Page 150 of The Protégé

“For someone so intelligent, you’re dense about relationships.”

I was going to retort that he wasn’t great at relationships either, but I dropped it. He wasn’t wrong. I’d been so blind that I’d hurt Elena unintentionally.

“What do you suggest I do, Smarty Pants?”

“Show her she’s the one. Show her she matters themost.Be creative, idiot.”

I smiled at his insult. He usually whipped them out when he was angry.

“I’ve seen you with Kate, and I’ve seen you with Elena. I can tell who holds your heart. Make her understand this before it’s too late. Listen to this old man who’s made a lot of mistakes.” He sighed. “She gave you time to think about things, but you’re taking too damn long. Even for my old ass.”

“Okay,” I said.

“That’s it? Just okay? No smart comeback?”

“You’re right about everything.”

I’d been blinded by anger and vengeance. I didn’t see how my reaction would have appeared from Elena’s perspective. She’d been assaulted by Jasper that day, and I’d been furious with him. But his comment about Kate’s pills ignited a wrath I didn’t see coming. Kate’s death had been ruled a suicide, but no one knew about the pills except me and Ralph.

Jasper’s comment confirmed he was present the day she died. They’d killed her andmadeit appear like a suicide. That was the darkness that rose in me.

I mentioned this to Ralph, and he replied, “I know they’ll pay for it.”

“I’ll make it up to Elena,” I said. “Thank you for the reminder.”

Ralph continued reprimanding me for another five minutes until he had to leave for a date with Evelyn.

I imagined Elena feeling miserable and thinking she held a second place in my heart. It was my fault for failing to make her understand she was the most important person to me. I loved her with everything I had. She dominated my heart and soul. I had to let her know.

Even though it was late, I sent her a text message so she could see it tomorrow.

Orion:We need to talk. I love you. I’m sorry for taking too long to think.

Then my phone buzzed with a message. But the text came from an unfamiliar number. Unease wormed into my stomach. Normally, I wouldn’t click on unknown numbers, but something urged me to check this one out.

I clicked on the image.

Unknown:Step down as CEO of Reimann Corporation or this will be all over the news.

A video of me kissing and fucking Chantel appeared on the screen. Fury spiked in me. Who had created this video? They’d used all the events where Chantel and I had appeared together. The video was fake. The man looked like me, but I could tell it was AI manipulation. I owned a company that specialized in this kind of technology.

Who was behind this?

Unknown:Elena already has a copy of this. I can send her more. RESIGN NOW.

Rage rose in my blood, making my fingers tremble. But I closed my eyes for a moment to gather myself. These people wanted to unsettle me so they could attack when I least expected it.

Though I wanted to reply, I stopped myself.

Elena.The video must have devastated her. She had to know the person in the video wasn’t me.

I sent the video to my tech team and asked them to look into the source. I also gave them the unknown phone number that was used to contact me and Elena.

Someone from the Reimann Corporation was desperate because I was getting close to him.

Tomorrow, I’d settle this family matter once and for all.

CHAPTER SIXTY

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