Page 22 of My Ruthless Opponent

My governess and other people who work in our house couldn’t find me. And it’s already late. Just a few minutes more.

What I didn’t expect was Daddy to search for me.

When someone enters the closet, I close my eyes and hide my face with my two hands.

My heart beats faster as the thudding of the footsteps approaches me.

I squeal when two hands land on me. “Found you.”

“Daddy!” I laugh when he picks me up.

“What’s my princess doing here?”

“I wanna spend my special day with you! I don’t wanna go to school.” I pout.

“Then you won’t.” He grins at me.

“Really?” My eyes widen.

“Yes, because you’re my princess.” He rests me on the dresser and reveals a glittery tiara I didn’t know he was carrying.

He puts it over my disheveled hair, bringing a huge grin to my face.

“Are you okay?”

“Huh?” I blink at Raleigh who looks horrified.

“Why the fuck are you staring at me with tear-filled eyes?”

Fuck. My emotions are all over the place.

Raleigh’s term of endearment which he uses to taunt me hit me with thousand sharp needles.

I never let that nickname get to me but today, I wasn’t ready.

It always pricked me because Dad used to call me princess.

Raleigh tainted all the loving memories chained to the name when he began using it to mock me. But still, I didn’t let him pierce my armor.

Today, I am ashamed that my enemy got to see my vulnerable side.

I was already distraught with not getting to meet Dad. And on top of that, him calling me princess was too much. It… broke me.

I sniffle before giving him a smirk. “My eyes watered because I am allergic to your personality.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” He sports his own cunning smirk, his eyes blazing.

“I have wasted enough of my time. So I’ll get straight to the point.”

“Halle-fucking-lujah.”

I purse my lips and breathe through my nose. “According to the email you sent last night, the Monday afternoon meeting was moved to 8:00 a.m.”

“And?” Raleigh asks.

“And… I want to know what are you doing here chilling with your team rather than waiting in the meeting room?”

“Why would I wait in the meeting room?” his brows furrow.

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