Chapter 8
1099 Words
It was time for action. Ruby straightened herself and tugged at the hem of her delivery uniform. She had arrived at the Knight Tower.
An iconic Manhattan skyscraper where the corporation's headquarters was located. Clutching a package, she strode confidently up to the front desk.
I have a delivery for Mr. Knight. It requires his personal signature.
All right, just a moment. The receptionist nodded.
She made a quick call to the executive secretary's office before finally buzzing her up.
Ruby took the private elevator straight to the eighty-eighth floor. The view from here was breathtaking.
Owen Knight was truly on top of the world in every sense.
The entire executive secretariat, easily over a hundred people.
Worked on this one floor, all of them devoted exclusively to Owen.
An assistant met her at the elevator and escorted her toward the CEO's office.
As she knocked, a smooth, unhurried voice answered from inside.
Enter.
Ruby let out a quiet breath.
Just as she thought she'd made it to Owen without a hitch, a tall, lean figure stepped directly into her path.
Leo Yates.
Owen's executive assistant frowned as he sized her up.
Leo.
The thought made her grin until Leo's sarcastic voice cut through.
Miss Anderson, what are you doing here?
Leo's expression was stone-cold.
Just yesterday, this woman had made a scene at the Anderson estate to get Owen's attention.
An attempt his boss had ignored, and now she was pushing her luck again, showing up in a cheap costume to bother him.
He motioned to two bodyguards standing nearby.
What is this?
Are they letting anyone waltz up to the top floor?
Get her out of here.
Now.
Ruby didn't flinch.
And what's that supposed to mean?
Does the Knight Corporation have a problem with delivery workers?
Leo let out a cold laugh.
Nice try, Miss Anderson.
We respect every profession, but come on.
Are you really a delivery person?
I am. Ruby shot back with a small grin.
And I'm supposed to believe that?
If you're on a delivery, where's your ID?
The question had barely left his mouth before an ID card was thrust inches from his face.
Ruby shrugged lightly.
Is this proof enough for you?
Leo froze, his face tightening.
Then he scoffed, as if he'd caught her red-handed.
Let me guess.
You signed up for the job this morning.
Ruby rolled her eyes, flipped the card around, and tapped the registration date.
Leo squinted, then went still.
You've been working here eight years?
Ruby's tone was calm.
Almost bored.
Is there a problem with working part-time to pay your way through school?
I thought hard workers were appreciated around here.
Leo opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Ruby didn't wait.
She glanced past him toward the open office door.
Mr. Knight, are you going to sign for your package or not?
Leo blocked her view, but Owen's commanding voice carried from behind him.
Come in and get this over with quickly, Miss Anderson.
Ruby shot a defiant look at Leo, who looked like he was about to short-circuit.
She brushed past him and stepped into the office.
Owen's office embodied high-end minimalism.
Black, white, and steel gray.
He sat like a king behind a massive oakwood desk, sleeves rolled up, fountain pen gripped in his elegant fingers.
After signing a document with a flourish, he finally looked up.
Ruby handed him the delivery slip.
Sign here, Mr. Knight.
His eyes fell to her hand.
Her fingers were delicate and slender, but the faint calluses told a different story.
She was rather thin but held herself with a spine of steel.
His gaze drifted briefly to the fading bruise on her face before he took the pen from her.
And then Ruby.
Dropped the bomb.
You're not actually married at all, are you, Mr. Knight?
The pen stopped moving.
His head snapped up, sharp eyes locking onto her.
Ruby didn't look away.
She knew she was right.
Marriage licenses had to be filled out in person.
No assistance.
No proxies.
Owen's supposed marriage was public knowledge.
Even Warren had casually mentioned his wife.
Yet Owen himself clearly didn't recognize her.
Add that to what Miles uncovered, and the truth was unavoidable.
Owen Knight had invented a wife to get his family off his back.
He'd never gone to the Marriage Bureau, not even for a fake filing.
Which meant he had no idea they were, in fact, legally married.
Mr. Knight. Ruby said, her voice dead serious.
I know how insane this sounds, but we really are married.
I was just as shocked when I found out.
Owen slowly leaned back in his chair, a flicker of cold amusement in his eyes.
Miss Anderson, don't waste your breath.
Even if I weren't married, I wouldn't pursue you.
I'm not interested in being a pawn in your revenge plot against Carter.
Ruby was stumped.
He knew about Carter, and he thought that's why she was here.
No wonder he refused to believe anything.
I'm not here because of Carter. She insisted.
I want to—
I'm not interested in your drama. Owen cut in sharply, not giving her a chance to say divorce.
You.
He scrawled his signature and thrust the slip back at her.
Don't bother me again.
You won't like the consequences.
A spark of anger finally flared in Ruby.
You've already been rude enough.
You're the one who tried to drive me out of New York.
Owen frowned, thrown off.
When did I—
Before he could finish, his phone buzzed with a specific ringtone that made him go still.
It was for his grandmother.
He answered immediately.
The caregiver's voice was frantic on the other end.
Mr. Knight, your grandmother.
She's missing again.
Owen shot out of his chair and bolted from the office.
Ruby tried to follow, desperate to explain.
But Leo stepped into her path once more.
That's enough, he said.
Voice low and final.
I suggest you give it a rest.
Next time, sir won't be so patient.
Moments later, Ruby found herself escorted out of Knight Tower.
She rode her scooter home in a foul mood, frustrated and exhausted.
Once again, she'd gotten nowhere.
Just as she reached her front door, something flickered at the edge of her vision.
She turned.
The old woman from the other day was peeking out from behind a parked car.
Before Ruby could react, the old lady darted forward.
And grabbed her wrist in a surprisingly strong grip.
Granddaughter-in-law, she declared.
Don't you dare run away from me again.
- Writer
