Chapter 73

Chapter 73

A week later, the news had officially broken out that the infamous Scott Vanderbilt had joined the company and would now sit amongst the esteemed fellow investors and panel.

The new had first been delivered to the board of directors themselves before the company released an official statement to the business world. No one seemed to be opposed to it at all and all Pheard about it had been good things all ranging from how the benefits this would bring the company to how amazing I had been at securing such a prolific man.

Even within the company, the employees were all pleased by this and it made me feel good about this decision. I did have my doubts but from my findings, Scott never messed around in business and had built a reputation for being skilled, sharp, and very decisive.

Lucy herself was more than ecstatic by the news but that was because she knew the true benefit having Scott as part of the company brought to us giving the situation with Dante.

As you could imagine, the only person that didn’t express their joy by this move was Dante. He was not entirely happy about it or at all, to say the least but I had taken that as a rather good sign.

It meant that Dante knew his position now. He knew that Scott was on an equal footing with him and he now had a challenge, a worthy opponent, no longer making him the most prized investor of the company. Don’t get me wrong, Dante was still vital to the company but he wouldn’t be able to make demands and call the shots as easily as he once did.

Scott would invest just as generously in to the company as Dante rendering Dante’s position less glamourous and awe–worthy.

Dante hadn’t shown much of himself to me ever since that night when I lost my cool with him. He seemed to have given up easily which only made me feel like I had made the correct choice. If he could so easily switch it all off then was it even real in the first place?

I gave my head a small shake not wanting to go down that line of thought again. I brought my attention back to the email I had been sending off consisting of the final documents over to Scott’s assistant when there was a knock on my office door.

“Come in.” I called out and the door opened and Adam walked in all dressed in a pair of dark jeans and formal shirt tucked nearly in to the hem.

“Not your usual apparel.” I noted before pressing the send tab on the email before I looked back at Adam.

“I couldn’t think of a blazer in this heat.” He made a face of disgust like the added layer gave him

the ick.

It had been a fairly warm day today so I could understand his sentiment. Even Lucy passed on coffee this morning because of the heat.

“What brings you here?” I asked Adam lightly.

Dreame

Fri, 8 Mar RBU

Chapter 73

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Adam pulled up a chair and settled in to it. “I thought to congratulate you first hand about your newest victory.” He said with a grin and I beamed at him basking in the praise.

“Why, thank you.” I said pressing my l*ps together to look prideful before I let it go. “I didn’t do much, if I’m being honest. Vanderbilt was willing to invest all by himself.” I admitted to Adam who didn’t seem surprised by that information at all.

“What ever the reason is, it doesn’t matter. This is huge! The business world is losing their shit over this new alliance and the added publicity doesn’t hurt one bit.” He sounded more proud about this than I had been

“I was skeptical at first but this proved to be a good move.” Another knock sounded on the door before Lucy let herself in with a can of cool drink which she set in front of Adam before she left..

Adam popped open the can before taking a large gulp of it then groaning in satisfaction.

“How has the other company members taken it?” He asked, crossing his ankle over his knee as he got a little more comfortable.

I pursed my l*ps before sighing. “Well, majority of them are rather pleased, however, a small minority isn’t too thrilled.” I said vaguely but Adam was too quick.

‘Let me guess, the minority being Dante Crawford?” He asked with a grunt.

“Bingo!”

Adam laughed lightly. “That man is so transparent.” He shook his head.

Scott Vanderbilt threatens Dante’s standing in the company so I see why he is not the most excited. by it.” I shrugged with a wave of my hand dismissing it.

Adam scoffed. “Scott threatens more than just his business standing, Sophia.” He mocked eyeing me like I was supposed to catch his drift but when my confused look didn’t fade he cleared his throat.

‘Scout Vanderbilt has a reputation with women. That is something I’m sure you’ve heard about. He has never hurt a women but he is known for his success rate of bedding as many as he can get his hands on.” I scrunched my nose at that notion.

I was surprised he hadn’t caught some thing if this was what he reputation renowned him for. It seemed like every person who knew the man knew that he had this way with the ladies.

“Dante obviously knows that this and I’m telling you it’s driving him insane.” I rolled my eyes at that and snorted at how rediculous it sounded.

“Oh, please. Dante doesn’t give a shit. I made it clear to him that there is nothing between us more. Adam scoffed at that.

s any

“Just because you say it doesn’t make it true. Even if you’re right and Dante does not care, it doesn’t mean that he would be at ease knowing that you were any where near the likes of Scoff Vanderbilt.” Adam was dead serious and I couldn’t tell if he was advocating for Dante or not,

2/

Dreame

11:34 Fri, 8 Mar RE

Chapter 73

“Ugh, I don’t give a damn about what Dante thinks of how he feels. After being the butt of his every bad decision, I’ve slowly lost any hope of any thing from him. I just-” I paused to take in a break to calm myself down. “I just want to go forward with out thinking about what Dante wants or how he feels about some thing. I ranted and Adam nodded slowly looking taken aback by my out burst.

“Okay, okay. He held his hand up in surrender and just like that the topic was closed.

Adam had left shortly after with his can of cool drink in his hand and I decided to call it a days It was late into he afternoon any ways and I had seen to whatever work I had to take car of.

I stopped at the bakery on my way home and picked up a few pastries and donuts for Hayley and I to dig in to together plus it felt like I should celebrate with a little treat.

When I had gotten home, I carefully carried the pink and white striped boxes in to the house and set them on the kitchen table.

“Hayley. I’m home.” I called out as I moved through the house.

Hayley came bouncing in through the sliding doors from outside. Her breathing was unsteady but she paused trying to catch it.

“What on earth are you and Nancy-” My almost question cut off when Dante appeared through the sliding doors and there was no sign of Nancy.

“Dad and I were playing tag. We are going out to dinner later. My belly wants a burger and French fries. She informed me of this plan as she followed me back to the kitchen.

I poured a glass of water for her which she took with both hands before drinking it to quench her

thirst.

“That’s fine. I hope you have fun. I brought some pastries and donuts if you want to share them.” I offered her since she probably wouldn’t be going out to dinner right now. It was still too early.

Her eyes lit up, obviously, before darting to the boxes but as she moved to peak inside, Dante stopped her.

“Wash your hands first. You were looking for worms in the soil. He reminded her and I shook my head to myself at Hayley and the new things she finds interest in each day.

She moved to the sink and used the little stepoing stool I kept for her in the kitchen. As I opened out the baked goods, I felt Dante’s gaze on me watching my every move.

I looked up and he didn’t look away but I had been trapped by his heavy gaze for a moment and couldn’t look away.

“Would you like to join us for dinner? Hayley would like that, I’m sure.” He offered gently.

“I’m exhausted from today so I think I’ll pass tonight.” I declined and looked back at the powdered. sugar dusted pastries.

Dreame

SEND GIFT

11:34 Fri, 8 Mar RB.

Chapter 73

“Chasing after womanizers must be exhausting. I heard him mutter beneath his breath. My head snapped up to look at him and I was ready to retaliate but Hayley appeared between us.

I let out a slow breath through my l*ps reminding myself not to let him get to me. I focussed on helping Hayley to a donut after she got herself up on to the chair. She offered Dante one and he refused but she insisted until he reached for a pastry himself.

For a moment I began to consider that maybe Adam was right in what he had said earlier.

Dreame