Page 32 of The Billionaire's Vow

Elliot Miller, her former boss, stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes taking in the office with a mixture of disdain and envy.His mouth twisted into a mocking smirk as he looked at her, his gaze sweeping pointedly over her from head to toe before focusing on the red dress.His expression soured further.

“I guess we knowexactlyhow you got the office upgrade, don’t we?”

Giselle’s breath caught.What a disgusting assumption.She felt the heat rise in her cheeks, a mix of shock and anger burning through her.

“What did you just say?”she demanded, her grip tightening around the box in her arms.

Elliot stepped into the office, his smug expression unwavering.“Does he choose your positions every night, or are you just permanently on your knees?”

Giselle’s stomach twisted in fury and humiliation.The words were so vile, so completely out of line that, for a long moment, she simply stood there, staring at him, her mouth hanging open in speechless outrage.

But before she could respond, another presence filled the doorway.And suddenly, the air in the office shifted.

“What did you just say?”

The words were spoken softly.Too softly.That was never a good sign.Elliot stiffened, his smug confidence flickering as he turned to face the door.

Dimitri.

He stood there, his massive frame blocking the entrance, his expression unreadable.But the tension radiating from him was impossible to ignore.

For a split second, Elliot hesitated.

Then, as if regaining his bravado, he took a step forward and extended his hand with a forced smile.“Mr.De Luca!I’m Elliot Miller.You just stole my best— ow!”

The words cut off into a strangled gasp as Dimitri took Elliot’s hand—but instead of shaking it, he twisted the man’s fingers with effortless precision.Elliot dropped to his knees so fast it was almost comical, his mouth opening in silent agony, his eyes bulging.Dimitri didn’t so much as blink.

"Mr.Miller," he said in a voice that was deceptively calm, "you just deeply insulted a member of my staff."

Elliot let out a strained whimper, his free hand clawing at Dimitri’s wrist, but his steel grip didn’t budge.

Giselle stared, her heart pounding.She should intervene.She should stop this.But a dark, vicious part of her was thoroughly enjoying watching Elliot squirm.Dimitri leaned down slightly, his voice dropping even lower.

“Apologize.”

Chapter 14

Elliotletoutastrangled whimper, but the moment Dimitri twisted his fingers just a little harder, the pathetic excuse for a man crumpled further, his knees sliding against the carpet as his shoulder nearly touched the ground.His breath came in rapid, shallow pants, his face contorted in agony.

“You implied Ms.Carrington sold her body for a promotion,” Dimitri continued, his voice smooth but laced with unmistakable malice.“Is that really what you meant to say?”

“No!”Elliot gasped, his voice cracking under the pressure.“No!I promise— I swear, I didn’t mean it like that!”

Dimitri hummed, as if considering the plea, then leaned in close.“That’s good,” he growled, the deep vibration of his voice all the more terrifying than shouting could have been.“Because I would hate to think a man who has been underpaying and overworking his best employee for years would also be the type of worthless bastard who slanders her reputation without cause or proof.”

Elliot wheezed, a mix of panic and pain.

“I’m going to release your fingers now,” Dimitri continued, his tone deceptively calm.“But before I do, I need you to pay very close attention.”

“Anything,” Elliot whispered, tears leaking down his cheeks as he nodded desperately.

“If anyone asks why Ms.Carrington was promoted, you will tell the truth, which is because of her exceptional accounting and analysis skills,” Dimitri growled, his grip still firm, fingers still pressing against the most sensitive joints.“You will make it clear, to everyone, that she earned this promotion due to her talent and dedication.You will also admit, quite openly, that you have been underpaying her for the last five years, to the point of holding back raises we both know she’s earned several times over.And when people ask how you’re handling the loss of such a skilled accountant, you will tell them that you are now doing both your job and hers—until you can find someone half as competent to replace her.”

Elliot nodded frantically, his breath hitching as he tried to suppress another yelp.“Okay!Okay!I’ll say whatever you want!”

“Excellent.”Dimitri released his fingers, stepping back as Elliot collapsed, cradling his injured hand against his chest like a wounded animal.

Dimitri didn’t even spare him a glance.Instead, he turned to Giselle, his sharp focus shifting entirely to her.“Are you okay?Did he touch you?Did he hurt you in any way?”