Page 27 of The Rebel Billionaire

She leans to the side and picks up her bag, pulling out an envelope.

“My CV,” she says. “If you’d like to see it.”

Part of me wants to ask her why she thinks I’d be interested, but then curiosity takes over.

She places the double-sided paper in my outstretched hand.

I scan it. Mediocre grades and the couple of part-time jobs she mentioned.

“No further education?”

She flinches slightly but recovers quickly. “We lost my father just as I was about to take my exams. When I return home, I’ll be looking to enrol in university.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” I say.

I wonder if this is why Mother has taken her under her wing. She’s not usually sentimental, though, so I doubt it.

“It was a long time ago.”

It’s impossible to miss the hint of pain that breaks through.

“Well, it was lovely seeing you, darling,” Mother says, getting up, her coffee untouched. Snatching Brooke’s CV from my hand, she passes it back to her. “We need to get going, or we’re going to be late,” she says, moving towards the door. “Good luck with finding a new PA.”

Brooke pauses, slides it back into its envelope and places it in her bag.

“It was nice meeting you. Thank you for the water,” she says, taking her glass with her before picking up my mother’s coffee cup. “I’ll return these to the kitchen.”

I raise an eyebrow, and she smiles, causing something to flip in my chest.

“Save Callie a job,” she says.

“Thanks,” I say. “She’ll appreciate it.”

She moves towards the door, and in the blink of an eye, she’s gone, leaving me standing and staring at the now-empty room.

Callie knocks and enters.

“The agency says they have some more applicants, but they won’t be available for another month.”

I drop into my chair, placing a hand over my mouth. I exhale deeply.

“Thanks.”

She nods and exits.

I pick up my notes on each candidate before throwing them aside and running a hand down my face.

Back to the drawing board.

CHAPTER 9

ALEX

Ipull up the email from Sue, the head of HR.

What the fuck!

“Callie, get in here,” I shout.