Page 161 of My Ruthless Neighbor

She realizes the shift in my mood because she shuts her mouth.

“You are good at modeling, Molly,” I tell her to which she starts smiling.

“You think so?”

“We wouldn’t have hired you if you weren’t. But don’t think that you are irreplaceable.” Her jaw drops and I continue. “Instead of cursing at someone or coming onto me, I’d suggest you to focus on your job.”

She clears her throat. “Right. Sorry.”

Without bothering to address her apology, I walk out of the studio, following my little liar.

When I am out, I finally read her message.

Meet me in your office. RIGHT NOW!

Oh, so she is giving me orders now?

All right, Miss Donovan. I am coming.

Pocketing my phone, I stalk toward my office.

Chad stands as he sees me approaching. I motion for him to sit and head straight inside my office.

I didn’t like that Summer was told to leave a message instead of informing me that she came to see me this morning. Yes, this is the regular protocol my assistants follow but I instructed Chad to never keep her waiting. Even in my absence, she can wait inside my office.

That’s why she is already inside rather than waiting outside.

Opening the door, I enter and lock it behind me. Leaning against it, I silently admire her.

She is facing the floor to ceiling window, her hands folded across her chest and one foot tapping on the floor restlessly. The muscles in her delicate shoulders looks tensed as she stares out the window.

“Hey, baby.”

???

“Hey, baby.” I whirl around at his voice. I swallow thickly when I see him leaning against the office door. His stance so relaxed unlike mine.

“I thought you’d never come.” I taunt, hating that I sound insecure rather than confident.

“I’m here.” His gaze trails over me before fixing on my face. “You look beautiful.”

“Molly was wearing the same dress. Did you find her beautiful, too?”

“That compliment wasn’t for the dress, baby. It was for you.”

When I don’t move. He walks toward me. I look up at him when he’s inches away from me.

Before he could touch me, I turn away from him and face the window. I can’t have him see the emotions reflecting on my face. I am not sure I can act to conceal it right now.

I want him to explain. I want him to tell me everything they talked about. Why was she touching him like that? How did he feel when she touched his skin?

A wave of fury grips me when I think about her hand on him. I don’t like the way I am feeling right now. When I saw him on a date with Meagan, I was irritated, but it doesn’t come close to the emotion I am feeling right now.

The anxiety closing around my chest, this struggle is different. It runs deeper.

We are not in a relationship. Or maybe we are. What did Archer say? A mutually beneficial relationship with no strings.

That leaves me with no right to question him. Ever since I saw him talking to Molly, I can’t help but think if he is seeing other women while sleeping with me.

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