Page 252 of Enthrall Shadows
“I help with the Cole Foundation. I’m frequently working to make this world a better place. You’re not the only one who dedicates their time for a good cause.”
“I’ve dedicated mylife.” She raised her chin. “In the future, any further charity work you do for the Coles will be done in secret.”
“What do you want?” I stepped back, tired of arguing.
“To warn you.”
The hair on my forearms prickled. “About what?”
“Tonight, Henry will deny having a relationship with you in his speech.”
My flesh turned ice-cold.
She smiled unpleasantly. “He needed an entire PR team to put that fire out.”
My breath hitched. I exhaled slowly, not giving her the pleasure of seeing me react.
“We must all play our part,” she said quietly, “to protect the Cole name.”
“Right,” I replied numbly.
“Another good thing came out of this—Lilly has a father again.”
I tried to swallow the lump in my throat as I stared at the bracelet on her wrist, that beautiful dress he’d bought her, recalled how she had draped herself over his arm when they sat together and he had not pushed her off.
Maybe this woman wouldn’t ruin Henry’s reputation like I was on the verge of doing.
I headed for the door. “They’ll be wondering where I am.”
“Lovely to see you again, Lotte,” she called after me.
Back in the ballroom, the lights were softer and the music louder—Adele’s perfectly timed lyrics a backdrop to my misery. Laughter and chatter rose from ebullient guests enjoying the party.
No one noticed my return.
I snatched up my purse from the white linen-covered table near the dance floor and made a beeline for de Sade’s table, taking the empty seat beside his.
“Looking a bit flushed, babe,” he said. “Do I even want to guess?”
“Fuck you,” I said.
“Love you too, Charlotte.” He smirked and turned back to continue his conversation with the guy next to him.
The moment I say these words, Henry will have no choice but to let me go.
“I’ll take the job,” I blurted out.
De Sade turned back to me. “Came to your senses?”
“When do I start?”
“Soon.” He sat back, looking smug. “My place tomorrow. You can see the contract. Maybe I’ll have you naked in my hot tub when you sign along the dotted line.”
“Don’t push your luck.” I got up from the table.
Asshole.
I strolled across the ballroom, glancing over to see Henry watching me, his expression inquisitive. Those beautiful chestnut eyes didn’t leave me until I was out of sight.
