Page 20 of Battle with a Billionaire

“Yes?” He prompted as the man’s voice trailed off.

“I thought you might like to know that Dr. Carter showed up at Harrington Global this morning.”

“What?” Grant asked, his mind whirling at the information. “Did security stop him from getting inside the building?”

“He was waiting for her at her parking space. They spoke for several minutes before she went up to her office and he left.”

Grant squeezed his fingers into a fist, his protective instincts flaring. The idea of Kyle confronting Julia at work, possibly upsetting her, was intolerable. He needed to make sure she was okay, but he didn’t want to call her again. She hadn’t said anything to him. Why?

CHAPTER 6

JULIA

Julia stared at the screen again as the late afternoon sun glinted through the blinds of the office’s windows, painting stripes on the floor. The images of her husband painted a candid picture of his playboy lifestyle.

As the pictures filled her screen again, a whirlpool of emotions churned in her. Was the man she’d come to respect and care for just a well-veiled facade? Doubts crept in, gnawing away her confidence in Grant and her own judgment.

And this had been the reason he’d hired her. To be the patient, forgiving wife. To stand at his side when he told the world he was different. Was he?

Julia’s mind contrasted the man in the photos with the one she’d come to know. Was there a difference between the Grant of yesterday and today or had she been viewing him through rose-colored glasses?

A twinge of doubt crept in. Was Kyle right?

She glanced at her cell phone, to the message from the man she’d let go unanswered for an hour. Did you see the news?

She’d seen it. Grant had called to make sure she was aware of it so there would be no slip-ups, no surprise statements to the press. She was designed to build up his image, and he wanted to make sure that’s exactly what she would do.

There would be a press conference the next morning to counter the bad press, some of which had already cost him a slight lead in the race.

With a heavy sigh, she logged off and grabbed her phone.

“You’re not planning on staying much later, are you?” Evie asked from her doorway.

“No, I was just about to leave as soon as I answer this text,” she said with a smile. “And you are free to go.”

“Well, I’m not concerned about that, but you’ve had quite a day already. We wouldn’t want you worn out on your first day.”

Julia smiled at the woman. “I’m heading out as soon as I’ve sent this.”

She typed a quick message back to Kyle acknowledging that she’d seen it before she collected her things.

Evie stood at her desk as Julia strode past.

“Good night, Mrs.—"

“Uh-uh, just Julia.”

“Good night, Julia,” Evie said with a smile. “See you tomorrow.”

“Have a great evening, Evie.”

“Thank you, enjoy yours, too.”

Julia crossed through the now-quiet offices and pressed the call button on the elevator. “Can I walk you to your car?” she asked as Evelyn appeared next to her.

“Oh, I’ll be fine,” Evelyn answered with a wave of her hand.

“We’ve worked a little late, and I’m guessing the parking garage looks as empty as this office. I’d feel better if I did.”

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