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.

and knowledge about her, it wasn't challenging

wondered if he'd put

impending meeting with the Smith heiress on Saturday. Potentially, an alliance could be formed with her, which would mean

as she was, wasn't part of his long-term plans. In fact, he initially just intended

vulnerable and heartbroken,

type to

remarked, “Your villa is way closer to your workplace, Mr. Evans. Why not have Miss Thomas move

Holding a takeout box, Edwin shot Chris a piercing

parents once called home? Absolutely impossible! Their connection was transient; a fleeting

on the lights and moved towards the northern workroom, where he found Laura

shorts, she was oblivious to his presence, Drawing closer, Edwin lightly brushed her chilled legs, concern evident in his

voice a blend of frustration and surprise, she muttered, “This is your doing.” Acknowledging the blame with a soft, “It is,”

Edwin's hand brushed against

skipped both breakfast and lunch, didn’t you? Why would you do that?” His tone mixed annoyance with

defuse his irritation, Laura hugged his neck and murmured, “I had some breakfast.” Angela's Library

not particularly easy-going, he certainly showed Laura a lot of patience

onto the couch, draping a blanket over

jacket?” Laura

paused, searching for

shift the topic with ease, and Laura's

the kitchen, Edwin began

the urge to return to her sketches and sensing his lingering frustration, shuffled

a shirt, work his culinary magic, Laura found

her arms around his waist, and on a rare

eat?”

His response came tersely.

“I did”

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

undeniably attractive, but she sensed a depth she couldn't

was so much she didn’t know about him,

and

you just let yourself starve?

new territory

felt like an eternity, she whispered, “You'd always return.” Something in Edwin's expression shifted, but before Laura could discern it, he tilted her chin

woolen blanket was slowly pulled

revealed Laura clad in an oversized black shirt; her entire form seemed

a passionate kiss,

Their intimacy deepened.

concluded, Laura found herself

It was quite dim.

the dark, especially in confined spaces, which left her feeling

memory resurfaced from her childhood. She couldn't forget how her sitter locked her in the storage room

woman's return, she completely

and damp confinement for a

her, Laura

dark, Laura found

intimate encounter, Laura felt a restlessness and the urge to shower, yet the twenty-six-year-old man

eyes and all she could see was

was out of her

handsome face and, in a low, husky

himself

bad to reveal his true name, Edwin Evans. However, he refrained,

was

Retrieving his trousers from the foot of the bed, he produced a velvet box

herself in the blanket, perching on the

complexion bore the faint blush of post-lovemaking

heart raced

marked her birthday, and now he presented her with a

and encouraged her, “Go ahead, open it.” The gift was meant for her the previous night, but their passion had

different mood, he finally

glance at him before lowering her head, her hands trembling slightly as she devoutly

the box was a

pink diamond itself measured two carats, with the surrounding smaller

a

person content with even the smallest kindness shown to her. Swiftly, she lifted the necklace to her

voice growing

found himself inexplicably irked. He reached for a pack of cigarettes on the bedside table, extracted one, and lit it. As he carefully secured the necklace around her neck, Laura expressed her discomfort, saying,

a long drag,

after, he extinguished the

gazed at her with

hungry?” Unable to resist, he tenderly ran his fingers through her long,

possessed a unique charm. It was jet-black, fine, and velvety, cascading

her ebony hair sprawled like a dark contrast against the pristine, snow-white pillow, creating a striking visual

him with

shirt and hurried to the bathroom to wear the pink diamond necklace herself in front of the

it all the more because it was a gift

share a

a subject of his frequent attention during

complexion turned as red as a

mixed motives behind Edwin's actions, he generally treated her well. Her

was there, he took charge

food and stored it in the fridge, ensuring she

remained below 10@ pounds, a fact that always struck Edwin when

nibbled

on a cigarette. Despite the stack of documents awaiting his attention, his interest in them remained conspicuously

inadvertently fell upon

profound complexity. He bent his head to tap the

days remained until

had to end

More accurately, he planned to abruptly

manipulated her, kindling her feelings for him