Page 99 of Fighting Mr. Knight

I can’t figure out whether he’s angry or horny. Maybe the two are interchangeable with Jack.

There’s a tic in his jaw as he gives me a nod.

I return my most confident smile and glance away to find Max also staring at me.

Damn, I feel like a total badass temptress. I may not be wearing fake-virginal white today but blue-balls blue works well too.

An attractive blonde enters the room, smiling with dimples that won my ex-fiancé’s heart and stole my honeymoon destination.

Olivia.

All the positive energy is sucked out of me. What the hell is Olivia doing here? She’s not even on the project.

Nisha leans over and whispers, “She must be supporting while Teresa’s on holiday this week.”

When Olivia spots me staring, she looks sheepish but nods. I nod back, summoning what professionalism I can muster.

I suppose Max is fair game. She doesn’t know me well. She doesn’t owe me any loyalty.

A blue diamond around her neck catches my eye. My brain ticks over. I know that necklace. It takes me at least thirty seconds before I register from where.

It’s not a coincidence it matches my dress perfectly.

I dig my hands into the side of the chair, trying to calm myself down.

No. Max wouldn’t do that to me. It can’t be the same necklace.

I found the necklace in his underwear drawer, hidden under Jack’s biography. Max was terrible at hiding things. I was putting his clean socks away and found something hard in one of his socks.

It was beautiful, a blue topaz gemstone on an elegant silver chain. Unlike anything I would buy for myself because I usually wear my hand-made scruffy jewellery.

I thought it was a present. I was marginally disappointed but figured he must have returned it.

That was six months before wede-coupled.

A shiver runs down my spine as if someone has, not walked, butstampedover my grave.

Deep down, when Max told me about Olivia, I knew. I just knew. I knew he was lying months before when a name flashed up on his phone,Oll. Who the hell has a nickname like that?

But my brain refused to acknowledge it and pushed it down.

Now, hit full whack in the face with it, I can’t ignore it anymore.

Max requested the new admin position and Oliviahappenedto fill it. But that’s because he already knew her. It’s so obvious now.

Max is a cheater.

I stare at his handsome face as he intently listens to Jack.

Fucking son of a bitch.

First my dad, now this. Does everyone lie to me?

Anxiety strikes my chest. A sudden, intense shot.

How many people in this room knew all along? Was everyone talking behind my back?

Does Sean know? Does Jack know? Sweet Jesus, doesKateknow?

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