Chapter 28
As the murmurs around us grew louder, Madelaine looked even more smug.§ “You little bitch, how dare you insult me? You’ve got a death wish!”
I wasn’t the least bit shaken by her threats. If anything, I found them almost amusing.
“Secretary Madelaine, is it? I’d suggest you watch your mouth.“>
“If you really push me too far, not even your boss will be able to clean up the mess.“>
“Watch your damn mouth, my ass!“>
After cursing me a few more times, she still didn’t feel satisfied. She rolled up her sleeves and lunged for me again.”
“What Secretary Madelaine, is this how you solve problems by throwing punches?”
She swung her hand at me again and again, but didn’t even brush the hem of my clothes. Each time she missed, her rage only deepened.}
“You little bitch, I dare you to dodge one more time!“>
“Believe it or not, I’ll call President Dawson right now!“}
Even as she hurled threats and tried to provoke me, I didn’t fight back. I simply endured it all.”
It wasn’t that I feared her. Before I left the unit, my superior had warned me repeatedly.”
“Every word and action of yours represents the image of the unit. Once you step out there, you must never, under any circumstances, get into conflicts.”
Besides, I didn’t even know how to fight.
Either I wouldn’t lift a hand at all, or I’d strike to kill.
Seeing me stand silent, Madelaine assumed I was afraid. She raised her hand again and lunged for me.§
But just then, an angry shout cut through the air behind her.
“Stop!”
“Madelaine, you’re my personal secretary, for heaven’s sake. How dare you start hitting people in public?“}
A tall, broad–shouldered young man strode forward, flanked by a group of bodyguards.§
“You must be Dylan Dawson?”
I studied the man in front of me carefully. I had to admit, my dad had a decent eye.
Tailored designer suit, sharp features, every inch the image of authority.
If I had to pick a flaw, it would be the chill in his eyes when he looked at me.
“Mr. Dawson, nice to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself.”
“My surname is Laurel. My given name is Lilah. I come from Flor-”
“No need.”
Before I could finish, Dylan lifted a hand impatiently, cutting me off.
“We’ve met. I don’t think we’re a good match. You can get off the plane.”
For a moment, I wondered if I’d misheard him.
I had gone through multiple levels of approval at my unit just to secure this rare half–day off.
And now, we had barely exchanged a few words before I could even finish introducing myself, and he wanted me to leave.
Was he seriously treating me like some kind of fool?
That thought alone made my temper flare.
“You must be Dylan, the blind date my dad arranged for me, right?”
“You don’t even let me finish speaking before telling me to leave? Isn’t that a bit lacking in the most basic courtesy?“}
After hearing me out, Dylan let out a low sneer.
“Manners?“M
“Why don’t you go find a mirror and take a good look at yourself? Did you really think you were worthy of me?”
As he spoke, his gaze swept over me with thinly veiled contempt.
“No idea what my father was thinking, trying to marry me off to a decorative vase like you.”@
That single remark sent the crowd into an uproar.
“What? Is she actually President Dawson’s fiancée? That’s wild!”
“A clueless country bumpkin like her thinking she can marry into a wealthy family? She should look in the mirror first.” “President Dawson is the dream man every woman in Georgia wants. I, Lori, am the first to oppose this marriage!“}]
As the chatter grew louder, I stood there, stunned.
When had I ever said I wanted to marry him?
D
