RETURN OF A BADDIE

RETURN OF A BADDIE

CHAPTER THREE

RETURN OF A BADDIE🔥

(Psychopath)

The elevator doors closed with a soft *ding*.

Erica exhaled for the first time in five minutes.

Her back was against the cold steel wall. Her hands were gripping the strap of her bag so hard her knuckles were white. Not because she was scared. Because she was furious.

At herself.

That man’s hand had been on her waist. Kenzie Kings. Four billion dollars, three companies, and a reputation for buying people and breaking them.

And for 2 seconds she hadn’t moved.

“Pathetic,” she whispered to the empty elevator.

The doors opened on the ground floor. Flashes went off.

Reporters.

Of course.

“Ms. Williams! Is it true you’re buying back Williams Global?”

“Ms. Williams! What was that with Mr. Kings?”

“Are you and Kenzie Kings dating?”

Erica walked through them like they were air. Security cleared a path. She didn’t answer a single question.

Erica stared at herself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror.

Black power suit. Tailored. No wrinkles. Hair in a sleek low bun. Red lips. Diamond studs. Her mother’s necklace hidden under the blazer.

Today was the board meeting.

Today she either took back Williams Global or walked away forever.

But first... breakfast.

Because baddies don’t do board meetings on an empty stomach.

Her phone buzzed. Lina.

“Ma’am, the boardroom is full. Ethan is already there. And 8 reporters are downstairs.”

“Good,” Erica said. “Let them wait.”

She picked up her coffee. Took a sip.

Black. No sugar. Like her.

Her other phone buzzed. Unknown number.

**“Good luck today. Try not to burn the building down. ”**

Kenzie.

She didn’t reply. She locked both phones and tossed them in her bag.

“Bodyguards,” she called.

The chair still smelled like her father.

Erica ran her hand over the mahogany desk. Her name plate was already there.

`ERICA WILLIAMS - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER`

It took 5 years. 2 companies. 2.4 billion dollars.

And one viral ice cream save.

Her phone buzzed.

**“Dinner tonight? 8PM. No cameras this time. Just us. ”**

Kenzie.

Erica stared at it for 10 seconds. Then typed:

**Azure again?**

**“No. My place. Private. Chef. You pick the time to leave.”**

She should say no.

This was business. Not dating.

But curiosity killed her.

**8PM. I’ll drive myself.**

**“Send me your address. I’ll send the car anyway.”**

**“I said I’ll drive myself.”**

**“...Stubborn. Fine. Text me when you arrive. ”**

Erica put the phone down.

Lina walked in with coffee. “Ma’am, the board wants a 2PM meeting. And Ethan cleared out his office last night.”

Erica nodded. “Good. Send his stuff to his house. Don’t donate it.”

“Yes ma’am.”

She looked out the window. 40 floors up. Her city.

---

Erica stood in front of her closet for 20 minutes.

This wasn’t a date. This was a business dinner.

With the man who caught her. With the man who offered 50/50.

With the man who texted her at 11PM.

She picked black. Again.

Silk slip dress. No blazer. No armor.

But red heels. And diamond earrings. Small. Dangerous.

Marco knocked. “Ma’am, your car is ready.”

“I’m driving,” she said.

“Understood.”

She grabbed her bag. Inside: phone, lipstick, and a taser.

Just in case.

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