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Mark had asked about me, although he seemed indifference, it put her on alert.
Lying in bed, I reviewed what I had been studying.
Anna Harper was a real person, but her whereabouts were a mystery to most.
Her family’s business empire was legit too, just far out of Mark’s league.
Laura gave me three months to complete the task.
I reviewed the documents and took the initiative.
The next day, I hit the golf course.
A sport for the elite, not something that could be mastered in just a week.
Luckily, my deadbeat ex had taken me twice when he was wooing me.
I wasn’t a pro, but I could at least fake it.
Changing into sportswear, I radiated youthful energy.
Who’d guess I had a six-year-old?
Laura said Mark played every Thursday morning.
Sure enough, as I hit a hole in one, a voice behind me cheered, “Great shot!”
I did’t turn, knowing it was him.
Pausing for a sip of water, Mark sidled up, feigning surprise. “Miss Harper?!”
I played confused. He said hastily, “We met last night, with Laura...”
“Oh! Right, sorry. Mr. Davis, you’re into golf too?”
Seeing I remembered him, Mark puffed up, showing off. After a few swings, we were chatting.
He was even shallower than I had expected. Laura was right—her husband was a hollow shell propped up by money.
No brain beneath his gilded facade.
But I was just a fake too, so in a way, we clicked.
And Mark was clearly intrigued.
Mid-conversation, my “assistant” interrupted. us
“Miss, you have a video conference in thirty minutes.”
I nodded, giving Mark an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I’ve got other plans today.”
“No worries. Could I get your card please?”
Mark added quickly, “Miss Harper, our company’s expanding. I’d love to explore the opportunity of a cooperation.”
I glanced at my assistant, who handed over a card. Mark’s eyes lit up.
Progress was steady.
I reported back to Laura, who sipped her coffee and showed me a photo.
“Who’s this?”
“His mistress, Emily Parker, works at Luxe Jewelry.”
The girl in the photo was stunning—bright eyes, sweet smile. For a while it didn’t make any sense to me. “She’s gorgeous—why get involved with a married man?”
“Does she know he’s taken?”
“Of course. She even left an earring for me to find.”
I was shocked. Without Laura’s explanation, I’d never imagine such a graceful rich lady facing such betrayal.
“You didn’t confront her? When my ex cheated on me with a younger woman, I stormed over, cussed her out, and she left crying.”
“And then? A string of mistresses followed. Shouting doesn’t solve anything.”
Seeing my shock, Laura added indifferently, “I warned her already. But the real problem’s Mark, isn’t it? When you fix a problem, go fore the source.”
It clicked. My ex had goaded his mistress to report me for assault, using it to control me until I was kicked out.
If I had met Laura sooner, I wouldn’t have been so pathetic.
But I had a chance now.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Bennett. I’ll get it done!”
