Chapter 23 - 23

Chapter 23 Morgan's POV;

Nova turned to me and smiled. "Hello bestie," She said. "It's been a while, hasn't it? I see you've really got a new man huh?"

I looked at Winston from the corner of my eye and my heart stopped beating for a few seconds.

The look on his face was best described as pure fury. I felt goosebumps cover my skin watching him glare at Nova like he was boring holes in her head. I've never seen such an angry look on someone's face before, never.

"Accept my sincerest congratulations." Nova said, making me turn away from Winston to her. "I don't have much to say, but I'm sure we'll be seeing each other around after this."

"I sure hope we don't." I said, my expression sour. She's so shameless it's annoying.

"You can leave now. We're having a conversation before you interrupted." Winston said.

I turned to him, and this time the look on his face has been replaced with indifference. Nova looked at him and smiled.

"Oh yes, yes. I'm terribly sorry for interrupting your tender moment. Morgan my darling, I'll see you later." She said and waved.

I watched her walk off. To my shock, there was Dante right ahead. Nova walked up to him and whispered something in his ear. Dante looked at me and his eyes narrowed. I mirrored his look, shooting it back at him with rivalling intensity.

"Morgan?" Winston called. I blinked and met his eyes. He looked behind him and back to my face. "Do you know that woman?"

I sighed. "Yes. We used to be close. But not anymore."

He didn't ask what had happened between us, and I'm so glad he didn't ask.

*****

I could feel the tense atmosphere that settled over the board meeting. All eyes were on me, and it took a lot for me not to show my anger.

"Miss Rosewood?" Sabrina who was seated beside me whispered. "We're waiting for you to say something."

Say something? What do they want me to say?

I stared at the projector screen in front of me. A graph of our next line of companies, the jewelry line. The statistical information and feasibility reports were all looking good. Rosewood had a reputation that has been cemented over the years. Everything was looking good.

Everything except the man who sat across from me, staring at me with a smug smirk on his face.

"I understand that this may be a giant leap," He said, eyes focused solely on me. "But for the sake of the partnership between Fontaine group of companies and Rosewood enterprises, it's a leap I'm willing to take. The question I'm sure is on everyone's mind now is, are you willing to take that leap too, Miss Rosewood?"

I nearly scoffed. Wow. Old habits die hard, don't they?

I tilted my head to the side, a small smile on my lips. "This company is my life, Mr Fontaine. It's hardly a question."

He looked around the board. Their faces mirrored awe and astonishment. I wanted to roll my eyes. Of course, Dante always has a way of wrapping people around his finger.

I mean, he did it to me. Had me hooked on him even though he didn't give a shit about me.

Not now Morgan. Don't think of that now.

"We have been able to curate a list of suppliers." Nora said as she looked at me. "First were looking into diamond supplies, and after that we'd be looking into other gems as well."

"Very well." I said and clasped my hands together. "I'll have the letters sent out."

"That has already been done." Dante said.

My eye twitched. "Mr Fontaine, I believe this is a partnership, right?"

He raised a brow. "Yes, it is. I happen to have a few private suppliers of mine. To save us both the stress."

Sabrina cleared her throat. I felt a headache spark up in my head.

"We'll look into those as well." I said pointedly. I turned to Nora and smiled. "Meet up with Mr Fontaine's assistant for his list."

"Yes ma'am." She said with vigour.

"The meeting is concluded " I rose to my feet. "Thank you everyone, for your time. Have a wonderful day."

The hall began to empty out. I gathered the reports in front of me

"That was crazy," Sabrina sighed beside me. "You sure there's nothing between you and Fontaine? It didn't seem like you were talking about business back then."

I scowled at her. "Mind your own business. And no, I still haven't forgiven you for what you did."

"Come on Morgan, I'm sorry. I've said it already."

"You didn't. You haven't said anything. Don't try your cheap tricks on me."

"Cheap tricks?" She laughed. "Morgan, why do you always assume that everyone is out to get you?"

I froze.

I turned to look at her. She had her arms folded as she looked at me. "What did you just say?" I asked.

She sighed. "Look, I've had my fair share of reading people. I used to take a psychology class one time—"

"Oh so now it's psychology? First you're an artist. And now a psychologist?"

"I am both, and more. But that's not the problem here, this isn't about me." she sighed softly and her eyes became sad. I refused to believe those emotions were genuine.

"You think everyone is your enemy. That everyone is after you, manipulating you, using you, playing tricks on you."

Her words angered me. "I'm not..."

"Yes. You are. From day one, you've seen me as your enemy. I'm not your enemy, Morgan. I'm not playing any tricks on you. I'm your sister."

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