Page 29 of My Arrogant Millionaire

20

Grace

My heart raced as I pressed myself tightly against the cold building wall. An icy autumn wind whistled through the alley behind the event venue. I had been waiting for this moment for so long, and now that it had finally arrived, I was consumed by sheer panic.

Why? It was she who had deceived me and now acted as if nothing had happened. The one who danced flirtatiously and laughingly at an event that I had planned after I had to pick up all the shattered pieces. Did the guy by her side know what a deceitful bitch Mel was, or had she wrapped him around her finger just as she had with me back then? To this day, I had no answer as to whether it had been sheer calculation to pretend to be my best friend just to get her hands on my hard-earned money, or if she had spontaneously decided to rob me.

Now the moment had come when I could get answers and, above all, compensation, and what was I doing? Completely overwhelmed by the situation.

The heavy metal door emitted a groaning noise and sultry air wafted from inside over my trembling body.

»Grace?« Baron’s voice immediately spread warmth within me like a cozy blanket. »Is everything alright?«

He came to me and rubbed my bare, goosebump-covered arms.

»Far from it,« I replied weakly.

»Tell me.«

At first, I hesitated, not because I didn’t want to confide in Baron, but because I simply wasn’t used to trusting someone I had known for such a short time. The past had shown me that it was a mistake to reveal too much of oneself too quickly. But this was Baron, who had made it unmistakably clear that he wanted me and was there for me.

»Mel is here.«

»Your former business partner?« I nodded at his question. He took off his tuxedo jacket and draped it over my shoulders. »How do you want to handle this?«

I clenched my hands into fists and had the brief, insane urge to punch the solid brick wall in front of me. Anger replaced the panic of a confrontation, and suddenly I saw everything more clearly than ever before.

I looked at Baron, and he patiently awaited my response. »If she sees me, she’ll run away immediately; I’m sure of that,« I stated firmly.

»So we need to find a way to keep her from knowing you’re here,« Baron completed my sentence. Slowly, I nodded, and together we crafted a plan for me to finally find the satisfaction I sought.

21

Baron

My girl had a wild plan, and I loved nothing more than to support her in it. The event faded into the background; it was so perfectly planned that nothing could go wrong even if I were to secretly disappear now.

But that wasn’t what I intended to do. At least not alone. With confident strides, I approached the left side of the bar. The bartenders did their best to entertain those waiting. The sleeve of my jacket slid up, exposing my Rolex as I rested my arms on the counter. I immediately saw the moment Mel’s gaze fell upon it and her eyes widened. This was the perfect event for a con artist like her. Scores of people with money, power, or both. Which made me her perfect target, as I was the biggest fish in the room.

I felt her eyes on my profile.

»What can I get you, Mr. Spencer?« the bartender asked.

»A Laori Juniper with tonic.«

»Spencer? Baron Spencer?« I had to hide my satisfied grin as I heard her voice. In this moment, I was not the prey. Slowly, I turned to face her.

»That’s me.«

»Pleased to meet you, Melanie Gonzales.« She extended her hand, and I charmingly brushed a feigned air kiss upon it. Her grin widened, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. Her black hair was wavy and loose, and she wore a cherry-red dress with a rather deep neckline. I could tell right away that she was on the prowl tonight, for I had encountered women like her in the past. Theo and I had called them gold diggers.

»You own Spencer Studios!« she exclaimed, impressed. »This is your party?«

I nodded. »That’s correct. Are you enjoying the evening?«

»Yes, very much!« She acted like an excited groupie who couldn’t imagine anything more thrilling than meeting me in person. My eyes briefly scanned the room and met Betty’s disapproving gaze. I almost burst out laughing, knowing she completely misread the situation. I nodded at her, hoping she wouldn’t put on a scene and jeopardize our plan.

»Your drink, Mr. Spencer,« the bartender said.

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