Filed to story: Watch Out, I’m The Lady Boss (Eleanor & Sebastian) Book PDF Free
Smoke coiled around his ear.
Sebastian tilted his head.
“Thought you were marrying the Rivera girl.”
“Called it off,” Cassian exhaled sharply.
“She’s… just too much drama. She and her parents, damn, I…”
He launched into a full complaint, his voice rising, hands waving, swearing freely.
The cigarette burned unevenly between his fingers.
Sebastian didn’t interrupt.
After a few minutes, the rant died down.
Cassian gave Sebastian’s shoulder a hard slap.
“I thought you were done with me, you know. After the Harper thing. You and Emmett iced me out of that bidding round, had me cursing you behind your back for a week. Don’t team up with that smug bastard. Stick with me. You know how I operate.”
“You brought that on yourself,” Sebastian retorted.
“Stop messing with Yvaine Carlisle and we won’t have a problem.”
Cassian groaned.
“It wasn’t even that serious.”
“It made Eleanor angry. If she’s angry, I’m not interested in being near you.”Cassian held up his hand like he was swearing in at court.
“I’m done with Yvaine. Ancient history, seriously.”
Footsteps echoed down the hall.
Rowan Hale appeared in the doorway.
“You’ve been out here a while. The room’s full of heavyweights and I’m stuck smiling like a lowly intern.”
Cassian looked at Sebastian.
Sebastian didn’t speak.
Cassian stubbed out his cigarette.
“Come on, let’s head back. At least say goodbye before you ditch.”
“Fine.” Sebastian walked back in with Cassian at his side, Rowan leading the way.
Back in the room, someone nudged their phone across the table.
“Is this Mr. Laurent and Miss Hale? You were just outside. Someone got a shot.”
Sebastian glanced at the screen.
Rowan stood beside him in the photo, three steps apart.
Neither of them was looking at the camera.
But the angle was deliberate, close, and caught his face in full.
Cassian had been cropped out completely.
The lighting suggested indoor exposure. The resolution was sharp.
He looked at Rowan.
One coincidence could be dismissed.
Two could not.
Another guest leaned forward, phone in hand.
“It’s picking up fast. Might hit the trending list before dessert.”
Sebastian’s face wasn’t public, but his name was.
The online speculation had already started.
Cassian had his phone out, barking instructions to someone.
Rowan exhaled hard.
“Sebastian, this is a mess. It wasn’t me, I swear. I didn’t arrange anyone. How the hell did they even get into the building?
She tapped on the image, squinting.
“This isn’t from outside. No glass reflection, no glare. They had to be in here. Probably one of the customers.”
“They’ve got to still be close,” one of the men nodded.
“That post went up barely two minutes ago.”
No one needed more encouragement.
All three men moved at once, dragging staff with them, all pretending it wasn’t for Sebastian’s benefit.
Twelve minutes later, a young man in a dark windbreaker was shoved through the door.
The man was tall, thin, and sweating.
A camera strap was twisted around his neck.
A restaurant staff member said, “Caught him crouched in the stairwell. Phone in hand. Logged into the same account that posted the photos.”
Rowan stepped forward.
“Was it you last time too? Who are you working for?”
The man glanced around the room.
Half a dozen pairs of eyes stared back.
His lips parted without sound, then finally: “No one sent me. I just wanted the clicks. That’s all. I swear.”
“Liar.” Sebastian walked towards him.
“You’ve done this before.”
The man’s knees gave out.
He dropped hard, hands on the floor, breath caught in his throat.
Cassian grabbed his collar, yanked him up, and dragged him towards the door.
“We’ll see if he talks with fewer teeth.”
The door slammed.
Two dull thuds followed.
Then silence. 1
Cassian reappeared minutes later, sleeves pushed to his elbows.
“He cracked. Said someone hired him.”
He dragged the man back into the room by one arm.
“Go on. Tell them.”
The man’s face was dry, no bruises, no swelling.
But his arms shook, and his spine wouldn’t hold.
He sank down onto the floor, legs spread awkwardly.
“I never saw her in person. Just a phone call. She sounded young. Gave me one job. That’s it. I only have her number.”
He recited it slowly, digits slurred.
Sebastian unlocked his phone.
The number was already saved.
He called.
The line cut off immediately.
Automated voice. Number was powered off.
He tried again.
Same result.
He lowered the phone.
Cassian leaned in, squinting at the contact name on the screen.
“Why are you calling your wife right now?”
He blinked. His face shifted.
“Wait. That number’s hers?” Cassian shook his head.