Page 89 of Most Eligible Billionaire

He turns back to the room, addressing another objection, moving on like he’s all about their conversation, but he’s all about me. I know it when he stops, when he turns, eyes finding mine.

He defends the way the walls are, even though it’s not what he ever wanted. It’s Kaleb’s stupid design, but Henry will defend it.

More angry people raise their voices.

“Those guys are Dartford plants,” April whispers. “Planted in the audience to sink this project. They’ll complain about the amount of greenery, which always rallies people. And they’ll complain about the lack of public input—which they would actually get more of with Locke.”

People are talking angrily over each other, rousing each other into a frenzy.

I’m starting to feel lightheaded; this is exactly how it was when everyone hated me. So much anger. “This is bad,” I whisper.

“It is. Once those assholes have theirnovote, they’ll bribe some council people and put their racetrack in. But we can’t say that, because it hasn’t happened yet. Once it’s done it’s too late. They havepeople, let’s just say.”

The two Dartford brothers start criticizing Locke for bulldozing their vision in, as if they’re the white knights, riding in to save the neighborhood. It’s all so wrong.

“Lies,” April whispers. “Their motto should beWhere doing the wrong thing is the right thing.”

Everyone wants a turn to yell, just like the days when my name was a trending topic on Twitter. I rub my sweaty palms on my skirt, feeling the urge to bolt.

I’m not back in Deerville.

Smuckers gets antsy. I pull him out of the purse and hold him as Brett gets up onto the stage and confronts the man. “One question—are you being paid by Dartford & Sons?”

The man deflects. Brett pushes. Brett doesn’t have Henry’s charisma. More people are yelling. There are accusations now. April looks devastated.

“Why are they listening to those jerks?” I ask.

She doesn’t answer for a while. I suspect she’s actually on the verge of tears.

“There’s no moreyesin the room,” she finally says. “Dartford & Sons are officially sinking the Ten.” She shuts her eyes. “These neighbors are going to get screwed. And it’s Henry’s birthday next week, and all he’ll get is the final dissolution…”

I’m not listening. Henry is looking over at me and Smuckers. I tilt my head, projecting sympathy, empathy. I see it right when it happens, when the Dartford guy traces the direction of his gaze.

“Oh, this is perfect,” the blowhardiest of them all says. “Is this the dog? The new owner of Locke Worldwide?”

“No, no, no, no,” April says under her breath. “Shit.”

The blowhard Dartford guy is pushing through the crowd toward me, brashly and angrily, bearing a microphone.

I clutch Smuckers tight, pulse roaring in my ears.What do you have to say for yourself, Vonda? Aren’t you ashamed of yourself, Vonda?

Everybody is looking at me now. My skin goes clammy. The hate is a hand, squeezing my lungs.

The Dartford guy stops in front of me with a smug expression. “Tell me,” he says, addressing the crowd, “can you trust a company led by a dog?” He turns to me. “You’re the dog’s keeper? Don’t you think this is a little reckless for a publicity stunt? To literally hand control of a company to a dog and his keeper? This dog legally controls the entire firm, does he not? This dog could sell the company for a dollar to a kid on the street. Is that a trustworthy move?”

He points the microphone at me, more formidable than a loaded gun.

I catch sight of Henry across the room, pushing through the people, trying to get to me. Rage in his eyes. He calls out, “Leave her alone.”

“You have anything to say for yourself?” Dartford asks.

I stare at the mic. So familiar. This is a place I never wanted to be. Never again.

Never again.

Henry comes across, pushing through, shaking his head.Keep quiet. Don’t say anything.

“Come on,” Dartford chides. He’s not looking at me, he’s looking at everyone else. Because I’m not human. I don’t have feelings. I’m Vonda.

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