Bellamy wasn't in the mood to beat around the bush with her, so she cut right to the chase.

"I know Miss Grant is a strong candidate for the Branwell family's daughter-in-law, and you obviously have a thing for Fraser. And yeah-I'm his woman. Not his official girlfriend though. Just... something like a fling or hookup. So if you're looking to win him over, don't waste your time treating me like some rival to take down. The quickest way is to go straight to him."

She finished in one breath, casually flicked her fingers in the direction of the main hall with a confident air.

Right then, the balcony door slid open again.

Fraser nodded politely but distantly at Lydia.

Then he draped his blazer over Bellamy's shoulders, tucking it around her as he gently scolded her,

"Didn't I tell you to wait for me in the room upstairs? What are you doing out here in the cold? You trying to get sick?"

Bellamy stuck her tongue out and pointed toward Lydia behind him, clearly trying to shift the blame.

"Pretty sure I'm not the only one who's asking for trouble. Your college junior's out here too!"

Fraser shot her a helpless look, pulled her into his arms, and turned to Lydia, who was still wearing her ever-graceful smile. "I had someone arrange a car for you outside. It's ready to take you home."

Lydia's lips had gone pale in the night breeze, but her smile stayed sweet, eyes carrying a soft glint. "Alright, thank you, Fraser. Oh, and since it's been a while and the vibe tonight isn't great for catching up, why don't we pick another time to meet and really talk?"

No sooner had she said that than Bellamy rubbed her arms dramatically, giving a theatrical shiver.

"What's wrong? Cold?" Fraser's expression changed slightly as he pulled her tighter into his arms, completely ignoring everything Lydia had just proposed.

Bellamy, still chuckling as she patted her chest, said, "I'm fine! Just got a little nauseated hearing all those 'Fraser this' and 'Fraser that' from Miss Grant. It was so sugary I almost passed out."

Lydia's smile faltered instantly; no amount of poise could save her expression now.

Fraser, though, gave the faintest grin like he was amused, trying hard not to laugh.

He knew Bellamy was up to her usual mischief again... and once again, he had to play clean-up crew.

Being the well-mannered gentleman was second nature to him. He turned to Lydia looking a bit apologetic. "Miss Grant, sorry about that. Bellamy's a bit childish sometimes, doesn't really mean any harm. Plus, she had a couple extra drinks tonight-probably a little tipsy. Don't take what she says too seriously."

Lydia lowered her eyes, sneering inwardly.

If he'd seen how Bellamy coolly outbid everyone at the western city project just last week, he wouldn't be calling her childish.

If he'd watched her drink a table full of sweaty businessmen under the table the week before that, he wouldn't be buying that 'a few drinks' nonsense.

Do you even realize how ruthless that woman really is, Fraser?

Suddenly, Lydia looked up and flashed a warm smile. "It's fine, Fraser. I know a little about Bellamy's past... It's normal for her to act like a kid sometimes. I understand, and I won't take it personally."

The moment those seemingly innocent words slipped out, Bellamy's head snapped up. Her bright almond eyes sharpened instantly, like she was just about to unleash hell.

Seeing that, Lydia instinctively took a small step back, looking flustered and putting on a pitiful expression.

She quivered slightly and said in a soft voice, "Bellamy, why are you staring at me like that? It's kind of scary. Did I say something wrong? If I did, I'm really sorry... Please don't be mad."

She looked innocent on the outside, but inside, she was grinning with satisfaction.

Lydia deliberately touched the nerve she knew Bellamy hated most-her background. And she did it where it would hurt the most: right in front of Fraser.

She was trying to remind Fraser that Bellamy didn't come from a respectable place, hoping he'd see how hot-headed and uncultured Bellamy really was.

She wanted to highlight just how elegant and polished she herself was-by comparison.

But before Bellamy could even react, Fraser gave a faint, casual smile.

"Best be careful with what you say to her. Bellamy's not like you, some polished lady from a big family. She gets mad, she hits."

Dressed in a sleek black suit, Fraser looked like he'd melted into the night.

He was smiling, yeah, but his whole vibe was colder than the dark around him.

A chill crept up Lydia's spine out of nowhere.

Did she not manage to provoke Bellamy... but instead end up ticking off Fraser?

And that word "lady" in his sentence sounded more like shade than praise.

Lydia realized she'd messed up big time. She didn't dare stick around, afraid she'd say something worse.

Her manicured nails dug into her palm as she forced a smile, said goodbye, and left quickly.

*****

On the way back, Bellamy clung to Fraser's waist and wouldn't let go, no matter what he said.

He gave up trying to peel her off. When they got out of the car, he just picked her up and carried her inside, gritting between his teeth as he nipped at her earlobe,

"Seriously? Are you actually drunk or just putting on a show now?"

Bellamy looked up at him with a dazed grin, her gaze all soft and hazy-like she really was hammered.

"You said I'm not like Lydia, right? So what does that make me?"

That clueless look of hers was ridiculously cute, and Fraser couldn't help but grin back.

"You're my little witch," he said, eyes twinkling.

My irresistible little witch.

"I like that answer." Bellamy narrowed her eyes like a sly fox, burying her face against his neck, giggling.

