Chapter 66 Bring Her Over
Scarlett hadn't planned on telling Ambrose about this—after all, they were divorced, and she had no intention of helping Wesley anyway. But since he'd asked directly, she figured honesty was the best policy.
"He did ask, but I turned him down. Now that I've left the Ross Group, there's no way I'm doing him any favors."
Ambrose fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Those design drafts he wanted from you? They're actually for the art museum project. He's working with Ulysses—the Mitchell family wants to lock down that contract."
The pieces suddenly clicked into place. So that's what Ambrose had been getting at. Wesley's scheming knew no bounds.
"Don't worry. I made you a promise, and I'll deliver. Wesley can forget about getting his hands on it."
"But if you don't officially join the Boleyn Group, Ulysses won't back off." Ambrose's deep voice took on a persuasive tone. "Only if you become a Boleyn Group employee will he finally let this go."
Scarlett went quiet. Having someone constantly breathing down her neck would be seriously annoying.
"How about signing a one-year contract? After that, the choice is completely yours," Ambrose offered.
It was an incredibly generous arrangement. The museum project would probably take about a year anyway, and if Ambrose was willing to make this kind of compromise for her sake, she'd run out of reasons to refuse.
She nodded. "Alright. I'll report to the Boleyn Group tomorrow."
After they'd settled things, his car pulled away from the curb. Scarlett waited until it disappeared from view before driving her own car into the underground parking garage and heading home.
Once inside, her phone rang—it was Briar. When she heard that Scarlett had finally gotten the divorce papers, Briar insisted they celebrate.
They made plans to go out that evening.
After hanging up with Briar, Scarlett sank into her desk chair, letting her head rest against the backrest. With a rare moment of quiet, her thoughts drifted to Ambrose.
Why did he keep helping her? What was he really after? Did he actually want to sleep with her?
Her heart did that traitorous flutter.
Objectively speaking, Ambrose was the most attractive man she'd ever met—gorgeous, brilliant, built, and powerful. Even with a son in the picture, he was still every woman's dream catch in Silverlight City.
But a man like that existed in a completely different universe than hers.
Besides, romance was the last thing on her mind right now. Still, with all the help he kept offering, she couldn't exactly ignore his existence.
The more she thought about it, the more her head started to pound. Finally, she gave up, shook it off, and dove back into the design drafts.
Tomorrow she'd be starting at the Boleyn Group. The project couldn't wait any longer. Scarlett poured all her focus into it, pushing everything else to the back burner.
That evening, after dinner, Scarlett waited for Briar to call and pick a place to celebrate. But when she tried calling, the line just rang and rang.
She resigned herself to taking the kids downstairs for a walk instead. Just as they were about to leave, an unknown number flashed on her screen. She hesitated, then answered.
"Are you Ms. Reed's friend?" a woman's voice asked.
Scarlett blinked. "Yes... who's this?"
"I'm a server at the Four Seasons Hotel. Ms. Reed is here for a business dinner, and they're forcing drinks on her. She asked me to call you to come pick her up."
Scarlett's suspicion kicked in. "The Four Seasons Hotel?"
"Yes, room 1901. You should hurry—I'm worried about what might happen if she gets too drunk."
"What's your name?" Scarlett pressed, still cautious.
"I'm Lark Scott, employee number 20201, Four Seasons Hotel."
"Okay, thank you."
Scarlett hung up and looked down at her two kids standing in the doorway, their hopeful faces making guilt twist in her chest. "Something came up. I might not be able to take you guys out. How about I have Rhea bring you downstairs to play?"
Yara's face fell, and she tugged on Scarlett's hand. "But Mom, you haven't played with us in forever."
Scarlett crouched down to her level, her voice apologetic. "Briar needs help. I have to go get her. Just this once, okay?"
Though clearly unhappy, Yara nodded. Scarlett turned to Hayden.
"Hayden, I need to go out. Do you want to stay home with Yara, or should Rhea take you both to the playground?"
Hayden pressed his lips together, studying her face. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Either's fine."
Hayden had been talking more and more lately. A stupid grin tugged at Scarlett's lips as she gently ruffled his hair. "Then I'll have Rhea take you and Yara to the community playground for a bit. When you're done, come back for baths, okay?"
Hayden nodded.
Scarlett called for Rhea, who cheerfully escorted both kids out the door. After watching them leave, Scarlett tried calling Briar again. No answer.
Worry started gnawing at her. This wasn't like Briar at all. Something was definitely wrong. She grabbed her purse and car keys and rushed out.
Pulling out of Lakeside Garden, she gunned it toward the Four Seasons Hotel. En route, she tried Briar's cell again. Still nothing.
Finally, she called the hotel's front desk, asking about room 1901. The receptionist refused to divulge any information—until Scarlett mentioned Lark's name. At least they confirmed she was a real employee.
Her initial doubts faded. She pressed harder on the gas.
Less than twenty minutes later, she arrived at the Four Seasons. Striding through the lobby, she made a beeline for the elevators.
Outside room 1901, she smoothed down her clothes, knocked, then pushed the door open. Around a large round table sat about ten people—including Briar, who was being pressured to down yet another drink.
"Excuse me, did someone order wine?" Scarlett walked in carrying a bottle.
Every head swiveled toward her. As their eyes locked onto Scarlett, she strolled forward without breaking stride.
She'd changed into a Four Seasons uniform—she couldn't just barge in and risk making things worse for both of them.
"Who ordered wine?" someone called out.
"Not me."
"Who cares? It's here now—pop it open!" another voice shouted.
Scarlett handed over the bottle while scanning Briar's flushed face and the crowd around the table. Then her gaze snagged on a face that was half-familiar, half-stranger.
Ulysses.
He was here too. At that moment, he was studying Scarlett right back, something calculating glinting behind his glasses. She looked away and moved closer to Briar, catching her eye.
Briar spotted her and immediately shook her head, her expression screaming get out of here. But how could Scarlett just leave her behind?
"Ms. Mellon," Ulysses suddenly called out.
Since he'd blown her cover by using her name, Scarlett had no choice but to acknowledge him. She lifted her gaze and gave a curt nod.
"What's with the outfit, Ms. Mellon? Working here now?" His lips curved into an ambiguous smile, and his eyes seemed glued to her.
Scarlett forced a tight smile but didn't respond. Then a syrupy voice rang out from the crowd.
"Scarlett."
Scarlett's gaze slid to the speaker, who was Brielle. Brielle was actually here too. She instantly understood that they had deliberately used Briar to lure her here tonight!