Page 25 of My Arrogant Millionaire

»Are you and Jill back together? Why are you here together tonight?«

God, these idiots had no damned clue, but I gave them the show they wanted, as it was all about the success of my company. I straightened my tuxedo, took Jill’s hand, and stepped out with her. As I wrapped an arm around her waist and put on my broadest grin while we walked to the entrance, answering photographers‹ questions and even signing autographs for video game fans, I longed for the moment when I’d be inside the building. Grace had outdone herself. The event took place in an old factory that had been modernized and was bathed in spectacular light from the outside by bright spotlights. It was absolutely my style, and I would have gladly traded my apartment for this gem.

We crossed the threshold, and the atmosphere immediately enveloped me. The interior consisted of a single large room. On the right side, a stage had been erected where the Imagine Dragons would perform later, having contributed some songs to our game and its advertising. Along the wall in the middle was a dining area where three dozen chefs, waiters, and waitresses prepared the reception drinks and snacks.

At the end of the hall, the ultimate, wet dream of every nerd had been erected. There were various consoles where one could play our game, a VR area with plenty of virtual reality goggles, and even a small bumper car area with a handful of cars. Throughout the room, there were references to the game – little hints, images, excerpts, quotes.

»Wow, this is incredible,« Jill said by my side, and all I could do was nod. The next guests pushed us from outside into the room, and finally, I snapped out of my stupor and approached Betty, who stood with a champagne glass and my chief programmer Sean near the dining area.

»Mr. Spencer!« she exclaimed delightedly. »Isn’t this wonderful?«

»It’s fantastic, yes.«

»Grace has a golden touch; I knew it the moment I met her.«

»She does.« A pang shot through my innards, whenever I thought of her, even for a moment.

»Hello, Betty,« Jill said, as the two knew each other from previous events. They greeted each other with a brief hug but remained reserved in their subsequent conversation. I had always suspected that Betty didn’t like Jill. I had no idea why. Jill was never pushy, and I didn’t get the impression she was after my money, as she was quite successful in her job.

I turned away from the two of them and discussed a few things with Sean, who had prepared some sequences for the opening presentation I would be giving in an hour. It was a casual welcome on stage with an impromptu speech and praise for the entire team, which now gathered beside scores of other guests in chic evening attire. As Sean continued talking, my gaze wandered searchingly through the rapidly filling room. I couldn’t help myself. I had to see her. Even if it was just a tiny glimpse of her, for my body longed for her so much that I tensed and clenched my hands into fists.

Jill returned to my side, her arm interlocking with mine once more. Her golden evening gown sparkled beneath the floodlights that adorned the ceiling, bathing the entire factory hall in a cozy yet glamorous atmosphere.

»I’m thirsty,« she complained, and I suppressed an annoyed sigh, as her presence hindered me from continuing my search for Grace. I gestured to a waiter passing through the crowd with a tray full of champagne and took a flute for Jill, offering it to her. »Thank you.« She knew that I didn’t drink at such events, but my nerves were too frayed to consider consuming anything now.

I glanced at my watch, which Jill immediately misinterpreted. »The presentation will be great, don’t worry.«

I wasn’t worried, at least not about the welcoming speech. For years, I had stood on stages, appeared in magazines, given interviews, and been the focus of paparazzi. I could deliver a speech in my sleep.

»May I borrow Baron for a moment? I’ve spotted someone we should talk to,« Betty interjected, stepping beside us.

»I’ll look after the lady,« Sean offered, nodding cordially to Jill.

»No problem, I’m in good hands,« Jill replied, disappearing with Sean toward the buffet, chattering away.

I extended my arm to Betty, which she immediately took. »Thank you. These shoes are killing me; I have no idea why I keep wearing them at our events.« She wiggled her feet, clad in mid-heeled sandals, and I offered her a genuine grin. We had maintained a friendly relationship since she began in her role as my assistant, which I also cultivated with many of my employees.

We set off, with Betty guiding me through the throngs of people. We had to frequently pause to greet and briefly chat with familiar faces – a natural part of such events. I fielded questions about the new game we were unveiling today, as well as our future plans, offering my standard answers as we continued onward.

»Grace is a very special young woman,« Betty suddenly remarked after we had dodged the crowd in the dining area. We approached the still-empty stage, encountering several technicians performing final checks. Soft music emanated from the speakers scattered throughout the space.

»Why are you telling me this, Betty?« I asked with a smile, and she shrugged.

»I don’t know. I have no ulterior motives, you know that, Mr. Spencer.« Her tone suggested otherwise. And suddenly, I froze in my tracks.

Only a few steps away from us, Grace conversed with a group of people who appeared to be employees. Her long, blonde hair was styled in waves that cascaded over one of her slender shoulders. The dress she wore left me utterly spellbound. It was a deep black, floor-length gown with a high slit, allowing her to move with ease. The straps were so delicate they were barely discernible, and her back... my goodness. She turned around, revealing the plunging backline that barely ceased above her derrière. So much soft, warm, perfect skin – I longed to alternately run my fingers and my tongue across it.

As if sensing my gaze, she turned to face me. The smile she had shared with the others faded for an infinitesimal moment, only to return once she spotted Betty. Betty disentangled herself from me and greeted Grace as if they were old friends. They laughed together, exchanging inside jokes, while I stood a few steps away like a fool, utterly captivated by Grace. She was breathtaking. And I had missed her terribly.

I snapped out of my reverie and approached her as well. I had no clue how we should greet each other. What was appropriate? Considering how close we had been, or taking into account her professional role here and our obligation to maintain distance?

I opted to act like a snobbish jerk, shoving my hands into the pockets of my tuxedo pants and doing nothing. »Hello, Miss Stone.«

»Mr. Spencer,« she greeted me with an equally cool and reserved tone. The look in her blue eyes reminded me of ice.

»The event is magnificent; you’ve truly outdone yourself,« I said, as Betty watched us like a hawk. One wrong word and she would know what was going on – I couldn’t put Grace in that position.

»Thank you. I’m delighted to have met your lofty expectations,« she replied.

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