Page 67 of My Grumpy Billionaire Soccer Star

I am about to walk away, but he calls out to me, and his voice drips with disdain. “Good luck with that, Rachel. You’ll regret this.”

My heart is pounding in my chest, and I quicken my pace, his voice fading behind me. I sprint, taking the rush of adrenaline to fuel my legs. The encounter has stunned me yet reinforced me. No more a victim. I have to deal with this.

When I’m far enough away, I pull out my phone and dial the local police station. As I wait for someone to answer, my hands tremble slightly, but I feel empowered. It’s my time to speak up for myself.

A calm voice answers, “Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”

I steady my voice and say, “I’d like to report a case of harassment.” I briefly explain the bribery incident and the man’s latest threats. With each word, the weight of the situation feels a little lighter on me.

“Ma’am, could you describe the person?”

I try to render it all as best as I can, and when I hang up, I feel a rush of relief. It’s done. I’ve done something, and I can’t have it taken away.

I’m running to finish, thinking about Vaughn and the bond we had. I wonder what he’s been up to. Is he still fighting his own battles? I know I can’t let that distract me. What comes next doesn’t matter; first, I need to focus on myself—on my health and safety.

I’m feeling both empowered and anxious as I get ready for my appointment after the adrenaline of my run and the harrowing encounter with that man.

Right now, I’m meeting with a rep for a gym wear brand that wants Vaughn to be the face of their new line. I know how much his image can help their brand, so it’s a great opportunity. As I pull my blazer on and grab my bag, my mind is still on Vaughn and all that’s happened since we were on the island together, as well as the chaos of the last few weeks.

A familiar buzz greets me as I step inside the office building.

The receptionist points me to an elevator where an assistant is waiting for me, and he leads me to a conference room on the fifth floor. The walls are full of colorful pictures of athletic models, and the atmosphere is electric. I take a moment to collect myself before I do my job, before I represent Vaughn and ensure this partnership goes smoothly.

A woman in her forties with a confident smile greets me, and we share a firm handshake. “Rachel, right? I’m Jenna. Thanks for coming in.”

“Of course,” I reply, taking a seat across the table from her. She looks sharp and polished, and her charisma is exciting—it all makes me wary. She even clicks a selfie with the two of us, before I know it.

I jump into the meeting, and we begin talking about their brand’s vision and how Vaughn fits into that. At first, the conversation flows easily, and I can see that Jenna is excited about the project. The details of this are aplenty, but as we go deeper, I feel a change in her mood.

“So, Rachel,” she says, leaning forward slightly, her tone conspiratorial, “I have to ask—what do you think about a little incentive to make this happen?”

I furrow my brow, confusion creeping in. “Incentive?”

She makes sure we’re alone and lowers her voice. “Vaughn is a busy guy, I know, and sometimes, it’s just nice to sweeten the deal. Suppose I could give you something on the side to get him on board. It’s a win-win situation, after all.”

I can feel my heart racing, and a big wave of anger washes over me. “Are you suggesting a bribe?” I ask. My voice is steady, but inside I’m reeling.

“Just a little something to help out a fellow woman,” she replies, her smile unwavering. “We know how valuable he is to this brand. He is so busy, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity.”

I try to hold back my emotions and take a deep breath. I tell her that I won’t be a part of this.

“I refuse to sell my integrity for a quick deal. Vaughn deserves better than this.”

A surprised expression flickers over Jenna’s face as she raises an eyebrow. “I mean, you’re really going to turn this down? We might be helping each other out. It’s just business, Rachel.”

“Business? This is not just business to me,” I reply, and the words tumble out before I can catch them. “Vaughn is about more than having a face for the brand. He’s not a dog. He’s a person, and he deserves respect.”

I see her expression change. Her smile falters as she crosses her arms. “You’re getting a bit too emotional about this, aren’t you? Maybe you have feelings for him?”

The accusation rattles me, and heat rises to my cheeks. “That has nothing to do with this!” I retort, my voice rising. “I’m here to do my job, and I am not going to go along with this kind of blatant manipulation. You should be ashamed of yourself for even suggesting something like that.”

Jenna sits back in her chair, looking surprised, then annoyed. “You’re taking this personally, Rachel. This is how businessworks. In this industry, you have to learn how to play the game if you want to succeed.”

I shake my head, incredulous. “I will not sell my values in return for anyone. Not now, not ever. And I’m most definitely not going to facilitate this kind of behavior.”

A tense silence hangs between us, and I am aware of the weight of my words in the air. I know I’ve hit a nerve, and Jenna’s gaze hardens. But I don’t care. I’ve played all the games. I’m done with the manipulation. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am, and I’m not going to let anyone pull me back down into the dark.

“Fine,” she finally says, her tone clipped. “If that’s how you feel, then we’re finished. This project will be someone else’s to take.”

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