Page 245 of In Love with a Ruthless Man

Or perhaps it was none other than Elsa Nilsson herself, who had the longest sort-of-relationship with the billionaire?

It could only be one or the other, the women thought enviously.

But they were wrong.

THE SCENT OF THE SEAteased Fredericka’s nostrils as she made her way to the last vacant lounge chair while a gentle breeze played with the loose locks of her hair behind her back. It was the height of summer, and she was lucky enough to spend the holidays here in Teleios, a Greek island that had recently dethroned Ibiza for being the world’s most famous party paradise.

A weekend in Teleios should have meant a beach romance. It should have meant having a summer fling or even a summer one-night stand.

At this point, Fredericka would have taken any of it, but reality offered none of those choices. A waiter approached her, bearing a tray of drinks, and she gratefully accepted a glass of Shirley Temple. It was easier to look cool with a drink in hand, and right now she desperately needed to look really cool.

It was already the second night of Legal Fun 101, a lawyer networking thingy that she had forced herself to attend. Now that Fredericka’s days as state’s attorney were over, she needed to search for colleagues to partner up with, and Legal Fun 101 should have helped with that.

But it hadn’t.

Two nights of networking translated to six meals’ worth of bonding and countless hours of semi-communal living, since they were all staying at the same private resort.

And yet—-

“Everyone grab a partner,” the event host called out with drunken cheerfulness.“It’s time to party!”

Fredericka managed to stop herself from wincing even as all the other lawyers excitedly left their lounge chairs and stools. They headed straight to the open space in the middle, which she now supposed would serve as the dance floor.

Or dance sand,Fredericka thought unnecessarily.Whatever.The point was, the host either didn’t know how to count or he had a really poor memory.

This event was called Legal Fun 101 for a reason, and it wasn’t just because the seminars included 101 lessons on networking. It was also called that because there were exactly 101 lawyers present.

101.

Which meant, odd number.

Which meant, someone would be left behind without a partner, and that would—-

Not be me,Fredericka thought determinedly as she swiped her phone from the tiny table next to her lounge chair. Lifting it up over her face, she began typing fast.

There’s a difference between having no one to dance with, she told herself,and choosing not to dance because you’re busy texting.

She was the latter,obviously.

Fredericka:Hey, what’s up?

Sergei:About to meet someone.

Sergei:As for you...

Sergei:Shouldn’t you be dancing now?

Sergei:Says so in your itinerary.

Fredericka:We don’t have an itinerary.

Sergei:You do.

Fredericka:And even if we had one, how would you know what’s in it?

Sergei:Magic.

Fredericka:HA!

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