THE VALENTINE PROPOSAL

Chapter 8 The rival's move

LIORA

My phone woke me up. The screen showed a number I didn't know. I almost ignored it but something told me to answer.

"Miss Jovan?" A woman's voice echoes through the speakers. "This is Andrea Cole from the Wall Street Journal. I'm writing about your engagement to Everett Montague and I wanted to get a comment."

I sat up. "What kind of article?"

"We're looking into questions raised by Ramsey Bellamy about conflicts of interest in your hiring at Montague Tech. Do you want to respond to claims that you got hired because you're dating Mr. Montague instead of because you're qualified?"

My stomach felt sick. "No comment."

I hung up immediately but my phone rang again right away. It was a different number and I turned it off.

Margaret was in the kitchen when I walked out. "The board called an emergency meeting. Mr. Montague asked me to tell you he'll handle it."

"What's going on?"

"Ramsey Bellamy's accusations are spreading. The board wants answers about why you got hired." Margaret's face showed nothing. "Mr. Montague is meeting with them right now."

I grabbed my laptop and searched for Ramsey Bellamy's statement. It was on every news site.

Business rival questions Montague's ethics after engagement scandal.

Board demands investigation into unfair hiring.

Is Liora Jovan qualified or just dating the boss?

I felt like throwing up.

Everett was in that meeting right now defending me and a choice he made because of our fake engagement. A choice that was supposed to help me but was now hurting him.

I got dressed and went to the office. I couldn't just sit at home while Everett dealt with my problems.

The hallways were quiet when I got there. People looked at me different now, not curious anymore but with suspicious looks.

I went to my office and tried to work on my presentation. I couldn't focus. Every few minutes I checked the news and there were more articles with more people asking if I deserved to be here.

Why were they so into my business?

My phone rang and it was an unknown number again. I almost didn't answer but then I saw the business name.

Ramsey Bellamy.

I picked up before I could think about it. "Hello?"

"Miss Jovan. I'm glad you answered." His voice was smooth "I was hoping we could talk."

"About what?" I gritted.

"About your situation. I think we could help each other." He stopped talking for a second. "I'd like to take you to lunch. Today if you can. There are things you should know about Everett Montague and his family."

Everything inside me said to say no. But I needed to understand what was happening. Who this man was and why he cared so much about me and Everett?

"Where?" I asked.

He told me a restaurant name in midtown. I knew it to be one of those very expensive places I would never afford to step foot into.

"One o'clock," he said. "I look forward to meeting you, Liora."

He hung up before I could change my mind.

I spent two hours looking up Ramsey Bellamy online. He was old money. His family owned Bellamy Industries for three generations. He got the company when his father died and had been CEO for twenty years.

He tried to buy Montague Tech five times in the last ten years. Everett said no every time.

This wasn't about me. I was just a weapon he could use against Everett.

I should have cancelled lunch. But I didn't.

The restaurant was exactly what I thought it would be. Everything from the light to the waiters uniforms screamed wealth.

Ramsey Bellamy was already sitting when I got there. He stood up when he saw me. He was tall with silver hair and a tan that looked expensive.

"Liora. Thank you for coming." He pulled out my chair. "I wasn't sure you would."

"I almost didn't."

He smiled. "Honesty. I like that." He waved at the waiter. "Would you like wine?"

"Just water."

We ordered food. The waiter left and Ramsey sat back and looked at me.

"You're younger than I thought," he said.

"Does that matter?"

"It might." He drank some wine. "How much do you know about Everett Montague?"

"Enough."

"Do you know about his parents' divorce? About how his mother left his father for someone else in business?" Ramsey put down his glass. "And how that made Everett into someone who sees relationships as business deals?"

"He told me about the divorce."

"Did he tell you what he learned from it?" Ramsey leaned forward. "Everett doesn't trust anyone, Liora. He can't. His own mother taught him that people leave when something better shows up. His father taught him that love is a weakness that destroys you."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I'm worried about you." His voice was gentle like a father. "You're in over your head. Everett Montague uses people. His parents do too. When they're done with you, they'll throw you away like everyone else who didn't fit their plans."

I put my napkin on the table. "I should leave."

"There was another girl," Ramsey said quietly. "Years ago, before you, she thought she could fit into their world too."

I stopped moving.

"Her name was Claire. She was young like you and in love like you probably are. She thought Everett was different from his parents." Ramsey looked at me. "His family destroyed her and paid her to go away. I watched it happen."

My throat felt tight. "Why should I believe you?"

"Because I don't get anything from lying. But I can offer you something." He pulled out a business card and pushed it across the table. "When this engagement ends, and it will end, you'll need help. A fair deal and a lawyer. Someone on your side who isn't part of the Montague family."

I looked at the card but didn't pick it up.

"Think about it," Ramsey said. "I'm not your enemy, Liora. Everett is. He just hasn't shown you that part of himself yet."

I left without eating. My hands shook as I walked back to my car.

Was he telling the truth? Was there really another girl? Did Everett's family really pay someone to leave him?

I needed to know.

I drove back to the penthouse. Everett's car was there. The board meeting must be over.

He was in his office when I found him. He looked tired and stressed. When he saw me his face changed to worry.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I met with Ramsey Bellamy."

Everett's face went hard. "You what?"

"He called me and asked me to lunch. I wanted to understand what he wanted."

"He wants to mess with your head." Everett stood up. "That's what he does. He finds weak spots and uses them."

"He told me about Claire."

The name just sat there in the air. Everett's jaw got tight.

"Tell me about her," I said.

"There's nothing to tell."

"Don't lie to me." I moved closer. "Who was she? What happened?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It matters to me." My voice got louder. "If your family destroyed someone you cared about, I need to know, because they're coming after me too and I deserve to know what I'm dealing with."