Chapter 374
Chapter 374:
“And if I want dangerous?” Damon asked, dropping his feet to the floor and leaning in.
“Then you’re an idiot,” Eliza said, closing the file. “But that’s your prerogative p>
“Who would you pick? If you were me p>
“Lydia,” Eliza said without hesitation. “Cathey is too volatile. She’s vindictive and impulsive — she’ll leak your secrets to the press just for the attention. Lydia is an asset. Cathey is a liability p>
“You sound like him,” Damon said, his voice bitter. “You sound exactly like Dallas p>
Eliza felt a twinge in her chest and pushed it down. “I learned from the best.” She stood. “That’s my recommendation. Lydia Stone. Make the call p>
“And the debt p>
“Send the forgiveness contract to my lawyer,” Eliza said. “I’ll see you at the engagement party p>
𝖲а𝘷𝖾 у𝗼𝘂𝘳 𝖿аvоr𝗶𝘵𝗲 𝘯o𝘃𝗲l𝘴 о𝗇
She moved toward the door.
“Eliza,” Damon called out.
She paused, hand on the knob.
“You know I’m only doing this because I can’t have you,” he said.
“I know,” Eliza said. “And that’s why you’ll never be happy p>
She opened the door and stepped into the hallway — and nearly collided with a woman standing directly outside.
Cathey Norton.
She was wearing a dress that was more bandage than fabric, bright red and cut to the navel. Clearly, she had been waiting to make an entrance.
“Watch it,” Cathey snapped. Then her eyes widened. “Oh. It’s the reject p>
Eliza adjusted her glasses. “Hello, Cathey p>
“What are you doing here?” Cathey sneered, crossing her arms. “Begging for scraps? I heard Dallas kicked you to the curb. Did he finally realize you’re nothing but a charity case p>
Eliza looked at her — the insecurity hiding behind the heavy makeup, the desperation sewn into the flashy clothes. Stupid and vindictive. Her own words.
“I was just giving Damon some advice,” Eliza said calmly. “On his future p>
“Damon doesn’t need your advice,” Cathey flipped her hair. “He needs a real woman. Someone with Koch blood p>
“Koch blood,” Eliza repeated, a small, pitying smile touching her lips. “Be careful, Cathey. That blood is toxic. It tends to eat people alive p>
“You’re just jealous,” Cathey hissed. “Because I’m going to be the next Queen of New York, and you’re going to be a footnote p>
“Good luck with that,” Eliza said, stepping around her. “Oh, and Cathey? If you want to impress Damon, try wearing less red. He thinks it’s desperate p>
She walked to the elevator, leaving Cathey fuming in the hallway.
As the doors slid shut, Eliza slumped against the wall. Her hands were trembling. Playing the cold-hearted consultant was exhausting. She felt hollowed out.
Is this who I am now? she wondered. A woman who brokers marriages like cattle trades?
Yes, a voice in her head whispered. Because that’s what it takes to survive.
Eliza stepped out of Luna Tower and took a deep breath of smoggy city air. It tasted better than the air conditioning inside.
She turned left toward the subway. A screech of tires made her jump back.
A bright red Porsche convertible swerved to the curb, nearly mounting the sidewalk. The driver’s door flew open.