Page 36 of Rival to the Billionaire

And suddenly everything is warranted, because your hard work, your skill and determination, has finally been recognized.

This is what he's like outside of the boardroom.

This is what he's like when he's just being Ryder. And maybe, just maybe, there's something real in his eyes. A fire that only I can see. And a passion that I've often thought only I could feel.

Derek's words in his office yesterday about my "operating and acting alone" come back to me.

How often had I believed in that 'me against the world' mantra? And how often had I been wrong?

The truth is…I've been quite alone. For a long time.

It was always me—taking care of my mother and sister. Me—studying hard to work my way into one of the best schools possible. And then me—having the answers.

Would it kill me to give in for once? To someone? These past years, I've been in my own bubble of success.

What if—just for once—I took a risk?

I raise my eyes to Ryder's face as his fingers tighten on my waist, almost imperceptibly.

"I'm not sure…if that makes any sense," he mutters, staring straight ahead at nothing. "But it doesn't make sense for us to let the others have it. It doesn't make any sense. It's wrong. And I know you've been against launching this app from the beginning?—"

"Ryder," I interject, as my stomach won't stop churning.

"But that doesn't mean I'm against you. Believe it or not, I admire your strength, your determination, your focus?—"

"Ryder!"

He stops. His mouth falls open in shock. Instinctively he blinks, his grip tightening on my hip. "Shit. Sorry. I got a little carried away."

"Just a little."

"Sorry." I see the warm grin flash on his face. He's mustering up a sense of humor.

"It's okay," I say, as he remains silent. Then I shake my head. "God, I can't believe I'm saying this, and I'm sure I'm going to hell for this. But…I'm going to go against my principles."

"Forde."

"Convince me. Sell me this app. I mean it. No bullshit. No board meetings. No brown-nosing. I want you to convince me of the absolute value of this app. Just you and me. And if you make me believe, if I think that this really is the right call, then I'll…" I sigh, thinking of my meeting with Julian tomorrow. I bite my lip. "Then I'll have no choice but to support it."

"You mean—Was that a yes?" Ryder says, as a grin stretches across his face.

"Don't get used to it," I say, forcing myself to give him a stern look.

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“Okay…basically? Yes. I'm saying yes."

Ryder's warm smile erupts again. "It's settled then. I'm going to convince you. And I'm going to make you fall in love with this project. Make you fall in love with this process."

"What if I decide I hate it?"

"No, you don't. I know you don't. You're just afraid to admit that your instincts have been wrong all this time. And when it's all said and done, that basically, you've been fighting for the wrong thing since the start."

"Oh, for God's sake, get off your high horse, Anderson."

"I'm not on a high horse. I'm just…telling it how it is."

I hesitate.

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