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Iwhip around, the papers clutched in my hand. Oliver stands in the doorway, his expression thunderous.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I try to hide the papers behind my back, but it’s too late. He’s seen them.

Oliver stalks towards me, grabbing my arm. “You nosy little bitch. I knew I couldn’t trust you.”

I try to wrench myself from his grasp, but his grip is like iron.

“Spilling that wine out there? Was no accident, was it?”

“Let me go!”

With his free hand, Oliver rips the papers from my hand. His lip curls as he scans the documents. “So you found these. Clever girl.”

I struggle, but he slams me back against the desk, knocking the wind out of me. I gasp for air as he pins me there, his face inches from mine.

“You won’t be telling anyone about these, my dear.” His breath is hot on my face. “Unless you want your brother’s company to go bankrupt. And now that you’ve seen the papers. I don’t think I have to remind you that it’s your name on each of these.”

I freeze. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh, I would. So stay in your fucking line.”

I can’t move.

Suddenly, a voice calls out from the hallway. “Oliver? We need your input on something.”

“This isn’t over.” He pulls back and straightens his tie. “After you.”

Wetness pools in my eyes, and my limbs start to shake as Oliver drags me out by my arm. Outside the office, he locks the door and then gestures for me to walk in front of him.

I plaster on my cheerful facade as I rejoin the guests. All the while, I avoid meeting Oliver’s gaze. But I can feel his eyes boring into the side of my head like lasers as if he can set me aflame through will alone.

After what seems an eternity, the guests begin to bid their farewells. I maintain my cheerful facade, thanking them for coming and wishing them safe travels home.

By some miracle, I’ve managed to hide my terror.

“Oliver, you and your wife really outdid yourself with this event.” The last guest comes up to us. “We’re quite impressed.”

A tall, striking man with jet-black hair. He takes my hand in his and presses a soft kiss on the back of it. My eyes travel up the crisp lines of his tailored Italian suit with no tie to meet his intense gaze. It’s unsettling.

“Thank you. It was our pleasure to have you all here tonight, Mister?”

“Call me Jeremiah.” The man gives me a sly wink as he turns to Oliver. “Oliver. Thanks for the talk.”

“Likewise,” Oliver says.

With that, the stranger turns and leaves Oliver and me alone in the apartment.

“Finally.” He grasps my arm with bruising force, yanking me toward him. “If you ever go through my stuff again, you’ll regret it.”

I wince at the pain radiating from my arm. “I’m sorry. It was stupid.”

“What do you think you were doing?” He cages me against the wall, eyes blazing.

I shrink back. “I-I didn’t…”

“I-I,” he says mockingly and squeezes my arm harder. “Going through my office like a thief in the night. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”

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