All Chapters of The Boss I Shouldn't Want, Now My Stepbrother : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Bridgette"What the hell just happened?" Aaron muttered, staring at the door Rhysand had slammed shut a few seconds ago.I didn't answer. The humiliation of Rhysand slamming the door in my face stuck to me. My heart twisted—it felt like a knife had been pushed into it again and again until I couldn't breathe.The overhead light shone above me, shrouding me like some forlorn angel without wings. Margaret rushed toward me, her robe tightly wrapped around her and her expression a mix of worry and confusion."Bibi, are you okay? What was that all about?" she asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "What was he talking about?"Aaron looked torn between keeping the issue from escalating and protecting my privacy. He walked toward his wife and held her hand. "It's nothing. I'm sure it's just an argument—they'll settle it as soon as possible. Nothing to worry about."But Margaret wasn't buying it, shaking her head. "No. This isn't like their usual arguments. Something is wrong," she said,

Bridgette"Are you serious?" she asked excitedly. "That's great news, darling. Aaron would be so happy."I breathed a soft sigh. "I figured we've all been tense lately. It would help to have a little fun. All of us. Maybe take a day off work.""That's fine. Whatever you say. What made you think of it?"Before I could answer, Aaron asked in the background, "What's going on?"I waited for Margaret to explain what I'd said, and then he was on the call, equally excited. "I heard from your mom. Are you serious?"I nodded, then cleared my throat. "Yeah, very. I realize that I've been too focused on my job, but it wouldn't hurt to have some family bonding time. It doesn't have to take long, you know?""Yeah, I understand…" The rest of his words were muffled as Margaret urged him to put it on loudspeaker.I chuckled at their antics. They acted like they'd been married for decades. It was cute, and it reinforced my plan to go on the trip.Margaret laughed. "Oh, that would be lovely. Do you wan

BridgetteRhysand refused to meet his eyes, his lips pressed firmly together. "It wasn't a big deal. You weren't supposed to know."Aaron's eyes flashed with hurt, his voice harsher than he intended. "So what—you get into an accident, and we're supposed to hear it from the news? Am I still your father?""You know that's not what I mean," he insisted. "This doesn't warrant you coming. It's just a minor injury."Aaron's face flushed red, and I could see the start of an argument. With a raised hand, I stepped forward, sliding my gaze between both men."That's enough. Both of you.""Now, Rhysand, that's no way to talk to your father. He heard you had an accident and rushed to see you. And Aaron, now isn't the time to fight. Yes, Rhysand is a stubborn jerk, but he's still hurt."A trace of guilt flashed in Aaron's eyes, and he cleared his throat. Margaret walked to his side, pulling him in for a hug, her worried gaze flickering between both men.With both men settled, I fixed my gaze on th

Rhysand's POVBridgette's words hadn't just set my mind into overdrive—they had set my heart into action. They had given me hope.Despite not giving me a direct answer, her actions last night, the kiss, and her words, although said teasingly—"it was worth it"—felt like a declaration, an acceptance, and I felt like I had a chance.Even if it was a small one, it was a chance I was willing to grab onto. The fact that she hadn't pushed me away or laughed at my questions was way more than I had expected.So, I decided to do all that I could to win her heart. It didn't have to be immediate or a wild declaration—I just wanted her to have me in her heart in whatever way she could, and I would start by having lunch with her.The moment I'd gotten into work, I sent her a text asking her out to lunch, and her reply was almost immediate, accepting my invitation.With a large grin on my face, I pushed away from my seat and headed out the door.My meetings were fairly light and would be easily hand

RHYSAND By noon, the entire front of ARW looked like a crime scene—minus the caution tape.Reporters crowded the sidewalk and entrance alike like vultures circling carcasses, lights and microphones pushed into faces like the whole company had already been convicted of a crime."Mr. Warner, care to comment on the abuse allegations?""Is Ms. Bridgette Hayes involved in your misconduct?""Are the rumors about your relationship with your assistant true?""Anything to say about Ms. Riodan's claims?"Questions were thrown at our faces without a single thought, and the employees were thrust into the spotlight. A few tried to defend against the allegations, but it proved no use. The public had chosen its truth and was running with it.Although I didn't think much of it at first, my patience was hanging by a single thread.Inside the office, it wasn't much better—the office phones rang nonstop. PR and staff paced like they had downed a dozen espressos. Employees whispered in corners, a mix of