Chapter 40
Melissa Sinclair–heiress to the Sinclair empire–had been the woman Adrian mentioned between their arguments,the one he said would soon wed Damien. Selene had never believed a word of it.
“Careful.“Melissa’s gaze flicked to the shattered porcelain. “That was expensive. Not something you can afford on your salary.“Her tone was sharp.
“I heard you rejected Uncle Maximus’s offer to take Selene back and claim the corporation,“she continued. “If you want to climb the ladder with those tawdry skills,you’d better be more careful.”
“I do not need your judgments, “Selene replied coldly. She bent instinctively to pick up the shards,thinking Melissa must have been sent by Maximus to intimidate her.Melissa rose from the chair and clicked closer in designer heels.
“How dare you speak to me like that?I heard your family despises you.If I wished,l could make you disappear from the face of the earth. “Melissa’s voice was low and dangerous.
Selene answered smoothly,voice steady. “I merely gave a truthful reply.I have heard many things about you,but unlike you I do not throw childish tantrums under the weight of a family name.”
Melissa’s expression flamed. “This is where you belong,“she said,cold. “At my feet. You are a passing distraction for Damien–a plaything.”
The edge of a shard cut Selene’s palm;the pain registered but she met Melissa’s disdainful stare and rose,dropping the porcelain pieces. The clink made Melissa flinch. “Tell your’Uncle Maximus’I will never return to Adrian,“Selene said. “If I am a plaything,what does that make you?A schemer trying to break a couple by sowing misunderstandings.”
“You should leave while you have any dignity left!“Melissa snapped,fingers clenching her skirt.“Damien doesn’t need you–he has me. He belongs to me.”
“If he does, why are you so desperate that you rushed here to intimidate me with your power?“Selene stepped forward until they stood face to face.“I never stopped him from leaving.If he asks me to go,I will leave,but do not think your conspiracies will work on me.”
Melissa smiled,malice glittering. “Is that so?What a saint you are. Months ago you sat in my place–legal wife to Adrian–while Luna claimed to be true love and stole him. See how the tables turn. You refuse Maximus’s offer because you’re aiming to seduce Damien and become the matriarch of the Blackthorn empire, aren’t you?Keep
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34:30 Saiu smooly, voice steady. Terely gave a reply. ve Ticaru many things about you,but unlike you I do not throw childish tantrums under the weight of a family name.”
Melissa’s expression flamed. “This is where you belong,“she said,cold. “At my feet. You are a passing distraction for Damien–a plaything.”
The edge of a shard cut Selene’s palm;the pain registered but she met Melissa’s disdainful stare and rose,dropping the porcelain pieces. The clink made Melissa flinch. “Tell your’Uncle Maximus’I will never return to Adrian,“Selene said. “If I am a plaything,what does that make you?A schemer trying to break a couple by sowing misunderstandings.”
“You should leave while you have any dignity left!“Melissa snapped,fingers clenching her skirt.“Damien doesn’t need you–he has me. He belongs to me.”
“If he does, why are you so desperate that you rushed here to intimidate me with your power?“Selene stepped forward until they stood face to face.“I never stopped him from leaving.If he asks me to go,I will leave,but do not think your conspiracies will work on me.”
Melissa smiled,malice glittering. “Is that so?What a saint you are.Months ago you sat in my place–legal wife to Adrian–while Luna claimed to be true love and stole him. See how the tables turn. You refuse Maximus’s offer because you’re aiming to seduce Damien and become the matriarch of the Blackthorn empire, aren’t you?Keep
both brothers wrapped around your finger;warm their beds in their absence and they’ll never leave you.”
“Shut up,“Selene ground out,humiliation and fury burning.
“Shut the hell up before I remember you were sent by Maximus to provoke me,“she snapped.
“I am not here to provoke–I warned you, “Melissa said. “Step away from Damien and I will take everything you hold dear…including those two children. “Without waiting for a reply she turned and walked away.
14.JU
Chapter 41
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.