Page 151 of Brighter Together

A couple of people at the table look down.

Lee’s eyes are locked on me.

His father speaks before he can.

“I’ve heard quite enough. I won’t have you coming into my business making accusations against my family.”

I almost laugh.

The absurdity of that statement is breathtaking.

Then his mouth curls.

“Especially when you are hardly in a position to take the moral high ground. Fucking your own employee.”

For a moment, I wonder if I’m going to have to hold Nick back, judging by the way he flinches beside me. I don’t let the words get to me. Not yet. I was expecting this.

“I wonder what your staff and guests would think about a hotel owner using his position to seduce a vulnerable employee,” Mr Grange sneers.

There it is.

The blow he thinks will land.

Yesterday, perhaps it might have.

Today it doesn’t.

“My staff know I’m in love with your daughter.”

For the first time since I walked into the room, Ella’s father loses a little of his composure.

Only for a second.

It is enough to make me feel a small victory.

“And my guests only care whether their poached eggs are runny.”

A snort comes from beside me.

Nick disguises it very badly as a cough.

I almost smile.

Almost.

“We told the staff yesterday,” I continue. “They cheered, asked if there would be cake and then went back to work. So if you were hoping to frighten me with some scandal involving two consenting adults, you’re going to need something better.”

Lee mutters something under his breath.

I ignore him.

“I’m also not interested in trading threats or digging through your private lives to see who has the most dirt. I came here for two reasons.”

I hold up one finger.

“Your proposal is rejected.”

A second.