The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 1590

Craig was an open book to Aurora. She knew him inside out, perhaps better than anyone else.

Afraid of making him feel out of place, she went out of her way to keep the conversation flowing at the family dinner, introducing him to her parents and even revisiting a frightening experience from her past if it meant they'd see Craig in a better light.

Dorothy, Aurora's mother, wasn't blind to her daughter's efforts. Truth be told, she was quite taken with Craig, her future son-in-law. As long as Aurora was happy, Dorothy had no objections.

Just as they were about to head out for dinner, Everett, Aurora's father, spoke up.

"Craig, could you join me in the study for a moment?"

"...Sure."

As Craig made to stand, Aurora quickly grabbed his sleeve, then turned to her father, "Dad, what's all the secrecy about? I want to hear, too."

"Can't I have a word with him in private?" Everett raised an eyebrow.

"I—"

Before Aurora could finish, Craig gently patted her hand, "Wait for me."

Watching the two men head towards the study, she looked anxiously at her mother, "Mom, Dad's not going to... you know."

"Don't worry, honey. Your father isn't trying to scare him off. Otherwise, he wouldn't have invited Craig to our home in Bay Residence. It’s probably just some man-to-man talk, better they have it in private."

...

The study at Bay Residence was always spotless, a testament to Dorothy's diligence, knowing her husband's penchant for cleanliness.

Following Everett into the room, Craig stood by the door, lips pressed tightly together in silence.

"Have a seat."

Everett poured him a glass of warm water, then settled back into his chair, "So, Aurora tells me you're in logistics?"

"It's not that."

"Then go buy it." Everett's voice was firm, "At the end of the day, I'm just pointing you towards an opportunity to make money. The capital is yours; I'm not funding a penny of it."

Pride is a thing, especially among men, and Everett understood that.

If Aurora had set her heart on Craig, Everett wasn’t going to oppose them like his parents did. Whether they were a perfect match or not, he believed in letting his daughter figure it out for herself.

If things didn’t work out, they could always divorce. He could afford to take care of her.

After all, how many people get it right on the first try?

Craig stood in silence for nearly a minute before finally reaching for the document.

"Aurora told me you're ambitious and dedicated, just burdened with too much responsibility and lacking opportunities," Everett stood up, approaching him. "Now, I'm giving you a chance. Show me what you've got, prove Aurora made the right choice."