A bunch of people yell.
“Call the police!” Frantic, I bolt towards the security desk, yelling for help at the top of my lungs.
Chapter 35
Michaela
Five days later
When the elevators to the executive floor open, I step out, my eyes glued to my screen.
“Unbelievable.” I re-read the jaw-dropping headlines. I shouldn’t walk and read at the same time, but I can’t help it.
‘RIPLEY MADIGAN UNDER INVESTIGATION ON SEVERAL FRAUD CHARGES’
‘DIRTY OLD MAN: RIPLEY MADIGAN’S HAREM OF YOUNG LOVERS EXPOSED’
‘KING KÖNIG’S EMPIRE TO SUE RIPLEY MADIGAN’S’
‘SHOCKING SCANDAL IMPLODES INSIDE KING KÖNIG’S KINGDOM’
‘MICHAELA KÖNIG’S EVIL STEPMOTHER UNDER SUICIDE WATCH’
That last headline is the most shocking one of them all. I hate everything about that manipulative woman, but I feel for her. The backlash has been brutal. The media has stoned Thana to death with their less than flattering exposés.
You brought this on yourself, dear stepmonster.
I was in a lunch meeting with the director of an art gallery when the shit hit the fan. One minute, I’m enjoying a delicioussalade niçoise, the next, the name König is breaking news on the large flat screen TV behind the bar. I had to cut the lunch short and rush back to the office. With my eyes still transfixed to my phone, I type in the code to my office with my free hand. I’m still reading as I walk into my office. As I close the door, my thumb swipes across the screen.
‘MILLIONAIRE POTTER MACCAAK ARRESTED AT THE MEXICAN BORDER’
An evil grin splits my lips. “They caught you, asshole.”
“They did,” a voice says.
I jump in fright.
My eyes meet Phoenix’s. “What are you doing in my office?”
“I needed to see my wife. Since I have the combination, I let myself in,” he says.
“Next time, give a girl a heads up. You almost gave me a heart attack.”
He responds with a cocky grin.
He’s sitting behind my desk, as comfortable as if this were his office. With his hands interlaced together, supporting his chin, he resembles a ruler pondering the fate of a disloyal subject. Since he isn’t wearing a suit jacket or a tie, I’m going to guess he came to the office straight from Soren’s house when the news broke. Suit or no suit, he looks good enough to suck.
“Make yourself at home, why don’t you,” I say.
“I already have.”
I smile despite myself.
“Did you miss me, kitten?”
I could be cheeky, but what’s the point? “I missed you a lot.”
He stands up and comes to sit in front of the desk. He licks his lips, as if he were a predator about to devour me.
