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.

charm, looks, and knowledge about her, it wasn't

put

meandered to the recent conversation with his father. There was an impending meeting with the Smith heiress on Saturday. Potentially, an alliance could be formed with

lover post-marriage. Laura, as endearing as she was, wasn't part of his long-term plans.

vulnerable and heartbroken, unsettled

was delicate, the type to weep at the

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

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

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

home, he switched on the lights and moved towards the

casually in his shirt and shorts, she was oblivious to his presence, Drawing

hand jerked, marring her design. Her voice a blend of frustration and surprise, she muttered, “This is your doing.” Acknowledging the blame with a soft, “It is,” Edwin wrapped

together, Edwin's hand brushed against Laura's trim

you? Why would

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

certainly showed Laura a lot of patience

her onto the couch, draping

your jacket?”

searching for a

smooth talker, he managed to shift the topic

to the kitchen, Edwin began

return to her sketches and sensing his

his culinary magic, Laura found herself drawn to his

and on a rare whim, let

you eat?”

His response came tersely.

“I did”

silence stretched between them until she ventured, “You mentioned you'd be back early.” Turning off the stove, Edwin turned and locked eyes with

lighting, his features were undeniably attractive, but she sensed a depth

there was so much she didn’t

voice, deep and probing,

yourself starve? Would you continue Like that indefinitely?” Laura felt blindsided

was new

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

woolen blanket was

an oversized black shirt;

embraced her with a passionate kiss, their

Their intimacy deepened.

passionate encounter concluded, Laura found herself in the

It was quite dim.

a fear of the dark, especially in confined spaces, which

from her childhood. She couldn't forget how her sitter locked her in the

return, she

and damp confinement

her, Laura was

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

urge to shower, yet the twenty-six-year-old man was brimming with energy. She made

all she could see

was out

brushed her fingers against his handsome face and, in a low, husky

himself in

his true name, Edwin Evans. However, he refrained,

the room was

felt revitalized. Retrieving his trousers from the foot of

in the blanket, perching on

bore the faint blush of post-lovemaking contentment

heart

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

a different mood, he finally presented it to her.

at him before lowering her head, her

box was a delicate pink diamond

itself measured two carats, with the surrounding smaller diamonds artfully arranged to

exuded a distinctly feminine

she was a person content with even the smallest kindness shown

gazed at her, his voice growing even

though he found himself inexplicably irked. He reached for a pack of cigarettes on the bedside table, extracted one, and lit it. As he carefully

a long drag, exhaling a

after, he extinguished the

gazed at her with

hungry?” Unable to

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

her ebony hair sprawled like a dark contrast against

at him with a

bathroom to wear the pink diamond necklace

all the more because it was a

her to share a

lay flat, a subject of his frequent attention during their

as red as a ripe

join Edwin for dinner. Despite the mixed motives behind Edwin's actions, he

there, he took charge of

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

10@ pounds, a fact that always struck Edwin

nibbled at her meal

Edwin stood by the French window, silently puffing on a cigarette. Despite the

gaze inadvertently fell upon

eyes held a profound complexity. He bent his head to tap the cigarette's ashes, a growing sense of unease weighing on

remained until

time frame, he had to end things

a breakup. More accurately, he planned to

He had manipulated her, kindling her feelings