"Compromising Circumstances" (Chlex Romance- R): Chapter 2
SUMMARY: Two strangers meet under compromising circumstances; a brief encounter that will affect their lives in more ways than one.
AUTHOR: Lexie aka lillianschild
RATING: R
A/N: For the sake of this story you'll have to imagine that Chloe and Lex have never met. I'm sure you're going to have questions along the way, particularly concerning Lex's past; you'll have to be patient because those details will be revealed little by little.
PREVIOUS CHAPTER
CHAPTER TWO
Nude under a fur coat like an expensive hooker.
Four months had gone by and the memory of the embarrassing event still haunted her as the images kept popping into her head at the most inopportune moments.
Taking a sip of her sixth coffee of the morning she tried to focus on the documents that were demanding her attention and hold back the flashback. Once again she failed abysmally.
She didn’t even have the consolation of knowing she’d done her best to redeem her modesty when the lights went off. It had been the stranger who, with incredible celerity and deft fingers, had buttoned up the coat to her chin.
The lights had come back almost immediately and the lift had continued its descent. By that time, the attractive stranger was back at his companion’s side a picture of cynical remoteness. Chloe had taken a quick look at his poker-face and averted her eyes, feeling her cheeks flame.
As soon as the doors had slid open on the ground floor she’d dashed out of the building as if it the devil were chasing her. She’d rushed to her parked BMW, fumbled with her car keys in the ignition and driven away fighting off tears of humiliation.
˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜* ˜
Chloe laid back in her swivel chair and pinched the bridge of her nose to chase away the unwelcome images. She needn’t wonder what he must have thought of her; it’d been there for her to see in his hypnotic blue-grey eyes. The fleeting look of shock on discovering she was wearing nothing except a pair of tiny cotton panties under the luxurious mink had been replaced first by one of speculation and then by a scorching gaze which had raked over her body with an unmistakable flare of male lust. She could still feel how her skin had burnt under his eyes and how her body had flushed to her very womanly core. She’d never been more aware of her sensuality than in that brief span of three seconds.
She should have reacted immediately, but she had been as stunned as him, transfixed by the look of masculine appreciation in his magnetic eyes, the kind of look which had been so rarely addressed to her in her twenty-seven years. And she had stood there, practically flaunting herself at him, a stranger she would unlikely cross paths with since she no longer lived in Metropolis but in Star City.
It’d taken her several weeks to be able to enter a lift again without suffering a panic attack and she still had to make a real effort to walk into one if it was already occupied by a man. Luckily, her office in the headquarters of Queen Industries was on the third floor and she could climb up the stairs using the excuse of wanting to keep fit now that she had so little time to go to the gym, not that she’d ever been athletic but that was something her employees didn’t have to know.
Chloe massaged the coiled muscles of her neck. If only she hadn’t felt pity and given in to Jimmy’s pleading when she‘d turn up at his door with a no on her lips. She would still have had her clothes on and maybe, maybe she would have taken an empty lift and reached the ground floor before it went out of order.
“How are you feeling?”
“Completely lost,” she sighed guiltily, meeting the enquiring gaze of her late husband’s childhood friend and lawyer. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Jason. Once upon a time I used to be able to crack the hardest codes and penetrate the most intricate firewalls and now... I can’t make heads or tails of a damn quarterly report,” she added, her voice laced with frustration.
“Don’t worry so much about it, Chloe. You’ve been over-exerting yourself lately. And you’ve done great so far. Nobody expects you to become a power-hardened business mogul overnight. “
“Well, it appears Oliver had a different opinion. I still wake up every morning wondering what possessed him to leave me the reins of his company. He knew that my world was a computer or a word-processor not a board room. I definitely wouldn’t be a fish out of water in a detective’s agency or a bullpen but ... how am I supposed to be the captain of this ship? He never made me part of this world, and now I’m expected to work miracles.”
“You knew Oliver just as well as I did. He seized each day and never had long-term plans. He thought he was invincible or, at least, he used to test his limits to see how far he could go. Before he met you he just lived for the thrill. He didn’t expect his will to be executed for years. When he left you Queen Industries and directed that it continue to be run as a family business he was probably thinking of a son as the CEO...”
