Chapter 303

In the pitch-black elevator, Stella Johnson could feel Charles Hart’s chest rising and falling, his heartbeat getting faster and louder by the second. Charles dipped his head, brushing his nose gently over her forehead, taking in how she had finally relaxed against him. Sure, there was a mountain of issues still hanging between them, but for now? She wasn’t pushing him away. That was more than enough. Just then, a faint creaking came from above—the elevator’s ceiling panel was being pried open. A sliver of white light slipped through, landing right on the two of them, tangled up in the narrow space. Charles lifted his gaze sharply. Stella ducked further into his embrace, her face burning from the sudden exposure. “Well, well. Didn’t mean to spoil your moment.” Michael Anderson’s calm, smiling voice came from above the open panel, but to Stella, it was like cold metal scraping against her eardrums. She jerked her head up, spotting Michael casually leaning against the edge, golden-rimmed