Save Her by Abigail Osborne (novel books to read .txt) 📗

units at a substantially higher price than we had forecasted. So, when that contract is signed, you’ll have doubled your projections and also superseded our anticipated return on investment.’

Duncan took the life raft she had flung at him and regained his composure. Having one person in the room on his side seemed to remind him how to speak in full sentences. ‘Yes, yes, exactly. You see, Mr Cavendish, it is just taking a little longer than I had planned but within a couple of weeks I will have repaid your investment and then some!’

Alistair threw Sophie a look that filled her with dread. He did not like to be undermined. The last time she had done this to him, he had buried her in so much paperwork she slept at the office for a week. Although this time she was sure he was more annoyed that she had spoiled his fun. He loved nothing more than to torment the clients they invested in, knowing he had the power to make or break their future. Sophie’s interjection had deprived him of another victim whose soul he had not yet crushed.

‘Very well, Mr Lockwood. We will meet again very soon. I expect much better financial reports next time.’ Alistair strode from the room.

The instant he was gone, both she and Duncan began to breathe easier. ‘You can leave now, Duncan. I will call you tomorrow.’

Duncan tossed her a quick smile and nearly ran from the room, tripping on his chair in his haste.

Greg sneered. ‘Honestly, Soph, what were you thinking? He’s an idiot.’

‘That may be, but he is going to make us a lot of money. So, I would say it was a small price to pay.’

Greg shook his head and walked out the room. She wondered if he realised that his suit was becoming slightly too small for his growing stomach. His appetite for money was second only to his appetite for food these days, and he was no longer making the effort in the gym to keep his body toned the way he used to.

There was no doubt that Sophie had been attracted to Greg when she first met him. But it was more the smell of money and the clothes that screamed wealth that had caught her eye. Flora and Sophie had been at the bottom of the food chain for too long and Greg was their ticket out. She had met him at a networking conference she was attending in the hopes of securing a position. Under-utilised and underestimated in her role, she was always on the lookout for her big break. She just needed a sign from fate, which she got at the conference.

Greg’s height made him stand out from the crowd. He parted the crowds like he was Moses walking through the Red Sea. He was impeccably dressed, with a voice permanently raised to ensure everyone was aware that he was there and visibly preened under the attention that was lavished on him.

Although intrigued, she thought nothing more of him before fate intervened, forcing her to recognise her future. She turned a corner, hurrying to a seminar she should have been at five minutes ago when she body slammed straight into him. She apologised profusely and offered to buy him a drink at the bar. It was there she discerned that one on one, Greg was more than just a rich boy. He had an ambition that matched her own.

‘Can I ask why you aren’t drinking?’ asked Greg. ‘The free bar is the only reason I let my father send me to these events.’

‘Long story. The short version; my mother was a raging alcoholic and I have no desire to be anything like her.’

‘Yikes. That’s rough.’

‘No, it’s fine. It gave me the determination to make something of my life. I will be a successful businesswoman and run my own company and when I earn my first million, I will know that I did it all myself. Plus, I don’t need alcohol to have a good time.’ She shot him a sly wink.

He chuckled and moved closer. ‘I respect that. I am trying to do the same thing. It’s hard though, as my family have this successful empire already. I can’t really branch out on my own as I’m expected to take over the reins once my father is ready to retire. My brother is useless in business so I’m the only one that can do it. But I’m just spending each day proving to my father that I can grow the business on my own. That I don’t need his help.’ He looked at her with a bemused expression, his cheeks reddened. ‘I’m not sure where that came from. I’m not normally this open with someone I’ve just met. In fact. I’m not normally open at all.’

They looked at each other, sharing a smile. Sophie felt a connection with him. She could sense in Greg the same drive and determination that coursed through her veins. An idea was starting to formulate in her mind. ‘So, you have a brother? What’s he like?’

‘Sam? Yeah, he’s my younger brother but we are complete opposites. He works in the family business as well, but he isn’t ruthless enough. We use him mainly to maintain relations with our clients. He is the one keeping everyone happy and smoothing out any interpersonal issues. Sam’s problem is that he is as soft as they come. No drive or determination to earn money. He just cares about the people.’

Sophie knew someone exactly like that. Yes, this would work very well. Greg was perfect.

Theirs was a whirlwind romance. They spent as much time together as possible and most of the conversation was about making money. Shared ambition and drive were an aphrodisiac, and to her delight, she found that not only was he hungry to succeed in the business world, but he was just as hungry in the bedroom. Within a few weeks, Greg had offered her a job in the family business. It