Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
But since Emmy didn't like thinking ill of anyone, she told herself that maybe she had just heard the other woman wrong.
"Yes, Ms. Ricks."
The woman suddenly gestured towards Emmy. "And her? Who is she?"
Emmy summoned a smile for the other woman. "Good afternoon, Ms. Ricks. I'm—-"
"—-talking when you're not supposed to," the other woman snapped.
Jonas' nervousness turned to anger upon hearing Emmy being unnecessarily rebuked. Things became even worse when their VIP decided to have her photos with Princess taken in the outdoor stable, and Emmy asked for time to give Princess a blanket.
Brenda couldn't believe a nobody had the gall to ask her to wait. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Ricks—-"
"Rowland and I have known each other for years."
Emmy didn't know what to feel when she realized that this was the kind of woman he would not be ashamed of marrying.
"If I want to, I can have you fired just like that. Do you understand?"
Emmy's first urge was to simply leave, but when she saw Princess staring at her with eyes that were already expecting Emmy to abandon her again, Emmy knew she was going nowhere until Princess was safely back in her stall.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Ricks," Emmy forced herself to apologize. "We would never wish to inconvenience you, but Mr. Asherfield has strict orders about not letting Princess out without a blanket."
Brenda seethed with resentment at the way this nobody kept making trouble for her. Was this bitch setting her up? Everyone knew how much the billionaire loved his rescue horses, and it was the only reason Brenda was faking her interest in such disgustingly smelly creatures.
"Give me the damn blanket then," Brenda spat.
Jonas decided it was time to interfere. "I'm afraid placing a blanket over horses isn't a simple procedure, Ms. Ricks. It requires—-"
"It's just a damn blanket," Brenda snarled. "Are you saying I'm too dumb to do it?" She tried snatching the blanket out of the other woman's hold and was outraged when the stablegirl wouldn't let go.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Brenda screeched. "How dare you? Who do you think you are?"
The entire stable went silent at the other woman's outburst, and Emmy could feel herself paling as the other VIPs nearby turned to look at her.
"Let go, you bitch!"
Emmy knew doing as Brenda asked would be the path of least resistance, but at what cost? Brenda throwing a blanket over Princess could lead to fatal injuries for either or both of them, and so Emmy forced herself to hold on to the blanket. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Ricks. But it's just—-"
Brenda raised her hand to slap the other woman into silence.
Emmy, seeing Brenda's hand about to swing down, squeezed her eyes shut involuntarily.
But nothing happened, and her eyes flew open when she heard the other woman cry out.
Rowland?
Brenda couldn't believe her eyes when she saw who it was that had held her arm back before moving her to the side. She hurried forward and tugged the billionaire's sleeve with a practiced sob. "Thank goodness you're here!"
Emmy walked away as soon as she saw Brenda clinging to him. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought about Brenda being the kind of woman that he wouldn't be ashamed of.
I'm so stupid, God.
She should hate him for being so shallow, but she didn't. The only thing she hated right now was herself, and Emmy hated herself even more when she heard Princess neigh as if her baby knew Emmy was about to leave her again...this time for good.
God, please take care of Princess.
Brenda let out a gasp when Rowland impatiently removed her hand from his sleeve before going after the stablegirl. What the hell? Perhaps he had misunderstood what was happening?
She hurried after him and grabbed the back of his shirt. "Rowland, I don't think you—-"
Rowland bit back a curse at having to waste his time dealing with some woman he didn't even know. "Who the hell are you?"
Brenda's face turned red at the irritation underscoring the billionaire's voice. "It's me, Rowland. We attended school together? Remember? I—-"
"Don't give a fuck who you are," Rowland cut her off tersely, "so I'd appreciate it if you stay out of my way."
Emmy didn't allow herself to slow down even after hearing what he had said to Brenda Ricks. It only meant the other woman wasn't his type, that was all. She would be an idiot to read anything into it, and—-
No!
A strong pair of arms suddenly wrapped around Emmy from behind, and her whole world stopped spinning when she heard a familiar voice say, "I'm sorry."
And then he was forcibly turning her around.
No, no, no.
Remorse lashed his heart at the way his Emerald closed her eyes as if the sight of him would kill her.
"I'm so fucking sorry, sweetheart—-"
Emmy tried freeing herself but the arms around her only tightened.