Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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in the middle of the bustling crowd, Michael stood quiet for a minute. “Maybe she just doesn’t want to tough it out with me anymore,” he murmured.
Henry only knew what Michael had mentioned about Lydia in passing. If that was how Michael saw it, Henry figured it wasn’t his place to pry. He just agreed to dig into the wheelchair guy.
“Just in,” Henry added. “The Leonard Group’s bid meeting is tomorrow. Word is the Hollanders from Jettridge tied the knot with the Leonards, and they’re coming in hot to grab the whole thing. You set?”
Michael glanced down at the emerald grail the auction house worker had just handed him. The spark of hope in his eyes dimmed, his jaw tightening. “I thought the bid was supposed to be in half a month? What happened?”
His fingers squeezed the box until his knuckles whitened, anger flaring. “I just got to Jettridge two days ago. I was just getting my plan rolling. How the hell did this happen?”
“Plans never stick to schedule, right?” Henry sighed, picking up on Michael’s panic. “Heard the Leonards are dropping some big announcement at the meeting, so they moved it up.
“Zachary called you personally to come to Jettridge. He must see something in Finnian Group. Don’t sweat it too hard.”
If the news had come yesterday, Michael could’ve handled it. Landing the partnership with Leonard Group would be great. But even without it, he could just head back and climb his way up slowly.
However, he’d just gambled 21 million. If he lost Leonard Group’s project, that money would go straight down the drain.
“Got it,” Michael said, his face darkening. After hanging up, he stared at the dark cloud rolling in, feeling its weight press down like a fist around his throat.
The black Cayenne cruised down Jettridge’s wide streets. Inside, the air was tense.
Lydia broke the silence. “I thought you were swamped. What are you doing here at the venue?”
Michael seemed to be in good spirits, responding softly, “I wrapped up my work early, so I came right over.”
He paused for a moment, then added with a hint of sarcasm, “If I’d been any later, I might have missed your ex–fiancé.”
Lydia caught his emphasis on “ex–fiancé” and felt a twinge of unease. “I had no idea he’d be there. But since we ran into each other, it’s a chance to clear the air and avoid messes down the line.”
Hayden nodded coolly, his fingers laced together, rubbing gently. “Tomorrow’s the Leonard Group’s bid meeting. Get some rest tonight, and you’re coming with me.”
He caught the hesitation in her eyes and added softly, “The Hollander family’s sending Rachel. Finnian Group’s got Michael. Don’t you want to see who the Leonard Group picks in the end?”
Lydia was curious, of course, but the idea of either guy walking off with the prize turned her stomach. She wanted them
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“Come take a look. This show is going to be worth watching,” Michael said, his voice smooth and persuasive–the kind that could easily draw anyone in.
Lydia was hooked by how he put it. Her curiosity about tomorrow’s events spiked. “Okay,” she said.
Little did she know that “Okay” would drag her straight into a horrified storm.
Early the next morning, Jettridge was already buzzing as usual. Subways were crammed, roads backed up, and everyone was rushing around with their eyes glued to their watches.
Michael stood on the balcony, staring down at the chaos without really seeing it. His face was cold as he listened to Henry’s voice over the phone. Finally, he asked, “You mean there’s really no one like that in Jettridge?”
Henry was puzzled, too. ‘Michael isn’t the type to fabricate someone to mess with me. But if this wheelchair guy has any real pull in the city, how could he stay under the radar? Unless he’s powerful enough to run Jettridge.without anyone catching on.“‘
A chill of fear crept up Henry’s spine. He mumbled a quick excuse and hung up, too nervous to say more.
Michael squeezed his phone tightly, lost in thought.
Just then, Ciara swept through the curtains and said. “Michael, I’m ready.” She wore a soft purple dress, her hair styled in elegant, loose waves–every strand perfectly positioned.
But Michael barely glanced at her. He walked past to the closet, slipped into his suit with easy precision, checked himself in the mirror, and said flatly, “Stick close later. And try not to speak.”
Staring at his reflection, Michael unconsciously remembered past events with Lydia. She’d always worked the room like it was nothing, chatting up clients and sealing deals–she’d been a huge help.
Ciara didn’t know the first thing about business schmoozing. She was more likely to make mistakes by talking, so it was better to keep her quiet.
Ciara looked at her reflection, all dolled up, and felt stupid–Michael hadn’t even bothered to notice. Tears pricked her eyes, stinging with hurt, but she balled her fists, like it was her only small act of defiance.
“I know I’m not as good as Lydia,” she said, her voice wobbly. “But I’m willing to learn how to network for you. Just trust me. I won’t make you look bad.”
Michael noticed her deflated mood. But with his heart still raw from lost love and his business floundering, he wasn’t in the mindset to offer comfort. He simply softened his tone and said, “Let’s go.”
Jettridge’s fanciest ballroom was packed with guests in glitzy outfits, clinking glasses and laughing. The atmosphere seemed cordial, but tensions simmered just beneath the surface. After all, everyone here had the same goal: nabbing Leonard Group’s urban renewal project.
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Hayden’s driver had brought Lydia to the venue early. She now stood in a corner, swirling her wine, watching the crowd of suits and their polished chatter.
Plenty of faces from yesterday’s auction were scattered around the room. Then her eyes landed on two that made her stomach drop: Michael and Ciara.
Ciara saw Lydia, too. She tightened her grip on Michael’s arm, her eyes lighting up with a triumphant glint.
Lydia ignored her, lifted her glass, and downed the red wine in one swift gulp. But no matter how she tried to avoid them, they just approached.
Ciara held a delicate cupcake, her trademark innocent smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Lydia, you might want to slow down on the wine.”
When Michael spotted Lydia, he’d figured there was no way she’d be at an event like this–not with her background. She had to be here as someone’s plus–one.
Ciara offered the cupcake to Lydia with a seemingly sweet smile. “I got this for you. Have a bite. It’ll help soak up the alcohol.”
