Page 32 of In A Mood For Mr. Wrong

I nod, forcing myself to take a steadying breath. I should be terrified, but something else is creeping in anger. Liamthinkshe still has power over me. He thinks he can keep playing games.

"You know what?" I mutter, crossing my arms. "I’m done letting him control the narrative."

Grayson glances at me, his jaw tight. "What are you thinking?"

I meet his gaze, my voice steadier than I feel. "I say we stop playing defense and go straight for the checkmate."

Grayson’s eyes narrow as he studies me. "I like the sound of that. But first, we need to know exactly who we’re dealing with." He dials his contact, stepping away as he speaks in low, clipped tones. I watch him pace, every muscle in his body taut with controlled fury. The way he takes charge, the way he refuses to let fear dictate his actions, it’s frustratingly attractive. A few minutes later, he hangs up and turns to me, his expression unreadable. "We traced the email. The IP address is linked to someone insidePerfectly Matched."

My stomach drops. "What?"

Grayson nods, his jaw tightening. "And it gets worse. The connection? It leads back to my aunt."

I feel like the floor has been ripped out from under me. "Youraunt? Why would she…"

"That’s what we’re about to find out." He grabs his keys. "Let’s go."

I don’t hesitate. If she’s been working with Liam, if she’s the reason he had my information in the first place, then I want answers. We head straight for her house, and by the time we pull into the driveway, my pulse is pounding. Grayson doesn’t bother knocking, he pushes the door open and steps inside, his voice hard. "We need to talk. Now."

His aunt, Eleanor King, looks up from where she’s sitting in the living room, her expression shifting from surprise tosomething unreadable. She’s in her late fifties, elegant but sharp-edged, with perfectly styled silver-blonde hair and an expensive silk blouse that screams control. Everything about her, from the way she holds her teacup to the assessing glance she gives us, radiates quiet authority, the kind of woman who never lifts her voice because she never has to.

"Grayson? What’s going on?"

I fold my arms, stepping beside him. "We traced the email. The one Liam sent me. It came from insidePerfectly Matched. And guess whose IP address it was linked to?"

For a second, she doesn’t react. Then, she exhales, setting her teacup down with a deliberate calmness that sends a chill down my spine.

"I suppose it was only a matter of time before you figured it out."

Grayson’s fists clench at his sides. "So it’s true. You were helping Liam."

She tilts her head, a slow, calculated movement. "Helping? No, Grayson. I was cleaning up a mess. A mess thatyouandMargotcreated."

Grayson’s eyes darken. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Eleanor exhales, smoothing an invisible crease in her blouse. "You two took something that should have been handledquietlyand made it a spectacle. Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused? The investors are nervous, the board is divided, and the reputation ofPerfectly Matchedis at risk because of your little rivalry. And now, with Liam’s antics, the media is circling like vultures."

My hands ball into fists at my sides. "So what? You thought leaking my personal information to a psychopath was a reasonable solution?"

She tuts. "I didn’t give him your address, Margot. But I did give him just enough information to remind you both that you are not untouchable."

Grayson takes a threatening step forward. "You played with fire, Eleanor. You let a predator get close to her. And for what? So you could manipulate the board into taking my shares?"

She smirks, but there’s no warmth in it. "If it meant securing the future of this company, then yes, I’d do it again.Perfectly Matchedwas never meant to be yours, Grayson. And it certainly was never meant for her."

Grayson’s fists tighten, his body coiled like a predator ready to strike. "You put Margot in danger forthis? You risked everything, our reputation, the company, my trust, just to play puppet master?"

Eleanor remains unshaken, her gaze sharp and assessing. "You’ve always been too emotional, Grayson. That’s why you were never the right choice. You react. You don’t strategize. This company needs someone who understands control."

Margot steps forward, voice laced with venom. "And I suppose that someone is you?"

Eleanor exhales through her nose, almost pitying. "Not just me. There are others who see the bigger picture. Do you really think I acted alone?"

Grayson’s entire demeanor shifts, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. "Who else is involved?"

Eleanor smiles, knowing. "You’re so focused on Liam, on me, on these petty games, that you haven’t even realized the real threat."

Margot’s breath catches. "Who is it?"

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