THE BILLIONAIRE PROUD GIRL

The Owner's Rules

Chapter 3: The Owner's Rules

Anna stood frozen.

Michael Anderson.

The name echoed in her head.

The same man she had just called arrogant.

The same man she had practically ordered to wait for his manager.

And now she discovered he was the owner of the restaurant.

She slowly turned toward the manager.

"You mean... that Michael?"

The manager nodded.

Anna closed her eyes.

"Great."

The manager lowered his voice.

"You need to apologize."

Anna looked at him.

"For what?"

His eyes widened.

"For speaking to the owner that way!"

"I didn't know he was the owner."

"Exactly!"

Anna glanced toward the private dining room.

Michael was still there.

Watching her.

His expression was calm, almost annoyingly calm.

Anna straightened her shoulders.

"I'll apologize."

The manager sighed in relief.

"But I'm not going to beg."

"Anna!"

"I'm going."

She walked toward the private dining room.

Every step made her more nervous, but she refused to show it.

She knocked once.

"Come in."

She opened the door.

Michael was sitting alone at the table, looking through some documents.

He didn't look up.

"You wanted to speak with me?"

"I came to apologize."

That got his attention.

He lifted his eyes.

"For?"

Anna stared at him.

"You know what for."

"I don't."

She frowned.

"You know exactly what happened."

Michael leaned back.

"I asked you a question. You insulted me."

"I didn't insult you."

"You called me arrogant."

"You were being arrogant."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"So you haven't learned anything."

Anna immediately realized what she had said.

"I mean..."

"Forget it."

Michael stood.

He was taller than she had expected.

He walked toward her until only a small distance separated them.

"You work here now."

Anna nodded.

"Yes."

"Then understand something."

His voice became serious.

"I don't care about your background. I don't care where you came from. If you work for me, you follow the rules."

Anna's pride flared.

"I understand."

"No arguments with customers."

"I understand."

"No disrespecting management."

"I understand."

"And no assuming you know everything."

Anna's eyes narrowed.

"That last one was unnecessary."

Michael's eyebrow lifted.

"Was it?"

She turned toward the door.

"Can I go now?"

"One more thing."

She stopped.

Michael looked at her.

"You're on probation for one month."

Anna turned around.

"Why?"

"Because I haven't decided whether you're worth keeping."

Her pride took a direct hit.

She smiled.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure you regret underestimating me."

Michael stared at her.

"I already think I might."

Anna walked out.

The moment the door closed behind her, Michael looked down at the application on his desk.

Anna Williams.

There was something about her.

She wasn't like the women he usually met.

Most people changed their behavior the moment they discovered who he was.

Anna had done the opposite.

She had challenged him.

And strangely, he wanted to know why.

That evening, Anna returned to the small apartment she had rented after leaving her father's house.

She dropped her bag onto the couch.

Her phone immediately rang.

Dad.

She stared at the screen.

She didn't answer.

It stopped.

A few seconds later, a message appeared.

Your stepmother says you're working at a restaurant now. Is that really what you've chosen to do?

Anna's eyes burned.

She typed a reply.

Yes. And I'm proud of it.

She hesitated before sending it.

Then another message arrived.

You don't understand what you're doing. Come home before it's too late.

Anna frowned.

Before it's too late?

What did that mean?

She called him.

He didn't answer.

Anna stared at the phone.

For the first time, she wondered if there was something her father wasn't telling her.

Something about her mother's death.

Something about why Vivian had suddenly become so determined to get her out of the house.

Her phone buzzed again.

This time, it was an unknown number.

Stop asking questions about your mother.

Anna's blood ran cold.

She read the message twice.

Then another one appeared.

You have no idea what she left behind.

Anna slowly lowered the phone.

Someone knew what she was doing.

Someone was watching her.

And somewhere across the city, Michael sat in his office, completely unaware that the woman he had just hired was carrying a family secret that could change both their lives.