Contractually Yours: Chapter 40

Christoph’s voice comes from the intercom. “Sebastian, somebody is here to see you. A Yuna Winters? She doesn’t have an appointment, though.”

She must be here for my wife. “Send her in.”

“Okay. But you have a meeting in ten.”

“Reschedule it.” This is more important.

Yuna walks in. She’s of average height, but her presence is anything but average. She walks with an overweening confidence, like she expects people to fall to their knees and welcome her wherever she goes. Her dress is made of scarlet silk and flares out dramatically around her legs. She’s slim, and a small Birkin bag hangs off her pale wrist. A wide-brimmed hat sits on her head, and she looks at me straight, her haughty eyes slightly narrowed, her mouth flat and disapproving.

She doesn’t wait for an invitation before sitting and crossing her legs. She steeples hands that have exceptionally long fingers. Interestingly, the nails are trimmed short, and only a diamond ring and a wedding band adorn her fingers, although her ears and throat are practically dripping with gems.

Seconds tick by as she studies me. I meet her gaze directly. I don’t know exactly why she’s here, but I assume it has something to do with the Sebastian Peery collaboration and the lack of progress. The dossier on the Hae Min Group indicates Yuna has an enormous influence within the conglomerate. How difficult is she going to be?

“Is it true you were instrumental in removing Lucie from Peery Diamonds?” she finally asks.

A little warmth uncurls in my belly at the realization she’s here for Luce. “Yes.”

Her face turns redder than her dress. Her hands tighten into fists. “You…jerk!” She adds something under her breath in Korean. From her tone, it’s nothing flattering.

“I’m planning to rectify that.” I don’t want her working against me. We’re on the same team.

She regards me for a long moment. “How?” The syllable brims with skepticism.

“I have plans.” And I will execute them all in rapid succession.

“Plans.” More skepticism.

“Yes. I ousted her. I can bring her back.”

“I’m supposed to just take your word for it and wait like an obedient puppy?” She glares at me. “I’m going to have a chat with my father. Hae Min will not deal with a replacement. We want Lucie. And you”—she points at me—“can consider yourself persona non grata until you fix the mess you’ve made.”

“It won’t take long.”

“It better not. A woman who doesn’t lose her temper with a child ruining a one-of-a-kind dress and soothes him with ice cream is a lot nicer than anybody says. I hope you didn’t hurt her because of some silly tabloid gossip?” The glare is now a death laser.

If I answer yes, it won’t matter that I’m at least a head taller and outweigh her by a hundred pounds of muscle. She’ll murder me with her bare hands. “Of course not.”

“Good. Otherwise you’ll never be worthy of her.”

That drags a reluctant smile out of me.

Her eyes flash. “You think this is funny?”

“No. I’m just happy that you’re here to defend her.”

“Of course I’m here to defend her! I like her. She’s a friend. She’s just…so sweet.” Her expression says, How could you hurt somebody that lovely?

“I know. And it’s good that she has a new friend.” I have a feeling Yuna isn’t the type to get insulted over a gift or thoughtful gesture. “And I swear to you, I’m going to fix everything, no matter what it takes. We’re on the same page, Yuna. And the same team.”

She gives me a long, assessing look. “Fine. I’ll give you this one chance.” She stands up. “And if you actually manage to fix what you’ve broken, I’ll consider forgiving you.”

“Forgiving me?” I repeat half in confusion, half in amusement.

Her tone turns dry, like she’s talking to somebody who’s too intellectually challenged to know better. “Obviously things can’t be the same when you hurt someone I regard as a friend, can they? You’ll have a lot of convincing to do.”