Page 100 of Forbidden Boss (Manhattan Billionaires)

“Our daughter was determined to make her way in the world without our influence,” Ophelia’s father said indulgently, smiling at his progeny. “We’re so very proud of her.”

My own mother cut in with a sharp smile, “I understand Ophelia has been performing very well at Blakely. Hasn’t she, Rome?”

I frowned at my mother, then at the other three. “What’s going on here?”

“We just wanted to introduce you two properly,” my mother said, giving me a significant look. “I’ll let you and Ophelia catch up. I’m sure you havelotsto talk about.”

She ushered the parents away, and I was left with my employee. She blinked up at me, a coy smile on her lips. “We met before I started working at Blakely, actually. A gout charity four years ago. I was there with my mother.”

“I see.” My mind raced as I tried to understand what was going on. Ophelia knew my parents, but she’d never mentioned it. My mother knew Ophelia worked for me and didn’t tell me.

Was this a setup? My heart thumped. Was this the mole? This was the woman who’d fed information back to my mother?

“You mother mentioned you’d be here on your own,” Ophelia said, touching my sleeve. She took a step closer to me so I could smell her overly sweet perfume. I jerked back, and her expression hardened. She dropped her hand from my arm but didn’t back up.

I glanced across the room and saw my mom staring at us intently, watching if her snare had closed around me as she’d planned.

I was supposed to choose Ophelia the way Will had chosen Natasha. I was supposed to go along with what was expected of me, chasing the carrot of my parents’ affection while they wielded the stick of their disapproval.

And suddenly, in this beautiful resort, surrounded by people wearing designer gowns, dripping in jewels, eating the best food and drinking the best wine, I realized just how empty my life really was.

I took a step back, studying Ophelia. “How much has my mother pumped you for information about my company?”

Ophelia lifted a shoulder in a subtle shrug. “Only as much as I wanted to tell her.”

“What did she promise you in return?” I sneered. “A ring on your finger?”

Ophelia watched me, then lifted her chin. “I see you’re still hung up on a woman that’s so far below you. She’ll ruin your life, Rome. She already has. Did you know she refused to work for the Monks? So not only is she a social climber, but she’s also an idiot to boot.”

Rage momentarily blanketed over me, but one thing Ophelia said stuck out. “She refused to work for the Monks?”

A touch of victory entered Ophelia’s gaze. She sighed and said, “Crazy, right? Trying to sabotage your biggest deal because you broke up with her. It’s pathetic. She should have kept her legs shut and stayed in her place.”

Ice descended over me. I blinked slowly, tamping down the urge to throttle the woman sneering at me. I lifted my chin. “You’re fired, Ophelia. HR will be in touch by the end of the day.”

She arched a brow. “On what grounds?”

I turned on my heels and stalked away.

“On what grounds!”

Her words chased me out of the room, but I didn’t turn.

Because I knew the truth.

Nikki hadn’t refused to work for Roseanne Monk because she was trying to sabotage my deal. She did it because she was trying tosaveit. Even after everything I said to her, the way I treated her—she still put me first.

A woman with that much integrity wouldn’t be able to lie to Roseanne about me, so she gave up the opportunity of a lifetime for the sake of my company. My reputation.

For me.

It was just like her standing up for me at the gala honoring my parents. Just like the hours of research and preparation she did for events where she could have just as easily stood beside me and said nothing.

Nikkicared. She’d cared about me, about my company, about her work. And I’d thrown it back in her face the moment she tried to ask for something honest for herself.

I was a colossal asshole.

I cut across the room toward the exit, but my mother accosted me just outside the door.

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