Your Love Is But a Dream (Clara and Wren)

The moment Carlisle touched her, Katrina flinched as if she had been burned. She couldn't stop the shiver that ran through her. It took everything she had to suppress the disgust and fear rising within her, just so she wouldn't shake Carlisle's hand off.

Her entire body stiffened. She kept her gaze lowered, refusing to meet Carlisle's eyes.

Carlisle narrowed his eyes and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Katrina, I'll be waiting for an answer that satisfies me," he said with a smile. However, his gaze was filled with dominance, and his expression left no room for negotiation. Then, he released her and walked toward the walk-in closet.

Katrina watched as he walked into the closet, but she didn't relax in the slightest. She remained curled up in the corner with a guarded expression and eyes fixed on the closet door.

Carlisle walked out after changing. The moment Katrina looked up, she met his gaze.

Her entire body tensed immediately.

Noticing her reaction, Carlisle smirked slightly and walked toward her, stopping right in front of her.

They were so close that Katrina could smell the scent of body wash lingering on him. She grew nervous at once, and her palms were slick with cold sweat.

Carlisle studied her with interest for a few seconds before reaching out and placing his hand around her neck. Then, ignoring her resistance, he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

His voice was unusually gentle, laced with rare affection. "Get some rest. I'll come by in the morning to have breakfast with you," he said softly.

If this had happened in the past, Katrina might have felt moved or even happy by Carlisle's tenderness. But now, their feelings had faded over the years. After seeing Carlisle's true colors tonight, all she felt was fear and disgust. noveldrama

She didn't even want to imagine what might happen if she really pushed him too far. All she could do was nod. She had no choice but to keep Carlisle calm for now and deal with everything else later.

As Carlisle saw her behave obediently, his mood instantly improved, and a faint smile returned to his face.

He reached out to gently stroke her long hair and said with a chuckle, "Rest up. As for your company, I'll send someone over to take charge in the morning. Don't worry. Your phone will stay with me for now. If anything comes up, you can have James contact me."

Katrina hadn't expected him to return her phone, but when she heard that he planned to temporarily take over Hayworth Corporation, her expression changed at once.

"That won't be necessary," she said firmly. "I've already told Teressa that if I'm not at the office, Mr. Morich Richman will handle everything in my place. Hayworth Corporation isn't a subsidiary of Zachman Group, and you have no right to interfere."

She didn't even care whether Carlisle would get angry-she rejected the idea outright.

Carlisle had clearly intended to use Hayworth Corporation as leverage. There was no way she would let him place it under his control.

However, Carlisle didn't get angry. Instead, he gave her a long, meaningful look. Then, he reached out to adjust the blanket around her and straightened up.

"Get some rest. I'm leaving," he said calmly.

With that, he turned and walked away.

Katrina was momentarily stunned. Seeing him nearly reach the door, she quickly scrambled out of bed and followed. "Carlisle, did you hear what I said? Hayworth Corporation doesn't need your involvement—"

Just then, Carlisle had already opened the door, and James was waiting right outside.