To Nate's surprise, Mrs Clayton didn't run to tell his daughter off. She waited more than he had forecasted before calling his office.

?CEO Woods,? said the reception girl, ?there's a call from a woman saying she has something relevant to tell you.?

?What woman??

?Name is Gracelyn Clayton. She says you two know each other and are discussing some... Uhm... Business deal? It wasn't very clear.?

?Ah, yes. Pass me the call,? he murmured.

Ignoring that woman might have brought trouble for Lara. It was better to take the call and clearly refuse whatever that woman wanted.

?Hello,? he said when he heard that the line had changed. ?Here, Nathaniel Woods. Who is it calling??

It was obvious he was faking, but who cared? That woman had already listened to enough nice statements from Lara. In her eyes, he was an innocent CEO being swindled. Oh, how awesome would that have been? He would be so happy to be tricked by Lara! Could he convince her to change her attitude and take advantage of him? Even just a little, for a few days... Even as a pretence. He was sure it would have been funny.

?CEO Woods, this is Gracelyn Clayton. We met a few days ago, don't you remember already? I'm Lara Clayton's mother. I thought you were serious with her, and yet you forget her family so readily...?

?Hmm... Gracelyn Clayton? It does sound familiar. However, what is the reason for this call??historical

?Nothing much. I just wanted to make sure you're not taking advantage of my daughter. She falls in traps easily, and, as her parent, I must protect her from people like you.?

?People like me??

?Rich, powerful, and easy to make difficult promises.?

?Promises? I haven't promised anything I wouldn't fulfil,? he said. ?Oh, but Lara and I are very honest with each other. We don't exchange void promises and the like.?

It was true: all he had offered to her were his genuine intentions and feelings. There was nothing fake, nothing said just to make him look safer.

If it were for him, they would have married twice already.

?She knows what I offer her,? he added.

He knew his words were ambiguous, but he had no interest in heartening a worried mother. Mostly because her worries weren't about her daughter but her own position.

It was transparent what Gracelyn Clayton wanted: to be presented as CEO Woods's mother-in-law. He could read through her with so much precision.

It was a pity his mate didn't take at least a little of her ambitions.

?I know my daughter well. Even if she might look calculative, she's actually naive. She will believe you if you say you want to marry her.?

Were there faker words in the world? He had offered marriage, but Lara did not believe it.

?She's so easy to trick that I, as a mother, worry all the time. After all, she has been tricked already. It seems she didn't learn much from that time.?

?Already?? Nate muttered.

Was Gracelyn Clayton referring to him? Or has there been someone else who tricked Lara in the past? He had to find out and break that person's bones before presenting his head on a silver platter...

?Yes, already. I believe you two are honest with each other,? the woman continued, her tone turning dark and full of expectations. ?It's not my place to tell you, either way. Oh, my! I might have overstepped my boundaries...?

?What is it that happened??

?Just ask my daughter about what happened six years ago. She might tell you the truth, after all. And if she doesn't, how can I? Oh, but I would feel bad for you if she hid it from you... My current position isn't easy, right now.?

Nate sighed, relieved. So, that woman was referring to him after all.

Even though he didn't trick Lara! Or, at least, it hadn't been his intention. He would have married her the following morning if only she hadn't left.

?What happened six years ago?? He was curious: what did Lara tell her family?

That she slept with a stranger met at a club? That she had been tricked into doing it?

But... How so? He hadn't tricked her!

?It's not my place to tell you,? Mrs Clayton sighed.

Oh, maybe she didn't know. It would have made sense: why would Lara tell them about it when she didn't understand the events either?

Only after that thought did he remember what Gracelyn Clayton was trying to do... Her purpose was to instil doubts in him. And to drive them apart to be able to profit from the situation.

All she wanted was space for manoeuvres, and she wouldn't have stopped her attempts if she sensed there was something she could do to succeed.

?I don't really care,? Nate said. ?Now, no one will be able to trick her because I will protect her.?

His role was to protect her, to believe in every one of her words. Her former family had to understand there was nothing they could do to split them.

?I see she's succeeding,? Mrs Clayton said. ?She has you wrapped around her little finger. You do what she asks you without questioning her motives, do you? CEO Woods, be careful. Women know how to be wicked.?

?That's right,? he affirmed. ?I'm smitten and under Lara's influence. There's no need to warn me, though. I already know very well how pleasant it is to be under her sway.?

After all, Lara had already said it. He could just confirm.

?And, as I said, I will protect her. From anyone trying to cause her harm. Anyone at all.?

?I was trying to warn you.?

?No need. I'm happy being swindled.?

?What a shame... I thought you were more rational, CEO Woods.?

He sighed. Was she still insisting? Wasn't it obvious she couldn't do anything to their relationship?

How would that woman react if she knew he was the one to... trick? To trick Lara that time? And that it resulted in twins?

Oh, he had no intention of giving her anything to cling on to.. But it would have been fun to watch her face as she realised.