My Accidental Billionaire Husband (Katia and Julian) novel Chapter 15

Boundaries

Katia’s POV

My voice was calm but assertive, mid–conversation with an investor from Zurich. We were finalizing terms for the upcoming I* Technologies expansion into Central Europe, and my mind was already on timelines, rollout logistics, and hiring regional managers.

I didn’t hear the door open. But I heard her voice. “Katia, what is this thing I’m hearing on the news?”

I froze.

Only one person walked into my office like that, and it has to be my assistant, Sam. I am suddenly starting to regret ever letting my family back into my life because they act like this office is some marketplace. I hear heels clicking against my office floor, and I can tell it wasn’t one person.*

I looked up and, sure enough, my mother stood inside my office with Delia by her side, both wearing expressions that danced between self–righteousness and disbelief.

“Apologies, Stefan,” I said into the phone, keeping my tone smooth. “Something unexpected has come up. I’ll call you within the hour.”

I hung up and set the phone down carefully, like I wasn’t about to let my mother see the way her presence still had the power to spark annoyance through my veins.

“I saw the news, even though they didn’t show your face,” she continued. “It said I* Technologies is working with Windsor Empire Group.”

Delia, behind her, bit her lip.

“And?” I asked, resting my elbows on the table.

“How could you meet your sister’s fiancé before she’s even had the chance?” she snapped.

I almost laughed, but I didn’t, though I wanted to. Instead, I stood. Slowly and calmly. “Since when,” I said coolly, “do I need your approval to run my company?”

They both blinked.

Delia shifted in discomfort. My mother bristled but tried to hold on to the righteous indignation in her voice.

“Julian Windsor is Delia’s future husband. You shouldn’t be meeting him, professionally or otherwise, before she does.”

I rounded my desk and stood across from them, folding my arms, watching them both squirm beneath the weight of the woman

I’d become.

“Your ignorance is showing,” I said. “Business has nothing to do with your daughter’s arranged engagement.”

My mother narrowed her eyes. “It’s not just business when it involves your sister’s future. Your father worked hard to build connections with the Windsors. This deal you’ve made could complicate everything.”

“Did it ever occur to you,” I asked, “that perhaps Julian Windsor doesn’t care about your arrangements?”

“Don’t be insolent,” she snapped.

“And don’t forget,” I said, stepping closer, “I own this building. That chair you’re sitting on? Mine. This glass? Mine. That pen you’re gripping like it’s a dagger? Mine.”

She put the pen down.

“I built this from nothing, after you threw me out in a bathrobe. So don’t march into my office like you’re entitled to dictate how

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I operate my empire.”

Delia finally spoke up. “Katia, I didn’t come here to fight”

I turned to her.

“Then what did you come here for? To ask why your future husband happens to be the CEO of a company that values results over gossip? To ask, Why am I the one getting contracts and not our father?”

Delia’s face fell. “That’s not fair.”

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