Page 4 of The Big Scoop

“Harrison Night,” he said as I sat down at his desk. “What do you know about him?”

“Billionaire dickhead,” I replied. “Playboy reputation. Made his money selling some cybersecurity system to Microsoft?”

“That’s right,” Jeff nodded. “Boy genius. Made his millions before finishing high school. Built and sold various computer companies and now he’s branching out into fuel-efficient home generators for rural areas and places facing frequent power losses.”

“And?”

“And he’s moving to Derby to open up his new factory,” Jeff replied.

“Wait, what? Seriously?”

Jeff passed his tablet across the desk to me. It was open to a website showing a ridiculously huge house with the words Billionaire Playboy Mansion in Derby? written above.

“How have I not heard about this?” I asked.

“You’ve been too wrapped up in that Macadam Pines story,” he replied. “I’m surprised you even know what month it is.”

“This looks like it’s up on Redridge Road?”

“Yup. Big huge thing, and guess what else?”

“What?” I replied, staring at the house that looked more like a palace than a home.

“He’s flying in in three days, and I want you to do the story.”

“Come on, Jeff,” I sighed, sliding the tablet back over the desk to him. “I’m busy. Get one of the interns to do this. They can post about it on their Instagram or whatever.”

“Oh, you’re going to want to do this story,” Jeff smiled.

“Yeah? And why’s that?”

“Rumor is, Tony Russell is selling him the Macadam Pines and he’s going to clear-cut the whole thing and build his new factory there.”

This is messed up, I thought as Harrison’s ridiculously good-looking assistant pulled the Lamborghini up to the even more ridiculously good-looking house (if you could even call it that) and parked.

Not only was I heading to a story in a supercar, but I was also sitting on the lap of the man I was supposed to be doing the story on…

…and not only that, but I could also feel something pressing against my butt that let me know that he was—well, let’s just say—excited.

…and not only that, but despite the fact that I already hated this guy, not just by his reputation but by the fact that he was here to destroy our town, I was actually turned on by him…

This is all kinds of messed up.

“Home sweet home,” Harrison said. “Get that door for me, would you, princess?”

“Excuse me?” I snapped, spinning around to face him. I was still on his lap, though, and our faces were so close I quickly pulled back before he thought I was trying to kiss him or something.

“Could you get the door?” he repeated. He had the smile of a naughty teenage boy, but the face of a classically handsome Hollywood star.

“Yes I can,” I replied. “But please don’t call me princess. I’m a reporter, not your sugar baby.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, still smiling.

I bit my lip, but reached behind me and tugged open the door. It swung up to open and I quickly s

tepped out and resituated myself. I felt more like I’d just been driving to prom with my boyfriend than going to a businessman’s house to do a story on him.

“Have you been inside yet, Audrey?” Harrison asked to his assistant as she stepped out.

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