STUCK WITH MR. BILLIONAIRE FOR CHRISTMAS novel Chapter 5

He’d make sure the entire world knew.

I could already hear his smooth, condescending voice, reminding everyone that I’d tried and failed. Meaning, I wasn’t cut out for this level of business, that I should’ve stayed in his shadow where I belonged.

Not a chance in hell.

I pushed emotion aside, forcing myself to think logically. The deal was worth billions. The prestige alone would cement my company’s reputation not just as a real estate mogul but a major and strategic developer. And if I beat my stepfather in the process?

That was worth swallowing my pride.

I pressed the intercom. “Martin. Get her back today.”

“Yes, sir.”

***

Hours passed.

I worked through emails, calls, contract revisions to keep my mind occupied. But every few minutes, I found myself glancing at the door, waiting.

Unconsciously, I found myself remembering the curve of her mouth when she argued with me-soft shape, fierce words. It irritated me that I could picture it so clearly. I shoved the thought away, shaking my head like I could force my mind back into line.

Finally, someone knocked.

Thank goodness. That was a welcome distraction.

Martin announced himself before stepping inside.

I didn’t look up from my laptop. “Of course she came back.” I closed the screen, leaning forward. “We’ll start next week. I want a full briefing on the investors by Monday, travel arrangements finalized by Wednesday, and-”

“She refused.”

I froze.

Martin cleared his throat. “Ms. Wealth declined the offer.”

Silence.

“She said…” He shifted uncomfortably. “She’ll only engage in further communication if you personally apologize for what happened. And she’s requesting a private, one-on-one meeting with you before she agrees to anything.”

I stared at him.

He stared back, waiting.

Then I laughed humorless. “She wants me to apologize.”

“Yes, sir.”

“To her.”

“Yes, sir.”

My hands curled into fists on the desk. “She threw coffee on me. Disrespected me in front of the entire executive team. And she wants an apology?”

Martin said nothing.

I stood, pacing to the window. The city below, lights coming on and off in the dusk.The glass carried the day’s fading warmth, but it did nothing for the chill crawling beneath my collar.

Somewhere out there, Cinnamon Wealth was sitting in her apartment, smug and satisfied, thinking she had leverage.

She did.

And she knew it.

“Set up the meeting,” I said quietly.

Martin nodded. “When?”

“Tomorrow. My office. 6 PM.”

THE MEETING.

“The company needs your expertise-”

“He needs my expertise,” I corrected. “And he’s too proud to ask for it himself, so he’s making it sound like he’s doing me a favor. Like I’m some desperate nobody who should be grateful he’s tossing me scraps.”

Silence on the other end.

“Is that about right, Mr. Martin?”

He sighed. “Ms. Wealth-”

“No. He can find someone else.”

“We’ve already started this project with you. Starting off with someone new would be a hassle. Moreover, this would be beneficial to you.”

Oh, he was trying to play politics in my face because I knew that no one was capable to handle this deal but me.

The field test months ago had been my idea. Go to Meadowbrook, blend in, learn what made the community tick, figure out how to win their trust. It was supposed to be straightforward. Except Meadowbrook wasn’t just any town.

It was my hometown.

The place where Marcus left me standing at the altar in front of two hundred people. The place I’d avoided for two years because every street corner held a memory I’d rather forget.

But I went anyway. Because the job mattered. Because proving myself mattered.

I spent weeks there, reconnecting with neighbors, attending town meetings, volunteering at events. Slowly, painfully, I rebuilt bridges I thought had burned. And it worked. The elders trusted me. They liked me.

So yeah. I was good at my job.

And Dante Moretti had the audacity to fire me anyway.

“I’m not interested, Mr. Martin.”