” Unable to resist, he tenderly ran his

It was jet-black, fine, and velvety, cascading over

like a dark contrast against the pristine, snow-white pillow, creating a striking

gazed at him with a deep sense of

departed, she donned his shirt and hurried to the bathroom to wear

the more because it was

to share a meal,

flat, a subject of his frequent attention during their intimate

complexion turned as red

Laura rushed to join Edwin for dinner. Despite the mixed motives behind Edwin's actions,

there, he

it in the fridge, ensuring she could heat it up when hunger

remained below 10@ pounds, a fact that

nibbled at

puffing on a cigarette. Despite the stack of documents awaiting his attention, his interest in

gaze inadvertently

held a profound complexity. He bent his head to tap the cigarette's ashes, a

remained

that time frame, he had to end things

wasn't exactly a breakup. More accurately, he planned

2148 He had manipulated her, kindling her feelings for him and fostering