Filed to story: Watch Out, I’m The Lady Boss (Eleanor & Sebastian) Book PDF Free
“Someone sent it to me. A screenshot. I…” She pulled out her phone.
“I didn’t make it up. You sent that message!”She thrust her phone at the onlookers.
“See? I didn’t make it up.”
“Who sent it to you?” I pressed.
Serenna backed into a chair and nearly tripped. Her eyes darted frantically before she jabbed a finger like a drowning woman grabbing at driftwood.
“It was Daniel! He said he’d never betray me, so he sent me your text to prove it.”
“Daniel? Really?” I gave a cold laugh and turned to him.
He shook his head furiously, looking as lost as the rest of them.
“I didn’t.”
“Show me.” I held out my hand.
Serenna hesitated.
“What? If it’s real, why would you be afraid to show me?” I taunted.
She shoved the phone at me, trying to sound fierce but clearly rattled.
“Why should I be the one afraid?
You’re the one trying to seduce my man.”I looked at the image. It wasn’t a screenshot. It was a photo of my screen, taken with another phone.
Idiot. That was exactly what Genevieve’s glare at Serenna seemed to say.
I found myself agreeing with her for once.
“You’re sure Daniel sent this to you?” I asked again, herding her further into a corner.
“Yes.” Serenna had no choice but to cling to her shaky excuse.
I checked the sender. It was an unknown number.
I handed the phone to Sebastian.
“Look at the top corner,” I pointed out.
“That’s a woman’s hand.”
“Red nail polish,” he said, his voice sinking several degrees colder.
I lifted both of my hands for everyone to see.
“Clear polish.”Sebastian tossed the phone back. Serenna scrambled to catch it.
“Genevieve, your nails are red,” Sebastian said pointedly, his gaze hard on his childhood friend-soon to be ex -friend, if I had anything to say about it.
Genevieve quickly hid her hands behind her back, which was as good as a confession.
She bit her lip.
“I… it wasn’t me.”
“So what if she took the photo?” Serenna jumped in, desperate to fling the mud back at me.
“Doesn’t change the fact you sent the text. You tried to seduce my boyfriend.”
“You lie so easily, who can tell which part of your story is true and which isn’t?” Sebastian’s voice was ice.
“What proof do you have that I sent the text?” I shot back.
“It was your phone!” Serenna insisted.
“Anyone with my passcode or fingerprint can unlock it. And if I remember right”-I fixed Genevieve with a hard stare-‘you were right there when the waiter bumped into me. You took my glass from my hand. I thought you were being helpful. But now…” I scoffed.
“You really think a clumsy little text is enough to prove I’d cheat on Sebastian? Look at Daniel, then look at my husband. I’m not blind. Why would I throw away a man like Sebastian for someone like him?”I rounded on Serenna.
“And don’t start with that rubbish about me still having feelings for Daniel. I was stupid when I dated him, but I’m not stupid enough to repeat the mistake.”I advanced on her step by step, and the more I closed the distance, the more she faltered. Her eyes widened, panic flickering across her face, and she stumbled back.
“I told you before, keep your man in check and stop him pestering me.” I shoved Serenna hard.
“Check the security cameras,” Sebastian said suddenly.
I blinked in surprise. Cameras? After all this back-and-forth, we could have just pulled the footage from the start?
“But I thought the hotel switched them off for tonight’s party,” I said.
“That’s only the banquet hall and the first two floors,” Sebastian said.
We were on the third.
“Ha. Let’s see you deny it now.” I allowed myself a smug glance at Serenna and Genevieve.
“Genevieve,” Sebastian said, his eyes hard as steel, “admit what you did and apologise sincerely. If not, I’ll make sure the Crawford family disappears from Skyline.”
“I… no, please, don’t.”Unlike Serenna, Genevieve knew Sebastian well enough to realise he wasn’t bluffing. He never made empty threats.
“I… fine, I did it, all right? I…” She shot me a resentful glance.
“I sneaked into the suite when Eleanor was in the bathroom. I sent the text to Daniel.”Serenna gaped at her, stunned that her partner in crime had folded so easily.
“They’ve got no proof!”
“There’s a camera in the hallway,” I added helpfully.
“We can pull the footage and see exactly who came in here.”Sebastian didn’t say a word. His eyes stayed locked on Genevieve.
She dropped her head.
“I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”
“I’m not the one you should apologise to,” he said.
Genevieve bit her lip and looked at me through damp lashes.
“Eleanor, I’m sorry. I was jealous of you and I did something I shouldn’t have.”
“And you,” Sebastian turned to Serenna.
She stuttered out a half-hearted apology.
“Good enough?” he asked me.
“Good enough.” I shrugged and linked my arm through his.
“Let’s go.”After that farce, I wasn’t in the mood to hang around. I asked, “When can we leave?”
“Bored already?” Sebastian gave me a look.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll speak to a couple more associates, then we can go.”
“Fine. Then you go, I’ll stay in the lounge.”He led me to a sitting area on the second floor. The balcony overlooked the grand banquet hall below. Stay where I can see you.”
“I’m not five. I can take care of myself,” I said.
“Humour me.”I did.
Before he left, he checked again.
“Don’t wander off. If you need to go anywhere, let me know.”
“Including the loo?” I teased.
He didn’t find it funny.
“Just kidding.” I reached up and smoothed the frown line between his brows.
“Go. Do what you need to do.
Come find me when you’re done.”He gave me one last searching look, then walked away.
I poured myself a glass of orange juice and sank into a deep, plush armchair, watching the dancing, chatting, perfectly dressed crowd below. Everyone was smiling, just at different levels of fake.
Using my phone, I zoomed in on the jewellery they were wearing. The women’s pieces were varied, expensive, and predictably from the usual luxury brands. I rarely designed for men, but watching this roomful of the country’s business and political elite sparked new ideas.
“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”I glanced up from my jewellery app to see a pleasant-looking woman around my age.
She pointed at the chair next to me. They were the best seats in the lounge, with the best view.
“No, please, sit,” I said.
She lowered herself with some effort, and that was when I noticed the curve of her belly under a loose dress.
Catching my look, she smiled.
“Twelve weeks along. I’d have stayed home, but my husband dragged me here.”
I sympathised.
“Same here.”
“I’m Naomi Fenty.” She held out a hand.
I shook it.
“Eleanor Vance.” Then, remembering what had happened earlier, I corrected myself.