Page 17 of In Love After Office Hours

How she loved him.

More tears scaled down Serenity’s face.

But she knew he would never love her back.

Chapter Five

ANNEKE AND FLEUR WATCHEDin amusement as their eldest brother unwrapped his last gift with the greatest care. But it did not end with that, with the billionaire taking his time arranging the wooden frame on his desk.

Serenity, Fleur mouthed at her older sister. She was willing to bet her inheritance on it.

Anneke nodded. Willem had a well-known rule against receiving gifts from women outside their family, but they knew he had made an exception for the charmingly reserved teenager he had taken under his wing.

If only Serenity’s sister was just as charming, Anneke thought with a private sigh.

When another five minutes had passed and Willem still wasn’t finished fussing about with his gift, Fleur approached her brother, asking teasingly, “Is that going to take you forever?”

“If necessary.” Willem’s tone was mild, his concentration on his precious task unbroken.

Peering over his shoulder, she saw that the fifteen-year-old had sent her billionaire brother a framed haiku about the value of time, which read like a tongue-in-cheek warning about his workaholic tendencies.

Good for you, Fleur thought in approval.

Another five minutes had passed before Willem finally straightened. “All done.”

His sisters said in unison, “Thank God.”

“Because I’m totally starving,” Fleur added.

Even though the two women had their cars parked in the driveway, they automatically joined Willem in his limousine, wanting to spend more time with their older brother.

“What’s Serenity’s gift?” Anneke asked as the chauffeur closed the passenger door.

Fleur beat Willem to answering. “If I have to sum it up, it’s basically a warning that he’d work himself to death at the rate he’s going.”

“Oh.” Anneke’s lips twitched. “She has a point.”

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