It took me five minutes to send the email and thirty to touch up my makeup and hair before putting on the dress.
Konni was pacing his office by the time I stepped out.His gaze swept over me, lingering on my neck.
“Nice try,” I said with a smirk.
I’d expertly covered the hickie because the dress left everything exposed from my cleavage up.Well, for the most part.A long, white feather swept up from my back and curved over my shoulder, covering Konni’s mark.
In front, the neckline was beautifully embellished with the tips of feathers that fanned upward from my waist.A line of crystals followed the same curvy path.The skirt shimmered as I moved, its initially light blue color darkening to an almost navy with each step.
The dress was a work of art, and I couldn’t believe I was wearing it.
“Well?”I asked, spreading my arms and doing a slow turn.“Worth the money?”
“Every penny,” Konni said.
“Exquisite,” Marius said from the doorway.
“I’m so jealous,” Bomir said.
I glanced over and saw the pair standing with Edi, who gave me a thumbs-up.
“Keep that clutch close and your ringer on just in case we need him,” Edi said.“He never answers his phone when he’s at these things.”
I moved to salute Edi, but Konni caught my hand.
“Defer everything until tomorrow, or escalate internally as needed.This place can run without me for four hours.”
The three grinned at me, likely thinking what I was—Konni just wanted to keep my attention for himself.Too bad he was taking me somewhere that required socialization.
“Shall we?”he asked, offering his arm.
I shook my head.“After you, Mr.Steele.”
We walked out together, but professionally separate.I heard whispers of appreciation, caught a few envious looks, and knew there would be questions tomorrow, especially about how I could afford such a dress.
I waited until we were in Konni’s car to ask what I should say.
“Tell them your mom paid for it,” he said.
It was technically true since she’d swiped the card.But it wasn’t her money.
“Why?”
“Would you rather they know I bought it?”
“No.I just thought you would have a better explanation.”
“Your mom is the perfect explanation,” he said.“We want everyone to know she has money.”
“I’m not sure how that’s going to help.Everyone willing to talk to her already has.We know the eliminated positions were a lie.And she and I both agree that Hestian targeting her for almost a decade without making a move doesn’t make sense.He had no motive in the beginning because his youngest son was too young for him to know whether he was smart or not.So, how is spending more money than she could possibly have going to help us figure out who was targeting her?”
“They’re going to have that same question.”
Understanding hit me, and I couldn’t hide my anger.
“You’re using my mom as bait!”
He immediately pulled over.
