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“No, your instinct was dead right.”
He eyes me carefully. “I’m proud of you moving on.”
“That’s because he has found the perfect distraction.” Jobe pats my shoulder and then takes a seat beside me. “After our meeting the other day, I understand the attraction.”
Dad’s brow furrows. “What meeting?”
I respond before Jobe says anything stupid, “I’ve hired someone to remodel the Malibu home. We get on quite well. Her ideas are unique. I offered her a contract so I can sell it in six months.”
“Only you didn’t make it clear you hired her to bring profit. She told me about creating the perfect home for you and remodeling it toyourneeds.”
“Penny isn’t privy to my intentions after the renovation. I’m hiring her to make it appealing to a certain buyer.”
Jobe assesses me. “Yet she seemed to be privy to your private life last night.” He raises his brow, challenging me.
“What am I missing?” my father asks.
A sly grin creeps into Jobe’s expression. “Have you checked the tabloids this morning?”
I yank my cell from my suit pocket.
My father does the same with his.
I type in my name, and a stream of photographs of Penny and me leaving the restaurant fills my feed. There is one taken through the front glass of the restaurant of the men I addressed last night in the foyer. Penny is there, her back to the camera.
“Who is this?” Dad asks.
“Penny, the interior designer and decorator.”
“Are you with her?”
“No.”
Jobe coughs out, “Bullshit.”
My father glares at him. “What do you know of it?”
“Franklin sent her to me to set up a liaison with our contractors.” Jobe swivels so he can see me. “Why are you denying it? Penny is great for you.”
My father’s gaze has been fixed on me the entire time. I sense the questions burning behind his eyes. He knows Penny is new and not known by our family ties. He can guess all he wants, as I’m not in the mood to hear his opinion about an average girl with no significant family who is only with me to snare our family’s billions.
Daphne earned his respect.
She also led me to Penny.
“Who is Penny?” Mom takes a seat beside my father. She picks up her glass of water and takes a few mouthfuls. “Franklin?”
“Franklin’s new girlfriend.” Jobe presses his hands behind his head and leans back with a smug grin on his face.
She chokes on the last mouthful. She looks at Jobe, then to me. “Is this true?”
“We spend time together because she is working for me.”
Mom tilts her head, and her freshly styled hair falls into place. “Are you bringing Penny to the gala?”
“No.” I could kill Jobe for bringing Penny into this. Once our relationship is out, she’ll be followed and photographed when she least expects it.
Daphne loved the attention.
