The CEO's Cruel Ultimatum, My Rise

ke

pure annoyance. He saw me, really saw me, and his first reaction wasn't

ven had the gall to look confused. "What are you doing

disobedient child who' d

dripping with an icy calm I didn't know I possessed. "What are you

hing this corporate soap opera unfold. "This isn't the time or place. J

four most dismissive word

or, darling, she's the one! She's been stirring up trouble all d

ained, protective look. "Jaden would never lie," he said, not to me, but to the phone, as if tryin

undercurrent of command. "Blake, just apologize. For

not because it was the right thing

ps. The last embers of love and hope I'

ng through the cafeteria's stunned silence. "You promised to lead wi

was holding. "Our year isn't up. But the pact is

form another command or excuse, I reached out and

blank phone, then at me, her mouth agape. The other employ

stom model my father had given me, a universe away from the standard-issue brick the

ang

oice devoid of all

steady voice of David Sha

tly. "An unauthorized individual has been forging company

h out of the corn

blank wall ahead. "First, call Connor Bishop. Tell him he has ten minute

at once. "Tell your assistant, Lena, to meet me here. And have her bring

e, the weight of my request hanging in the air. Then, my

ung

I was supposed to marry. The man who had just betrayed me so completely. He was standing there, fro

o was now pale and trembling. A

o hear across the cavernous room. "And Dad? T