Page 8 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

My jaw tightens as I run through the possibilities. Someone leaked the deal to Kirk. Someone I trust. And now I need to find out who.

I push back from my desk, springing to my feet. I can’t sit still. Not when everything feels like it’s slipping through my fingers. Pacing the length of my office, I mentally replay every step of the deal. I try to pinpoint where things could have gone wrong. Who could have known? Who could have let Jensen Kirk get wind of our offer?

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to focus. There’s no time for wallowing in this. I need to act, and fast. First, I’ll need to speak with the team—discreetly. Find out who had access to the details. Then I’ll have to tighten up our security and protocols. There’s no way I’m letting this happen again.

And as much as I hate it, I know Kirk will be gloating somewhere, thinking he’s outplayed me. But this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

***

The call from Brady still rings in my head as I stare out of my office window hours later. The deal I’ve been working on for months—gone. Someone inside my company sold me out, and the betrayal stings deeper than any financial loss.

Who the hell would do this?

I lean back in my chair, trying to calm down, but it’s impossible. Loyalty is everything to me, and someone just shattered that trust. The one thing I’ve always prided myself on is loyalty—both giving it and expecting it in return. This kind of backstabbing doesn’t shake only my business, it shakeseverything that I stand for. And I admit it, it only adds to the disloyalty my ex-wife showered on me.

I grab my phone and dial the one person who can help.

"Clayton," I say when he picks up on the second ring, my tone clipped and sharp.

"I need you to look into something for me."

"Nate, long time. What’s going on?" Clayton’s voice is calm, professional as always. He’s been my go-to private investigator for years, the one guy I trust to dig deep when things go south.

"There’s a leak in my company," I say, the words tasting bitter.

"Someone tips off Jensen Kirk about all my deals. He swoops in at the last minute and undercuts me with an offer."

There’s a pause on the other end, then a low whistle.

"That’s serious. Who do you think it could be?"

"If I knew that, I wouldn’t be calling you," I snap, immediately regretting my tone.

"Sorry. This last one is … big, really big. I need you to dig deep. Anyone who had access to the deal, any odd behaviors, transactions that seem off. I want this guy found."

"Understood," Clayton replies, his tone now serious.

"I’ll get started right away. Anything specific you want me to focus on?"

"Start with my inner circle. Anyone close enough to know the details. No one outside my office should have had access to this information." I rub my temples, attempting to focus

"And make sure to check for any bribes or kickbacks. Whoever did this didn’t do it for free."

"I’ll be in touch once I have something solid," Clayton assures me before hanging up.

The rest of the day drags. I sit through meetings, go through emails, and talk to my team, but my mind is elsewhere. Every interaction feels strained. I can’t help but wonder: Was it you? Are you the one who is betraying me?

By the time I wrap up for the day, I’ve been on edge for hours. Anger simmers just beneath the surface, but I push it down. There is no point in letting it show, not yet.

At least with Max, I can usually find some peace.

I pull up to the school as the bell rings. Max comes bounding out, a ball of energy and excitement, the complete opposite of his grumpy morning self. He waves as he runs toward the car.

"Dad!" he shouts, climbing into the backseat.

"Guess what? I got a gold star in class today!"

I force a smile, trying to match his energy.

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