Page 9 of Baby for My Billionaire Rival

My heart sinks. “I think it went well. We got the deal, didn’t we?”

“At the cost of your integrity. My God, the way you had them ready to suckle at your teat.”

I flinch. “That could be a good thing, right?”

Gram sighs. “Not when it’sliterally, Caroline.”

I feel like a scarecrow. Standing out in the middle of a field. Unprotected. Hanging off a fucking stick like I’m just bunches of hay stuffed into some clothes.

“Yes, no pink next time. And probably a turtleneck while you’re at it,” Gram says, pushing herself up to standing.

I bite my tongue. There are so many things I’d like to say to my grandmother, but if I were to utter just one word, I know I’d be facing her scolding. The matriarch of the Gladstone family is no slouch. She’s a strong and uncompromising leader. But sometimes, that comes at the expense of the feelings of her very own family.

I mean, take a look at my brother. He faked an engagement with my best friend just to ensure his inheritance because of Gram’s ridiculous stipulation that he be married by a certain date. Sure, they ended up falling madly in love (and they are way too stinking cute), but that’s what Gram does. She puts pressure on us, assuring us that it’s necessary for us to turn into diamonds.

Her pressure doesn’t make me feel like I’m turning into a diamond though. It makes me feel like I’m never going to live up to her standards.

“Look at me, Caroline,” Gram says, coming over to me.

I reluctantly draw my eyes up to hers.

“You know your stuff. I had no doubt. But your technique, well, you’re still green at that. You won’t be all blonde and busty forever. I mean look at me. Gray all over and…” She looks down at her own chest. “Well…”

I try to smile.

“You’re a pretty face. That will get you far. But my granddaughter won’tonlybe a pretty face. You understand what I’m saying?”

I nod, holding back tears. How many times have I been standing in front of my grandmother, holding back tears? I thought she may have learned after being so tough on my brother Chase, but no. She’s still so tough on me I sometimes have to wonder if she even likes me. “Yes, Gram.”

“Good.” She pats my cheek. “Now, we’ve got to go meet your brother for lunch. I wanted him to bring Jude but she’steaching. What’s the point of having a job where you can’t take a lunch?” Gram mutters to herself as she leaves the conference room.

I feel like all my nerves are on display. I’ve been totally called out by my own grandmother, distilled down to someone who only knows how to use her looks to get what she wants.

It’s hard to be seen that way by everybody. Sometimes I deserve it. I could see it in Jake Simmons’ eyes when I tried to apologize. How he glared at my purse and my nails like somehow caring about my looks and having the money to care about them is a hateful thing. I deserved a piece of that disdain for pigeonholing him like I did though.

But…

I want to be both. I want to be capable and intelligent while also dressing exactly how I like.

I guess that’s what he wants too. The difference is I want to wear dresses that make me feel beautiful and he wants to wear his flannels and denim that make him feel comfortable. There shouldn’t be a crime either way, I guess.

At least I look presentable, though.

Since our back and forth after the first class of our MBA, Jake and I have stayed the hell away from one another. Different worlds. And yet in the very same spot.

In fact, I think we’re more similar than either of us would like to believe.

“Caroline! Hurry up!” Gram calls out for me.

“Coming!” I say, rushing off in my grandmother’s wake.

My MBA might be able to teach me a lot. How to win in a negotiation, how to be a good boss, and how to understand economic trends.

But will it be able to teach me how to be the woman who can have it all?

Doubtful. Really fucking doubtful.

Chapter 4

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