Page 81 of Grumpy Boss in Love

His nostrils flared, and his eyes burned with fury. “How long have you been planning it?”

“Excuse me?”

Was he messing with me? Maybe this was him trying to tease me the way I teased him mercilessly. My gaze ran over his dark expression. If that was the case, he was too good at playing. The giggle that always burst out when I was nervous circulated.

“Elliot, what’s going on?”

He shoved his phone into my hand and practically snarled. What had gotten into him? Eyeing him with mounting worry and confusion, I glanced at his phone screen. My heart plummeted and my breath escaped with a shockedwhoosh. I stared at the name of a popular blog site and then the headline.

Another Westwood Scandal.

The article went on to take a dig at Elliot’s scandalous arrival into the affluent family, then it got into our contract marriage. I looked up at him. “How…?”

He snatched the phone from me, clicked on it, and handed it back. I gulped, afraid to look. There was another article questioning his morals because he’d gotten married to swindled property from a “sweet old” couple. Swindle? That was a stretch. It wasn’t like he wasn’t paying for the place.

“Elliot, how did this get out?”

“Seriously?” he growled, making me jump. The accusation in his eyes made me take a step back because it was like a slap in the face.

“You thinkIdid this? How could you even think that?” I shrieked.

He let out a laugh so void of humor, it sent a chill down my spine. “Only one other person knew,” he said as he scrolled through his phone again. “And Ben would never. He hasn’t even told his wife. But you are a conniving woman.”

I gasped, my anger on the rise. “How dare you!”

“You made me think I could trust you. Sweet, innocent, and compassionate Ruby. You’re a great actress, I’ll give you that. I wouldn’t have ever thought you’d betray me like this.”

My temper got the best of me because I was downright hurt that he‘d think so lowly of me. Conniving? “Elliot, I suggest you stop talking before you insult me to the point of slapping you.”

Quirking an eyebrow, he shoved his phone at me again. With a sigh and an eye roll, I dutifully read… and my indignation turned to horror and then overwhelming guilt. The headlines made me sick.

Power Play: CEO Weds Employee for Business Advantages.

Westwood Collective’s CEO Disguised as Professor.

Billionaire CEO Unveiled for Secretly Marrying Student.

That article made it seem as if he broke the university rules to actually have an affair with his current student.

“The dean called this morning,” he shared darkly. “I was badgered about my relationship with you. They didn’t sound convinced that I got involved with you after you graduated. Considering that this scandal is so high profile, it’s safe to say I’ll lose my job at the university.”

Dammit. He loved that job.

“Keep reading,” he said.

Then I saw why he accused me. The source of information came from a friend and classmate of “the wife.”

I met his gaze, feeling nauseous. “Elliot, I told my friend, but I…”

Disappointment played out on his face, and then his features hardened again. “How much did you get?”

“What?”

“How much did you sell me out for?” he asked in a low tone. “Obviously, you planned this with your friend.”

“No! I didn’t think she’d… I just wanted to talk to someone.” I reached for his hand, but he backed away. “I swear, I didn’t know she’d tell anyone. I made a mistake, and I’m so sorry.”

“Leave,” he said.

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