Filed to story: Watch Out, I’m The Lady Boss (Eleanor & Sebastian) Book PDF Free
“All that money, just to impress a woman.”Sebastian’s expression darkened. He shot Daniel a cold glare, but Daniel held his head high, seemingly unbothered.
“Let’s go,” I said quietly to Naomi.
The whole situation was unbearably awkward, and I just wanted to escape.
Naomi refused to budge.
“Don’t rush off. I’m sure Sebastian can handle this.”I sighed at her obvious delight in the spectacle.
“You’re impossible.”
“Just wait. You won’t regret staying. Sebastian won’t let you down.”
“Mr Howard, you promised compensation. I expect you to keep your word,” Sebastian said.
“Of course. It seems I must part with it, then,” Howard conceded.
“Selling it to me would still compensate Eleanor-after all, I’m giving it to her,” Daniel insisted, throwing another lingering look my way.
“And I’m offering half a billion more. Don’t turn down that kind of money, Mr Howard.”Howard visibly winced. Half a billion was nothing to sneeze at.
But a promise was a promise.
In the end, he turned to Sebastian.
“Mr Laurent, the ruby is yours. I look forward to the possibility of working together in the future.”
“I’m sure we will have that opportunity,” Sebastian said, a faint smile touching his lips as he shook Howard’s hand.
Howard nodded to his assistant, who placed the ruby into an elegant case and handed it to Sebastian.
The room erupted in chatter.
“My god, that’s insane.”
“I’ve seen people with money be flashy, but this is something else.”
“Unbelievably extravagant.”
“His wife is so lucky. Sebastian must adore her to spend that much just because she liked it.”
“Mr Howard, what should we do about this woman?” the assistant asked, gesturing toward Genevieve.
“Sebastian, this has nothing to do with me-there must have been some mistake,” Genevieve said frantically, stepping closer to him.
“Are you questioning the professionalism of the team I brought in?” Sebastian didn’t even look at her.
“What are you going to do, then? Let them call the police and have me arrested?”
“You will apologise to my wife first.”Genevieve bit her lip and shot me a venomous glare. I could feel the hatred radiating from her.
“You stole the ruby and tried to frame me. Don’t you think you owe me an apology?” I said coldly.
“Sebastian,” Genevieve pleaded, turning back to him with desperation in her eyes.
“Apologise,” he said, unmoved.
She stared at him, furious and heartbroken, tears welling in her eyes.
I watched her put on that pitiful act, but Sebastian’s expression didn’t soften.
“Cassian,” she tried, turning to him next.
Cassian gave a cold, humourless laugh.
“It seems we’ve spoiled you. Let you do as you pleased for too long. What you did was underhanded, and I’m not the only one who’s disappointed. Your brother would be ashamed of you. Apologise. And don’t let something like this happen again. We looked out for you for Timothee’s sake, but that doesn’t give you the right to hurt people.”Genevieve clenched her jaw. She’d rather look anywhere else than at me.
I turned to the host.
“Mr Howard, now that we know who really stole the ruby, shouldn’t you call the police? Theft of such a valuable gem must carry quite a sentence. I wonder how many years she’ll get.”
“Apologise,” Sebastian said again, his gaze fixed on Genevieve.
“This is the last time I’ll ask.”Genevieve pressed her lips together and finally muttered, barely audible, “Sorry.”
“What was that? I’m standing right here and I didn’t catch a word. Did any of you hear her?” Naomi wasn’t about to let her off that easily.
“Eleanor, did you hear what she said?”
“No, I didn’t.”Sebastian shot Genevieve a warning look. Something in his eyes must have frightened her, because she quickly tried again, louder this time: “Eleanor, I’m sorry.”
“Satisfied?” she then snapped, still glaring.
I gave a thin smile.
“Even so, I won’t forgive you.”
“You-!” Realising she’d been made to humiliate herself for nothing, Genevieve looked utterly furious.
“I’ve apologised. That should be enough,” she shouted at Sebastian, turning to leave.
But as she tried to go, Mr Howard’s bodyguards moved to block her path.
“You can’t leave just yet, Miss,” one of them said.
“Why not?” she spat back.
“Because you stole a billion-dollar ruby,” the assistant replied coldly.
“I don’t care who your family is. You committed theft, and we will be involving the police.”
“Sebastian!” Genevieve called out to him one last time, hoping he might still intervene.
He didn’t move.
“You made your choice. Now face the consequences.”
“But I did what you asked-I apologised!” Her voice rose.
“You’re really going to let them call the police? You’re just going to stand there?”I watched Sebastian closely.
“If I keep protecting you, I’m only making things worse. You need to learn.”
“You could help me if you wanted to! If you tell Mr Howard not to call the police, he’d listen to you. He’d do it as a favour. Why won’t you help me?” Her voice was thick with hurt and confusion.
“Because I won’t,” Sebastian said bluntly.
Why? You always used to protect me. Why not now?”
“Because this time you tried to frame my wife.”
“Hear that? Maybe don’t mess with married men next time,” Naomi cut in.
Genevieve was too furious to speak.
“So none of you are going to help me? You’ll just stand there while they take me away?” Panic crept into her voice as she saw the police entering the room.
Sebastian stayed silent.
“Cassian,” she tried again, turning her last hope to him.
Sebastian shot Cassian a warning glance.
“If Sebastian says no, there’s nothing I can do,” Cassian said with a shrug.
After Harry explained the situation to the officers, Genevieve was led away.
“My apologies for the interruption, everyone. Please, enjoy the rest of the evening,” Mr Howard announced smoothly.
“Come on, let’s go sit down.” Naomi linked her arm with mine.
“I need to tell you something.”Daniel approached.
“Eleanor, let me introduce you to some friends.”
“She’s not available,” Sebastian said coldly.
“She’s my date for the evening,” Daniel shot back.
“I need to talk to Naomi.” I looked at Daniel, my meaning clear.
“Of course. Take your time. I’ll find you later. But first, let me bring you something to eat.”
“That’s alright, I’m not hungry.”But Daniel ignored my refusal.
“You should still eat something. I’ll be right back.”Before I could say another word, he was already heading toward the buffet.
I glanced at Sebastian.
He stood rigid and cold, his displeasure obvious.
I turned to Naomi.
“Let’s get you off your feet. You must be tired, standing all this time while you’re pregnant.”
“I am, I really am. Come on, let’s go over there,” Naomi said, quickly picking up on the tense atmosphere between Sebastian and me.
“Ryan, we’ll catch up with you in a bit.”I practically dragged Naomi away with me, eager to escape.
Once we’d found a quiet spot to sit, Daniel reappeared with a plate of food, even handing me cutlery.
I shook my head.
“Thank you, but I’m not hungry.”Daniel sat down anyway.