Chapter 63
After being stuck at the Ford residence for a few days, I couldn’t wait to get out and find Frederick. I’d given him a proposal earlier and needed to know what he thought about it.
I headed straight to La Doghouse. This time, Velvet didn’t try to stop me. She just let out a sharp snort through her nose, clearly annoyed, and turned to lead the way.
“He’s inside. Go on–Mr. Guzman is waiting for you.”
I nodded and pushed open the door to the private room. As I stepped inside, I could hear her mumbling
behind me.
“Her damn husband doesn’t even want her, so she comes running to our boss. What a skank.”
I froze. Then I turned around and looked at her.
“You into Frederick or something?”
Velvet’s face turned beet red in an instant, eyes wide and panicked. “W–What the hell are you talking
about?”
I walked up to her. “If you don’t like him, then why are you so hostile toward me?”
She stammered, “I just can’t stand you stringing him along!”
“Stringing him along?” I raised an eyebrow. “You think he doesn’t know I’m married?”
“He knows…”
Her voice dropped, but she still sounded bitter. “If both of you know that, why are you still all tangled up
with him?”
I paused, then said, “I came to talk business. Even if he were a woman, I’d still be here. You gonna accuse
me of being into women too?”
“You’re seriously full of crap!”
Velvet was fuming. “You’re just looking for an excuse to cheat! I feel bad for Mr. Guzman.”
I laughed. “If I ever lie and pretend I’m single just to mess with his feelings, then you can be mad. But right now, I’ve got better things to do than play love triangle games.”
“Elise! Do you even know what Mr. Guzman has done for you-”
Before she could finish, the door to the room swung open.
Frederick stepped in, face like stone. He looked right at Velvet. “Since when is it your place to speak for
me?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Guzman, I just-”
“Go take care of the guests.”
Chapter 63
He nodded toward the hallway.
Velvet clearly didn’t want to go. “But I
”
“You’re not listening to me now? Want to lose your job too?”
Only then did Velvet storm off, clearly angry but with no choice.
Frederick turned his gaze back on me. He was wearing a black silk button–down, and the smooth, almost wicked lines of his face were striking–except for the faint bruise near his cheek.
I couldn’t help asking, “Who punched you?”
His expression soured, and he shot me a glare. “Shut it.”
He stepped aside so I could walk in. I passed him and headed inside the room.
He followed and shut the door behind us. I had just taken a seat when I stood right back up.
“Don’t close the door. People will think we’re in here screwing around.”
Frederick gave a dry laugh. “Jonathan’s already made a fool out of you. You really still care about your reputation now?”
I sighed. “I’m not worried about mine. I’m worried about yours. Velvet wasn’t wrong. You should keep your distance from me–I’m still married.”
He rolled his eyes. “God, you talk too much. Didn’t you say you were filing for divorce? So, what’s with this “married woman” crap? You’ll be single soon enough.
I raised an eyebrow. “Wait, are you actually into me?”
и
Frederick scoffed. “Get over yourself. I liked you a little back then, sure. But you’re married now. You think I’m that desperate?”
That was rude as hell, but he wasn’t wrong.
I didn’t bother dragging out the small talk. I pulled out another copy of the proposal. “Here. Take a look. Let me know if you want in.”
Frederick didn’t even glance at the folder. He leaned back on the couch, smirking.
“So what? Are you here to beg me?”
