Craving The Wrong Brother (Sloane and Knox) novel Chapter 175

Chapter 175

I lean back in my chair, forcing myself to stay calm. My face gives nothing away, but I feel the tension coiling in my muscles, especially in my jaw. The silence stretches between us. Even the hum of the air conditioning feels deafening, and the ticking of the wall clock sounds like gunfire.

The nerve of Ryan O’Brien to come at me with a question like that. I take a deep breath. No way am I letting him see me lose it. Not now.

I let my body relax, settling deeper into my chair. When I finally speak, my voice is calm. Too calm.

“I’ve read about you, Mr. O’Brien,” I say. “Harvard, right? Top of your class in Business Administration. And what was it? A Master’s degree in International Economics? Impressive.” I tilt my head, narrowing my eyes just a little. “Tell me, at what point during all those years of education did they teach you it’s okay to ask your business partner a question like that?”

Ryan’s face remains neutral, but there’s something in his eyes. Smugness? I’m not sure, but it’s there.

He leans forward slightly, his smile icy. “Since we’re on the subject of education, Lucas,” Ryan says, “I’ve also done my research on you. Degrees in Strategic Management, accolades from top financial institutions, and a few awards here and there, right?” He pauses for effect, letting the tension build. “At what point in your illustrious career did you learn it’s okay to fuck your business partner’s wife?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “I wasn’t aware there was an anti-fraternization policy in your company. Correct me if I’m wrong, but… aren’t you sleeping with your secretary?”

His smug expression falters for just a second. He doesn’t answer right away, and that brief silence tells me everything I need to know.

“It’s different,” he says.

“How so?” I raise an eyebrow. “Enlighten me.”

“I’m the boss. The rule doesn’t apply to me.”

I nod slowly, as if considering his words. “Interesting logic. So by that reasoning, Julie-being the head of your marketing department, one of the highest-ranking positions in the company-is also a boss. Wouldn’t that give her the same immunity you have?”

Ryan’s face darkens. “You think you’re so damn smart, don’t you?”

I raise a hand, cutting him off.

“Hold on. I wasn’t finished.” There’s an edge to my voice now, a sharpness I want him to feel. “Let’s look at this from another angle. My company put billions into this partnership with yours because, according to you, we’re going to ‘skyrocket together.’ And I agreed, because I believe in the numbers. But here’s the part you conveniently left out of the deal.” I pause, watching his face grow tighter. “My company is saving yours from bankruptcy. Which means, according to your logic, I’m a boss here too. Therefore, I have the same immunity.”

Ryan’s knuckles are gradually turning white as he grips the edge of his desk.

“I don’t have the time nor the patience for this back and forth,” he growls. “I’m asking you, man to man, to leave my wife alone.”

I lean forward, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Man to man, I’m going to have to politely decline your request.”

“You think you’ve got everything figured out, don’t you? But let me ask you something. Where’s your wife, Lucas? She left you, didn’t she? You’re so good at getting everything to work out in your favor, everything falling down before your feet… except your marriage.”

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Chapter 175