“Justin? What are you doing here?” Alessia poked her head out of the room at the sound of voices, pausing in surprise when she saw him standing there.

“I heard from Cole, so I thought I’d swing by and check in.”

Alessia nodded, waved the workers inside, and quickly explained the situation before stepping back out. She found Brendan trailing after Justin, surveying the house like a pair of detectives.

“Is your old habit acting up again?” Alessia didn’t bother with pleasantries; she slapped Justin on the back, the sharp smack making Brendan jump. When she saw

Justin wasn’t fazed, she relaxed.

“Dad, let me introduce you. This is my friend, Justin. He’s in construction.”

Her introduction was casual, as if Justin was just an everyday acquaintance. Justin seemed used to it, greeting Brendan politely with a “Good afternoon, sir.”

“In construction? Lessie, Mr. Keane isn’t just ‘in construction.‘ He’s the–well, he’s famous. They call him a genius architect…” Brendan stuttered, glancing at Justin.

“You’ve heard of me, sir? Please, just call me Justin. Lessie and I go way back–no need for formalities.” Justin’s easy warmth left Brendan a little flustered; after all, he’d once witnessed Justin tear into a nouveau riche client without mercy.

Morton Group was negotiating a packaging design deal with the Keane Group. As luck would have it, Justin was the son of the company’s

and sole heir.

the way Justin’s voice carried right through two closed doors into the meeting room. Yet the man standing

a mistake. He and Karen hovered by the door, listening anxiously to

you? Maybe you should go

arguing about the layout…” Brendan frowned, just about to step in when the

startled to

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Chapter 18

talk it out. Don’t start a fight,”

so loud, he forgets how loud he’s talking.” Alessia wasn’t about to tell her mother

“Really?”

Alessia threw the door wide, revealing a perfectly calm scene: Justin deep

start prepping the food. Carey and the others

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