Under the heiress facade

Nicholas recognized Samantha too, and he could tell she was Hera's best friend from their interactions. He said, "Hera and I plan to go on a week-long road trip down the Pinecoast Route. We're leaving tomorrow. If you have the time, you're welcome to join us."

As much as he wanted to go on a road trip alone with Hera, he knew the way to a woman's heart was to win over her best friend.

Samantha looked at Nicholas incredulously. "Just the two of you?"

Leaving aside the fact that Hera was seeing someone, Nicholas sported a mop of auburn curls and a myriad of piercings. Samantha doubted the alternative, lip stud-wearing man before her was Hera's type at all.

Knowing Hera, Nicholas did not stand a chance at all. He was lucky Hera hadn't ripped his heart out and stomped on it yet.

"That's right," Nicholas confirmed. He then introduced himself, "I'm Nicholas Sanderson."

"Well, Mr. Sanderson, I would hate to turn down your enthusiasm. Count me in for the road trip!" Samantha beamed. She paused for a second before she mused, "I'm guessing you don't know Hera is seeing someone. You're rather bold for pursuing her with such gusto."

she doesn't have a ring on that finger. Besides, if I had beaten Bernard to Hera, he wouldn't have stood a chance. The first person to marry her wins,"

his baseless confidence. "If you don't mind

frankly, "I'm 23. I'm younger than Bernard." He emphasized

pity. You're destined

Hera first if he was born two years later than

did not understand what Samantha meant by that and

...

reading onto Bernard's desk. There was a thud as he demanded, "Why the hell did you interfere that day?" Bernard glanced at

learned about the incident on the day itself. However, the conference was too important for him to

the country today, he immediately rushed to Shuttle Ventures to confront

and crossed his legs. He cast Chad a lazy, assessing look and drawled, "You wanted me to marry Dr.

had been impersonating Dr. Shadow. "I told you to