Page 47 of Battle with a Billionaire

Grant whipped his napkin into his lap, clenching his teeth as he held his frustration at bay.

“I told Kyle that we were moving forward with the truth that this was a setup.”

Kyle sipped at his orange juice, remaining silent.

“Well?” Grant asked, his eyes boring into his son.

Kyle flicked his eyebrows up as he set his glass down. “Well, what?”

Grant slumped back in the chair, flinging a hand in the air. “Say whatever you came to say.”

“I came to support Julia. Not to air my opinion about your latest…fiasco.”

“The latest frame job is more like it.”

“If you say so,” Kyle answered.

Grant slammed a fist on the table, rattling the dishes. The insinuation struck a cord. Kyle had plenty of ammunition against him, and he hated that. “That’s exactly what I mean. If you have something to say, Kyle, say it.”

“My opinions about you and your behavior are well known already. I have no desire to upset Julia any further by getting into an argument with you.”

“How magnanimous of you.”

“I think so. You’re upset. And I’m not feeding into your ego.”

“My ego?” Grant offered him an incredulous glance.

“Enough,” Julia said. “Everyone is on edge. Kyle, I appreciate your support, but if you’re going to stay, you have to realize that extends to Grant, too. I believe him.”

His son’s jaw tensed before he nodded. “Fine. Like I said, I’m not here to give my personal opinion.”

“But you don’t believe me.”

Kyle heaved a sigh. “My opinion doesn’t matter. I believe in Julia.”

“Good,” Julia said. “That settles that. Let’s try to enjoy our breakfast.”

“Oh my word,” Lydia’s dramatic voice said as she stomped her way into the room, her eyes wide. “Have you seen the news?”

“Too late. Now none of us will enjoy our breakfast,” Grant grumbled.

Lydia eyed them with a scoff. “Well, have you?”

“Yes, Lydia,” he said as he clasped his hands and leaned his forehead against them. “We have all seen the news this morning.”

“Well, I can’t believe this.” She slid into her chair and shook her head. “Well, I can believe it. You may never have cheated on me, Grant, but I can see how things could have changed and you’d prefer to look elsewhere.”

Grant slammed his hands on the table again. “That’s enough, Lydia. I didn’t do it.”

“My, my, we’re touchy about this. A sure sign of guilt.”

“I’m not guilty,” Grant growled.

A warm hand slid onto his shoulder. He closed his eyes before he reached for it, appreciating Julia’s silent support.

“Aww, how touching. Trusting Tammy standing by her man. It must be hard supporting a man with such a…colorful past. But we all have our roles to play, don’t we?”

“Lydia, if you’re going to continue this, I’m going to ask you to leave,” Julia said.

---