“You invited her?”

Grayson’s growl was tough, however not in a great way. After I turned to take a look at him, he was seething, his arms clenched into fists at his aspect. I hesitated, my eyes shifting between them.

“I– Y-yes… Sh-She was so upset about not with the ability to communicate with you. I assumed–”

Grayson bared his tooth, talking by way of a clenched jaw. “No, you didn’t. In case you had been pondering, you’ll have requested my opinion on the matter. My household issues are none of your corporation.”

His phrases sliced by way of me like a knife to the intestine and I took a couple of steps again routinely. In on a regular basis I’d labored with him, Grayson had by no means been so harsh with me. Even on his worst days, when he was struggling to deal with the workload, he was at all times affected person and type.

Miss Laurent scoffed. “Don’t be so merciless, Grayson. She was being considerate. It’s best to take a lesson from her–”

Grayson shot her a unclean look. “You’re the final particular person I’d ever take recommendation from. That you must go away. Now.”

She pouted once more, crossing her arms. “Don’t be that approach, Grayson. I do know we’ve had our variations, however–”

“However nothing. You’re solely right here for cash. You possibly can both go away or I’ll have you ever escorted out. Final warning.”

She lifted her chin, and the identical stubbornness I’d seen on Grayson’s face flashed throughout her expression. They stared one another down till Grayson pulled out his cellphone to name safety. She stomped her foot as soon as earlier than storming off in direction of the exit.

As soon as she was out of sight, I hesitantly stepped towards Grayson. “I-I’m sorry… I had no thought who she was. She mentioned she was an investor and–”

“She’s a liar. And also you shouldn’t have invited her.”

I dropped my gaze to the plate in my hand, nodding rapidly. “I get that, and I’m sorry–”

“Sorry modifications nothing!” he barked. His sharp tone made me leap and irritation flashed throughout his face earlier than he turned away from me. “I’ve extra work to do. Benefit from the occasion.”

“However… I’m supposed to assist…” I murmured, too ashamed to actually communicate up.

“You’ve completed sufficient.”

With out one other look in my course, he stormed off and disappeared into the group. I stood there, frozen, for who is aware of how lengthy, preventing again tears. I by no means meant to upset him. I used to be solely making an attempt to assist.

“That seemed tough.”

My backbone stiffened, and I sucked in a breath, turning round to face Alan. He sounded honest, however there was a sneer on his face as he leaned in opposition to a close-by desk. His eyes dragged over my outfit earlier than he huffed out amusing.

“Didn’t understand they made attire like that for ladies such as you.”

Ladies like me. It damage greater than I wished to confess. With Grayson’s livid dismissal nonetheless contemporary, Alan’s phrases minimize by way of all of the optimistic ideas I had after I confirmed up right here tonight. I swallowed laborious in opposition to the lump in my throat, ignoring him as I put the plate on the closest desk. He wandered nearer, retaining his voice low.

“I heard a rumor about you. One thing in regards to the exec’s secretary sleeping with three completely different dudes. That true?”

Ice flooded my veins, and I straightened, my eyes darting across the room. I hadn’t seen it earlier than, perhaps blissfully ignoring it, however now that I used to be paying consideration, I noticed the judgmental appears to be like individuals stored capturing at me, a pair leaning to whisper and level. Alan moved to face beside me, chuckling to himself.

“I assumed for positive they have been simply rumors. No approach three guys would truly need to fuck somebody as boring as you. However then the CSO determined to screw with me. It screamed jealous boyfriend. And I needed to know. So I went right down to HR throughout lunch and checked your file. Think about my shock that there have been three relationship contracts along with your title on it.”

My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t attract a deep breath. I might solely stare out on the crowd, a low buzzing in my ears.

“How’d you do it? I imply, I’ve been in mattress with you. The entire candy harmless shtick is boring as hell. Was it pity? They felt unhealthy for the pathetic secretary, in order that they determined to throw her a bone?” He laughed to himself. “Or have been you prepared to do some actually kinky shit to climb the ladder? Gang bangs, butt stuff, that type of factor. I guess it was that, proper? You have been at all times suggesting bizarre shit once we have been collectively. Perhaps that’s why you possibly can by no means get off like a standard particular person. Solely the bizarre shit works for freaks such as you.”

I didn’t reply to him. I couldn’t drive phrases previous my throat. If it bothered him, he didn’t let on, leaning in opposition to the desk along with his again to the group, his focus fully on me.

“Wager you’re critically regretting sticking round now. I imply, in any case that, you’re most likely taking a look at a demotion. Perhaps even getting fired. Everybody is aware of the CEO’s mother is a chunk of labor. Hell, even I do know that, and I barely know the man. You’re his secretary and also you invited the bitch? That’s fucked up.”

I winced. I hadn’t identified that. I nonetheless had no thought why. And it damage that my ex knew extra about my boyfriend’s household life than I did. If I might even nonetheless name Grayson my boyfriend. After the best way he checked out me…

“If I have been you, I’d be hightailing it out of right here. I wouldn’t need to stick round for extra fallout.”

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