Page 106 of Relentless Sinner

“What were you saying, Micah?” I try to sound more enthusiastic.

“I said I landed a fucking huge contract with the Van den Bergs.”

Instantly my mind snaps back into focus and my eyes widen in shock and disbelief. The Van den Bergs own one of the biggest jewelry brands in the world. They only work with certain people and with certain jewels.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.” Micah smiles and nods. “They’re expanding and want to work directly with a diamond mining company, especially one that can bypass certain laws and provide a variety of diamonds. They’re also interested in working with us in other aspects of our business. The profit forecast for the end of next year is close to thirty billion with all our resources combined.”

I’m shocked further.

“How did this happen?” I have to ask because I didn’t even know they were on our radar.

“They were interested because they thought the three of us combined could make them more money.”

“We can,” I assure him.

Cillian laughs at my reaction. “This is gonna be one of the biggest ventures I’ve done in my life.”

“Me too,” I agree. Although that’s not technically true. My biggest venture is the girl I stole and married for her two hundred-billion-dollar inheritance.

With this business deal I wouldn’t need that. Close to thirty billion—even shared with Micah and Cillian—keeps me at the fifth seat on the Creed. Because we’re a separate company by the Creed’s standards, it would be considered as shared and counted individually as well.

Does not needing Gabriella’s additional wealth make my situation with her better or worse?

I don’t want to need her for that.

I want to need her because I want her to be my wife.

“Well done, Micah.” I rest a hand on his shoulder. “You certainly know how to reel them in.”

“Like you, I’ve had to fight for my position in my family. So I knew I had to go in big.”

“You did it. Who knows where we could be next year?”

“That’s exactly what I’m thinking,” Cillian chimes in. “That’s justoneclient. A big client who will most likely spread the word. Even if they don’t, just having them will attract others.”

“It will,” I agree.

I look up and see Estelle approaching me with a smile on her face. She’s been working alongside me for the last few days so is probably as exhausted as I am.

“Hey, boss, I’m shooting off. Great party.” She chuckles.

“Thanks for coming.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Congratulations again. I’ll see you Monday.” She comes closer and gives me a hug. When we pull apart I feel eyes on me.

Estelle smiles at Cillian and Micah before she leaves, and I glance over my shoulder to see Gabriella watching her walk away.

She’s still wary of Estelle. Andjealous. She has no reason to be. I’ve certainly given her no reason. I’ve never been like that.

Micah and Cillian pull me back into the conversation with all their plans and ideas. Before long I get sucked in again and whenI look back to where Gabriella was standing, I see she’s gone. Chloe is still there talking with some of the other women.

I search around the room for Gabriella but don’t find her anywhere so I decide to excuse myself from the guys and look for her properly.

Eve sees me and tells me Gabriella went for a walk outside. It’s not often that she heads outside at this hour so I go in search of her. It’s the perfect excuse to be alone with her.

I find her walking by the lake near the thicker section of the woods. It’s the area she likened to the moors inWuthering Heights.

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