Page 206 of My Ruthless Opponent

He grins. “Yeah, I do.” When he leans down for another kiss, I lean back.

He narrows his eyes and eats the gap between our lips. I strain my neck back again.

“What the fuck? I want to kiss you.”

He curls his hand around my nape, yanking me to him. I push at his chest. “There’s one more thing I have to do. After that, I’ll let you do anything to me.”

He tilts his head. “Anything?”

“Yep.”

“All right.” He removes his hand from my nape. I intertwine my fingers with his and lead him out of his office.

Everyone is here. Both of our teams. Good.

“Listen up, everyone. My name is Hannah Lockwood. I changed my name because my father was falsely accused of loan fraud in New York.”

Raleigh squeezes my hand. I look up at him and he gives me a reassuring nod. I nod back. “I had to start over by moving here. I am sorry for hiding this secret for so long. I hope you guys will forgive me.”

Taking a long breath, I pause, taking my time to look everyone in the eye. “Raleigh didn’t play me for the contract or the promotion. I was equally involved in it. He didn’t use me like he told you guys. He took the blame on himself because he wanted me to have the promotion. So if you want to look down on him with disgust or insult him, please give me the same treatment.”

I look at Brielle who is looking at me with hurt in her eyes. “I am sorry Brielle, Mia, Chris. I am so, so, sorry. I hope you’ll forgive us.”

Turning to Raleigh, I tip my head to the side. “Let’s get outta here.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Everything happens for a reason. My moving here to LA went on to be the best decision of my life.

This city has given me so much. I met the best people here who are now an important part of my life.

In this city, I made some amazing friends. Friends that are my new family. And… I fell in love here.

I used to think New York was the best city to live in. I never thought I would ever love it here. I was so wrong.

It’s not the place that makes it worth living there, it’s the people around you.

I have decided I am never moving back to New York. I had planned to move back after my dad’s name was clear of the false allegations.

I wanted to go back there to show them all—who didn’t believe me and my family—how wrong they were.

But now I have realized. It was foolish thinking. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Especially to those who left me stranded at the most difficult stage in my life.

This city taught me that the person who loves you will always believe in you. You won’t need to beg them to trust you. They will stand by you even if the whole world is against you.

I look around. We are lounging in Raleigh’s living room. We as in, me, Raleigh, Summer, Brielle, Nina, Mia, Chris, Jason, and the others from both of our teams.

When we left the office building yesterday, I thought I would never be able to see them again.

Imagine my surprise when Brielle called me this morning, inquiring about my whereabouts.

I rattled Raleigh’s address and here they are.

They truly love me. They are not just my team members. They are not just my friends. As Brielle said, we are a family.

They wanted to know more about my past and I answered their questions.

Raleigh and I had different reasons for needing that promotion.

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