Chapter 278

The way Valerie twirled her pen was hypnotic. It was the kind of effortless motion that drew every pair of eyes in the room without her even trying. Up close, she was like a living work of art—her posture, her face, and even the quiet sharpness of her expression all carried a kind of refined allure that was impossible to ignore. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Sorry, that line actually makes me physically uncomfortable. If you're trying to pick someone up, try inside." With that, she turned and walked straight into the bar without looking back. The man wasn't the least bit upset by Valerie's rejection. Instead, the smile on his lips deepened. "Find out who she is," he told his assistant. "I want everything about her on my desk by tomorrow." Inside Absolute Zero, Everett and Lucinda were chatting lazily when Valerie returned. Lucinda slid a cocktail toward her. "Your favorite—the Alexandra." The name sounded masculine, but the drink was anything but. A smooth blend of br