Jason couldn’t know how ironical that was
“It wasn’t my intention to upset you, Chloe,” he told her, worry etched on his face.
“No, it’s OK. You’re probably right in your assumption. I just feel that I’m failing him... “ Again, she added inwardly.
“He’d have never been disappointed in you,” Jason reassured her. “Don’t underestimate yourself, Chloe. Another woman would have cracked under the circumstances. Not only did you have to deal with the grief of losing Oliver all of a sudden, but there was the shock of discovering that most of his estate turned out to be a liability rather than an asset. He was my friend and yet I can’t forgive his irresponsibility when it comes to not sharing with you the problems he was having.”
Chloe couldn’t tell Oliver’s oldest friend that she hadn’t been oblivious to the fact that things weren’t going that great. The last months of her marriage had been particularly hard when Oliver started a downward spiral he kept a secret from Jason and those who worked for him. During their courtship and the first two years of marriage Chloe had got used to his disappearing in the middle of a date or from their bed. However, his absences of late hadn’t been prompted by some superhero emergency, but rather by his need to drown his sorrows in a bottle.
“Oliver believed he could work his problems out without anybody’s help, including mine. You know how proud he was... Don’t get me wrong. I loved him, but I’m well-aware of his flaws and his shortcomings just as I am of mine,” she replied, taking a few sips of her already cooling coffee to swallow the big lump in her throat.
“I know. I just wish he’d listened to me when I told him it was a wise precaution to keep a record of that confidential information he insisted on having only inside his head. If he had, you would already have had legal title months ago instead of having to wait so long for his will to go through probate. You know how damaging those rumours about the company’s viability were. If it hadn’t been for you and the admirable way you handled the situation... You earned my trust and that of the employees in the first week so don’t you sell yourself short, Chloe.”
“I owe Oliver to keep this company afloat. And I’m willing to work as hard as it takes.”
“I only hope that determination won’t consume you. You’re young, Chloe. Don’t forget to be happy. You know it’s not what Oliver would have wanted for you.”
“I don’t know why you’re assuming I’m not happy... I’m just overwhelmed and a bit confused. I hope you won’t take this the wrong way... you’ve been so helpful these past months, showing me the ropes and giving me advice, but I feel like this is something I have to do for myself. I don’t want to feel like I’m driving in the back seat anymore... that’s why I’ve enrolled in a business course.”
“At university?” he asked after a short pregnant silence.
“No, at a small community college. Attending MetU or some other first-rate university would be too risky. I used to be a student at MetU before working for The Planet so I would surely bump into someone that remembered me as an alumnus or recognised me as Oliver’s wife despite my keeping a very low-profile while I was married to him; not to mention that such a high tuition would make more than a dent on my current financial situation. And before you ask, the college is in Grandville and I’ve enrolled using my mother’s maiden name.”
“Won’t that be a problem in the future?”
“I’m not there for the degree, Jason. I’m there for the knowledge. Right now what matters to me is not getting a diploma but learning how to save this ship from sinking without putting all the burden on you. Besides, using my mother’s surname is the only way I could think of to protect our reputation. Imagine if someone ever found out the CEO of Queen Industries is taking lessons to run the company.”
“You’re an admirable woman, Ms Sullivan.”
Chloe smiled at his use of her maiden name. It was nice to be recognised for herself.
“So we have a meeting with Grierson at ten. How are we going to handle it?” she asked, consulting her appointments.
“Stonewall. We need time to find out exactly what he wants.”
Ever since Oliver’s passing, offers to buy her out had showered even before she was legally entitled to dispose of the company.
“Another scavenger?” she cocked an eyebrow.
