Page 196 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

“You moved there almost seven years ago?”

“Yes. As I stated yesterday.”

“And stayed?”

“Yes.”

He studies me for another second.

“That usually means there was a reason.”

My pulse begins to climb.

“There were several.”

“Anything keeping you there now?”

I know exactly what he is asking and I also know how easily one careless answer can become another question.

“I have a life there,” I say.

Julian holds my gaze.

“That wasn’t what I asked.”

The room goes very still. Neither of us looks away. For one dangerous moment, the years between us feel much thinner than they have any right to.

A knock sounds against the office door. I blink first as Tamara steps inside.

“I’m sorry to interrupt. Robert Chen is holding from Singapore. He says it can’t wait.”

Julian’s attention shifts toward her, and the intensity in the room breaks apart just enough for me to breathe normally again.

“Take a message,” Julian says.

Tamara hesitates.

“He said it concerns the revised investment terms.”

“I heard you.”

I close my notebook.

Julian looks back at me.

“We’re not finished.”

“You should take the call.”

“It can wait.”

“It clearly can’t.”

His eyes narrow slightly.

I gather my recorder and slide it into my bag.

“We have another session scheduled tomorrow. We can finish then.”