Page 51 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

Victoria leans forward, her gaze piercing. “Adrian, you’re a successful, eligible bachelor. One of the richest men in the state. This girl, she’s young, inexperienced, and inconvenient.”

I narrow my eyes. “Elana is not an inconvenience.”

“Of course not,” she replies smoothly, but there’s a gleam in her eye that tells me she’s not convinced. “But you must understand how these things look from the outside. People talk, and your reputation—”

“I told you before, and I’ll tell you again, my reputation is none of your concern,” I interject, the irritation seeping into my tone. “Any relationship between Elana and me is entirely personal.”

Victoria leans back, her expression unreadable for a moment before she continues, “I’m not here to judge, Adrian. I’m here to advise. You have a certain image to maintain.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “And what do you suggest?”

“Keep things professional,” she says, her voice firm. “Focus on your work, your legacy. Don’t let personal entanglements cloud your judgment.”

I hold her gaze, the underlying message clear. “Is that all?”

“No,” she says, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. “Adrian, I’m sure you’ve noticed a change in my… demeanor. It wasn’t coincidental. Ever since we…” She takes a deep breath and a sip of her wine. I know what she’s going to say even before she says it. The kiss. “Ever since that night in your office, there’s been something I know we both feel. It’s something I haven’t been able to control despite my attempts. I think you know it, and I think you feel it, too.”

I listen to Victoria's words with a growing sense of unease. She’s still holding her breath over that kiss? Laughable.

“Bringing up that night is highly inappropriate,” I say firmly, trying to quell the rising tension in the room. “Whatever you think you’re feeling, it’s notreciprocated.”

She scoffs, her demeanor shifting from coy to confrontational. “Stop lying to yourself. Stop pretending. I’ve seen the way you look at me ever since that night. I can see it in your eyes just as I can see it in my own.”

“You’re mistaken.” I shake my head, my patience wearing thin.

But Victoria, as always, refuses to back down, her voice taking on a desperate edge. “You kissed me, Adrian. You initiated it. Things would have gone way further hadn’t we regained control. You wanted it.” Her hand slithers to my own, and before I know it, she slides off the barstool and shortens the distance until she’s between my legs. I still and look down at her, already knowing what she plans to do.

Do it. I fucking dare you.She rests her hand on my leg and brings her mouth to mine, sliding her tongue between my lips. She tastes of wine and poison, her strong perfume almost making me choke. That’s it. I stand and push her away from me just enough to send her staggering back.

“This has been by far the stupidest shit you’ve pulled,” I snap, my tone sharp. “You’ve been walking on thin ice, and now? Now that ice is gone, Victoria.And you better swim far, far away from me. Because you’re done.”

For a moment, Victoria remains silent, her expression one of pure anger.

“Adrian, I apologize.” Her words are clipped. “I thought if I remind you of what we shared—” She shakes her head. “Maybe this girl has messed with your mind more than I realized,” she says, her voice dripping with disdain. “But eventually, you’ll see the truth.”

“Your resignation papers on my desk are all I’ll see.”

“You’re—You’re firing me?” Pure panic flashes in her eyes.

“No, you’re resigning. Consider it a parting gift. Now, leave.”

“You’ll regret this, and you know it.” Her lips form a thin line as she stares at me, long and hard.

“I doubt it. I kissed you; you kissed me. Congratulations, we’re even. Now, see yourself out.” I take her glass and toss the liquid into the sink, hoping this will be a final sign for herto fuck off.

“I can tell him everything, you know.” She crosses her arms, her scarlet nails poking out from under her forearm.

“What?” I furrow my brows in confusion.

“Her dear brother. What was his name? Oh, imagine how devastated he would be if he ever found out what his best friend has been doing to his little sister.”

“You wouldn’t fucking dare.” The mention of Ethan sends a chill down my spine. How the fuck does she even know about him? I’m furious. My jaw clenched so tightly I can feel the strain in my muscles.

“How do you know?” I demand, my voice tight with anger.

Victoria’s lips curl into a smirk. “You should ask the brainless little brunette that’s interning for your assistant. Seems like the only thing she’s good for is gossiping. Or maybe she’s also good at other things.” Victoria gives me a knowing look. “Have you tried her out yet?”

The fury inside me threatens to boil over. My hands ball into fists at my sides as I struggle to contain my rage.