“Trying to define Grierson in one word would be over-simplifying him and his nature. I’d say he’s a survivor first and foremost. He makes his own rules; that makes him dangerous and, above all, unpredictable. The man’s a mystery as you must have realised after reading that background check I ran on him. There’s a huge blank in his past nobody’s been able to explain. What I can assure you is that he’s not asked for a meeting to exchange pleasantries; he’s made a name for himself thanks to his hostile takeovers in the electronics field. ”
“And Queens Industries belongs to his area of expertise. If he’s as dangerous as you’re saying, wouldn’t it better if you held a preliminary meeting with him... alone? ”
“He’s asked for a meeting with you and he wields too much power to alienate him. If we show him we’re vulnerable...”
“When you say we you mean I, Chloe Sullivan. In other words, if he guesses the truth, he can crush the company. I have to show him I’m in complete command. A real piece of cake,” she chuckled nervously.
“According to his lawyer, Mr Grierson met with Oliver on several occasions to talk about business. It appears they reached some sort of verbal agreement about Grierson’s involvement in Queen Industries. In the last couple of years he acquired three of the companies we do business with, and Oliver and I were working on finalising a big contract to supply one of them with Queen’s technology.”
“That means he might be here to discuss the terms of that contract.”
“It’s possible.”
“But you don’t think that’s the reason for his coming today,” she said speculatively.” Oliver would have never accepted him as a partner in the business if he hadn’t known him well. And you said it yourself, there’s a lot we don’t know about Grierson.”
“You’re right. I wasn’t part of their discussions. However, I got the impression they both knew each other from way back.”
“Friends?”
“I wouldn’t go as far as that. There was a palpable rivalry between them. Oliver would have taken him home and introduced him to you if they had been friends. Chloe, there’s a good chance that Grierson’s the one responsible for starting the rumours about the viability of Queen Industries. It’s a well-known practice to push the prey into a corner. “
“What happens if he starts asking me questions I don’t have the answers for?”
“Just do what we planned for our previous meetings; you managed to convince the others you’re a shrewd opponent.”
“So I’ll stick to yes or no when I haven’t got much information to work with and give you one of our usual cues if I find myself in a muddle. Are you sure this is going to work on him? I have a hunch our 10 o’clock appointment is one of a kind,” she told Jason with a worried frown. “Yes, come in,” she added on hearing a quick knock on the acid-etched glass door.
“It’s only me,” smiled Chloe’s assistant.”A courier’s just dropped this package for you, Mrs Queen. “
“Leave it in the inbox tray. I’ll check it out with the rest of my mail when I finish with my appointments.”
“It’s from Grierson,” explained Susan, handing it to her boss.
“Do you think this means he’s standing us up?” Chloe asked, shooting a puzzled look at Jason as she tore the paper and uncover a CD-ROM box.
“Maybe he wants us to have some numbers and projections to go over before the meeting,” replied Jason thoughtfully while Chloe loaded the disc on her laptop.
“Not an Excel file. It’s in video format,” she said looking at the pop-up menu.
“Was there an enclosed note in the package or a Post-it on the box?”
“Nothing,” she double-clicked on the icon.
“A clip from a gossip news show... featuring Grierson?” frowned Jason when the video started to play. “Why send us this? What do we care about his latest conquest and the string of brunettes he’s bedded?” he voiced his thoughts aloud as a reporter in off accompanied a slideshow of gorgeous young women interpolated with moving images featuring Grierson and a stunning escort.
Chloe was no longer listening to her trusted counsellor. His voice became a distant drone as soon as her eyes focused on the images playing since there, on the screen of her laptop, working his suave charm on the woman hanging on his arm, was the man from the lift.
His departure from the block of offices had been shot the night of the embarrassing event. There was no doubt about it; the woman draped on his arm was the curvaceous brunette who’d tried to lecture her and she was wearing the tight-fitting black dress and diamonds Chloe remembered. She bet the animal-rights activist wasn’t the kind to wear the same outfit twice.
The young widow felt her stomach churn at the awful implications. A cold sweat ran up her spine. She was going to be sick; the prospect of it happening in front of two of the people who had put all their trust in her ability to keep the company afloat added to her humiliation. So she took a couple of deep breaths and clenched her fists on her lap to control the urge to heave.
