The Billionaire's Filthy Forgiveness

5: Is Edwin... jealous?

Lilian ~

Today, the air's thick with that usual bullshit tension. Edwin's team is scattered around - Katie, a couple of finance guys, all looking half-asleep from another late night. We've been grinding on this subsidiary turnaround for weeks now, and my plan's finally starting to show some wins. Cut overhead, fix the supply chain, bring back the old brand feel, treat workers decent - simple stuff, but it's working. Numbers are up a bit. But Edwin? He still acts like my ideas are crap, like I'm just some annoying chick who won't shut up.

The door opens, and in walks this new guy. Tall, Asian, maybe Korean? Sharp suit, calm smile, hair neat but not too stiff. He nods at everyone, sets his bag down next to me. "Daniel Park," he says, voice smooth and easy. "Senior restructuring consultant. Assigned to help with the subsidiary mess." He shakes hands around the table, professional but warm. Total opposite of Edwin's ice-cold vibe. When he gets to me, his handshake lingers a beat. "Lilian Shealy, right? I've read your reports. Impressive stuff."

I blink, pull my hand back. "Thanks. Just doing my job." Inside, I'm thinking, whoa, actual praise? From someone new? Feels weird after Edwin's constant dismissals.

Edwin clears his throat loud, like he's annoyed already. "Let's get started. Lilian, run us through the latest updates." His tone's sharp, eyes on me hard. Is he pissed about something? We haven't hooked up since that all-nighter - the one where his fingers were deep in my p***y, making me drip all over the chair. s**t, stop thinking about that. I nod, stand up, click on my presentation. Graphs pop up on the screen - revenue ticks up five percent, employee turnover down eight. "Okay, so the merges are done. Three offices instead of six, saving us two million like I said. Supply chain's locked in at lower rates - no more kickbacks. And the bonuses? Workers are hitting targets harder. Morale's up, output too."

Daniel leans back in his chair, arms crossed, watching the slides close. His eyes flick to me now and then, nodding along. The finance guys mutter agreement, Katie smiles a tiny bit. But Edwin? He just sits there, face blank. When I finish, I sit down. "Questions?"

Daniel speaks first. "That's solid. You're the first person in this building who actually gets the subsidiary. Most just see numbers to s***h. You see the people side, the brand history. Smart." His voice is calm, no bullshit. He looks right at me, that charming smile pulling up one corner of his mouth. "How'd you figure the bonus structure? Ties output perfect without breaking the bank."

I feel my cheeks heat a little. "Uh, thanks. Just ran some models. Kept it simple - five percent bump if teams hit goals." Someone admiring my brain? Not my body, not in a dirty way? Feels... nice. Real. Edwin never says s**t like that. He just f***s me hard and acts cold after.

Edwin's voice cuts across the room, sharp as a knife. "Flattery isn't analysis, Mr. Park." He leans forward, elbows on the table, staring Daniel down. "We need hard fixes, not compliments."

Daniel doesn't flinch. Just smiles easy. "It's not flattery if it's true. Her strategy's working. Numbers don't lie." He turns back to me. "I'd love to dive deeper on the supply tweaks. Coffee after this?"

Whoa. Open admiration, right in front of everyone. My stomach flips - not the hot, twisted way with Edwin, but something lighter. Edwin shifts in his seat, jaw tight. "We stick to the agenda. Lilian, your projections are optimistic. Too soft on costs. We need deeper cuts."

There it is. Dismissing me again. I snap back. "Deeper cuts? We already merged offices. Cut more, and people quit. Then we're back to square one." My voice rises a bit, anger bubbling. Why does he always s**t on my ideas? Even when they work?

Daniel jumps in calm. "She's right. Push too hard on costs, morale crashes. I've seen it in turnarounds - short-term wins, long-term losses. Lilian's balance is spot on."

Edwin's eyes narrow at Daniel. "I've run this company for years. I know what works." His tone's colder now, aimed at the new guy. Tension spikes in the room - everyone feels it. Katie looks down at her notes, finance guys shift uncomfortable. Me? I'm watching Edwin, seeing that vein in his neck pulse. Is he... jealous? Of Daniel praising me? Oh s**t, that would be something. The big bad CEO, getting worked up because someone else sees my worth.

"Years of running it into the ground?" I mutter under my breath, but loud enough. Edwin's head snaps to me. "What was that?"

"Nothing." But I hold his stare. Daniel chuckles soft, breaks the moment. "Look, let's pull the data. I can model both approaches - Lilian's and a harder cut. See what sticks."

Edwin grunts. "Fine. But we move fast. Meeting over." He stands abrupt, grabs his stuff, storms out first. Door slams a bit too hard. Whoa. He's rattled. Because of Daniel? Or me?

The room empties slow. Daniel hangs back, turns to me. "Hey, ignore the tension. Your work's good. Really good." His eyes meet mine, warm. "That coffee? Still on if you're free."

I nod, smile a little. "Yeah, why not? Need a break from the drama." We walk out together, chatting easy about the models. He's smart, asks real questions, listens. No barking orders, no cold stares. Feels... normal. But as we hit the hall, I spot Edwin at the end, watching us. His face? Stone, but eyes dark. Burning. Oh yeah, he's jealous. That hits me low, twisted satisfaction mixing with heat. Does he hate seeing me with someone who actually respects me? Good. Let him stew.

In the break room, Daniel grabs coffees, hands me one. "So, tell me more about the brand pivot. Bringing back the old Shealy feel - that's your dad's company, right? Personal touch there?"

I sip, nod. "Yeah. He built it right. Edwin just gutted it." Saying it out loud stings, but Daniel doesn't judge. Just nods. "Makes sense. You're fixing what got broken. Admire that." His voice is genuine, no games. We talk for twenty minutes - work stuff, but easy. Laugh a bit. No sparks like with Edwin, no dirty want, but it's nice. Refreshing.

My phone buzzes. Edwin: My office. Now. s**t. I excuse myself, head down the hall. Heart picks up. What's this? Jealous rage? Or something hotter? I push the door open. He's pacing, stops when I enter. "Close it."

I do, lock it without thinking. "What?"

He steps close, crowds me against the door. "Coffee with the new guy? Cozy." His voice is low, rough. Jealousy drips off every word.

I cross my arms. "So? He's nice. Praises my work. Unlike some people."

His hand slams the door next to my head. I jump a little. "Nice? He's flirting. And you're eating it up." His body presses closer, heat rolling off him. I feel that familiar pull - hate, want, all mixed. My p***y clenches just from his nearness.

"Flirting? He admires my brain. Not like you - you just want to f**k me senseless." Words spill out, dirty and true. His eyes darken more.

"Yeah? And you love it." His hand grabs my hip, squeezes hard. "Beg for my c**k every time." Heat floods me, panties getting wet. God, why does his jealousy turn me on? I shove him back a step. "Jealous much? Can't stand someone else seeing I'm smart?"

He grabs my wrist, pulls me against him. "Shut up." His mouth crashes down, kiss rough and claiming. He groans, grinds his hard d**k against me. "You want him? Or this?"

"This," I gasp, but pull away. Can't give in now. "But you're still the asshole who wrecked my life. Daniel gets that. He listens."

Edwin freezes, steps back. Hurt flashes in his eyes? Gone quick. "Get out. Work with him if you want. But remember - this is my company."

I storm out. Jealous Edwin?