Filed to story: Watch Out, I’m The Lady Boss (Eleanor & Sebastian) Book PDF Free
“You’re coming with me.”
“What are you doing?” I glared at him.
“I don’t want to leave. If you have something to say, say it right here.” Sebastian’s brows were drawn tight, his expression dark.
“Don’t you owe me an explanation for why you’re here with him?” His voice was low and strained, thick with barely contained anger.
“And what about you? Care to explain why you were with Genevieve here? And why you keep protecting her, over and over?”Sebastian looked at me as though I was being unreasonable.
“Do we have to do this now?”
“Do what, exactly?”
“Have this conversation.”
“Why not?”
“Fine. I don’t like you spending time with Daniel.”
“Well, I don’t like you spending time with Genevieve,” I shot back, just as seriously.
“I’ll do my best not to see her from now on,” Sebastian said without hesitation.
His response took me by surprise. I hadn’t expected him to say that.
But soon, a cynical laugh escaped me.
“Am I supposed to believe you? You promised me before that if she ever hurt me, you’d do something about it. But did you? Don’t make me laugh.”
“So that’s what this is about? You’re still mad at me, so you came here with Daniel?”
“I’m not mad. I’m just disappointed,” I said, and I let him see it in my eyes.
“I’ll make it right.”
“Will you, really?”If he wouldn’t even punish Genevieve for pushing me into the lake and nearly killing me, what justice could he possibly give me? I didn’t know why I was still holding out hope.
I stood up and turned to leave, but Sebastian grabbed my wrist.
“Are you going back to him?”
“I need to use the toilet,” I said flatly.
Sebastian followed me all the way to the ladies” room entrance. I looked at him.
“Coming in?”He’d thought I was making an excuse, and now he looked slightly embarrassed.
“I’ll wait here.”I didn’t answer, just gave him a look and went inside.
When I came out, Sebastian said, “Naomi says she misses you. She’d like you to go over and chat with her.”
“Fine.”By the time we returned to the function room, the atmosphere had shifted. The music had stopped, and people were murmuring uneasily. Something had happened.
“What’s going on?” Sebastian asked, frowning as he approached Ryan and Cassian.
“Something’s been stolen,” Cassian said, his own expression tense.
“One of the exhibition pieces is missing-the red ruby, the most valuable one. It’s estimated to be worth at least a billion,” Ryan explained.
“Missing? How?” Sebastian asked.
“That’s the host over there, the owner of the ruby,” Ryan said quietly.
A tuxedoed man approached with two bodyguards, his face grim.
“I’m sorry, Miss, but could you please open your bag for inspection? Someone has reported seeing you take our property,” the assistant beside the tuxedoed man said to me with a tone of forced politeness.
Everyone had gathered around, and all eyes were fixed on me.
I was confused.
“I didn’t take anything. I wasn’t even here earlier. How could it have been me?”
“She’s right. She wasn’t even here.” Naomi was the first to step forward.
Sebastian moved to shield me, his expression cold as he addressed the host.
“Do you have any proof, Mr Howard?”
“We have an eyewitness report. I’m afraid we must insist,” the assistant replied smoothly.
“And what exactly are you planning to do?” Naomi demanded.
“If you wish to prove your innocence, please simply allow us to check your bag,” the assistant said, looking directly at me.
“Fine.” I was willing to comply to clear my name, but not to be bullied.
“But what happens if the ruby isn’t in my bag?”
“We will, of course, offer compensation and a full apology.”
“Mr Howard, she’s my friend. That ruby won’t be in her bag, and I’m afraid a simple apology won’t be nearly enough.” Daniel stepped in.
Sebastian shot Daniel a glare full of open hostility.
“I don’t consent. She’s my wife. No amount of compensation you could offer would be adequate.”As he tried to lead me away, the bodyguards moved to block our path.
“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid we must insist.” The assistant stepped closer to Sebastian.
“This is Skyline, not your city.”
“It’s alright,” I said gently. I knew Sebastian was protecting me, but I saw no harm in letting them look.
“I didn’t take it. Let them check.”
“I can handle this. You don’t have to submit to this,” Sebastian insisted, his stance unmoving.
“Really, it’s okay.”I opened my bag and turned it over, letting everything inside spill out onto a table.
A phone, a wallet, a set of keys, a lipstick. Nothing more.
Well, there wasn’t supposed to be.
Until a ruby tumbled out.
The gem glittered brilliantly under the lights, impossibly bright and out of place.
A collective gasp went through the crowd.
“My god!”
“She actually took it.”
“How brazen.”
“I can’t believe it!”
“Eleanor, it really was you!” Genevieve declared with a look of pure triumph.
I frowned, completely stunned. I looked at Sebastian and shook my head.
“I didn’t.”
“I believe you,” he said without hesitation.
The assistant stepped forward and picked up the ruby.
“Well, Mr Laurent? What do you have to say now?”
“Just because this ended up in my wife’s bag doesn’t mean she took it. Where’s your proof? Did you see her take it? Do you have a reliable witness?” Sebastian kept me close, his voice icy as he addressed the assistant, then turned to the host.
“My wife has no interest in stealing a ruby. I could buy ten of these without blinking. I expect this to be investigated thoroughly to clear her name.”
“It was this lady who claimed she saw your wife take it.” Mr Howard pointed at Genevieve. His tone turned conciliatory.
“Since the item has been recovered, I’m willing to let the matter drop. Perhaps it was all just a misunderstanding.” He offered Sebastian a strained smile.
“You might be willing to drop it, but I’m not. I told you, my wife is not a thief. This will be investigated. I WILL clear her name.” Sebastian’s tone left no room for argument.
“Mr Laurent, be reasonable. We have a witness and the stolen item. I’m choosing not to press charges. What more is there to pursue?” Mr Howard replied, his own patience wearing thin.
Sebastian rounded on Genevieve.
“Where exactly did you see Eleanor take this? She didn’t even know this ruby existed before tonight. And she hasn’t left my sight. How could she possibly have taken it?”I remember now,” I said suddenly.
“When you pulled me away earlier, I left my bag on the chair. Someone must’ve planted it then.”
“Well, I… It was someone else who told me,” Genevieve mumbled.
“Who?” Sebastian pressed.
“Th-that woman… she left. I don’t know her. She just saw I knew Eleanor and mentioned it to me.”
“Really? You look awfully guilty to me. Maybe YOU took it, and then panicked and planted it on Eleanor to save yourself?” Naomi chimed in.
“How dare you accuse me like that?” Genevieve snapped.
“So you don’t like being falsely accused? Then why didn’t you think of that before you accused Eleanor?” Naomi fired back.
“How is this a false accusation? The evidence is right there-the ruby was in her bag!”
“Alright, everyone, please calm down,” the assistant interjected.
“We’re willing to let the matter drop. No charges will be pressed,” he said, looking pointedly at Sebastian.