Under the heiress facade

Nicholas scooted into the last row and glowered at the two pairs of passengers in front of him. He then glanced at his seatmate.

He wouldn't have minded as much if the person next to him was a beautiful woman. Unfortunately, he was saddled with Wayne, a bumpkin who was taking in every part of the luxurious car in wonder. This was nothing like the romantic holiday he had in mind!

"Is this your idea of repaying my favor?" Nicholas groused as he leaned forward and propped his chin on the back of Hera's seat, looking dejected.

"You asked me out on a week-long trip, and here I am. Why are you complaining?" Hera countered.

"I'm happy you agreed to go out with me for a week, but what about the rest of them?" Nicholas asked pointedly, casting a meaningful look at Bernard and Shaun.

"You didn't say I couldn't bring friends," Hera said.

Nicholas fell silent. He wanted to swear.

How more obvious could he have been? Had the elaborate planning not been enough to demonstrate his intentions to Hera? Did he have to spell them out for her?

"You got a problem?" Bernard asked from up front as he cut Nicholas a sharp look.

caught the icy gleam in Bernard's eyes. But Nicholas had never been one

putting yourself in my shoes and see if

out coldly. He would never have agreed to let the pissant into the car if Hera hadn't said he could come along on the trip. Bernard was no fool, and he had seen through Nicholas'

It seemed the punk needed someone to teach him a lesson about boundaries, and Bernard was

Nicholas seethed as he

the front and attempted peacemaking. "Now, now, the more the

two of the four influential families. You could brag about it

kney Shaun

together a few times. Shaun's moods were unpredictable, and

never hung out with him before

was not the easiest person to get along with, and his former

stand to be the bigger

soldier grunt from the special forces, so he

against someone as exponet?

in