Page 72 of Hating the Boss

“I’m not!”

“Good, because word has come out that she is involved in some sort of embezzlement scandal. I’m not sure how many people know, or if Howard Knight is aware, but keep that woman far away from you and Stellar Enterprises.”

I looked at him in shock. I knew Angela had a thing for money, but I never thought she would risk everything by stealing it.

“I’ll fix this,” I assured him.

“No. I’ll fix this. I can’t trust you not to mess anything else up. Go find one of those women and ask them to leave.”

I swallowed down my anger and nodded, watching as my father weaved through the crowd to go try and mend things with Howard. As soon as he was out of sight, I began looking for Angela. If I wanted to enjoy my night with Sarah and get in my father’s good graces again, I had to send away the problem. I hated not being with Sarah for another minute, but I had to do this first.

I spotted Angela by the bar, getting a refill on champagne and laughing with another woman. I strode over to her and wrapped my fingers around her arm, pulling her away. She looked up at me in surprise, before her expression settled into a sly smile.

“I knew you’d be back,” she said, her dark eyelashes fluttering as she looked up at me.

“You need to leave,” I said.

“Excuse me?” She raised a brow and looked around to see if anyone had overheard or was looking in our direction, her cheeks turning a shade of dark pink.

“I know about the embezzlement,” I said, dropping my voice low.

Her eyes widened as she yanked her arm out of my grasp. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…” she said.

“Yes, you do. Word is getting around, Angela.”

“You know I would never do anything like that,” she said, blinking up at me innocently.

“Yes, you would. You wanted to marry me for money, and when I figured it out, you left for a billionaire twice your age. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t stoop low for money.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, honey, you’re so serious. Honestly, I didn’t even know about the embezzlement. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Everyone has it all wrong.” She pouted.

I ran my hand through my hair frustratedly, wanting to tear it out just looking at Angela.

“You have to believe me,” she said, reaching up and trailing her fingers up my chest.

I grabbed her wrist and pushed it away.

“I will never believe another word you say,” I said through gritted teeth.

I was growing more and more frustrated by Angela’s little act. Her lack of accountability was mind-boggling. This woman had broken my heart, and while I had forgotten her, the wounds were still healing. The trust she had destroyed still being rebuilt.

“Brad…please,” she pleaded softly, her dark blue eyes watery.

I pressed my lips into a thin line and waited to hear whatever other bullshit she had to spew. I wasn’t sure why I was even entertaining this. I wanted her to leave. If hearing her little sob story would get her out of this ballroom, then so be it.

“I’m broke.” She choked on a sob. “I have nothing.”

“Judging by the diamonds in your ears and the gown you're wearing, I highly doubt that.”

“They’re on loan. I really mean it. I’ve lost everything,” she insisted, grabbing the lapels of my tux. “And my fiancé…he left me.”

“Smart man,” I said, pulling away from her grasp.

“I need you,” she said frantically.

“You need money.”

“No! I need you. We were so good together. You know that.”