Page 14 of Battle with a Billionaire

She frowned at the message as she set the phone aside. She’d told him she wasn’t going to respond, and she wasn’t going to spend the night going round and round with him about this.

Instead, she’d spend it having a quiet dinner with her manuscript since Grant had gone out–something to do with his campaign–and trying to relax before her first day. The hours sped by and after a restless night, she rose and dressed for her first full day as Harrington Global’s CEO.

She descended the stairs, heading to the dining room for breakfast. Grant’s chair sat empty, and Worthington informed her he’d already left for an important campaign meeting with his campaign manager.

“Campaign ramping up already, huh?” Julia asked as she settled down at the table alone.

“It seems so,” Worthington answered as Julia took her first bite.

A second later her spoon clattered into her bowl as Lydia stormed into the room. “Good morning, Lydia,” she said.

“What’s so good about it, Sugar Plum?” she asked as she plopped into her seat and stared at the empty glass in front of her. She snatched it and waved it in the air. “Worthington! Mimosa…no, just the liquor, hold the juice.”

“Right away, madam,” Worthington said as he took it from her hand.

“You know, Lydia, you could eat breakfast later in your room if you don’t care for the early mornings.”

Lydia massaged her temples as she flicked her gaze to Julia. “You know, Julia, you could keep your little trap shut. You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Marrying my husband, running Harrington House. Snagging CEO of Harrington Global. Well, we’ll see who ends up in charge here.” Lydia rose from her seat and stormed toward the door. “Have Worthington bring my breakfast upstairs.”

Julia heaved a sigh as she pushed around the oatmeal. Dealing with Lydia was like navigating a minefield, but she was learning to be more assertive, the perfect training for her new role as CEO.

Worthington stepped into the room with a flute of champagne, scanning the spot where the former Mrs. Harrington had sat moments ago.

“She went upstairs.”

“Lucky you,” Worthington said as he spun on his heel and disappeared.

Julia polished off her breakfast and rose from the table, leaving it behind in favor of the foyer.

Worthington rushed down the stairs toward her. “Just a moment, Mrs. Harrington, you cannot leave yet.”

Her stomach turned over. What crisis loomed now? “Oh?”

Worthington held up a finger as he skirted past her and slipped into Grant’s private office. “Mr. Harrington asked that I pass this along to you before you left. A gift as you begin your new role today.”

Julia offered him a smile as he emerged with the expensive ladies’ briefcase. “He really does go over the top, doesn’t he?”

“You are worth every penny, Mrs. Harrington.”

“Well, thank you for that, Worthington.” She accepted the gift, shouldered her purse, and stepped into the bright sunshine, a contrast to the stormy night. Her Porsche waited for her just steps away. She climbed inside and fired the engine, aiming for Harrington Global’s corporate offices.

As the city’s buildings filled in around her, a sense of trepidation churned inside of her. Was she really prepared to run this company? And to use it to dig up more information on DG Industries?

She firmed her resolve. She had to face the challenge head-on. She lifted her chin as she entered the garage and snaked around to the parking spot reserved for the CEO.

As she rounded the corner, her heart skipped a beat. She slid her eyes closed for a second as she spotted Kyle’s scrub-clad form leaning against the pillar near the reserved spot.

She sighed, frustration burning away any of her trepidation about her job. She eased her car into the space, threw the shifter into park, and killed the engine. She flung open the door, and stepped out of the car, spinning to face Kyle.

“What are you doing here, Kyle?”

“I’m sorry, but I had to see you.”

“No, you didn’t,” she said as she slammed the door shut.

“I did. You’re ignoring me, and we need to talk.”

“I think we’ve said everything we need to say. This is not a good idea.”

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