The Billionaire’s Secret Empire

ChapterSix

Taylor had spent the whole night crying over the man who’d abandoned her. By morning, she’d decided she’d never cry over him again. Not over Xavier, not over Theo, and not over the bastard who’d stood before her with the same face, the same scent, the same birthmark, and who’d somehow managed to look at her as if she were a complete stranger.

She stared at herself in the bathroom mirror, smoothing out the simple black dress she’d chosen for work; she had a job to keep and a plan for revenge to devise. She grabbed her handbag and left.

Today was going to be different; she wasn’t going to look at Theo. She wasn’t going to follow him, and she wasn’t going to ask him why he’d left her at the altar. And most importantly, she wasn’t going to let him know she’d discovered his secret. If he wanted to pretend they were strangers, then so be it. She could play that game too. Only she was going to play it better.

She’d spent most of the night reminiscing about every moment she’d shared with Xavier. The first time he’d kissed her. The day he’d promised to marry her. The way he’d held her beneath the sycamore tree. And then the empty altar. Her mother’s bakery reduced to ashes. His disappearance. And now… Theo Gianni, her ex-fiancé’s billionaire boss – the very same man. The mere thought of it made her blood boil.

As was typical, the devil woke up angry. Taylor gathered the pile of documents lying on her desk and took a deep breath; she wasn’t afraid of him—at least that’s what she told herself. She knocked twice before entering his office; Theo didn’t look up from his laptop. “Leave them on the desk.”

Taylor walked over to him and placed the documents down carefully, then paused. Theo finally looked up. Their eyes met. For a brief second, neither of them spoke. There was something strange about his expression, then his face grew cold again. “Is there anything else?” Taylor smiled. “No, sir.”

She turned round. “Miss Hempstead.” She stopped. “Yes?” “Why are you smiling?” Her heart skipped a beat. She shrugged innocently. “I just remembered something funny.” “What?” “Nothing important.” Taylor left before she could ask another question.

The moment she reached her desk. That was it. Her first move. Nothing dramatic, just enough to remind him that she wasn’t the same broken woman he’d left behind. Then she noticed something. Theo had called an important meeting with three of his senior executives, and the presentation documents were there, on her desk. A wicked idea struck her; Taylor glanced at the papers and then smiled.

“Where are the revised financial reports?” Theo’s voice was dangerously calm; Taylor was standing in front of his desk with her hands clasped behind her back. “I thought you said you wanted the original copies.” “I asked for the revised copies.” “Oh.” Theo’s jaw tightened. “My mistake, sir.” “You’ve made quite a few since you started working here.” She suppressed a smile.

Theo leaned back in his chair. “You’re enjoying this.” Her eyes widened. “Enjoying what?” “This.” He gestured towards the pile of papers on his desk. Taylor shook her head quickly. “No, sir.” “You’re lying.” She stared at him. For a moment she forgot that he was Theo Gianni. She saw Javier. The man who could always tell when she was lying. Her heart clenched painfully.

Theo noticed her expression change. “Taylor?” She caught her breath; he’d said her name differently. Not like a boss, but like Xavier. She immediately straightened up: “Yes, Mr Gianni?” Something flashed across his blue eyes and then vanished. “Get me those reports.” “Yes, sir.” She turned and left.

Theo had somehow managed to annoy her five times before midday. She was going to kill him—perhaps not literally, but certainly emotionally. Taylor walked into his office with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and placed it right in front of him.

Theo eyed it suspiciously. “What’s this?” “Coffee.” “I didn’t ask for coffee.” “I know.” Her eyebrow arched. Taylor smiled sweetly. “I thought I’d surprise you.” Theo stared at her and she stared back, until he picked up the cup and his face immediately twisted.

Slowly, he set the cup down. “You did that on purpose.” Taylor gasped. “Sir!” Her eyes narrowed. “You’re enjoying this.” Taylor gave him her most innocent expression. “I’ve no idea what you’re on about.” Theo leaned forward. And for the first time, Taylor saw something dangerous in his eyes—not anger, but something much deeper: “You’ve changed,” he murmured.

Taylor froze. “What?” He stared at her for a long moment, then his lips curved into a faint smile. “Nothing.” He waved her away. “Go on.” Taylor turned away, hiding the smile that had finally crept under her skin.

But as soon as she closed the door behind her, Theo’s expression changed and the smile vanished, and he opened the bottom drawer of his desk. Inside was a small photograph. Old, slightly worn at the edges. A younger Taylor stood beneath the sycamore tree, smiling cheerfully at the camera.

Theo picked it up carefully and stroked its face with her thumb. For a moment, the ruthless billionaire CEO vanished. There was only Xavier. The man who had loved her, the man who had left her, and the man who had never quite forgotten her.

He clenched his jaw as he looked at the photograph. “So you’re finally ready to play, Tay?” Slowly, he closed his fingers around the picture.

And this time, he wasn’t going to let her win!!