Page 51 of Bachelor CEO

He wrestled with his feelings as he walked tohis car. He was angry that Walter planned to try to unseat him. Chase wasresentful that Miranda couldn’t be happy as a vice president, an impressiveposition in itself.

However, he’d acted like a jerk and he had norational explanation for his behavior. Miranda had been doing a fine job in hisabsence. Maybe he was jealous he’d been replaced so easily. Was that why he’dacted as he had?

Or was it because he’d secretly hoped thatwhen he returned she’d fall into his arms instead of looking straight throughhim as if nothing had happened between them?

Whatever his reasons, he’d behaved like a dogmarking its territory. Absolutely abominable. He owed her yet another apology.

But when Chase returned to work, he learnedthat she’d taken his advice. She’d left for the day and told her secretaryshe’d be back Monday morning.

“You can reach her on her cell phone if it’sanything important,” her secretary offered. “Do you need the number?”

“No, I’ve got it.” Chase headed to his officeand closed the door. He checked his e-mails and read something that botheredhim a great deal.

No wonder Miranda had hightailed it out ofDodge.

To hell with apologizing. Why should he feelguilty? One of McDaniel’s board meeting rules was that no new business could bebrought to the board without being placed on the agenda first.

There, in black type, was proof that Walterplanned to make a motion to unseat Chase and put Miranda in his place.

Chase fumed. He had no problem with her beingvice president, but she wasn’t going to be CEO.

If she wanted that, it would be over his deadbody.

Chapter Twelve

Upon leaving McDaniel for the day, Mirandahad gone back to her apartment and sulked. Then she’d grabbed a pen and paperand made a list of all the reasons why she should hate Chase McDaniel.Eventually she’d calmed down and made a list of all the reasons why she’d be agreat CEO.

She didn’t get very far on the second list, soshe set it aside. She knew by Monday she needed to be prepared. Walter mightmake the argument for her, but if the board, or even Chase, pinned her forspecifics, she had to be ready. The board meeting would be like a job interviewfrom hell, times one hundred.

Chase had told her to go to a spa, forgoodness’ sake. Her ire again bubbling, Miranda kicked off her shoes andglanced at her toes. Okay, she could use a pedicure. But that didn’t make himright.

She looked around her apartment. On the tablewere flyers from the real estate agent advertising about half a dozen housesfor her to look at this weekend. House hunting would have to be postponed.

Sitting in this apartment would also have towait. If she stayed another minute she’d go berserk.Miranda went to her bedroom and changed clothes.

She knew what she needed to do.

AFTER SPENDING THE afternoon trying to work,Chase gave up. His concentration was shot. He was still mad about the fightahead. And he couldn’t get Miranda off his mind. He should hate her. Oddly, hedidn’t. For the past ten minutes he’d instead been thinking about that firsttime on the island. There had been purity in their actions. No agendas. Nosecrets. Just two souls finding each other.

Okay, he needed a break. He needed to get outand run or bike, but the temperature outside had cracked triple digits—100degrees.

He’d have to swim. He could do at least anhour’s worth of laps in his grandfather’s pool. He’d bring the work on his deskhome and finish it tonight, after he’d exhausted himself. It was only an houror so until quitting time anyway, not that he ever punched a time clock.

After telling Carla his plans, Chase left forthe day.

“SO I THINK THE REAL issue is, do you lovemy grandson?”

Miranda hadn’t been prepared for the questionand she stared at Leroy, who sat on a chaise longue in his great room, where hehad a fantastic view of the landscaped backyard.

“I…” She stuttered and shut her mouth. Shecertainly hadn’t anticipated this question when she’d arrived at the McDanielestate an hour ago.

The nurse had indicated it was fine forMiranda to visit, so long as she didn’t cause Leroy any undue stress.

Causing him stress certainly wasn’t herintention.

If anything, she was the one freaking out.Leroy appeared to be calm and serene. Though he’d lostweight, his skin color was healthy and his eyes were sharp, as always. It hadbeen great visiting, up until he’d dropped his question like a bomb.

“I can tell you’re rather shocked,” Leroysaid. He adjusted the light throw covering his legs.

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