FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 195

CHAPTER 195

76

55 vouchers

– CHLOE

The room was bigger than the bedroom I’d had in my old apartment. Fresh towels, a neatly made bed, even a vase of flowers on the dresser. Jamie genuinely believed she was doing a good deed. I almost felt sorry for her.

Sometimes that woman was so damn naive.

“I don’t even know how to thank you,” I said, taking her hands and putting on my most grateful expression.

“You can start by getting some rest. We’ll figure out the rest tomorrow.”

I nodded, lowering my eyes. Gratitude had to look effortless. Lay it on too thick, and people started asking questions.

Simon appeared a little later with a document in his hand.

Unlike Jamie, he didn’t seem remotely sold on my story. He didn’t raise his voice, ask humiliating questions, or try to intimidate me. But something about the steady, serious way he watched me made my skin prickle.

Simon Hart wasn’t an easy man to fool. He was smart, suspicious, and, from what I’d seen, capable of being downright ruthless when someone crossed a line.

Which was a hell of an inconvenience for my plans.

And, annoyingly, it only made him hotter.

Fuck, there was something about that man. Maybe it was the quiet authority in his voice, the way he carried himself like he never needed to shout to be obeyed, or those eyes that seemed to see more than I wanted him

I hated admitting it, but I was dying to find out what he was like in bed. Especially if he ever let go of that goddamn need to control everything.

“Chloe, this arrangement is temporary,” he said, handing me the document. “Read it carefully before you sign. If you have questions, ask.”

I looked down at the paper, trying to shove those inconvenient thoughts aside.

“Of course, Mr. Hart.”

“One more thing. Your job doesn’t depend on living here. If you’d rather make other arrangements, we can discuss that.”

“I really appreciate it, sir.”

“And I want to make a few things clear.”

I looked up.

1/5

11:28 Fri, Oct 16

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

76

E55 vouchers

“The room is yours for the duration of the agreement. The private areas of this house remain private. And if there’s a problem, you go straight to management. I don’t want to hear about another situation like this after it’s already gotten out of hand.”

I swallowed.

That was a warning. And knowing Simon, I had no doubt he’d follow through on every word.

“Don’t worry. I understand.”

He studied me for another few seconds.

“Good. Then we won’t have any problems.”

I smiled, doing my best impression of a model employee.

“No, Mr. Hart. We won’t.”

Jamie touched his arm, looking pleased. Simon slipped a hand around his wife’s waist and guided her out without so much as a backward glance.

I watched them go.

It was unbelievable how one man could be so infuriatingly bossy and so ridiculously attractive at the same time.

Worse, he seemed completely immune to every woman on earth except his wife.

Well, I’d always liked a challenge.

I waited until their footsteps faded down the hallway before shutting the door.

I was in.

That was what mattered.

I put my bag in the closet and took a look down the hall. A discreet camera covered the entrance to the staff wing. Another faced the garden access. I didn’t need to touch either one. I just needed to learn the layout and, more importantly, everyone’s schedules.

I reminded myself not to wander around the house without a reason. I needed to become indispensable without looking nosy. The kids’ snacks ready on time, their uniforms laid out, the laundry kept in order. Little favors became habits. Habits built trust.

And trust opened doors no key ever could.

The next morning, I went downstairs before anyone else. The kitchen was still dark, and the air smelled of fresh bread. I started the coffee maker, set out the cups, and turned the television on low to catch the news.

The picture stopped me cold.

2/5

11:28 Fri, Oct 16

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

76

55 vouchers

Reporters had swarmed the entrance to the Hart building. There were protest signs, people crying, security guards struggling to keep a path clear. A woman screamed into the cameras, clutching someone’s photograph. The banner across the screen announced new allegations involving Vérité products.

I turned up the volume a notch.

“Victims’ families are demanding answers, accusing the company of adding acid to the contaminated batch,” the reporter said.

A man tried to push past the security barrier. Police held him back. Behind him, a woman sank to her knees, sobbing. The cameraman kept filming.

I’d known the scandal would grow. I hadn’t expected it to blow up this fast.

I muted the television when I heard footsteps on the stairs.

Jamie appeared first, her hair pulled into a messy knot, wearing an oversized shirt I recognized as Simon’s. He followed close behind, already dressed to work from home, adjusting his watch.

“Good morning,” I said.

“Chloe, you’re up early,” Jamie said.

“I figured I’d get breakfast started since Sylvia isn’t here yet.”

Simon glanced at the set table.

“You don’t need to take on extra work to earn your room.”

“I was awake anyway, sir.”

“Then sit down and eat, too. Nobody’s starting the day on an empty stomach.”

Jamie smiled at him.

“See? Under that grumpy face is the sweetest man alive.”

“Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to protect.”

He pulled out her chair, kissed her temple, and poured her coffee. Jamie reached for the cup before he finished.

“You’re treating me like I’m helpless.”

“I’m keeping you from spilling hot coffee with those injured wrists.”

“Bossy.”

She gave a soft laugh. I had to look away. God, she was bland. And irritating.

What made it worse was the way Simon looked at her. Like Jamie was the only woman in that damn kitchen

3/5

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify