Page 232 of Damaged Mogul
“This scenario is fucked up. If you’re that desperate for a merger with the DeMaros, get your current girlfriend to marry Giuseppe. You’re going to dump her soon anyway and move onto another flavor. She might not be your daughter, but you treat her with far more respect than you treat me. Also, her life goal is to marry intoway, waymoremoney.”
My father’s eyes are so wide, they take over his face.
“And, she’s as malleable as Giuseppe. It’s a win-win?—”
“In this family, the good of all, trumps the good of one.”
He thinks I owe him for the fact he took care of me.
I went from being a dirty little secret to a pawn?
Fuck that.
“I’m not marrying Giuseppe.” I stand my ground. “If you want to disown me, go right ahead. I’m done begging for scraps.” I snatch my handbag from the seat next to me and rush towards the door.
“You need a little time to mull it over,” my father says from over my shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll have a change of heart by the time we all gather out East for the important party I’m throwing for Chandler. Big players will be present—including the DeMaros. You and Giuseppe can get to know each other better while you’re in the Hamptons.”
I halt my step and turn around. “Did you hear a word I said?”
He brushes off invisible lint from his suit jacket. “Talk is cheap, Lily. If I disown you, you’ll have nothing to your name other than a degree from a Paris university. You can’t even boast being bilingual since your French is broken at best.”
Wow.
“You don’t have any work experience. I doubt you have what it takes to survive on a minimum wage salary. If I were you, I’d think long and hard before saying anything that might come back and bite you in the ass.”
His treacherous words are as murderous as bullets, even though his only weapon is his mouth.
“You’re a manipulative monster.”
“I’ve been poor and I’ve been rich. The latter is much better. Being flat broke in New York City is no joke.” His eyes harden when he says, “You were dirt poor in a shitty town in a shitty apartment in Alabama when I sent for you. You want to live hand to mouth again? Once you cool your jets, I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.” That stupid smirk again.
“Go to hell, Father!” With that, I run out of the room. I slam the door behind me so hard, I’m surprised it doesn’t come off its hinges.
As I rush down the corridor, my stomach revolts.
Oh God, I’m going to be sick again.
Panicked, I search around until I find the bathroom sign.
I bolt towards it, bursting through the door so hard, it crashes with a thundering bang against the wall.
I don’t make it to the stall.
I bend over the sink and throw up.
For a few agonizing minutes, it’s hell as my body freaks out on me.
When my stomach settles, I wash my mouth and press cold water against my cheeks. It’s in vain. My face is on fire.
With a hard sniff, I push myself off the counter I’m gripping for dear life. When I catch sight of the sadness reflecting in my eyes in the mirror, I break down. My body shudders as I sob. I’m inconsolable.
Fisher Edgington is a horrible man.
And Gage Hollingsworth is a two-faced asshole.
A river of tears floods my eyes, blurring my vision, and I’m crying in earnest now, my body trembling with sobs as sorrow eats at my heart.
I was nothing more than a dumb virgin Gage could feed lies to.
