Chapter 2
I was holding my breath, fuming, as I drove straight to the city where Charles was on his business trip.
Turns out, he was staying at one of my family's hotels.
By the time I got there, it was already evening, and the sky was dusky.
I clenched the universal key card in my hand and headed straight for the rooftop pool.
My anger kept building with every floor the elevator climbed.
The hotel manager had told me Charles had booked out the whole place.
The rooftop pool was such a steamy spot. If he dared to pull any poolside antics, he was dead meat.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the elevator and swiped my card to get in.
From a distance, I could already hear the rowdy laughter and commotion inside.
I shoved the door open and stormed in.
I was ready to explode and let loose all my bottled-up anger, but then I spotted a bunch of familiar faces lounging by the pool.
They were all Charles's staff. Now, they were shooting me surprised glances.
I just froze in the doorway, not moving an inch.
My eyes swept the room, and I immediately noticed a woman sitting by the pool.
Everyone else was in shirts and formal attire, but she was the only one flaunting a sexy bikini.
Her chest was mostly exposed.
In her hands, she was clutching a brand-new Burberry trench coat from this season's collection.
Funny thing was, I'd just bought the same one for Charles last week.
The woman noticed me, too. She gave me a once-over with a frown, her eyes full of judgment.
Just then, Charles stepped out of the changing room nearby. His eyes lit up the moment he saw me. He said, "Sophie, what brings you here?"
Without hesitating, he turned and strode straight toward me.
Suddenly, someone stepped right between us, cutting me off.
It was the woman in the bikini. She said, "Hey, miss. We've reserved this place. Random nobodies don't get to just show up uninvited."
She lifted her chin, giving me a haughty glare.
I didn't recognize her face, but that was definitely the same taunting voice from the phone call.
I'd been to Charles Reed's company plenty of times. I knew all his staff inside out.
The only one I hadn't met was the new assistant Charles had been complaining about last month.
Her name was Emily Summers.
I instantly realized that the woman in front of me was Emily herself.
I held my tongue, not bothering to respond to her. Instead, I looked straight at Charles and said, "Charles, tell her: do I have the right to be here or not?"
Charles said, "Sophie, are you joking?
"If you don't have the right, then I'm out of luck."
Charles froze for a moment, then looked hurt.
He looked confused, clearly not getting why I'd even ask.
He stared at me with that goofy husky look, eyes locked on mine.
I just stared back, my face blank.
Charles looked panicked.
He came straight over and pulled me into his arms.
Charles said, "You seriously drove all the way here by yourself? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?
"Let's go downstairs and get you some rest. I can't have you getting all tired out."
With that, he wrapped his arm around me and led me away.
He strode right past Emily, not even bothering to look at her.
Emily said, "Mr. Reed, everyone's still here. What are we supposed to do if you leave?"
When she saw Charles and me holding hands, her face visibly twisted, but she forced a stiff smile and blocked our way. She added, "Mr. Logan is about to arrive. Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Charles finally stopped.
He acted like he'd only just noticed Emily, frowning for a long moment before saying, "Emily, why are you dressed like that?"
Emily's cheeks turned bright red as she nervously played with her hair. She said, "I spent ages picking out this outfit. Do you like it, Mr. Reed?"