She Ditched My Grandpa's Birthday for Another

Archer raised an eyebrow, his smirk sharpening. "Maybe it's because his fiancee refuses to come home year after year, and all it took was one word from me to bring Claire here. Must sting a little."You know, Blake, you might want to lower your standards a bit. We've got plenty of housekeepers around here. Pick one, and Grandpa gets to see a granddaughter-in-law every single day."He nudged the housekeepers toward me as he spoke. Every one of them was a no-nonsense professional type, all well into their 40s. It wasn't a suggestion. It was humiliation dressed up as a joke.The room erupted in laughter, but I was watching Claire.She covered her mouth, laughing along, and when she spoke, she didn't even bother hiding it behind concern. "Archer's just looking out for you. Maybe you should take him up on it. I think you'd be a good match, honestly."I looked down at the wooden box in my hands. I thought about the first time I'd seen the bracelet inside it, how thrilled I'd been, think

Somewhere in the crowd, someone exchanged a glance with Archer. The moment the company was mentioned, the outrage in the room shifted into something sharper.Archer suppressed the gleam in his eyes and put on a show of stepping in on my behalf. "Come on, Blake didn't mean it. Asking for shares as compensation is a little extreme."As long as you're willing to give me a sincere apology, we can forget about the bracelet."The more he backed down, the more wronged Claire thought he was. Her tone hardened. "No. Whatever it costs, that's what he pays. If he doesn't learn his lesson today, he'll just keep doing this to you."Blake, hand over 20% of Altius Capital. That covers the bracelet."I watched her rally behind Archer like she'd go to war for him, and a cold laugh escaped me. I kicked the wooden box aside, brought my heel down on the bracelet, and ground it into the floor."It wasn't even broken yet, and you already wanted compensation? You think you can use one bracelet to get A

"You've got this all wrong. There's nothing going on between me and Archer."We have something important to take care of today. If you ruin this, you're done."I didn't reply to a single message. Instead, I called Claire's father, Liam Donovan."Liam, I'm sorry to tell you this, but Claire and I are calling off the engagement. The two million dollars I put up for the wedding, the car, and the house—I need all of it returned. And going forward, our two companies won't be doing business together anymore."A few people in the crowd still weren't buying it."He puts on a good act—I'll give him that. But he calls her his fiancee, and all he's got to show for it is one agreement.""What kind of boyfriend lives like that? He's not a partner. He's a doormat."Claire froze, then lunged for my phone. "Why are you calling my father? This is between us. Was it really necessary to drag him into it?"On the other end of the line, Liam's voice was apologetic, almost pleading.I hung up and l

"I know you're still angry about the project, and you just wanted to see me sweat a little. I was out of line, so I've decided to bring you in on it. We'll do it together. My assistant will be at your office tomorrow with the contract."Grant and Diana stood there stunned for a long moment before it sank in. Grant threw his arms around me and planted a few kisses on my head before I could stop him."You're too good to me. Today was all my fault. I was being petty."I swear I'll do right by this project, and if anything like this ever happens again, I'm standing right next to you."I laughed and pushed him off. "Alright, alright. We're family. You don't have to say all that."I picked up my glass, and my gaze caught on someone walking through the front door."Well, well. Ms. Langley is back in town, and Blake just happens to be single again. What perfect timing!""Come on, someone get Mr. Stirling Senior over here and let him make this official. The girl's been carrying a torch f

Claire lunged forward and wrapped her arms around my waist before I could leave. "Why do you have to assume the worst about me? Can't I just miss what we had and want to make things right?"Her face pressed against my back, and her voice was unsteady. "I regret it, okay? I can't live without you, Blake. I was wrong."But this time, I really am looking out for you. I won't hurt you again."There was a time when her tears kept me up at night, convinced I wasn't doing enough for her. Now, all I felt was tired of it. Loving someone that much only ever got a person taken for granted.I pulled her arms off me. "Don't bother. You and I are done."During the engagement party, Archer suddenly jumped onto the stage and asked Audrey if she'd leave with him, like he was trying to elope with her on the spot.Audrey stared at him blankly. "Do I know you? Please don't give my fiance the wrong idea."Archer was frantic, desperately trying to signal her with his eyes. "Don't you remember? You to