Page 103 of Levi

Her expression shifts to amusement. “You know, it would be much easier if you just left me the house. Your half can make up for my shares in this company.”

I shake my head. “Not going to happen,” I state. “My father left me half of the house. It’s mine. Not yours. In fact, that other half should’ve never been yours to begin with.”

Her hand curls into a fist and she draws in a harsh breath. “Grudges are petty and immature, Jules,” she says. “I’m Hamilton’s widow,” —I don’t need the reminder— “therefore, I’m entitled to half of the house. Not much you can do about it now.”

I glower at her.

“It’s so convenient how Daddy is sometimes your husband and sometimes he’s just the guy you leeched on!” I rebut.

“Where are you going to find that kind of money in only two weeks?” she ignores my snide comment.

“As long as I come up with it, why do you care?” I snap.

Levi and I have talked about this at length.

Hillary is oblivious to everything that’s transpired in the last two weeks and we’re determined to keep it that way. If she catches wind of our progress, I’m doomed.

“Did business pickup all of a sudden?” She looks around the conference room before letting out a demented laugh. “Oh, God,” she says, clenching her stomach. “That was a funny joke.” I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. “Business is still a flatline... as always.”Fuck off.“Unless you win at the lottery, there’s no way you’re going to come up with the money. Instead of wasting everyone's time, just give me your half of the house and let’s call it a day.”

Over my dead body.

I shoot to my feet, anchoring my splayed hands against the conference room table, because God knows if I don’t, I’m liable to slap this woman across the face.

“Keep dreaming,” I retort.

An evil smirk slides across her lips, and her gaze sharpens on me, angry slivers darting back at me. “Cut the act. You’re on borrowed time. We both know it.”

“This isn’t an act, Hillary. I’m as serious as a heart attack,” I state. “You’ve taken enough from my fatherandfrom me. I’m not handing you my half of the house.” I have to coax myself to keep my boiling rage in check. “You’re going to get your share of the company. I. Will. Buy. You. Out,” I grit through clenched teeth.

Since meeting Levi, I silenced the straight and narrow girl inside me, and a new woman emerged in her place. Daring, brazen and willing to embrace her sexuality. It’s the same for business. Now that I know what I have in the palm of my hand, nothing this despicable woman says can affect me. I’m Teflon––nothing sticks to me anymore. And you better believe I’m ready to fight for what’s mine.

She crosses her arms over her chest, lifting her chin. The gesture drips with disdain. “You may act like a tough girl, but I won’t hesitate to sue you––”

“You can take your empty threats and stuff them where the sun don’t shine,” I spit out.

Hillary’s overdrawn eyebrows shoot to her forehead like elevated apostrophes, her dark brown eyes widening like saucers. For a few beats, she just stares at me in shock. It doesn’t look like she’s breathing. I swear, she’s turned into a living statue.

“You have no ground to stand on,” I keep talking. “We’re selling the house. And, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, my time isn’t up yet. You’ll get your money. Now, if you’re done wasting my fucking time, I’d like to get back to work.”

She considers me for a long stretch, her eyes sliding up and down my body, as if it’s the first time she really sees me.

That’s right, bitch, take a look at the new me.

She pulls the strap of her obscenely expensive designer bag––a gift from the duke, I’m sure. “Well,” she pauses, “I thought we could have a civilized conversation, but clearly I was wrong.”

“Clearly,” I deadpan.

“This was simply a courtesy reminder, Jules.”

“We both know you’re lying,” I bite back. “You came here to rub my face in it.”

A second ticks by.

Then another.

And another.

We’re staring at each other like two bulls in a ring.