Chapter 3

I named my price right away.

He let out a low chuckle. "Nate was right. You really are greedy."

Hearing that, I knew Nate had talked about me to him already. I didn't bother explaining.

"As long as you can pay, Mr. King, I'll prove I'm worth every penny," I said.

Charles spun his lighter between his fingers, flicked it open with a sharp click, and a flame sparked to life. He lit his cigar and took a slow drag. "Nine tonight. My room."

He told me his room number, then stood up and walked out of the banquet hall.

Every eye in the room turned to me, filled with envy, disgust, curiosity.

I fixed my dress and got ready to leave.

Nate rushed over and blocked my way.

"Victoria, have you lost your mind? That's my uncle," he said.

"You think he's some saint? He could ruin you without a second thought."

I pushed his hand away. "Nate, don't worry about me.

" At least Mr. King pays well. Unlike you."

Nate raised his hand to hit me. I didn't move. His hand stopped in the air.

People were watching. He didn't dare start trouble at The Peninsula.

I sidestepped him and headed for the elevator, hitting the button for the penthouse suite.

*****

At exactly nine, I knocked on Charles' door.

The door wasn't locked, just left slightly ajar. I pushed it open and walked in.

Only the floor lamp was on. Charles sat on the couch with a glass of whiskey.

A thick contract sat on the table.

"Sit," Charles said, pointing to the chair across from him.

I walked over, took a seat, and he slid the contract across the table to me.

"You'll handle the materials supply for the South Bay Port project.

"Twenty percent of the profits go to you."

That was even more generous than I'd hoped for.

I skimmed over all the dense liability waivers in the contract. My mind was already stuck on that twenty percent.

I picked up the pen, ready to sign.

But he pressed his hand down on the contract. "Before you sign, there's something I need you to do first."

I stopped and looked at him.

"Nathan's been handling the merger for Evergreen Pharmaceuticals," Charles said.

"He's been cooking the books. I want the real books," he added.

I frowned a little.

Evergreen Pharmaceuticals was the Sinclair family's core business, and Nathan kept those books locked down tight.

"Mr. King, you're asking me to be a corporate spy?" I asked.

"You scared?" He took his hand back.

I signed my name without hesitating. "As long as the money's right, I'm not scared of anything."

Charles stood up, came over, and tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze.

His fingers were calloused and rough.

"I don't like women who fail," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "If you don't get me that ledger, everything you signed tonight is off the table."

I pushed his hand away. "One week. The books will be on your desk."

I picked up my copy of the contract and walked out.

Back at my new apartment, I took a shower and sat down at my desk.

With the Evergreen Pharmaceuticals merger underway, Nathan was more guarded than ever.

I couldn't get to him directly. I needed an opening.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through Jasmine's Instagram.

Her latest post was showing off the limited-edition sports car Nathan just gifted her, tagged at the Oceanview Club.

I tossed my phone onto the desk. Finally, my way in.