Billionaire Is Allergic To All Women But Fell For Runaway Bride Hiding In His Bathroom

Let go. Vernon’s hand fell away. Zach looked at Novi. Really? Looked at her at the fear in her eyes, the red marks forming on her wrist.

You paid the debt. Vernon sputtered. She comes home with no. Zach’s voice was final.

I paid $4 million. That bought me the right to make decisions here. She’s not going anywhere with you.

He turned to Novi. Get your things. You’re coming with me. He turned and walked away.

Vinovi stood frozen for a heartbeat. Then she gathered her ruined dress and followed him away from Vernon into the unknown.

Zenith Estate. That evening, the mansion was obscene. Novi stood in the grand foyer, neck craned to take in the soaring ceilings, the crystal chandeliers, the artwork that definitely belonged in museums.

Marble floors reflected her bedraggled image back at her. She was still in the ruined dress.

She had nothing else with smeared makeup and collapsed hair. She looked like a disaster.

She felt like one, too. “Welcome to your new home,” Zach said flatly. “Or workplace, however you prefer.

Before Novi could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air. “So, you’re the runaway bride, a woman emerged from a doorway, middle-aged, maybe 50, and with silver streaked hair in a severe bun and eyes that could curdle milk.

Her apron was spotless, her posture military perfect, her expression radiating judgment.” “This is Mave,” Zach said.

“The chef, the only female staff member here.” Mave looked Novi up and down like she was inspecting spoiled meat.

H she said just h but she loaded so much disdain into that syllable it felt like a full paragraph of insults.

Mave Novi will be staying here working. Make sure she has appropriate quarters, clothes, and everything she needs to settle in.

Mave’s eyes narrowed. And what exactly will her duties be? Whatever needs doing. Zach was already moving toward the staircase.

I’ll leave the specifics to you. Wait, Novi called. Where do I sleep? What are my responsibilities?

Zach stopped but didn’t turn. Stay out of my way, he said. Do your work.

Don’t bother me unless the house is on fire. How will I know what counts as an emergency?

If you have to ask, it isn’t one. And then he was gone. Mave’s smile was razor thin.

Follow me. I’ll show you to your quarters. The way she said it made it sound like a dungeon.

That night at 2:00 a.m., Novi couldn’t sleep. Her room was beautiful, three times the size of her old one, with a comfortable bed and a window overlooking manicured gardens, but her mind wouldn’t stop racing.

At 2:00 a.m., she gave up and slipped out. The mansion was silent, watchful, full of secrets.

Novi found herself wandering, drawn by an impulse she couldn’t name. She discovered a balcony.

The doors were open, letting in cool night air, and standing at the railing, staring at the moon, was Zach.

He wore a green sweater and dark pants. His dreads were loose, falling past his shoulders.

He stood perfectly still, like a statue, waiting for something. You don’t sleep either. The words left her mouth before she could stop them.

Zach turned his head slightly. I told you to stay out of my way. I know.

I couldn’t sleep and I was wandering and she started backing away. I’ll go. Wait.

The words stopped her cold. He turned fully. In the moonlight, the shadows under his eyes looked even deeper.

You said either, he said, as if you expected me to have trouble sleeping. The circles under your eyes, they’re pretty severe.