Chapter 172
Rebecca’s POV
I instinctively stepped back, putting my desk between us as memories of that terrifying moment flashed through my mind–Elizabeth’s enraged face, the sudden shove, the sickening sensation of falling, and then darkness. It had been after that incident that Dominic had publicly exposed her actions at the charity gala, playing security footage for the entire pack to see, effectively ending any business relationship between Sterling Group and Collins Group.
“Good morning.” Elizabeth said coolly, her gaze sweeping over the office before settling on me with undisguised hatred. “I need to see Dominic Sterling. Immediately.”
Vivian straightened, her professional demeanor Instantly tinged with wariness. “Ms. Collins, Mr. Sterling is in a conference call this morning and doesn’t have any appointments scheduled. Especially not with Collins Group representatives.”
The implied message was clear–Elizabeth wasn’t welcome here after what she’d done.
Elizabeth’s perfectly manicured fingers tightened on her designer handbag. “This isn’t a scheduled meeting, but he’ll want to see me. It’s regarding our companies‘ future relations. Her eyes narrowed as they focused on me. “I see you’ve recovered nicely, Rebecca. Though I must say, you look a bit… peaky. Still having headaches from your tumble?”
little
Her words were laced with false concern, but her eyes gleamed with malice. My hand instinctively went to my stomach in a protective gesture before I caught myself.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the sudden racing of my heart. “And as Vivian mentioned, Mr. Sterling isn’t available. Perhaps you should have called ahead.”
“Oh, I’m sure he
spare a few minutes for an old family friend,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
After all, our have been connected for generations. Unlike some… temporary arrangements.”
I felt a flare of indignation at her thinly veiled insult, but kept my professional composure. “Nonetheless, his schedule is full. I’d be happy to pass along a message.”
Elizabeth ignored me, setting her purse on a nearby chair and examining her manicure. “Since I’ll be waiting anyway. you can fetch me a coffee. Black, no sugar.” She glanced at her diamond–encrusted watch. “And make it quick. I don’t have all day.”
Vivian shot me a worried look, clearly concerned about having Elizabeth anywhere near me after what had happened. I gave her a small, reassuring nod.
“I’ll get you some coffee,” I said calmly, deciding it was easier to comply than argue. The sooner I could get her settled with a drink, the sooner I could call security if needed.
s later with her coffee, setting it carefully on the small table beside her chair, making sure to
I returned a few minutes
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Chapter 172
stay just out of arm’s reach. There you are, Ms. Collins.”
She took a sip and frowned. “This is too cold. Could you get me a fresh one?”
I suppressed a sigh and took the cup back, feeling a twinge of irritation. When I returned with a steaming fresh cup Elizabeth barely acknowledged me before making her next request.
“I left some documents in my car. Be a dear and fetch them for me? The valet has my keys.” She handed me a valet ticket. “And while you’re downstairs, I saw a lovely silk scarf in the boutique in the lobby. The blue one in the window display. I’d like to see how it complements my outfit.”
I stared at her, momentarily speechless at her audacity. She was clearly trying to assert dominance by treating me like a servant rather than an executive assistant.
“Ms. Collins, as Mr. Sterling’s secretary, I’m not authorized to leave the executive floor unattended while he’s in meetings. I’d be happy to call someone from the concierge desk to assist you with those items.”
Elizabeth’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose. “I see Dominic hasn’t taught you much about pack hierarchy, has he? When someone of my status makes a request, it’s customary to comply. Or perhaps you’d prefer another lesson in respect? The stairwell isn’t far.” Her voice dropped to a menacing whisper on the last sentence.
felt a chill run down my spine at the thinly veiled threat, but stood my ground. “I’m well aware of pack customs. Ms. Collins. I’m also aware that threatening the Alpha’s people is grounds for pack discipline. Something you should be quite familiar with by now.”
For a moment, Elizabeth’s composed facade cracked, revealing the fury beneath. Then she forced a smile. “Very well. I suppose I can handle my own matters.”
For the next thirty minutes, I found myself running back and forth retrieving different files and reports for Elizabeth to examine as she made request after request. Each time I presented something, she would study it briefly before asking to see something else–quarterly forecasts, partnership agreements, documents from the archives that we didn’t normally keep readily available.
cup toward me. “Be a dear and get me “These are the preliminary plans, Elizabeth murmured, flipping through the pages. “But I think they’re missing the financial projections I was hoping to see. Is this coffee cold?” She pushed her
a fresh one.”
I stared at her, momentarily speechless at her persistence. “Ms. Collins, as I mentioned earlier-
“This coffee is too cold,” she repeated, her tone hardening. “And while you’re at it, I need copies of these pages. Twenty sets, collated and bound for my meeting later.”
The combination of pregnancy fatigue, emotional stress, and Elizabeth’s demanding presence was taking its toll. “I’m happy to order coffee for you, Ms. Collins, but large copy jobs need to go through our document services
department. I can submit the request for you, but it will take at least an hour-
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9:13 Fri, Sep 26 B…
Chapter 172
“Is there a problem?”
Dominic’s deep voice cut through the tension. I turned to see him standing in his office doorway, his tall frame commanding attention in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. Ilis blue eyes took in the scene quickly, lingering on my flushed face before moving to Elizabeth with unmistakable coldness.
“Elizabeth,” he said, his tone glacial. “This is unexpected and unwelcome. Security should have notified me of your arrival.”
Elizabeth rose gracefully, her demeanor instantly transforming into warm familiarity. “Dominic, I was just reviewing some of our previous joint proposals. I think we should reconsider our position after that unfortunate… misunderstanding.”
Dominic strode across the office, his presence filling the space. When he reached my side, his hand moved protectively to the small of my back, a gesture that didn’t escape Elizabeth’s notice. I could feel the tension radiating from him–the controlled anger that made his touch slightly firmer than usual.
“There was no misunderstanding,” he replied evenly. “Security footage doesn’t lie. You deliberately pushed Rebecca down a flight of stairs, which could have resulted in serious injury or worse. Sterling Group severed ties with Collins Group immediately after that incident.”
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