The Billionaire’s Wife By Contract

Chapter 2: The Man Who Keeps Getting In my Way

Rose’s POV

I told myself I would never think about Mike Edward again.

I lied.

No matter how I hard I tried, I kept remembering the way he looked at me across the table, like challenging him had been the biggest mistake I could make.

Maybe it was.

But I was not going to let a man like Mike Edward intimidate me.

The moment I arrived at Saha’s office, she looked up from her desk.

“So,” she said, “how did your meeting with Mike Edward go?”

I dropped my bag beside the chair and sat down.

“You already know something happened?”

Sasha smiled. “I know you, Rose. You would not look this troubled if everything went smoothly.”

I sighed and told her everything.

I explained how Mike had made his suggestion and how I had openly challenged him in front of everyone in the boardroom.

Sasha looked surprised.

“Rose, do you know how Edward Corporation is to this business?”

“I know. That deal could help my company grow.”

Sasha looked at me for a moment before smiling.

“I am counting on you. I trust you, Rose. Just be careful with Mike Edward.”

“I will.”

Mike’s look had not been friendly. He seemed like the kind of man who expected everyone to agree with him.

But I was not going to stay quiet just because he was rich.

I left work feeling exhausted.

When I got home, I found Charlotte sitting comfortably on my couch.

“You finally came back,” she said.

I smiled tiredly. “I had a long day.”

She started talking about something that happened earlier, but I barely listened.

My mind kept going back to Mike. I tried to forget about him.

Charlotte waved a hand in front of my face.

“Rose?”

I blinked.

“What?”

She laughed. “I have been talking to you for almost five minutes.”

“Sorry.”

“What’s going on with you?”

I told her about the meeting.

Her eyes widened when I told her I had challenged Mike in front of everyone.

“You actually did that?”

“Yes.”

“Rose, you really have no fear.”

“I was only doing my job.”

Charlotte shook her head.

“You need to be careful. Men like Mike Edward are not used to being told no.”

“ I do not care who he is.”

She looked at me seriously.

“Do not let money control your life.”

Her words stayed with me.

The next day, Sasha told me there would be another meeting with Edward Corporation.

“You will represent us again,” she said.

I nodded.

This time, I promised myself I would walk into the boardroom confidently.

I arrived twenty minutes late.

Traffic had been terrible, and I had no car of my own.

When I entered the boardroom, everyone was already seated.

William Cruz was there.

And so was Mike.

He had come early.

I walked to an empty seat and sat down.

“Good morning, everyone.”

No one answered.

I looked toward Mike.

He was staring at me with a hard expression.

“You’re late,” he said.

I kept my face calm.

“I know. I apologize. The traffic was terrible.”

“We were waiting for you.”

“I am aware.”

His eyes narrowed.

“ I do not like people who do not respect time.”

I felt irritation inside me.

“And I do not think being twenty minutes late means I do not respect your time.”

The room became silent.

Mike stared at me.

“You should learn to be careful with your words.”

I held his gaze.

“A leader should lead by example.”

Everyone looked at one another.

Mike had arrived early today, but I remembered he had been late to our first meeting.

“You were late to the last meeting,” I added.

William looked like he wanted to disappear.

Mike’s jaw tightened.

“I do not appreciate being challenged.”

“I noticed.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then William cleared his throat.

“Perhaps we should begin.”

Mike finally looked away.

The meeting started.

I tried to focus on the documents, but I could still feel Mike’s eyes on me.

At one point, he asked, “Rose would you like to add anything?”

I looked at him.

“No. There is nothing to add.”

His expression changed slightly.

It seemed like he expected me to argue again.

I did not give him the satisfaction.

The meeting continued until everything was discussed.

When it ended, everyone slowly left the room.

I stayed behind to pack my documents.

I noticed Mike was still sitting there.

He looked deep in thought.

I wanted to know what was going through his mind, but I reminded myself that it was none of my business.

William soon walked into the boardroom.

“Are we done?” he asked.

Mike gave him a look before standing up.

He picked up his coat and walked out without saying anything.

I watched him leave.

There was something strange about him.

He was always so controlled. Yet today, he seemed distracted.

I pushed the thought away.

I had my own problems to deal with.

When I got home, I barely had time to change before my phone rang.

It was Sasha.

“Hello?”

“How did the meeting go?” She asked.

I told her everything.

There was a pause.

Then she said , “Rose, there is something I need to tell you.”

My stomach tightened.

“What?”

“Mike Edward wants to speak with you privately.”

I sat up.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

“You heard me.”

“Why?”

“I do not know.”

I stared at the wall, my heart was pounding.

Had I done something wrong?

Was he angry about what I said?

Was he planning to cancel the deal?

Or was this his way of getting back at me for challenging him?

I swallowed hard.

One thing was certain.

Whatever Mike Edward wanted from me, I had a feeling it was not going to be simple.