Page 68 of Filthy Rich Bosses

“You deserved it, you bitch.”

“You were abusing your dog, and I called you out for it.”

Morgan’s face darkens, her carefully curated mask slipping. “I wasnot—”

Morgan’s lips curl into a sneer, but before she can respond, Juniper steps forward, her sharp heels clicking against the hardwood.

“Enough!” Grayson growls.

Chapter 31

Tessa

"You can't fire me!" Juniper shrieks, her face flushing a deep crimson that clashes with her auburn hair. "I've done everything for you, Grayson!"

Suddenly everything stops. Douglas glides in, his impeccable suit a stark contrast to the disheveled state of the room. His eyes sweep over the scene, taking in the general disarray. We all thought he had left for the day as Grayson instructed, but he obviously had not.

As Douglas surveys the room with his impassive gaze, I can't help but wonder what's going through his mind. Is he judging us all? Planning his escape? Contemplating early retirement? His face gives nothing away, and the silence stretches on, thick and uncomfortable.

I hold my breath, waiting for someone to break the tension. In this moment of suspended animation, I realize how ridiculous we all must look—grown adults acting like children in a playground brawl. A hysterical giggle threatens to bubble up in my throat, but I swallow it down. Something tells me laughterisn't the appropriate response right now, even if this whole situation is absurdly comical in its intensity.

Douglas' eyes finally land on me, and to my surprise, they light up with amusement. A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he addresses me. "Miss Tessa, your belongings have been returned to your room. And, I've taken the liberty of ordering a California King to replace the measly Queen bed. Clearly you will be needing it."

My cheeks heat up at his implication, and I can't help but glance at Grayson, Cole, and Chase.

Douglas then turns his attention to Juniper and Morgan, his expression shifting to one of cool disdain. He looks at Grayson and asks, in his crisp British accent, "Sir, would you like me to take out the trash?"

I can't help it. A snort escapes me, and I hear Chase echo the sound. The absurdity of the situation, coupled with Douglas' perfect timing and dry wit, is just too much.

Grayson, looking utterly exhausted, rubs a hand down his face. "Douglas, please," he says, his voice strained. "Just take Zeus out to his kennel so we can finish this."

I watch as Douglas nods, moving with graceful efficiency to lead Zeus away. As he passes me, he gives me a subtle wink, and I have to bite my lip to keep from grinning.

The moment Zeus is out of sight, the tension in the room snaps like a rubber band.

I watch, stunned, as Juniper launches herself at Grayson, her hands clawing at his perfectly tailored suit jacket. The move is graceless and wild, so out of character for her that it feels almost surreal.

Grayson stiffens, his jaw tightening as she grabs at him. His hands rise, not to push her away but to carefully grasp her wrists.

“Juniper,” he says, his voice calm but carrying an edge of warning. “Let go.”

“No!” she snaps, her desperation palpable as she grips him tighter. “You don’t understand. I’ve been by your side this whole time—through everything! You can’t just throw me away for...for her!”

Her eyes flick to me, venom flashing in their depths. I shrink back instinctively, but Chase steps in closer, his presence a reassuring wall between me and her wrath.

“It was supposed to be us. Us! You’remine. She’s just some trashy bitch who is using you for your money. I don’t understand how you can even—”

“Juniper!” Grayson snaps. He exhales slowly, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Juniper,” he repeats, his voice dropping an octave. “This ends now.”

For a moment, she hesitates, her lips trembling as though she’s trying to formulate another argument. But when Grayson gently but firmly removes her hands from his suit, the rejection seems to snap something inside her.

“I do not belong to you. You are my assistant—one who has crossed far too many lines—and nothing more.”

Juniper stumbles back a step, her chest heaving as tears well in her eyes. “You’ll regret this,” she says, her voice trembling. “I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you, Grayson.”

Grayson doesn’t flinch. His expression is impassive, his blue eyes cold as ice. “Go home, Juniper. We’ll talk when you’ve calmed down.”

My heart races, torn between intervening and staying out of this mess. But before I can decide, a blur of blonde hair and fury catches my eye. Morgan, Cole's ex-girlfriend and certified psycho, lunges at me with a snarl.

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