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Of course it’s not true. I mean, it is true that we’ve been together sexually, but not in the way Liam has presented it. Ford, Hayden, and Gabriel were nothing but professional toward me the entire time I was working for them.
It was only after I stopped being their assistant that anything became sexual. And the way Liam spoke about me like I was some kind of object for their use… they might not be in love with me, but those three men have shown me more consideration, kindness, thoughtfulness and genuine respect than Liam ever did during our entire relationship, which was supposed to be romantic. He was supposed to be in love with me.
I glance back at Ford’s family, trying to gauge their reactions. Lydia looks sympathetic and worried. Elaine and Charles seem shocked and scandalized, and just generally upset by the whole scene. Liam looks so smugly satisfied it’s unbearable.
Part of me wants to say something—to defend myself, to explain—but why would these people believe me over their own son and brother? What’s the point? And I don’t want to deny what I’ve done, because there’s nothing wrong with it. I just want them to understand that we’re all adults who can have whatever sexual relationship we choose. What upsets me is that they now think these incredible men were callous and hurtful to me, treating me like an object.
But if I try to explain all of that—I don’t think someone like Charles would understand. Maybe not even Elaine. They won’t be able to see that it’s all consensual and wonderful, they’ll only see it as scandalous. It’s not worth trying to convince them.
I set the water down on the counter, untouched, and slip quietly out of the room. My heart feels like it’s cracking into pieces.
Somehow, between the most incredible night of my life and this morning, everything has fallen apart.
53
FORD
I put George on speaker so that Hayden and Gabriel can also contribute to damage control. “I understand you’re upset, sir…”
“You have no idea what ‘upset’ even means,” George roars through the phone.
My jaw clenches. This whole situation is becoming unmanageable. Silver Start is an excellent company and the best option for our expansion plans, but George is the kind of CEO who should’ve retired ages ago. He’s from an older era, and I don’t just mean in his values. He’s also from a time when he could just bellow and roar and people would scatter to give him whatever he wanted. Those days are over. And I won’t be bullied into groveling to anyone.
“But I would like to remind you that I have a right to be upset as well,” I continue evenly. “You’re coming to me, willing to end months of hard work between both your people and mine, because of a rumor someone randomly told you, without proof, and without corroboration.”
“There is a morality clause—”
“And do you fire people based on rumors with no evidence? Your poor HR department must be run ragged,” I reply, letting my voice sharpen. “Sir, my brother is a vindictive person who understands exactly how important this deal is to our company. He is trying to sabotage it and frankly I’m insulted it’s working so well with you.”
“George,” Gabriel cuts in smoothly, sensing my rising temper. He’s clearly pissed too—I can see it in his blazing eyes—but his voice stays controlled. “I urge you to remember how successful our company is, and how lucrative and beneficial our partnership would be for both parties.”
“And our personal lives shouldn’t be any of your damn business,” Hayden says, just loud enough for George to hear.
That sets him off again, ranting about how you behave in private affects how you behave in public. I glare at Hayden while Gabriel has to calm the guy down again. Hayden’s right, but that’s not going to fly with this particular dinosaur. He’s someone used to having his views stand unquestioned and I don’t think we’re going to change his mind in one angry phone call.
Gabriel manages to get George’s ruffled feathers smoothed down again, and then I take over. “I want you to think long and hard about what you’ve seen of us and our company over these past months, and then think about how you just believed some random person who clearly bears a grudge against us. And I want you to think about who you’re going to listen to, and how much work you’re willing to throw down the drain based on gossip.”
I can practically hear George turning it all over in his stubborn mind. “I’ll have to think about it,” he says at last, and then he hangs up without another word.
Gabriel slumps slightly in relief that the call is over.
“I can’t believe that arrogant prick would just believe some random bullshit a piece of shit says,” Hayden growls. “Unless he filmed us—and we could sue him into the ground for that—there’s no evidence. And all our employees will testify we didn’t sleep with Maeve while she worked for us.”
My fury at Liam knows no bounds. I’m not sure if we can salvage this deal or not. It’ll depend on what kind of man George really is underneath all that bluster. And as much as I want this deal with Silver Start, a man who will so readily believe a rumor from a vindictive person with no proof and pull the plug on an entire deal as a result is not the kind of man I actually want to work with anyway.
My bigger concern right now is Maeve.
Liam just deeply humiliated her in front of our entire family. If he told them, and told George, without a second thought—then what else has he done? Has he gone on social media or spread rumors at parties? Has he been telling anyone who will listen what a whore he thinks Maeve is?
The very idea makes me see red. I could literally kill him right now with my bare hands. And I’m not all that sure I won’t still go and kick his ass into next week.
“Where is she?” I ask Gabriel.
Gabriel steps out of the room and looks around the hallway. “I don’t see her anywhere.”
I stride past him into the dining room. My mother and father are picking at their breakfast, clearly uncomfortable. Lydia’s still eating, apparently with an appetite, talking animatedly at them. She sounds pissed, actually. Liam’s nowhere to be seen. Smart man.
“Any idea where Maeve went?” I ask.