He knew who she was; he had to or there was no sense in his sending that video addressed to her. Jason had asked her if there was a note enclosed. There was no need. The meaning was clear. It was a threat. He knew something about her he was sure she didn’t want anyone else to find out.
It was a miracle she herself hadn’t been caught on tape as she was leaving the premises in a rush. It was a good thing he was the celebrity the paparazzi seemed to have been waiting for. She thanked Oliver’s policy to keep such a low profile after their marriage for it granted her a certain level of protection against the media vultures. There were some very nice people and great professionals in her former field of work, but there were also unscrupulous scandalmongers such as her old colleague at The Planet, Linda Lake.
“Chloe, are you all right?” Jason jerked her back to reality. “You look as if you were about to pass out.”
“Liver trouble. Blame it on the stress,” she smiled faintly.
“I’ll make you an infusion of herbal tea,” offered Susan with clear concern in her voice.
Dish water. Chloe would welcome a double dose of caffeine or even a tumbler of bourbon. However, she had to save face and keep up the pretence.
“Thanks, Suzy. I’d appreciate it.”
What on earth was she going to do when he turned up in her office? Should she pretend they’d never met? What if he decided to bring their encounter up? What exactly did he expect her to do?
It seemed fate was against letting her forget that night.
An unnerving business appointment had suddenly turned into a complete nightmare. Alexander Grierson had an ace up his sleeve and that ace was none other than the CEO of Queen Industries herself.
CHAPTER 3
A/N 2: Before you ask, the use of Grierson instead of Luthor as Lex's surname will be explained in coming chapters. Those of you who are familiar with my work might remember it from another fic; the reason for its use here is different, though.
AUTHOR: Lexie aka lillianschild
RATING: R
A/N: For the sake of this story you'll have to imagine that Chloe and Lex have never met. I'm sure you're going to have questions along the way, particularly concerning Lex's past; you'll have to be patient because those details will be revealed little by little.
PREVIOUS CHAPTER
CHAPTER TWO
Nude under a fur coat like an expensive hooker.
Four months had gone by and the memory of the embarrassing event still haunted her as the images kept popping into her head at the most inopportune moments.
Taking a sip of her sixth coffee of the morning she tried to focus on the documents that were demanding her attention and hold back the flashback. Once again she failed abysmally.
She didn’t even have the consolation of knowing she’d done her best to redeem her modesty when the lights went off. It had been the stranger who, with incredible celerity and deft fingers, had buttoned up the coat to her chin.
The lights had come back almost immediately and the lift had continued its descent. By that time, the attractive stranger was back at his companion’s side a picture of cynical remoteness. Chloe had taken a quick look at his poker-face and averted her eyes, feeling her cheeks flame.
As soon as the doors had slid open on the ground floor she’d dashed out of the building as if it the devil were chasing her. She’d rushed to her parked BMW, fumbled with her car keys in the ignition and driven away fighting off tears of humiliation.
˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜*˜* ˜
Chloe laid back in her swivel chair and pinched the bridge of her nose to chase away the unwelcome images. She needn’t wonder what he must have thought of her; it’d been there for her to see in his hypnotic blue-grey eyes. The fleeting look of shock on discovering she was wearing nothing except a pair of tiny cotton panties under the luxurious mink had been replaced first by one of speculation and then by a scorching gaze which had raked over her body with an unmistakable flare of male lust. She could still feel how her skin had burnt under his eyes and how her body had flushed to her very womanly core. She’d never been more aware of her sensuality than in that brief span of three seconds.
She should have reacted immediately, but she had been as stunned as him, transfixed by the look of masculine appreciation in his magnetic eyes, the kind of look which had been so rarely addressed to her in her twenty-seven years. And she had stood there, practically flaunting herself at him, a stranger she would unlikely cross paths with since she no longer lived in Metropolis but in Star City.
It’d taken her several weeks to be able to enter a lift again without suffering a panic attack and she still had to make a real effort to walk into one if it was already occupied by a man. Luckily, her office in the headquarters of Queen Industries was on the third floor and she could climb up the stairs using the excuse of wanting to keep fit now that she had so little time to go to the gym, not that she’d ever been athletic but that was something her employees didn’t have to know.
