The Billionaire’s Claim

Chapter2

Kieran

I never believed in ghosts. But the moment Ashley Jethro walked back into my office, every memory I’d buried clawed its way out of the grave.

She stood there, looking almost exactly the same as she did the day she left me at the altar only this time, her eyes didn’t sparkle with the same innocence. They were guarded,Haunted

Good.

I wanted her to know what it felt like to be left in ruins.

“Miss Jethro,” I said, my voice cold enough to cut glass. “I see you’ve decided to grace my company with your presence again. Pity you couldn’t manage that at our wedding.”

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. She stood stiff, like she was bracing for impact.

I leaned back in my chair, studying her the way a predator studies its prey. It had been years, but I could still read her. The nervous way she clutched her bag strap. The way she avoided my eyes for more than two seconds at a time. She knew she’d walked straight into the lion’s den.

And I wasn’t about to let her walk out without a few scars.

“Take a seat,” I ordered. My tone left no room for refusal.

She hesitated, and I could almost see the thoughts racing through her head. Should she run? Should she apologize? Should she explain why she’d left me humiliated in front of hundreds of people, cameras flashing, reporters drooling for a headline?

But she didn’t. Instead, she sat, folding her hands in her lap. Trying to appear composed.

Pathetic.

“I assume you’ve read the job description,” I said. “As my personal assistant, you’ll be handling my schedule, calls, and whatever else I decide you’re useful for. The hours will be… demanding.”

Her chin lifted slightly, a flash of defiance in her eyes. “I can handle it.”

I almost laughed. Handle it? She couldn’t even handle marrying me.

“Good,” I said, leaning forward. “Because there’s no room for mistakes. You’ll be expected to work late, travel on short notice, and drop everything when I call. This isn’t a charity, Miss Jethro. I don’t hire people out of kindness.”

The words were deliberate. I wanted her to know she hadn’t earned her place here she’d been handed it. By me.

Her jaw tightened, but she said nothing.

I stood, walking around the desk until I was standing directly in front of her. She had to tilt her head back to meet my eyes. “Tell me something, Ashley,” I said, my voice low. “When you walked away… did you feel even a shred of guilt? Or were you too busy running?”

Her breath caught. She didn’t answer.

Coward.

I smirked, savoring her discomfort. “That’s what I thought.”

For a moment, we just stared at each other, the air between us sharp and heavy. I could almost feel her heart pounding whether from anger, fear, or something else, I didn’t care.

“Your office is down the hall,” I said finally, stepping back. “Get settled. We start early tomorrow.”

She stood, clutching her bag like it was armor. As she passed me, the faint scent of her perfume reached me soft, familiar, infuriating. It took every ounce of control not to react.

Because I didn’t want her knowing she could still get to me.

Not yet.

The door closed behind her, and I let out a slow breath. My hands curled into fists on instinct. This was my chance. My perfect opportunity.

She’d left me broken once. Now it was my turn to break her piece by piece, until she felt every ounce of the humiliation and pain she’d made me live with.

And maybe… just maybe… I’d enjoy it.

She was late the next morning, by two minutes.

I didn’t care if it had been two seconds. It was enough.

“Miss Jethro,” I said without looking up from my laptop. “Do you know what time it is?”

“Seven-oh-two,” she said quietly.

“Seven o’clock is when you’re supposed to be here.” I looked up, letting my gaze linger just long enough to make her squirm. “Strike one.”

Her lips pressed together, but she nodded.

I gave her a stack of files. “Sort these. Meetings are color-coded. And don’t mix them up unless you want to explain to the board why I’m in Tokyo when I should be in London.”

She took the files without a word.

As the day went on, I gave her more tasks. Some important, most petty. Fetch coffee, book flights, confirm dinner reservations I didn’t actually need. It wasn’t about the work it was about reminding her she was at my mercy.

Every now and then, I’d catch her watching me. Not in the way she used to, with warmth and trust, but with suspicion. Like she knew I had an agenda.

Good. Let her wonder.

By evening, she looked drained. Her hair was slightly out of place, her eyes shadowed. I should have felt satisfied.

But I didn’t.

Because no matter how cold I was, no matter how much I told myself I hated her… part of me still remembered the girl who used to laugh at my terrible cooking, who used to fall asleep on my shoulder during late-night movies.

I buried that part. Deep.

“Go home,” I said abruptly.

She blinked, clearly surprised. “I thought”

“I said go home. While you still can.”

She hesitated, then gathered her things and left without looking back.

When the door clicked shut, I leaned back in my chair and stared at the city lights outside.

This was only the beginning.

And by the time I would be done with Ashley Jethro, she’ would regret ever stepping foot in my world again.