Chapter 17–A Wife Is Found!
Heaned back in my chair, staring at my phone like it was the most beautiful thing in the world,
Another message lit up the screen X
Audit called Suspicion rising. She’s cracking.
I grinned
Day one, and Faye was already being tested.
And she had no idea someone from her inner circle was feeding me updates in real time i
Perfect!
A soft knock sounded on my door
“Come in,” I said, not looking up.
Marcus stepped inside. He paused for a beat, probably confused by the smug look on my facel “You look.. weirdly pleased,” he said
I glanced up at him, still smiling. “Tam.
He raised an eyebrow. “You do realize what’s happening at Berkeley Empire right now, right?”
“Oh, I realize I said, setting my phone down gently. “Everything’s going according to plan.
“You don’t seem concerned
“That’s because there’s nothing to be concerned about.” I said, rising from my chair and walking to the window. “Let the company shake a little. It’ll push her exactly where I need her.”
Marcus let out a slow breath. “You’re still convinced she’ll accept your proposal
“Not convinced Certain ”
He opened his mouth, probably to arque, but just then, the door burst open.
“Hunter!“;
I didn’t have to turn to know who it was.}
My grandfather stormed into the office like he owned it. Which, in faimess, he kind of did. The man didn’t knock. Ever
“What are you doing here?” he barked. “You have a blind date in thirty minutes“}
I blinked. “What blind date?”
“The one I arranged for you! Don’t play dumb”
I turned to Marcus. “Did you know about this?”
Marcus looked trapped. “Uh, I didn’t tell you because the last time I mentioned a blind date, you threatened to castrate me.“! Grandfather turned to Marcus with narrowed eyes. “So you fear him more than me?!
Marcus stammered. “No! I just he was very specific about the knife-
“Enough” I cut in, holding up a hand. “Leave him alone, Grandpa. There’s no need for the blind date anymore.“}
Grandfather’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “Oh?”
“I’ve already found the woman I’m going to marry
That silenced the room
Grandfather blinked “You, what?“%
I smiled. “Faye Berkeley The long lost granddaughter of the Berkeley family.”
His mouth dropped open, then slowly curled into a grin. Faye Berkeley? The same one running the company now?“) “That’s the one
He stared at me like he couldn’t believe his luck. “She’s perfect.“)
“I knowT
“Where did you even meet her?”|
I shrugged casually “We met recently We hit it off. She’s strong, smart, beautiful Everything I want. And I plan to marry her.”
He eyed me for a second. “You’re not lying to me, are you, boy?“|||
“Would I lie to you about something like this?”
“Yes”
I said with a small laugh “But I’m not I’ll bring her to meet you tomorrow
He clapped his hands Tm proud of you, son finally doing something with that head of yours “I
Then just as quickly as he arrived, he turned and marched out of the room, muttering something about preparing dinner for royalty
As soon as the door shut, I sighed and ran a hand down my face i
Marcus cleared his throat “Hunter.”
“Wud now?!
“What now?”
“I was trying to tell you earlier. About the plan?”
“What about (17“)
“It’s… kind of not working
the v
he way we expected““.
I turned to him sharply “What do you mean?“%
“She figured some of it out. Called for an audit. Pulled internal operations. Froze contracts. She’s cleaning house, Hunter”
I stared at him in disbelief. “And you’re just telling me this now?!”
“I tried!” he said quickly. “But then your grandfather barged in and hijacked the conversation with his blind date agenda”
I groaned, rubbing my temples.
“She’s not crumbling?” I asked
“She’s shaken,” Marcus admitted. “But she’s not broken, if anything, she’s getting stronger. More focused.”
That was not the update I wanted.!!
I clenched my jaw. “I should’ve known she wouldn’t bend that easily.”
“So, do we stop?”
I shook my head. “No. We don’t stop. We adjust.”
I picked up my blazer from the back of my chair.
“Where are you going?” Marcus asked.?
“To see her ”
“Now?%
“Yes. She might be holding it together, but I want to see her face when I show up, I want to see if she’s bluffing.” Marcus hesitated. “And if she’s not?”
I smiled. “Then I’ll just make her an offer she won’t be able to refuse.”
We left the office together stepped into the private elevator, and I pressed the button for the parking lot.
As the doors closed, Marcus gave me a sideways glance
“You really think she’ll go for it?“%
“I know she will,” I said calmly. “Because if she doesn’t her company might not survive the next hit.” Right then, my phone buzzed again.
Another message from the mole.X
“She’s starting an internal investigation. Quint. But she’s serious.”
I smirked.
“Then we’d better get there before she finds the rat.