?


    Mason nodded. "Okay."


    "Good. When you receive a gift, you should feel happy, not worried. Now, go wash up for dinner," N encouraged with a smile.


    "Okay!" Mason chirped.


    After dinner, Damon retreated to his study to work, only returning to the bedroomte at night.


    Seeing that N was still awake, he frowned. "Didn''t I tell you not to wait up for me? Staying upte isn''t good for you."


    "I wasn''t waiting for you tonight. I just couldn''t sleep," N admitted.


    "Why? Did something happen?" Damon asked.


    She considered telling him about Mason but decided against it.


    Shaking her head, she replied, "It''s nothing, really."


    Damon had been working hardtely, and she didn''t want to distract him with other concerns.


    Damon studied her, his expression knowing. "N, your face gives you away. If you don''t talk about it, you''re not going to fall asleep tonight, are you?"


    He smiled, despite his exhaustion. He made time for N because, while work was important, so were she and Mason. He didn''t want his responsibilities to make them feel neglected. That wouldn''t be fair to them.


    After a brief hesitation, N finally spoke. "We''ve both been so busytely that Buddy feels a bit left out."


    Damon pressed his lips into a thin line. "I''ve noticed that too. I''ve been neglecting not just Buddy, but you as well. I''ve decided to set aside a day this weekend for the three of us to spend together."


    N felt a pang of guilt. "That''s thoughtful, but taking a full day off will wear you out. I was thinking that, on evenings when you don''t have meetings, you could bring your work home and spend a little time ying with Buddy instead."


    "I''ll consider that, but I still want to make time for the two of you. Work will always be there, but my time with you is just as important," Damon said. Meeting his serious gaze, N felt a warmth spread through her.


    "Just don''t push yourself too hard. Work is important, but there will always be time for uster," N reassured him.


    Damon nodded. "Don''t worry. I know my limits."


    "Go take a shower. It''ste," she urged with a smile.


    "Okay," Damon replied.


    As Damon went to shower, N was about to go to bed when her phone suddenly rang.


    It was Ruby.


    "N, do you know any goodw firms in Saintornia?"


    The question made N realize


    exactly what Ruby was nning. Her tone cooled slightly. "Ruby, hiring awyer for Sullivan is something his family should handle. You really don''t need to-"


    Before she could finish, Ruby interrupted her, "Both Sullivan and I don''t have family to rely on. I know you think I''m overstepping, but if I don''t help him, no one will."


    N frowned. "Do you even know what you''re getting into?"


    She could understand Ruby''s gratitude for Sullivan saving her twice, but taking on his problems to this extent? Was Ruby nning to handle everything for him-hiring awyer and dealing with the fallout?


    Moreover, N didn''t think Sullivan had saved Ruby without some ulterior motive.


    After a long silence, Ruby''s voice came through the line, low and raspy. "I know exactly what I''m doing."


    "Fine," N said coolly. "But I won''t


    get involved or rmend a


    et


    lawyer. Don''t forget-Sullivan embezzled funds from Prospectus Technology. And Prospectus Technology''s CEO, Damon, is my boyfriend."