Chapter 111

Jared hurt me again with what he did, but if I couldn’t even handle Owen, I was not even in a place where dreams and goals were up for discussion.

You only get stronger when you learn to take all the nasty people and things in stride, I told myself. ‘I’ve always believed that a truly ambitious woman needs to have insane willpower and a clear sense of direction.

Reputation didn’t matter. Climbing one’s way up, no matter what one had to step over. In the end, it was all about using every advantage and forming alliances, as long as one always put themselves first.

I made a pot of coffee in the living room and called Owen over for some. Grinning at me, he said, “Mrs. Holcomb, I just asked around and heard you guys haven’t settled on the wardrobes yet. Is that true?”

“Yeah, we’re still discussing it,” I replied.

“Why not let my company take care of it? I’ll give you the lowest price,” Owen said. He might be a pro at flirting, and he could talk his way through any business deal, too.

“Just send me a quote first and I’ll check it out,” I said. Since it’s an open bid, of course, I have to shop around.

“Sure, I’ll have someone prepare the materials and send them over,” Owen said, nodding happily. “How about we grab lunch together? My treat.”

I smiled and nodded, “Sure, that’s very generous of you.”

“Not at all, Mrs. Holcomb. Just having you join me is enough,” Owen replied.

Even though he was obviously checking me out, he knew who I was and wouldn’t dare try anything. Then again, for all I knew, maybe Tracy put him up to this, trying to get some dirt to show Jared.

Right after I agreed to have lunch with Owen, Jared called me.

I got up and went to the office to take the call. Jared asked, “Do you have any plans for lunch?”

‘A supplier invited me to lunch, so I said yes,” I replied. This must be what he always called business socializing.

‘Which supplier?” Jared’s voice dropped a notch.

“Just some young guy, Tracy’s cousin, Owen. Seems like a fun character. Oh, and we’re still haggling over the hotel wardrobes, and we haven’t settled on a price yet. I told Owen to send me a quote, too,” I explained.

‘Aiden’s in Hachester. Has he reached out to you?” Jared cut me off.

“What?” I shot up from the couch. “Aiden’s here? Where is he?”

“He just got in from Shaville yesterday with a few friends. I thought he’d call you,” Jared said calmly.

“He hasn’t called me,” I said, totally bummed. Aiden Murphy was my brother, and yet he only bothered to contact Jared when he came to Hachester.

I almost forgot that Jared was the perfect brother-in-law. He was rich, generous, and always on top of everything. Aiden totally idolized him, swearing every year that he wanted to be as awesome as Jared someday.

“I’ve set up lunch with him. Wouldn’t look too good if you, his big sister, didn’t show up, right?” Jared drawled.

“Send me the restaurant address,” I said sullenly.

Jared let out a quiet laugh on the other end. “Don’t be upset. Aiden’s just here to hang out.”

“I’m not mad,” I replied, and hung up.

Not long after, Jared sent me the restaurant address.

I went out and told Owen I had something else going on at lunch. He looked a bit let down, but immediately tried to reschedule for the day after tomorrow, and I ended up saying yes.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I saw Aiden chatting with a few friends. There was a girl with glasses who looked really sweet and innocent, leaning on his shoulder as she smiled. The two of them definitely seemed to have a spark.

“Victoria?” Aiden jumped up in surprise when he spotted me at the door. “Why are you here?”

I smiled and said, “Jared asked me to come. Hasn’t he arrived yet?”

Aiden, looking startled, hurried over and grabbed my arm. “Victoria, can we talk outside for a sec?”