Chapter 2
Victoria stared at William for a solid three seconds.
William stood there like a statue, his eyes behind the sunglasses completely emotionless, his voice icy cold. "Miss Storm, I'm William Frost. I'm here to apply for the job as your personal bodyguard."
But Victoria could hear him shouting inwardly, [Oh crap, she's actually looking at me. Does she think I'm too hot? Or maybe my suit isn't fitted enough?
[If I'd known, I wouldn't have hit the gym for chest day last night. What if I end up scaring Miss Storm?
[Miss Storm looks so tiny. If I accidentally hit her, she'd probably cry for hours. No way, how could I ever hurt her? I should be her shield, her loyal protector.]
Victoria's mouth twitched.
She wasn't tiny at all. She was 5'8", and with her 4-inch heels, she could dominate any room she walked into.
And she would never cry for hours.
"What about your combat skills?" Victoria said coolly, her arms crossed.
"I'm the army's combat champion and fluent in eight languages," William replied, straight to the point. "I can shield you from bullets, and I can also fix a toilet."
He thought, [Actually, I can knit sweaters too, but no way am I letting that slip. It will totally kill my tough guy vibe. If Miss Storm knew I could make her a scarf, would she think I'm way too soft?]
Victoria took a deep breath, struggling to keep up her ruthless billionaire persona.
"Alright, you're hired. 300 thousand dollars a month, plus bonuses. Only one rule: talk less, do more," she said.
"Yes, Miss Storm," William replied, slightly lowering his head.
He thought, [Damn, 300 thousand dollars a month? I'm rolling in cash. I could buy Miss Storm a whole closet full of beautiful dresses.
[But when Miss Storm rocks a red dress, she's way too hot. Honestly, I want to rip out the eyes of every guy who dares stare at her.]
Victoria spun around and walked off, worried she'd crack up if she listened any longer.
They left the club one after the other. Victoria slipped straight into her freshly bought silver supercar, while William instinctively took the wheel.
"Take me to the Grand Regency Hotel. We've got a party to attend," Victoria said.
"Got it," William replied.
The engine purred to life, and William drove with the calm confidence of someone who'd done this a thousand times.
Victoria leaned back, closed her eyes, and let herself relax.
William thought, [Is Miss Storm tired? Maybe buying that store earlier really wore her out. Spending that much money all at once is truly exhausting.
[I kind of want to massage her shoulders, but my hands are so big and rough. What if I accidentally hurt her?
[Her skin looks so smooth and soft. Wait, William, snap out of it. You're her bodyguard, man. You can't have those kinds of dangerous thoughts about your boss.]
Victoria opened her eyes and glanced at William in the rearview mirror. His face was so serious that it looked like he was heading to a funeral.
She thought it was a pity he didn't become an actor.
When they pulled up to the Grand Regency Hotel, Victoria had barely stepped out of the car when she spotted a familiar face.
It was her arch-nemesis, Madeline Lane, the heiress of the Lane family.
Madeline, arm-in-arm with a portly man, strutted over with a smug grin plastered on her face.
"Well, if it isn't Victoria. I heard you struck it rich and now you're throwing cash around like there's no tomorrow," she said. "Typical new money. No taste, no class at all."
Victoria sneered, not even bothering to spare her a glance.
"Madeline, isn't the dress you're wearing last year's out-of-season piece? What, is the Lane family so broke now you have to wear trash like that?" she shot back.
"How dare you?" Madeline's face went pale with rage. "Victoria, don't get too cocky. This is Mr. Robert King, and that project he's got? You'll never get anywhere near it in your whole life."
Victoria turned to William. "William, how do you deal with this kind of noise?"
William stepped forward, his massive frame casting a shadow that swallowed up Madeline and Robert.
"Miss Storm, according to the Environmental Protection Act, the best way to handle this kind of noise is to physically block it out," William replied.
He thought, [Just give the word, Miss Storm, and I'll dump these two straight into the trash can right here. I've already figured out the sorting. They're definitely non-recyclable garbage.]
Victoria let out a bold laugh, full of swagger.
"Robert King, huh? And you've got a real estate project?" she said. "William, text my secretary. I want that acquisition contract in my hands in five minutes."
"Got it," William replied.
Madeline and Robert exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing.
"Seriously? Victoria, who do you think you are? That project's worth hundreds of millions," Madeline sneered.
Five minutes later, Robert's phone rang.
He answered the phone. His expression shifted from confusion to shock, then to fear. In the end, he collapsed to the ground.
"Miss Storm, I'm so sorry," he said. "I didn't realize it was you. Please, have mercy."
Victoria didn't spare him a glance as she strode straight into the hotel.
William thought, [That turn Miss Storm just pulled off was so cool. From now on, I'm officially her most devoted minion.
[I'll rip anyone who dares block Miss Storm's path to shreds.]
Victoria was at a loss for words. She thought William was completely out of character.