Chapter 15
“You’re finished,” Olivia’s venomous hiss as she brushed past me while Lexited Diana office lingered in my mind.
I didn’t know if the trap Caspian and I had set for Robert and Victoria was working,
The only retainty was that my career was imploding, and I was powerless in stop it.
And I had no idea that just hours after our confrontation at Morgan & Wright, where Caspian had nearly come to blows with Marcus over his flirtatious
everything seemed to be spiraling out of control.
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“Goddamn it!” I kicked an empty soda can across the sidewalk, not caring who saw my outburst.
y skin tingle in ways I
I couldn’t shake the memory of Caspian’s burning gaze as he’d defended me that mixture of rage and protectiveness that made my refused to acknowledge.
My phone buzzed with another text from Robert: Got your boyfriend all worked up, didn’t you? Just like old times. Don’t worry, little girl. We’ll have our
I needed escape, distraction, anything to drown the noise in my head.
Without conscious decision, my feet carried me toward Le Blanc, the upscale restaurant where I’d worked during law school.
I hadn’t waited tables there since passing the bar, but right now, the familiar environment seemed like the only safe harbor in my storm–tossed life.
The rich aroma of French cuisine enveloped me as I stepped inside.
Michael Bennett, the restaurant manager, beamed when he spotted me. “Sage Winters! What a lovely surprise!”
His genuine warmth made my practiced smile fool less forced. “Hey, Michael. Just thought I’d stop by.”
“Perfect timing,” he said, his expression shifting slightly. “Someone’s been waiting for you to show up.”
My heart stuttered as Michael stepped aside, revealing Victoria Palmer standing behind him, red stilettos adding unnecessary inches to her already imposing height.
“I don’t see what all the fuss is about,” she said, voice dripping with disdain. “You’re certainly not in my league. Looks like the photos weren’t lying after all.”
She circled me like a predator assessing its prey. This actually confirms something.”
“Confirms what?” I kept my voice steady despite the anxiety clawing at my throat.
“That Caspian’s a coward, of course.” Her smile widened, showing too many perfect teeth. “He can’t just reject me directly, so he’s using his feelings for an old classmate as a shield
“Look, Victoria, I’m not interested in Caspian. I’m just his lawyer,” I lied, trying to hide that we were actively working against her and her father.
Victoria stepped closer, nearly suffocating me with her overpowering perfume.
“Be careful, Miss Winters. I’m not very nice when people get in my way. You know, some people are very interested in your past. Like the one who found your apartment.”
Her words confirmed what Caspian and I had suspected – her father had hired Robert to threaten me-
As she turned to leave, she called over her shoulder. “Your stepfather sends his regards.
Only after Victoria left did I release the breath I’d been holding, my hands shaking uncontrollably.
e again.
Strangely, I found myself angrier at Caspian than at her for the woman obsessed with him and my stepfather joining forces to humiliate me
The bell over
ver the r
restaurant door jingled, and Caspian himself walked though
Unlike Victoria, he didn’t seem to be looking for me. He walked directly to the bar and dropped onto a stool, looking exhausted as he ordered a shot of something wrong.
I frowned and turned away, refreating to a quiet corner near the back of the restaurant.
Out of the mer of
Se comer of my eye, I noticed movement outside the windows. Someone was watching – either Victoria’s people or Robert himself. Our trap was in
Leaning against the wall, I found myself thanking about last night in Caspian s apartment, when he’d shown me that letter he’d written six years ago.
