Page 17 of Starting Over with Her Billionaire Boss

That card had readWesterhouse Investments Group.

“How could I have been so blind?” she muttered to herself, running a hand through her hair.Hehad been right in front of her.

Did he know she was the new owner?

Her chest tightened as she paced the living room, each step heavier than the last. Betrayal stung sharp and hot, coiling in her gut like a snake. She had trusted Mr. Westerhouse, worked for him. Yet he had been hiding his true intentions.

Kinsley sank into the couch and buried her face in her hands. She had poured her heart and soul into her decision topreserve her family's legacy, and the handsome, charming man she worked for was trying to take it from her.

Kinsley's mind raced with the possibilities. Why hadn't he been upfront with her? Did he think she would just hand over the property without a fight? Did their working relationship mean nothing to him? Was this why she had been hired so effortlessly on the spot? Keep her busy with the other acquisitions, while he worked on getting her own house?

She felt like a fool for not connecting the dots sooner. How could she have been so naive? Every moment replayed in her mind—his smile, the way he’d said her name, the coffee run, the books. Was any of it genuine, or had it all been part of some elaborate strategy to win her over? The thought made her stomach twist.

Her gaze landed across the room on the old fireplace. It was a photo of her grandmother and herself—Granny’s proud smile on Kinsley’s graduation day. Her chest tightened, a lump forming in her throat.Granny.This was more than just a house; it was her family’s story.

Kinsley wiped at her eyes, determination replacing the hurt. She wouldn’t let Mr. Westerhouse take that away. She would fight for this house, for Granny. She owed her that much.

She reached for her phone, ready to confront him and demand answers. But as her finger hovered over his contact, she hesitated. She needed a plan, a strategy. Rushing into this blindly would only make things worse.

Trying to calm her racing heart, Kinsley took a deep breath. She would figure this out, one way or another. But first, she needed to clear her head and think things through.

With a heavy sigh, she headed to her bedroom, determined to get some rest. This could wait for another day. Daegan Westerhouse may have caught her off guard, but she wasn’t going to let him win.

6

The chillin the office was palpable, an icy undercurrent that rose at odds with the rising summer temps. The afternoon sun glinted off a nearby pen on Daegan’s desk as he tried to focus on an urgent email.

Kinsley approached his desk, her voice clipped and businesslike as she handed him a file folder. “I’ve completed everything. That’s the print-out of Mr. Wright’s file that you requested.” Her demeanor was distant, as if she couldn’t wait to be done with the interaction. She had seemed very short with Daegan all day. Had he brought this on by setting a firm boundary last night?

“Ah, definitely somelightreading for this weekend.” Daegan’s voice dripped with sarcasm as he held up the heavy file with a coffee-stained ring toward the top.

“Laurel wanted me to tell you that your mother called earlier, but it was during your meeting.” The tension between them hung heavy in the air, but if Kinsley didn’t want to acknowledge it, neither would he.

“I wonder if she needs something or is just checking in.” He paused. “You know how moms can be.”

“I wish I did.” Kinsley’s response was very quiet.

“Are you not close with your mom?” he asked, realizing a second later that he had no right to ask such a question.

“I lost both of my parents to a car accident when I was young.” Her voice was weak, chilled. “I don’t have any memories of them. I’d like to think I do somewhere, but…” Kinsley paused, likely gathering her composure. Her fingers traced the edge of his desk, probably a nervous habit. “I was just too young.”

“I’m sorry, Kins,” Daegan’s voice softened to a whisper and his eyes filled with sympathy.

“I was raised by my maternal aunt and her husband, until he passed from a heart attack too soon. After that, I lost everyone on my dad’s side of the family. I have no cousins. My maternal grandpa had been dead since before I was born, so I never met him.”

Daegan’s heart sunk deeper, guilt choking him up. What could he possibly say? He’d never known what that sort of loss felt like—he’d had a life with his father while he could.

“Aunt Jodie passed away three years ago from an aggressive type of cancer, and then my grandmother passed away a few months ago. I have no family left. It’s just me.” Kinsley’s cool, blue eyes glistened with unshed tears as she shrugged. It seemed forced, practiced. She’d given this speech often.

Daegan wished he hadn’t asked. Consoling people was not his strong suit. “I’m terribly sorry to hear of all the loss you’ve been through, Kins.” Daegan only hoped his voice was reassuring. “We have more in common than you know,” he added, feeling his own grief boil up under the surface—the grief he didn’t dare wish to share with her the night before.

“There are better things to have in common,” Kinsley said, with a small smile that he could see in her eyes.

“Like reading John Grisham books.” Daegan tried to lighten the atmosphere.

Her hands returned to her sides as a grin tugged at her cheeks. “If you have nothing else for me to do, is it okay if I leave a little early? I want to tidy up at home a little more.” Glancing around his monitor, he could see Kinsley nervously playing with the hem of her shirt.

“I don’t see why not. I’m actually about to wrap things up and head out myself.” He sent the email before he could second-guess it. “For once, I’m leaving early,” he murmured under his breath.

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