Everyone said Ava was a dog Eric picked up—an obedient, fawning lapdog. When Eric wanted a personal bodyguard, she risked her life to earn the right to stay by his side. After that, she took bullets for him, did all his dirty work, and over eight years, her body became a map of scars. One time, he casually mentioned wanting fresh fish, and Ava disregarded her period to wade into the river and catch one. Even when Eric was accidentally drugged, she selflessly offered herself up to "help" him through it. From that night on, publicly, she was his female bodyguard, but privately, she was the one he turned to in the dark. But Eric grew tired of it. He was tired of her obedience, tired of how she never challenged him. She'd become predictable, stale. So at the shareholders' meeting, when they debated who should be sent to seduce their biggest rival and stir up a media frenzy, Eric ignored the predetermined candidates. Instead, he pointed straight at the woman standing behind him. "I choose her." Those three words threw the meeting into chaos. Shareholders exchanged glances before whispering among themselves. "Are we serious? Sending a female bodyguard to seduce that old fossil?" "Isn't Mr. Harris afraid his bodyguard might run off? Rumor has it that the boss is his equal in every way." Eric overheard and couldn't help but laugh. "After eight years, and people still say stupid things like that." The room fell silent instantly, everyone grasping his implication. Ava could never leave him. She was an orphan from the slave markets, with no one to rely on but him. As long as he lived, Ava would forever be a dog prowling around him. Eric was very satisfied with everyone's reaction. Now, just one thing left. He lazily lifted his gaze. "Can you do it?" No name. But everyone knew who he was talking to. Ava remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking under Eric's increasingly impatient gaze. "Yes." A single word triggered a wave of applause, yet Eric's eyes darkened. Once the crowd dispersed, Eric advanced step by step, pinning her to the wall before stopping. "No wonder you're Norbridge's top female bodyguard. You handle things effortlessly both in and out of bed. Since you're so obedient, let's see how well you can act this one out." Ava didn't immediately grasp his meaning—until he took her to a remote club in the outskirts. The moment she spotted the "D" on the club's sign from afar, she froze. Eric was perversely intrigued. In eight years, this was the first time he'd ever seen resistance on her face. And honestly? He liked it. "What, got an ex here or something?" he teased. It was meant as a joke, but Ava looked away. He was half right. They weren't lovers. It had only ever been her one-sided affection.