Seconds tick by as she studies me. I meet her gaze directly. I don’t know exactly why she’s here, but I assume it has something to do with the Sebastian Peery collaboration and the lack of progress. The dossier on the Hae Min Group indicates Yuna has an enormous influence within the conglomerate. How difficult is she going to be?
“Is it true you were instrumental in removing Lucie from Peery Diamonds?” she finally asks.
A little warmth uncurls in my belly at the realization she’s here for Luce. “Yes.”
Her face turns redder than her dress. Her hands tighten into fists. “You…jerk!” She adds something under her breath in Korean. From her tone, it’s nothing flattering.
“I’m planning to rectify that.” I don’t want her working against me. We’re on the same team.
She regards me for a long moment. “How?” The syllable brims with skepticism.
“I have plans.” And Iwillexecute them all in rapid succession.
“Plans.” More skepticism.
“Yes. I ousted her. I can bring her back.”
“I’m supposed to just take your word for it and wait like an obedient puppy?” She glares at me. “I’m going to have a chat with my father. Hae Min will not deal with a replacement. We want Lucie. Andyou”—she points at me—“can consider yourself persona non grata until you fix the mess you’ve made.”
“It won’t take long.”
“It better not. A woman who doesn’t lose her temper with a child ruining a one-of-a-kind dress and soothes him with ice cream is a lot nicer than anybody says. I hope you didn’t hurt her because of some silly tabloid gossip?” The glare is now a death laser.
If I answeryes, it won’t matter that I’m at least a head taller and outweigh her by a hundred pounds of muscle. She’ll murder me with her bare hands. “Of course not.”
“Good. Otherwise you’ll never be worthy of her.”
That drags a reluctant smile out of me.
Her eyes flash. “You think this is funny?”
“No. I’m just happy that you’re here to defend her.”
“Of course I’m here to defend her! I like her. She’s a friend. She’s just…so sweet.” Her expression says,How could you hurt somebody that lovely?
“I know. And it’s good that she has a new friend.” I have a feeling Yuna isn’t the type to get insulted over a gift or thoughtful gesture. “And I swear to you, I’m going to fix everything, no matter what it takes. We’re on the same page, Yuna. And the same team.”
She gives me a long, assessing look. “Fine. I’ll give you this one chance.” She stands up. “And if you actually manage to fix what you’ve broken, I’ll consider forgiving you.”
“Forgiving me?” I repeat half in confusion, half in amusement.
Her tone turns dry, like she’s talking to somebody who’s too intellectually challenged to know better. “Obviously things can’t be the same when you hurt someone I regard as a friend, can they? You’ll have a lot of convincing to do.”
Chapter 41
Lucienne
The new house is much better. It’s in Malibu, so I get the beach. And the place is gated, so I get my privacy.
But most importantly, this place isn’t haunted with memories of Sebastian. Sometimes I think of him—my head is slow to update my marital and relationship status. But every time something triggers me to remember him, I meditate or do yoga. Or just wrap a blanket around myself and go to sleep.
I can’t remember how to undo the Google Alert, so I’ve turned off my phone. It was weird to be unplugged at first, but now that it’s been a few weeks, I enjoy the peace. Besides, who’s going to text me? I have no friends or family. I don’t even have a job. And Jeremiah has Matthias’s number. She can get in touch with him if she wants to talk to me.
I lie on the yoga mat and stare at the ceiling. When was the last time I had absolutely nothing to do? I worked through all my vacations for years, always checking emails and texts.
Somewhere in the back of my mind is the thought that this kind of lazy, purposeless lifestyle isn’t like me, but I push it aside. People are entitled to relax after life deals them a horrible defeat. When it lands three powerful punches back to back, it’s a sign you should stay down until you figure out what you want to do.
Somebody pounds at the door. I can hear Matthias going to the foyer. Loud voices, both of them familiar. I tense and sit up.
