Twice now, he’d rescued her. Why? What was Alicia’s attraction for him? Was Alicia having an affair with Russell? The thought infuriated me. If Alicia were cheating, I’d destroy her. I fully expected Alicia to live up to the vows she took and be faithful. Obviously, a man wasn’t required to abide by the same commitments.
The phone rang, and I answered. “Mr Kensington, it’s Adam from Purchasing. Mystique hasn’t finalised the new contract for the summer collection.
“What? That should have been signed weeks ago,” I responded, puzzled.
“Sir, I called Mystique and asked. Mystique replied that she’s still considering it. She’s always committed immediately in the past. Should we be concerned?”
I blew out an infuriated breath. “I’ll deal with Mystique,” I snapped and cut the call. Was Mystique dragging her feet because of the social media posts? There was a knock, and Eve entered, looking grim. Now, what had happened?
“Olly, there’s a problem. The company that supplies our material has just rejected our latest order.” Eve dropped the bombshell.
“What?” I replied, astounded.
“You heard me. They’ve refused it and said they’re under new ownership and we’re blacklisted,” Eve elaborated.
“Blacklisted? What the fuck for?” I roared. My temper frayed. I punched the office intercom.
“Heidi, get me Excellent Fabrics on the line immediately,” I ordered my secretary.
Eve sat down opposite. “This is the third problem today. Is something going on?”
“Like?”
“Olly, I don’t know; that’s why I’m asking,” Eve replied.
“Watch your tone,” I warned Eve. Instead of backing down, she stuck her tongue out. Impudent wretch. I’d spank her ass red later for that. The phone buzzed, and I picked it up.
“This is Oliver Kensington.”
“Good morning, Mr Kensington. Mark Golden here. How can I help you?”
“I’d like to know why you’ve cancelled my order,” I demanded.
“Let me check that for you, Mr Kensington,” the asshole replied politely. I ground my teeth as that infuriating phone music came on. After five minutes, I was irritated, ten minutes I was boiling, and at twenty I was ready to kill someone.
“Sorry for the wait, Mr Kensington, we have spoken to corporate as we’ve recently had new owners. He had a message for you. He said, and I quote. ‘When you treat a woman as shitty as you’ve treated your wife, don’t be surprised when people treat you like the… um… cunt you are’,” Mark stated. The fucker had the gall to use the same polite tone.
“What the fuck did you say?” I growled out as my anger went atmospheric.
“He also said, if you have a problem, please attend him at his office, Russell House.” With that, Mark Golden hung up.
Eve sat opposite, staring at me with huge eyes. “Cain Russell?” she squeaked.
I couldn’t speak because I was speechless with rage. Cain Russell was fucking with my business because of Alicia? That raging asshole.
“I’m going to kill Alicia,” I ground out and got to my feet, and stormed out.
Chapter Twelve.
Alicia
“Are you okay?” Oceane asked as I entered the private club where we met every Wednesday. This was now a ritual. We had lunch, gossiped for an hour or so, and then discussed business. We often helped each other out, no insider trading, but if we heard rumours about something, we shared.
“Yes, thanks.” I smiled, but it was fake. I was anything but fine. Things were bad at home. My marriage was on the rocks, and I was unsure whether to sign a new contract. Oh, I was also a laughingstock on social media. Oliver’s actions at the fundraiser had made the rounds, andeveryonewas gossiping. There were memes and everything. Other than being Mystique, I didn’t leave the house.
Oliver was still repeatedly photographed with Eve and didn’t seem to care about the hurt and pain he caused. It was sickening. Oliver wasn’t even hiding shit anymore. Plus, the constant criticism was grinding me down. Was I really so bad?
“Alicia,” Winona said gently.
