Page 110 of Wicked Praise

Randall Scott leaned back in his chair and shrugged. “Don’t know what to tell you. Except you need to bring your client up to date.”

Bella was shaking. She was so angry.

“If, and I mean that with a huge if, this is true. Bella is still an equal shareholder, Mr. Scott,” Blake said firmly.

“Are you thinking of joining the board now your mother has passed on her shares? What do you know about running an empire this size, Bella? Do you think they will welcome a twenty-something girl who has worked in a museum and listen to a single thing you say?”

“Do not speak to my fiancé like that,” Blake growled, leaning forward.

“Save your threats, Dufort. Your little company is failing and if you think marrying Bella is going to save you, then both of you will find yourself behind bars for insider trading,” her father threatened, standing. “Perhaps while you are in New York, you could visit your cousins and ask them for a job.”

Blake stood.

Bella followed.

“This company is mine. It is my family’s!” she cried out as he pushed his chair in calmly and glanced at his lawyers.

Like they were annoying.

God, she hated him.

“Respect is not inherited, Bella, it is earned. The board does not want you here. Nor do I,” Randall said.

“You’re an asshole,” Blake said, shaking his head.

“Careful, Dufort.”

The two men stared at one another for a short moment, and she wondered if this was going to get physical.

They were both huge men. Her father might be much older, but he was still a strong, tall, and well-built man.

Although watching Blake throw a punch would be enjoyable.

“Lucky this room is full of lawyers.” Blake growled.

“Isn’t it.” Randall smirked, then glanced between the two of them. “All the best for the wedding. If it still goes ahead.”

Asshole.

“We will be having the authenticity of this document assessed,” Bill stated.

Her fury rose.

“I will not be intimidated by you like my mother was,” Bella hissed, lifting her chin. “You are a despicable human being. I will make it my life’s work to have you removed from this company.”

Randall laughed.

“Well, at least you have more balls than your mother.”

Bella’s control snapped.

She tried to push past Blake as he held her back.

“Don’t. He’s trying to get a reaction he can use against you,” Blake told her while glaring at Randall.

“See them out,” her father instructed two large security men at the door she hadn’t noticed. Then Randall’s lawyers all stood creating a wall of black suits.

What the fucking hell?

---