Page 47 of My Ruthless Opponent

“Leave me.” I grit out. And he does. His hands leave me all for two seconds. And I stumble. Again.

Before I could reach down to remove the shoes, he has me back in his arms. He walks us back and plants me on the counter again.

This shit is embarrassing. I didn’t see myself being carried over and over again by my archenemy.

“You need to yell at me, princess? Do that while sitting right here. Don’t fucking dance all over the bathroom floor with your broken heel. Do you want to sprain your ankle? That would only force me to carry your stubborn ass all the way to your home. Do you want all the people out there to witness that?”

I purse my lips and shake my head. He has a point.

“What were you thinking, Raleigh? You just planted a seed of a fairytale wedding in Victor’s mind.”

“I saw you two conversing. I saw how miserably you were failing and I swooped in and saved the day.”

I frown. “You seriously think that? Oh my god, Raleigh. Can’t you see what you did? You promised him something we could never deliver.”

“Of course, we can.” His cocksure tone is infuriating.

“Let me rephrase it. You had no right to propose an idea that involvesmewithout my consent!”

“Do you want to lose your job?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I didn’t stutter, Hannah. Answer me. Do you want to lose your job?”

“Of course not. But what you did out there wouldn’t exactly promise me the promotion I am aiming for. In case you forgot, we both are opponents instead of a team. How will yourfantasticidea work if we have to work as a team? Who would get the promotion if we do end up signing Mr. Smith?”

I have so many questions. Even if Raleigh’s insane idea drove Mr. Smith to change his mind about the Muse Agency, then what?

Archer said whoever brings a new client wins the promotion. We don’t have enough time to search for another client now. If this charade does work, then Mr. Smith will beourclient. Raleigh’s and mine.

I eye Raleigh as he unbuttons his jacket, seeming lost in thoughts. “I didn’t think about this, I saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slipping through your fingers and did what I could to seize it.”

“What the hell are we going to do if he accepts your offer?”

“Then we have to get married in his resort.” He shrugs as if it isn’t a big deal.

“Are you shitting me right now?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Raleigh!” I cry out.

He raises his hands. “Calm down.”

“Donottell me to calm down, asshole!” Never tell a woman to calm down when she is in the midst of a fit of fury. I want to punch him so bad right now.

“The thought of marrying you is nothing short of disastrous for my mental state,” Raleigh says matter of factly. “I had no time to get your permission, Ice Queen of KIM Advertising. Forgive me.” He mocks.

“Fauxpology not accepted.”

He rolls his eyes and continues. “Now what’s done is done. We have to find a way to make this advertising campaign successful and still be able to compete.”

“Aren’t you too full of yourself? You are so sure he will call.” Then I remember the thing that was bugging me.

“Why the hell did you make me give my card when he asked for yours?”

“Victor is a businessman with an emotional heart. He knows people could beg borrow and steal for this contract. To make our act more realistic, I purposely opted out of giving my card. After all, what loving fiancé would sabotage his fiancée’s pitch? Giving my card would’ve been a wrong move. In his point of view, you were pitching him and I was your fiancé.”

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