[Bonus chapter]Temptation

As Melody strolled through her office, her mind was all over the place. She was trying to concentrate on her work, but her mind kept wandering back to Morgan's invitation. She couldn't help but think that it would be pretty cool to hang out with him outside of work, but she was also worried about what might happen if things didn't go well.

Her mind was racing, totally regretting how she acted about the trip to London. She was trying so hard to forget about the embarrassment that was eating her up inside. She was somewhat bummed that she couldn't keep her emotions in check and might've screwed up her job.

She scolded herself for reacting so blatantly to his invitation, knowing that it was unprofessional and could potentially cause problems in the workplace. She wished she could take back her words, but it was too late to do so now.

When she sat down at her desk and tried to focus on her work, she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about the prospect of spending more time with him outside of work. But as much as she wanted to explore these feelings, she knew that it was risky and could potentially put her job at stake.

She took a deep breath and tried to push the thoughts aside, reminding herself that her job was her priority and she couldn't afford to let her personal feelings get in the way.

Melody was staring blankly on her computer screen when she felt a presence behind her. She turned to see Preston Blodwyn, the youngest brother of Hector Blodwyn, standing there.

The man had a tall and lean build, with sharp, chiseled features and a well-groomed appearance, belying his age of about forty. He had piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through her, and a charming smile that could light up a room.

Despite his good looks, Melody couldn't help but feel a sense of unease around Preston. He had a reputation for being a womanizer and a troublemaker. His charming smile and confident demeanor made him popular among women, but she had seen through his facade.

She knew he wasn't committed to any relationship or even the idea of marriage, and that made her wary of him. He had a way of making people feel like they were the only person in the room, but she knew it was all a game to him.

She had seen him flirt with women in the office and make inappropriate comments, which made her uncomfortable. She had also heard whispers about his illicit affairs and how he had caused trouble for the company in the past due to his questionable business dealings. Despite all of this, she couldn't deny the allure of his good looks and charismatic personality.

Melody attempted to steer clear of him and act like she was concentrating on her tasks, as Preston approached her desk, flashing his signature charming smile. "Hey there, gorgeous. How's my favorite personal assistant doing today?" He leaned in a little too close for comfort.

She tried to hide her discomfort, plastering a polite smile on her face. "I'm doing well, thank you. How can I help you today, Mr. Blodwyn?" she replied mechanically, wishing he would leave her alone.

She knew that Preston was Hector Blodwyn's younger brother, and although he wasn't technically her boss, he often acted as if he had authority over her. She found it difficult to refuse his requests for help, even though she knew it could potentially cause problems with Morgan, her direct supervisor.

Melody often found herself caught in the middle of the Blodwyns' power struggles and office politics, trying her best to maintain a professional demeanor and avoid any drama. Despite the challenges, she remained dedicated to her work and focused on advancing her career, even if it meant navigating the tricky interpersonal relationships.

His smile only grew wider when he took a seat in front of her, and leaned even closer. "Oh, I'm sure you could help me with all sorts of things," he said, winking at her.

She took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. "I'm sorry, Mr. Blodwyn, but I'm not sure what you're referring to," she said, keeping her tone professional.

Preston leaned back, his eyes lingering on her a little too long for comfort. "Well, I could use your help with some research for a project I'm working on," he said, still flashing his wicked grin.

Melody let out a small sigh of relief, glad that his request was work-related. "Of course, I'd be happy to assist you with that, Mr. Blodwyn. Just let me know what you need," she replied, trying to sound as professional and detached as possible.

Preston leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "It's a new development project we're working on, and I need to gather some data and statistics to help with the planning," he explained, his voice smooth and persuasive.

Melody nodded, jotting down some notes on her notepad. "Sure, I can help with that. Do you have any specific requests or parameters for the research?"

Preston shook his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. "No, I trust your judgment. Just make sure it's thorough and accurate," he replied, his smile widening.

She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at his casual attitude towards the project, but she knew it was her job to assist him to the best of her abilities. "Alright, I'll get right on it," she said, standing up from her chair.

His eyes followed her as she stood up and made her way to the filing cabinet, his smile lingering on his lips. "I knew I could count on you, Mel," he said, his voice laced with seduction.

When she returned to her desk with the folder from the filing cabinet, she remarked, "I will gather the data and statistics related to the demand for high-end living spaces in the area, the target demographic, the availability of financing, and the competitive landscape. I can also conduct market research and analyze the data to help me make informed decisions and develop a successful project plan."

The project was "Horizon Heights" - a new and exciting project that has been in the works for quite some time. It's set to be an upscale residential complex that caters to individuals and families who seek luxurious living spaces. The complex will offer a range of amenities to its residents, including a fitness center, a swimming pool, a spa, and a rooftop garden.

Preston leaned back in his chair, a pleased expression on his face. "I'm glad you're on board with this, Melody. I have a good feeling about this project, and I think it has the potential to be a real game-changer for our company," he said.

Melody nodded, trying to hide her skepticism. "I'll do my best to gather all the necessary data and statistics to make this a success," she replied, hoping that her research would prove his optimism right.

Preston smiled. "I have no doubt about that. And who knows, if everything goes well, maybe you'll even get a chance to live in one of the units at Horizon Heights," he said, his tone playful.

Melody forced a smile, but the thought of living in a building developed by the wicked man made her feel uneasy. "That's very generous, Mr. Blodwyn, but I don't think that will be necessary," she replied diplomatically.

His smile faded slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Of course, just a thought. Suit yourself," he said casually, leaning back in his chair. "But just know that you're missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime."

Melody gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She knew better than to let his words get to her, but it was difficult when she couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that he always seemed to evoke in her.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, keeping her tone polite but distant. "Is there anything else you need from me today, Mr. Blodwyn?"

Preston shrugged nonchalantly. "Not at the moment, but I'll keep you in mind if anything comes up," he replied, his eyes lingering on her a moment too long before he finally stood up.

Melody felt a shiver run down her spine as she watched Preston get up from the chair. She couldn't help but feel relieved that their conversation was over, but at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was up to something. As he walked towards the door, she couldn't help but notice the way he looked at her, as if he was sizing her up.

Just as she thought the encounter was over, he turned back to her, a sly grin on his lips. "Hey, Mel, I was thinking...how about we grab drinks after work sometime? You know, to celebrate the progress on the project," he said, his tone casual but his eyes burning with something else.

Melody felt her heart race at the invitation, but not in a good way. She knew that going out with him would be a mistake, but she also didn't want to offend him or jeopardize her job. "Um, I don't know, Mr. Blodwyn. I don't think that would be appropriate," she replied, her voice hesitant.

His smile wavered momentarily, but he recovered swiftly. "No problem, I understand. Maybe another time," he said before turning to leave the room.

Melody breathed a small sigh of relief as she watched him leave, but the unease in her stomach remained. She knew that Preston Blodwyn was a trouble, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he had ulterior motives.

As she turned back to her work, she noticed a file inside the "Horizon Heights" folder on her desk that she didn't recognize. It was labeled "Confidential" and had no indication of where it came from.

Her curiosity was piqued, she couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as she opened it. The contents inside only deepened her unease, and she couldn't help but wonder if Preston had something to do with it.