Page 92 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

He knew why I was here. And he thought bringing a team would make him more powerful. Give him the cards. Silly man. He’d never met a Bancroft like me.

“Bancroft.” He extended his hand as he approached. “Thank you for making time to meet.”

I stood and shook his hand. Professional. Firm. Gave nothing away. “Of course.”

“Please, sit.” He gestured magnanimously, like this was his show to run. “I wanted to thank you again for your efforts at the fundraiser. It was quite the success.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“And your fiancée was absolutely charming,” he said with what had to be the fakest smile. All teeth and bared gums. “Quite the unexpected choice but charming nonetheless.”

Every muscle in my body went tight. I didn’t like him talking about Cleo. Didn’t like the way he said unexpected choice like she was some kind of curiosity I’d brought along for entertainment. Didn’t like any of it. Honestly, I didn’t like him and that just soured everything else.

But I kept my expression neutral. “I’ll pass along the compliment.”

“Please do.” He settled into his chair at the head of the table. His board members arranged themselves on either side. “Now, shall we discuss the future of our partnership?”

“I’d like to speak with you privately,” I said.

Rossi’s smile sharpened. “I prefer to have my advisors present for all business discussions.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“Is there a problem?”

I looked at him steadily. Let the silence stretch until one of the board members shifted uncomfortably. Then I leaned back in my chair and made myself comfortable. “Fine,” I said. “I wanted to discuss exit clauses to the contract due to your financial status, and the relevant consequences.”

The room went dead silent. Rossi’s face went through several expressions in rapid succession. Confusion, realization, fury. He recovered quickly but not quickly enough. I’d already seen it. He had dropped the mask and I knew everything Sandra just told me was true. Not that I didn’t believe her, but sometimes things could get misinterpreted.

Not this time.

“I’m sorry?” His voice was dangerously quiet.

“Your financial status.” I kept my tone conversational. “We’ve done our due diligence. It’s quite clear that you can’t afford to maintain this partnership. I wanted to discuss a clean exit before things get complicated.”

One of the board members inhaled sharply. The others were staring at Rossi like they’d never seen him before. Or maybe like they were seeing him clearly for the first time.

Did they know their fearless leader was the captain of a sinking ship?

Rossi stood slowly. “Gentlemen. Ladies. Please excuse us.”

“Federico—” the silver-haired woman started.

“Now.”

They filed out. Every single one of them looked at me like I’d just detonated a bomb in the middle of the boardroom. Maybe I had. Oops.

As soon as the door closed, Rossi whirled on me.

“How dare you?” His composure had cracked completely. “How dare you come into my office and humiliate me in front of my board?”

“I gave you the option of privacy,” I said mildly. “You declined.”

He was pacing, hands clenched at his sides. “Do you enjoy this? These little power plays? Showing up with that woman on your arm, making a spectacle of my party.”

“Careful,” I said quietly.

“Your fiancée.” He practically spat the word. “Please. My team looked into her. She’s nobody. A personal assistant who conveniently works for your brother’s girlfriend. That’s the best you could do for your little charade?”