Ronald tucked her in gently, watching over Kari as she drifted into a peaceful slumber before he could bring himself to leave her side.


    ...


    After giving Kari a few days off, Brittany took over the negotiations. The clients were thoroughly impressed with Bri-jeweled Studio and eagerly signed the deal.


    Once everything was wrapped up, Brittany called Kari to fill her in on the details.


    "So, I heard you and Ronald decided to take a little getaway?" Brittany inquired, a hint of curiosity in her voice.


    There was a brief pause before Kari replied, "Brittany, Ronald and I... we''re together now."


    Brittany had had her suspicions: "Daniel mentioned something about Ronald being quite fond of you. Kari, all I want is for you to be happy."


    If it weren''t for that fateful incident with the Jarvis family, Nathan would''ve married Kari a long time ago. But now that she was with Ronald, Brittany couldn''t be more supportive.


    ncing at Ronald, who was busy checking their itinerary, Kari felt a wave of affection wash over her. "Brittany, I think I''m really into him."


    This wasn''t her first rodeo with love; she had once loved Nathan deeply. But with Ronald, it felt like a brand new flutter in her heart. "Congrattions, Kari," Brittany said, her happiness for her friend genuine.


    After Ronald finished with their schedule, he moved closer to Kari, his breath tickling her ear as he whispered, "All set with the ns."


    He was intentionally invading her personal space, causing Kari to shiver.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    She shot him a yful re, which only encouraged him to wrap his arms around her waist and gently nibble on her neck. "Just thought we could use a little escape."


    On the other end of the line, Brittany was left speechless. Was Ronald being yfully affectionate?


    Kari''s heart melted, but she remembered Brittany was still on the line. Clearing her throat, she hung up and turned to Ronald with a mix of admonishment and affection. "I was still talking to Brittany, you know..."


    Ronald looked at her with an innocent expression. "Oh, was I not supposed to mention that we''re together?"


    "I thought you liked me, that''s why you''re with me," he added, releasing her but his eyes filled with a feigned sadness.


    To Kari, Ronald seemed to be ying both sides. Despite his earlier facade of nobility, his current yful banter was precisely what she found irresistible.


    "Let''s get going," she sighed, not wanting to make Brittany feel awkward with their disy of affection.


    "You know, ever since Mr. Salter passed, Brittany hasn''t been involved with anyone new," she exined to Ronald, concerned about possibly upsetting her friend.


    Ronald''s expression turned curious. "Isn''t Isaac still around?"


    Caught off guard by hisment, Kari asked, "What?"


    Ronald shook his head. "Never mind, let''s head out."


    The mystery surrounding Isaac''s status remained a secret, one that Ronald decided was best kept from Kari for the time being.


    While Kari and Ronald enjoyed themselves thoroughly, Brittany found herself in an unexpected predicament.


    Aiming for a few days of rest after finalizing the contract, she was instead summoned by Knox to his study. He presented her with a pile of documents. "This is your romantic interest?"


    Seeing the photos, Brittany''s face paled. "Grandfather, how did you-"


    Had the old man been keeping tabs on her?


    "I received these just this morning," Knox exined, tapping his cane. "Your father and I agreed not to meddle in your love life, but this Caspian is a mystery. He''s lifted the Ulbricht family from the ashes in no time. How can I entrust you to him?" The photos, candid shots taken from their few secretive meetings, revealed that someone had been tracking their movements closely.