Then, without warning, she bit him. Hard. But right after, she gently licked where she'd bitten, like she was sorry.

She moved slow, painfully slow, and Fraser shivered at the sensation, like his whole back had caught fire.

Bellamy giggled, eyes barely slitted from laughter, and her fingers started wandering-from his back to his chest, then further south.

At that point, Fraser wasn't capable of rational thought anymore. His ears turned so red they might as well have been glowing.

He scooped her up and stormed inside the apartment, tossed her onto the couch, tore off his jacket without a second thought and leaned over her.

As he got closer to her vividly red lips, he frowned at the mess of lipstick. Without thinking, he wiped it off roughly with the sleeve of his crisp white shirt.

The color was gone, but her lips, now slightly battered and even redder from the scrubbing, looked ridiculously tempting.

Bellamy parted those ruby-red lips and whispered,

"Fraser, you know witches like me are born to drive people wild, right?"

Fraser's eyes darkened with intense heat as he ripped open her red dress.

"Oh, I know. And that's exactly what I love most about you."

Breathless and tangled up in each other, Bellamy opened her eyes with some effort.

Fraser was completely lost in the moment, pushing her to the edge without a hint of mercy.

To outsiders, Fraser always seemed collected, polite-someone with absolute self-control.

But this... this unhinged side of him? Only she got to see that.

This version of Fraser belonged to her, and her alone.

Only in moments like these did Bellamy feel like she wasn't all alone in the world.

*****

After the wild night at the party, reports about Fraser-now the freshly appointed CEO of the Branwell Corporation-were everywhere.

The headlines were all the same: [Ivy League double PhDs in Psychology and Economics]; [made waves on Wall Street as a star executive during his studies overseas; [ridiculously good-looking, poised, young and successful].

He'd basically become the most sought-after bachelor in Cavelle City. Girls across the city were losing their minds.

Bellamy, muscles aching all over the next morning, rubbed her eyes and saw the news flash across her phone.

"What top-tier bachelor! Pfft!"

Bellamy glared at her reflection in the mirror, looking at the red marks all over her body, madly figuring out how to cover them up. "Stupid humans, all blinded by Fraser's face! He's a total beast who doesn't know what self-control means!"

Still fuming, Bellamy got dressed and headed downstairs. By the time she reached the dining room, the table was already piled with a hearty breakfast.

Bellamy usually didn't bother with breakfast, but now that Fraser had pulled her over to the dining table, she got more annoyed just looking at the fancy spread. Perfect excuse to pick a fight.

"My hangover's not even gone yet! Head's still pounding! And you wrecked me last night! You better make it up to me!" Bellamy slammed her hand on the table and started ranting right in Fraser's ear.

Fraser calmly spread jam on the toast like he didn't hear her, shoved the slice onto her plate, and said, "Eat already. Don't start throwing tantrums this early in the day."

Bellamy grabbed the perfectly jammed toast and threatened, "If you don't make me mac and cheese, I swear this jam's going straight to your face!"

Fraser stared at her, utterly speechless. Bellamy raised her chin with a smug look that basically screamed, "Pick: jam on your face or macaroni for me."

Fraser gave up the fight real quick and wandered off to the kitchen. Bellamy happily trotted after him, victory claimed.

He started cracking eggs like a pro, warm morning light falling softly across his face.

For a split second, Bellamy felt dazed-like maybe, just maybe, this was some version of forever.

Fraser dished out the perfect macaroni and even hit her lightly on the head with a laugh. "Why are you so high-maintenance?"

Bellamy stuffed her mouth full of food, grabbed the warm milk he handed over and chugged it down, then confidently said, "Didn't you say to Lydia last night that I'm childish and spoiled? I'm just proving your point!"

She didn't actually care-she just enjoyed messing with him.

He had pulled out all the stops last night, after all...

Fraser rubbed his temples in defeat. So she really was holding a grudge. If he'd known, maybe he should've added another line yesterday: Bellamy has a long memory.

Now to avoid more drama, he lifted his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I was wrong. I'm sorry. From now on, no matter what, I'll tell everyone Bellamy is graceful, thoughtful, and totally put-together. Happy now?"

Bellamy shoveled in more macaroni, letting out two hums, reluctantly satisfied.

So even Lydia's an outsider in his eyes-love it.

Right before heading off to work, Bellamy pulled out her lip gloss to touch up, but Fraser stopped her. "Don't put that on. Not good for you."

Bellamy rolled her eyes and flicked his hand away without missing a beat. "Clearly you don't get women. Our first line of defense is how we look. Can't let anyone else outshine us before we even talk!"

Fraser snaked an arm around her waist, effortlessly pinning her hands. "Cut the nonsense. You look the best without putting anything on. Let's just go like this."

He snatched the gloss from her hand and chucked it into the trash in one smooth move, then bent down and pressed a kiss to her soft, clean lips.

Bellamy smacked her lips a little, savoring the moment, then patted his cheek with a grin. "Guess your mouth's this sweet from all that jam, huh? Fine, since you're so good with your words, I won't put any on today."

Just today though...

Fraser, I know there's no 'forever' for us, so I better learn to armor up before you walk away...