Page 68 of The Next Door Billionaire's Deception

“Easy, Melissa.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? We talked yesterday, but you never mentioned any of this.”

He stares into his cup before drinking the rest of the brandy.

“Do you know why I’m here in New York?”

My eyes are blurry with tears, and I turn to Alex.

“I’m here because of Richard. Last week, he told me he was moving forward with a plan to merge the two companies. He's already started the processing. I did some findings, and it seems he has come up with a proposal, according to Anna. It’s not public yet, so I don’t know what it'll come to. I’m here to make sure you’re not affected in any way. Richard is a determined man and won’t quit until he gets what he wants.”

My legs wobble as it dawns on me. I told Richard a way to take over Emerald indirectly.

“Does this involve a partnership or anything?”

“Yes. Has the board informed you?”

Damn it. Why did you have to be so gullible, Melissa?

“Is that all?”

“All that matters.”

“You mentioned the name, Anna, thrice. You said this Anna was his assistant. Is she a red-haired, petite young woman, who wears glasses?”

“Yes. Have you met her before?”

I have. She’s an employee of Vibrant that I’m acquainted with – the only one.

Did Richard tell her to spy on me?

“Are you thinking of talking to Richard, ‘Lissa?”

“Where’s the bathroom?”

“In the hall, second door to the right. Are you alright?”

I head for the hallway, light-headed. In the bathroom, I gaze at my reflection in the mirror.You’ve been played again, Melissa.

I scoop some water onto my face, before glancing at the mirror once more. Then I sit on the tiled floor, bursting into tears – loud sobs that shake my body. A knock comes on the door.

“Melissa? Are you alright? Should I come in?”

“Don’t! I’ll be fine.”

I wipe my face with my sleeves. Tomorrow, I’m giving Richard a piece of my mind. But first, I have to contact someone.

“You wanted to meet me, Miss Durham?”

Anna, in a simple formal dress, sits across me in a busy McDonald’s restaurant, a curious stare registered on her face.

“I did, Anna. Thanks for making out the time to see me.”

It took a lot of thinking yesterday before I remembered I know someone who works in Vibrant Corp. Anna is easy to talk to due to her cheerful nature. Today, I’m counting on that.

“No issue. Do you need me for something?”

Before I can answer, a young waiter approaches our table with the orders we made a few minutes earlier.

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