Page 50 of In A Mood For Mr. Wrong

My entire body goes cold. I grip my phone tighter. “What do you mean,meet Eleanor?”

“I mean she’s going into this alone. She thinks she can outmaneuver her.” Olivia exhales. “She won’t say what she’s planning, but I know that look, Grayson. She’s going to make a deal.”

My heart slams into my ribs. Margot is walking straight into the fire, and I am still sitting here, wallowing in my own mess. The thought of facing her still makes my stomach clench. But the thought of Eleanor winning, of Margot standing in that boardroom alone, thinking she has to fight this battle without me, that’s stronger than any fear I have. I’m already on my feet, grabbing my jacket.

Cassian watches me, intrigued. “Going to save your fiancée?”

I scowl. “Going to stop her from making a mistake she’ll regret.”

Cassian chuckles. “Same thing.”

I ignore him. Margot and I may be at odds, but I’m not about to let her walk into Eleanor’s trap alone. Not now. Not ever.

37

MARGOT

The last time I walked into a boardroom with Eleanor, I had Grayson by my side, today, I walk in alone. My heels click against the polished marble floors as I enter the conference room atPerfectly Matched. The weight of a dozen stares settles on me before I even take my seat. Eleanor is already at the head of the table, poised like a queen addressing her court. She’s dressed for victory. Crisp white suit. Pearl earrings. A picture of cool, untouchable elegance. I hate that I admire how calculated she is. I set my bag down and fold my hands on the table, meeting her gaze head-on. “Let’s not waste time. You wanted to see me.”

A slow, knowing smile spreads across Eleanor’s lips. “You’re here alone.”

She says it like she’s already won. I refuse to let her see my nerves. “What do you want, Eleanor?”

She exhales dramatically, as if this is allsoexhausting for her. “Margot, darling. This isn’t personal.”

I resist the urge to laugh. “It’sentirelypersonal.”

She tilts her head slightly, studying me like a puzzle she’s already solved. “Fine. Have it your way.” She foldsher hands neatly on the table. “The board has concerns. Understandable, given the…unfortunate revelationsabout Grayson’s parentage.Perfectly Matchedis built on credibility, trust, and legacy. Right now, we’re in the middle of a media firestorm questioning all of those things.”

I keep my expression neutral, but inside, my pulse hammers.

She leans forward slightly. “The truth is, the board is looking for stability. For someone who isn’t tied to a scandal. Someone theytrustto lead.”

I already know where this is going, but I let her say it.

“I want you to take overPerfectly Matched,” she says smoothly. “As interim CEO.”

I blink.

I expected her to cut me out completely. To ripPerfectly Matchedfrom both of us. But this? This is worse. She’s not offering me power. She’s offering me betrayal on a silver platter. If I say yes, I keepPerfectly Matched. I keep the company Grayson and I built, the dream we shared, but I losehim.

Eleanor must see my hesitation because she smiles, as if she’s already won. “This is temporary, of course. Just until we can stabilize public confidence. You wouldn’t bereplacingGrayson. You’d beprotectingthe company.”

I don’t miss the way she carefully phrases it. Protecting. Not taking. Not stealing. Not betraying. It’s a lie wrapped in a pretty bow, and she knows it.

I lift my chin. “And what happens to Grayson?”

Eleanor gives me a sympathetic look. “Oh, Margot. Grayson’s position is already gone. He may not realize it yet, but there’s no future for him atPerfectly Matched.” She leans back, crossing her legs elegantly. “But you? Youcouldhave one. And you could ensure this companysurvivesthe fallout.”

The board members murmur amongst themselves. I can feel them watching me, waiting. My heart pounds. I need to buytime. I need to find another way, but Eleanor isn’t giving me another way. She’s backing me into a corner and handing me the knife.

I take a slow breath. “I need time to think.”

Eleanor smiles, knowing she’s already got me halfway there. “Of course. But don’t take too long, darling. The board is meeting again soon, and if you don’t step up… someone else will.”

I force a nod, gather my bag, and push to my feet. Every step toward the door feels heavier. I shouldn’t even be considering this. Grayson would never forgive me. Hell, I might not forgive myself. But if I don’t take this deal, Eleanor wins, and that might be even worse.

I barely make it into the elevator before I feel my entire body deflate. My hands shake as I press the button for the lobby, my mind racing. I need a plan. I need to get ahead of this. I need…

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