Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Kailee had the ultimate pass at this place a shiny platinum membership card. It was her golden ticket to treat her friends to fancy dinners, with the bill quietly settled against her account every time.

"Is it that Kenzo you've been talking so much about?" one of her friends asked, curiosity piqued.

"I've heard he's a real looker. When will we get to meet him?" another chimed in, teasing gently.

Clara flushed a little, playing it cool. "Yep, that's Lewis Kenzo. He finally agreed to join the research institute. They've been after him forever, but he kept turning them down. Then this big-name academic personally reached out, and he changed his mind. He even had to break his contract with his current hospital. I called him last night, and guess what? He got a million-dollar severance because the hospital was the one to breach the contract."

"Why would any hospital let someone as talented as him go?" someone wondered aloud.

"I did some digging," Clara said, leaning in, "turns out it was all over a patient-someone with money and connections. But it seems to have worked out for Kenzo."

"A female patient, right? Maybe his girlfriend, pulling strings for him?" someone suggested slyly.

"No, Kenzo said it was just some woman he didn't know. Apparently, she's got quite the attitude," Clara replied with a hint of mystery.

Unbeknownst to them, that very woman was sitting right there, taking it all in.

Kailee was savoring the chef's special, cooked just the way she liked it. But the mention of this unknown woman set her off.

Unable to hold back, she jumped into the conversation. "Clara, don't be fooled by some guy's charm. Just because he's smart doesn't mean he's not sneaking kisses behind your back."

Clara's face dropped, her eyes narrowing. "What are you implying? Kenzo's never had a girlfriend. How could he be sneaking around?"

"Never had a girlfriend? Please, I know him too," Kailee retorted. "He split with his last girl and then talked smack about her to his friends. If that's your kind of guy, more power to you. He could come crawling, and I'd still pass." The room went quiet.

Clara glanced over Kailee's shoulder, eyes wide, and quickly got to her feet. "Kenzo, what brings you here today?"

Lewis was there, casually holding

his jacket, fresh from some event but he didn't pay Kailee any mind. "Just enjoying a couple of days off before heading to the institute."

Hearing his voice, Kailee shrank back momentarily but then thought, why should she be intimidated? She was just stating the truth, after all.

she lifted her head high again.

So,

Clara quickly introduced him to the group. "Everyone, meet Lewis Kenzo, soon to be my colleague at the institute." Lewis, dressed in casual attire instead of his usual lab coat, glanced at Kailee, his features striking under the dim light. "And you are?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Clara smirked, "Just a high school classmate. But don't bother, Kenzo. She's not in your league. Didn't even finish college." Education was Clara's badge of honor, and she relished this chance to diminish Kailee while boosting herself.

Kailee let out a derisive laugh,

covering her mouth in mock

surprise, "Oh, so this is your Kenzo?

Looks just like my ex. I thought it was a coincidence they shared the same name."

en FindNovel

Clara's expression hardened, disbelief etched across her face. "Kailee, what nonsense are you spewing?"

Kailee stood up, grabbing her card to settle the bill, and sighed. "Lewis, long time no see. Didn't expect you'd have fans now. Congrats on that."

Her words were a direct jab, but Lewis just chuckled. "What, are you jealous I have admirers now?"