A few dark lines creased Justin’s forehead.
His voice was cold as ice. “Edith is a responsible woman. She set her alarm herself. She doesn’t need you reminding her.”
On the other end of the line, Connor was grinning with smug satisfaction, feigning innocence. “Hey, I was just being helpful. Wouldn’t want her to be late, that’s all.”
He couldn’t resist adding fuel to the fire. “Besides, that new guy she’s working with? Ridiculously handsome. Just graduated from Northcrest University, barely in his twenties–honestly, Edith’s got some nice eye candy at work now.”
Justin drew in a slow, deep breath. He knew exactly what Connor was doing–trying to get a rise out of him. After all these years, this was just how the two of them
operated.
“Oh? Eye candy, huh? Attorney Grant, do you remember the law firm at Northcrest? When Henson and the others dragged me into investing with them?”
The moment Justin brought up money, Connor knew he’d gone too far. He scrambled to recover. “Mr. Hawksley, if you want to talk business, then honestly, what’s so special about some kid in his twenties? He’s got nothing on you. No charm at all. Unlike you, Mr. Hawksley–now that’s what I call real charisma.”
Justin narrowed his eyes. “That’s more like it. Next time you run your mouth, I’ll pull every cent I invested in your firm. And I mean all of it.”
Connor deflated instantly. “Okay, okay, I’ll drop it! I’ve got a ton of meetings this morning anyway.”
But Justin wasn’t about to let him off so easily. If Connor insisted on playing with fire, he was going to get burned. “So busy and yet you found time to call my wife first thing in the morning? What exactly are you up to?”
Connor tried to smooth things over, repeating himself in desperation. “I swear, I just meant well. Didn’t expect it to backfire like this. Come on, Mr. Hawksley, don’t hold it against me.”
“I won’t–on one condition. Why is it everyone else calls her Mrs. Hawksley, but you insist on calling her Edith? What’s with the familiarity, huh? You two that close?”
Connor shot back, indignant. “We shared our first kiss, remember? How is that not close?”
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17:59
Chapter 169
Justin felt his blood pressure spike. “When I invested in your firm, you promised that little detail would stay buried forever! I swear, if you breathe a word to anyone, I’ll take my money back!”
Connor huffed, wounded. “Ask around–have I ever told anyone? Of course not. I can’t even mention it to the people who already know? You’re still giving me grief over something you already know about!”
“You deserve it! Pay up!”
Connor stuck out his tongue and abruptly hung up. If he let the conversation drag on, Justin might actually pull his funding. And considering Justin had invested close to ten million when the firm started, there was no way Connor could cover that kind of
cash.
Back at home, the noise woke Edith. She mumbled sleepily, tightening her arms around Justin’s waist. “Just a little longer. Let me sleep a bit more.”
Justin’s gaze softened, his heart aching at how exhausted she sounded. He gently patted her back. “It’s fine, love. Sleep as long as you want. I’ll wake you when it’s
time.”
Reassured, Edith melted into his warm chest and drifted off again.
At the law office, Connor had barely stepped through the door when he ran into
Justin’s assistant.
He considered pretending not to see him, but the assistant blocked his way. “Attorney Grant, Mr. Hawksley says he’s withdrawing his investment. I’m here to handle the paperwork.”
Connor exploded, cursing under his breath. “Dammit, Justin–can’t you take a joke?”
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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.