Page 10 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

Felix continued. “You will work closely with him to discover his breeding and training plans. With that information, we will improve our program and know how to put obstacles in the way of his success. You will remain on Bankes Farms’ payroll, and you will doubly benefit.”

Piper was horrified. “Felix, what you suggest is nothing but deception and sabotage, and I refuse to play any part in it. I will not compromise my integrity no matter what you offer. Benefiting from two payrolls, indeed!” She shook her head. “Think of the damage to Bankes Farms’ reputation if the racing commission ever found out! Get this insane idea out of your head, Felix.”

“But youwillaccept the offer.”

“You can’t make up my mind for me, Felix. It’s my decision.” Piper started walking toward her car.

“Oh, but I can.”

Not liking the coldness in his tone, she turned around to see a smug smile on his face. She glared at him.

“Your so-called integrity will go up in flames if youdon’ttake the job because I will tell the horse breeding world a few long-overdue home truths.”

Piper’s mouth went dry, and she felt as if her life was about to come crashing down around her. “Wh— what are you talking about?”

“I think you’ve mistaken me for a fool,Caroline.I may have been impressed with you when we met in Argentina, but I was intrigued when I got the results of the background check I asked my solicitor to perform. Before I offered you the head trainer position, I knew that you were not who you pretended to be and didn’t have the background and formal training to support your resume. You’ve kept up the charade admirably, but I will not hesitate to expose you if you don’t assist me in bringing Olivera down from his high horse… so to speak.”

Piper had to think fast as she stood glaring at Felix. His eyes had turned to ice, and she did not doubt that he would make good on his threat. He had backed her into a corner, and there was no way to call his bluff.

My reputation and career will be ruined if anyone discovers the truth about me. Think, Piper. Think about how to make the best of this.

She stiffened her spine, wiped all emotion from her mind, and spoke quietly and forcefully. “If I do this treacherous thing, I have conditions.”

Felix threw back his head and laughed. “You are in no position to make conditions.”

She shook her head. “If you expect me to agree to the conspiracy, you will meet my conditions. They are simple and few, and you will agree in writing to them. One, I will not stay one more minute as a member of your staff. Two, you will not keep me on the payroll as I will not accept payment for betrayal. Three, I will work with Mr. Olivera for no longer than six months. You will have to be satisfied with what I find out and pass on to you within that timeframe. And finally, at the end of the six months, your solicitor will draw up a non-disclosure agreement between you and me. The contract will state that none of my personal and employment information gathered by you before and during my tenure with Bankes Farms will be divulged, or I can hold you accountable in court proceedings. Do I need to repeat anything, Felix?”

“I think I understand.” He opened his car door. “When will you tell him you accept the offer?”

“After you sign off on the conditions I will email your solicitor within the hour.”

Without further words between them, Felix got behind the wheel and closed the door.

Piper walked to her car with tears of anger and fright streaming down her face. She sat in her car crying, shaking, and trying to make sense of what had just happened, but she knew what had happened. She was being blackmailed into doing a dishonest and disloyal act against an employer—the two things Olivera said he expected. If she wavered, the façade she’d lived behind for years would crumble, and she would be labeled a fraud and banned from the equestrian world forever.

* * *

Piper got her same room back at the hotel and sat at the desk working on her laptop. She had already emailed Felix her resignation letter and sent the conditions agreement to his solicitor. She’d insisted on using a digital document signing program so she would not have to see Felix and expected the signed agreement by the end of the next day.

She had decided not to accept Mr. Olivera’s offer until she had the agreed-upon conditions. She knew Felix was not the most trustworthy person, but he had stooped to a new low with what he was forcing her to do. She read the contract offer thoroughly and had made a list of questions she would ask Mr. Olivera about his staff and the work done with the horses. She was jotting down notes when her mobile rang—it was Lydia. Piper had already worked out what she would say to Lydia and John, so she answered the call.

“Hi, Lydia.”

“Piper, I saw your car in the hotel parking lot. Why aren’t you at the farm?”

“After talking with Felix, I didn’t think it was necessary. Do you know if John is still in the hotel?”

“He is, and we’re together in the bar. Can you come down and join us?”

“I’m on my way.”

Piper checked her face in the mirror above the desk. It was no longer tear-stained, but she quickly splashed water on it and added a light powder and a lip gloss, then she grabbed her jacket and left the room. Her eyes immediately found Lydia and John in the bar sitting at a high table against the wall.

“What’s this?” said Piper as she spied a drink on the table in front of an empty stool.

“Knowing you were on your way, we ordered your vodka for you,” answered John. “Please note we remembered the lime.” He smiled and winked in her direction.

Piper stepped up into the empty chair. “Yes, you did, and I thank you.” She took a drink from the glass and leaned back.

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