Chapter 3 You!

And because there's nothing stronger than the will of a woman hell-bent on revenge, Alexia took the files home, barely slept, and when the sun started to rise, the error finally revealed itself to her.

"Someone's stealing from him," Alexia grinned, rushing to make coffee just as Howard stumbled out of his room, half asleep.

"What's going on? Why are you screaming like a cat in heat?" he grumbled.

"Someone's stealing from Scott Hamilton!" Alexia exclaimed, full of excitement. "No one's untouchable in this world—and someone's robbing the ogre! That means I've got my way in!"

But Alexia would soon realize her excitement was a bit premature. As soon as she told Mr. Garrick she'd found something off in the numbers, her supervisor snatched the documents from her without even asking where the problem was.

"I should be speaking directly with Mr. Hamilton about this!" she declared, unaware of Garrick's true intentions.

"This is way above your pay grade, Miss Hartley," the man snapped nervously. "I'll review the numbers myself."

"But—"

"No buts! I'll write the report," he barked, storming out and slamming the door.

Alexia immediately became suspicious. Luckily, she had copies of everything. She went over the documents again and confirmed it—this investment was a scam. So by noon, she marched straight to her supervisor's office in heels loud enough to warn the entire floor.

"Did you review the numbers? Is the report done?" she asked bluntly.

"Yes, everything's fine now," the man replied, clearly avoiding her gaze.

"And did you find the problem?" she pressed.

"No, I didn't find any problem," he repeated, trying to sound firm—but his voice trembled. "You just made a mistake. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to leave."

"Mr. Garrick," Alexia raised her brows with bold confidence, "I didn't make a mistake. That contract is an attempt to defraud this company. If I could spot it, just a lowly analyst, how could you miss it?"

"Exactly!" he snapped. "You're just an analyst—and I'm your boss—"

"Well, clearly, that's mistake number one," Alexia hissed. "And if you won't tell Mr. Hamilton he's being conned, then I will."

"You can't do that, Miss Hartley. That's my job—"

"Then do it! What's stopping you? Why are you so afraid to tell the truth to the man who signs your paycheck?" she challenged, voice dripping with disdain.

"I told you, this is above your level. Back off or you're fired!" Garrick shouted, red with rage.

"You're going to fire me for doing my job?" she fired back. "Let's see if Mr. Hamilton agrees with that."

Without another word, Alexia snatched the folder from his hands and ran straight to the elevator. The CEO's office was on the top floor, and she was ready to make a scene if she had to. Nothing would get in the way of her path to Scott Hamilton.

"Alexia!" Garrick screamed from down the hall, but she didn't even glance back. "You'll regret this! Come back here!"

She ignored him and got in the elevator just in time to see Garrick running toward her.

"Damn it!" she cursed, jumping out of the elevator and bolting up the stairs instead. She could hear Garrick coming after her. She looked up—still at least fifteen floors to go. "Crap!"

She ran as fast as she could, not caring that her hair bun was falling apart, her clothes were drenched in sweat, or that the heel of her shoe snapped. At some point, she stopped hearing Garrick's yelling behind her, but she didn't slow down.

Fifteen floors later, looking like a hurricane on legs, she burst out of the stairwell—only to find the idiot waiting for her.

"Alexia!" Garrick shouted when he saw her headed straight for the CEO's office. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

"Nothing! I was told to prepare a report, and that's exactly what I'm here to deliver!" she shot back without stopping.

"Stay out of this!" Garrick growled, grabbing her arm—but Alexia kicked him hard in the shin.

"Let me go!" she shouted, kicking off her ruined shoes and tossing them aside as he doubled over in pain. "And get out of my way!"

Three more people came running after her as she shoved the CEO's office doors open without an invitation.

"I need to speak to Mr. Hamilton!" she declared as she stepped inside—but the moment the only person in the room looked up, Alexia froze.

It was him. The Ferrari demigod. The one she'd flipped off and told him he finished in 2.9 seconds.

"You?!" she gasped in horror.

"You!" Scott Hamilton growled like he was ready to tear her apart.