FALLING FOR THE CEO's LIES

ated in my mind as if he already knew I would accept his offer. He didn't know me, though. I

d, a well-dressed woman with a folder that virtually shouted "big business" got out. With a

e, she stated, "Mr. Montgomery look

n returned to the office. As I looked t

ing price was fair. However, that wasn't the part that infuriated me. He int

y office. Even though the vineyard was barely surviving, I refused to let

ises nearly made me question my de

ourteously but dismissively. "A

ly as I said, "I'm here

gomery has a hectic schedule. Yo

him Aria Bennett is h

. "I apologize, ma'am. That

ff before I could arg

is stylish suit was perfectly made, and he was taller than I had anticipated.

thing I couldn't identify, "You must be Ar

g he appeared, I glared at h

o follow him and add

imalist design screamed luxury, and the floor-to-ceil

r across from his desk

in response and

he had already won this game. "Adjust yourse

l. I'm not going to sell my father's vineyard so you ca

You appear to have

n't give a damn about the vineyard or it

g about you is incorrect. The potential is important to me.

sibility? You're r

ease. "Your vineyard is collapsing. Both

se they were accurate. I wasn't g

wealth exceeds your lifetime spending capacity. W

a glimmer of something-perh

a way out." "The opportunity to leave with enou

mething new." "The vineyard is what

silent for a while. There wa

almost as a praise

conceited,

ncere sound of his laughter. "Pe

"You do not know my family or myself. Therefo

he could see right throu

e reality is Aria: Someone else will purchase it if you don't sell it t

r. He was probably ri

Give it some thought. Until the deadline, my offer is still vali

erstood how serious the issue was couldn't ignore the weight of h

said, "I don'

't have to." "Bel

lted me as I

ured, his voice

nd looked b

eone I used to know." "Avoid losin

ead whirling and my heart

didn't calm the fury within. He had a point, which I de

ice in the back of my head that warned that Cole M