Chapter 9
602words
"Hunter, you're such a hypocritical snake. A fraud.
"Your dad said he didn't want anything, didn't he? So, why are you here now? To steal Mom's assets? You're shameless."
Dad was a dignified man. When they separated, he was clean about it. He had his pride, so he didn't take anything.
But I was different. Dad was Dad, and I was me. What was mine stayed mine.
I watched him lose his composure, a mocking smile tugging at my lips.
"You're not a kid anymore, are you? You and your father have been leeching off my mother for years, and what do you have to show for it? A monthly allowance that barely covers basics. You don't even have a car between you.
"Pathetic. If you were smart, you'd go home right now and tell your father to work harder at sucking up to my mother. Otherwise, the first thing I'll do when I take over this company is cut you off completely."
They could starve for all I cared.
Felix's expression flickered with panic at my words, though he tried to play it cool. "Anyone can talk big."
Then something seemed to occur to him, and a sleazy smile crept into his eyes. "Oh, by the way, your girlfriend of eight years dumped you for me.
"Hunter, I didn't lose."
"There's nothing impressive about trash." I didn't even bother looking up.
I had to admit, in some ways, they were perfect for each other. When Felix first pursued Jenna, he valued what she could offer him more than any actual affection.
She was young and capable, for instance. And Mom admired her, for another. As for Jenna, she valued the identity Felix represented.
Birds of a feather really did flock together.
I glanced at my watch, then at Felix, whose face had turned an ugly shade of purple. I shoved past him, my tone flat. "I'm busy. I don't have time for this, and today's the last time I'm listening to your garbage.
"If there's a next time, you'll be looking for a new job."
…
Jenna resigned. Anyone in her position would have been too embarrassed to stay, but what I didn't expect was for her to ask to see me one more time.
I didn't see the point, so I ignored her.
Actually, on the day my identity was revealed, she'd texted me when I got home. She said she wanted to talk. I ignored that too.
After that, nothing came of it. But this time, she waited outside the company.
I ran into her the moment I went downstairs. Her expression was calm. When she saw me, she managed to act completely composed, as if nothing had happened. I had to admire her nerve.
"Want to grab coffee and talk?"
There was a cafe right across from our building. I didn't order anything when we got there, but Jenna ordered my usual for me anyway.
I looked out the window toward our company building. I remembered when we'd just graduated. She grabbed my hand, her face bright with excitement.
"This is it, Hunter. I'm going to make something of myself here. And when I do, I'll buy us a huge house where we can have lots and lots of pets.
"And I'm going to take care of you, Mr. Laver. You won't have to work. You can just do whatever you love."
"So, Ms. Newson, are you planning to keep me?"
"Yes. For the rest of our lives, okay?"
