Page 314 of Most Eligible Billionaire CEO

She comes and stands in front of me, hovering over me like a witch about to pounce. She curls her lips up in a smug smirk. “Some of us have lives, Jules,” she says. “While you’re slaving, wasting your youth, the duke and I are attending a yacht party in Marina del Rey. This,” she waves her finger up and down the length of her body, “is designer. A gift from my boyfriend,” she answers my unoffered question. “I even got my hair done for the occasion,” she smooths down her flaming-colored hair, a smug smirk perking her lips. “Being a blonde in LA is soooo cliché.” Which is why you spend an exorbitant amount at the salon to get Olive and Petula’s hair dyed every six weeks like clockwork? “This hair color is much more New York and the duke says I look much better as a redhead.” Eye roll. “It makes me stand out and give me an air of sophistication.” Clearly the duke doesn’t grasp the meaning of sophistication.

“Do you want me to organize a ticker-tape parade?” I sneer with a bitchy curve of my lips. I’m heaping the sarcasm on, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

She glares at me.

The tension between us is suffocating.

I have my issues with Hillary, but I still struggle to understand what my father saw in this woman. Her only redeeming quality is she’d beg, steal, and die for her daughters. That said, I doubt she truly ever cared about my father. And from what I’ve observed since his passing, I’m certain she never loved him. Daddy was just a kindhearted man who was lonely when Hillary came crashing into his life. The thing is, Daddy didn’t fall in love easily, and once he did, he couldn’t see anything. Hillary used that to her advantage. Until his last breath, he was oblivious to her faults.

“That won’t be necessary,” she says, checking her manicure. “I thought I’d stop by to talk about the next steps. Given it’s Saturday, I knew I’d find you here.”

“What do you want?” I ask, not bothering to hide my annoyance.

“You’ve been ignoring my text messages and calls all week,” she reprimands.

“I’ve been busy,” I retort. “Remember, you gave me an ultimatum.”

“Yes, and that’s exactly why I’m here. I’m glad you came to your senses about the house.” My jaw clenches. “I might not get much out of it once we sell it, but at least it’ll be lunch money and, when I move to New York,” Condescending bitch, “it’s so important to be seen at the right restaurants.” Eye roll. Hillary wanted to work with a real estate agent she knows. I put my foot down. Levi found me someone he trusts. That’s good enough for me. Hillary was fuming, but in the end, her greed won over. She’s desperate for her half of the money. “Have you found a way to buy out my shares from this sinking business?” she asks, straightening her shoulders and adjusting her blazer.

God, that color is offensive to the eye.

I stare down at my clasped fingers as a foreign emotion seizes me—rebellion. “Hillary, I have two weeks left. So, calm the hell down.”

Her expression shifts to amusement. “You know, it would be much easier if you just left me the house. Your half can make up for my shares in this company.”

I shake my head. “Not going to happen,” I state. “My father left me half of the house. It’s mine. Not yours. In fact, that other half should’ve never been yours to begin with.”

Her hand curls into a fist and she draws in a harsh breath. “Grudges are petty and immature, Jules,” she says. “I’m Hamilton’s widow,” —I don’t need the reminder— “therefore, I’m entitled to half of the house. Not much you can do about it now.”

I glower at her.

“It’s so convenient how Daddy is sometimes your husband and sometimes he’s just the guy you leeched on!” I rebut.

“Where are you going to find that kind of money in only two weeks?” she ignores my snide comment.

“As long as I come up with it, why do you care?” I snap.

Levi and I have talked about this at length.

Hillary is oblivious to everything that’s transpired in the last two weeks and we’re determined to keep it that way. If she catches wind of our progress, I’m doomed.

“Did business pickup all of a sudden?” She looks around the conference room before letting out a demented laugh. “Oh, God,” she says, clenching her stomach. “That was a funny joke.” Bitch! “Business is still a flatline… as always.” Fuck off! “Unless you win at the lottery, there’s no way you’re going to come up with the money. Instead of wasting everyone’s time, just give me your half of the house and let’s call it a day.”

Over my dead body.

I shoot to my feet, anchoring my splayed hands against the conference room table, because God knows if I don’t, I’m liable to slap this woman across the face.

“Keep dreaming,” I retort.

An evil smirk slides across her lips, and her gaze sharpens on me, angry slivers darting back at me. “Cut the act. You’re on borrowed time. We both know it.”

“This isn’t an act, Hillary. I’m as serious as a heart attack,” I state. “You’ve taken enough from my father and from me. I’m not handing you my half of the house.” I have to coax myself to keep my boiling rage in check. “You’re going to get your share of the company. I. Will. Buy. You. Out,” I grit through clenched teeth.

Since meeting Levi, I silenced the straight and narrow girl inside me, and a new woman emerged in her place. Daring, brazen and willing to embrace her sexuality. It’s the same for business. Now that I know what I have in the palm of my hand, nothing this despicable woman says can affect me. I’m Teflon––nothing sticks to me anymore. And you better believe I’m ready to fight for what’s mine.

She crosses her arms over her chest, lifting her chin. The gesture drips with disdain. “You may act like a tough girl, but I won’t hesitate to sue you––”

“You can take your empty threats and stuff them where the sun don’t shine,” I spit out.

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