Chloe massaged the coiled muscles of her neck. If only she hadn’t felt pity and given in to Jimmy’s pleading when she‘d turn up at his door with a no on her lips. She would still have had her clothes on and maybe, maybe she would have taken an empty lift and reached the ground floor before it went out of order.
“How are you feeling?”
“Completely lost,” she sighed guiltily, meeting the enquiring gaze of her late husband’s childhood friend and lawyer. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Jason. Once upon a time I used to be able to crack the hardest codes and penetrate the most intricate firewalls and now... I can’t make heads or tails of a damn quarterly report,” she added, her voice laced with frustration.
“Don’t worry so much about it, Chloe. You’ve been over-exerting yourself lately. And you’ve done great so far. Nobody expects you to become a power-hardened business mogul overnight. “
“Well, it appears Oliver had a different opinion. I still wake up every morning wondering what possessed him to leave me the reins of his company. He knew that my world was a computer or a word-processor not a board room. I definitely wouldn’t be a fish out of water in a detective’s agency or a bullpen but ... how am I supposed to be the captain of this ship? He never made me part of this world, and now I’m expected to work miracles.”
“You knew Oliver just as well as I did. He seized each day and never had long-term plans. He thought he was invincible or, at least, he used to test his limits to see how far he could go. Before he met you he just lived for the thrill. He didn’t expect his will to be executed for years. When he left you Queen Industries and directed that it continue to be run as a family business he was probably thinking of a son as the CEO...”
Jason couldn’t know how ironical that was
“It wasn’t my intention to upset you, Chloe,” he told her, worry etched on his face.
“No, it’s OK. You’re probably right in your assumption. I just feel that I’m failing him... “ Again, she added inwardly.
“He’d have never been disappointed in you,” Jason reassured her. “Don’t underestimate yourself, Chloe. Another woman would have cracked under the circumstances. Not only did you have to deal with the grief of losing Oliver all of a sudden, but there was the shock of discovering that most of his estate turned out to be a liability rather than an asset. He was my friend and yet I can’t forgive his irresponsibility when it comes to not sharing with you the problems he was having.”
Chloe couldn’t tell Oliver’s oldest friend that she hadn’t been oblivious to the fact that things weren’t going that great. The last months of her marriage had been particularly hard when Oliver started a downward spiral he kept a secret from Jason and those who worked for him. During their courtship and the first two years of marriage Chloe had got used to his disappearing in the middle of a date or from their bed. However, his absences of late hadn’t been prompted by some superhero emergency, but rather by his need to drown his sorrows in a bottle.
“Oliver believed he could work his problems out without anybody’s help, including mine. You know how proud he was... Don’t get me wrong. I loved him, but I’m well-aware of his flaws and his shortcomings just as I am of mine,” she replied, taking a few sips of her already cooling coffee to swallow the big lump in her throat.
“I know. I just wish he’d listened to me when I told him it was a wise precaution to keep a record of that confidential information he insisted on having only inside his head. If he had, you would already have had legal title months ago instead of having to wait so long for his will to go through probate. You know how damaging those rumours about the company’s viability were. If it hadn’t been for you and the admirable way you handled the situation... You earned my trust and that of the employees in the first week so don’t you sell yourself short, Chloe.”
“I owe Oliver to keep this company afloat. And I’m willing to work as hard as it takes.”
“I only hope that determination won’t consume you. You’re young, Chloe. Don’t forget to be happy. You know it’s not what Oliver would have wanted for you.”
“I don’t know why you’re assuming I’m not happy... I’m just overwhelmed and a bit confused. I hope you won’t take this the wrong way... you’ve been so helpful these past months, showing me the ropes and giving me advice, but I feel like this is something I have to do for myself. I don’t want to feel like I’m driving in the back seat anymore... that’s why I’ve enrolled in a business course.”
“At university?” he asked after a short pregnant silence.
“No, at a small community college. Attending MetU or some other first-rate university would be too risky. I used to be a student at MetU before working for The Planet so I would surely bump into someone that remembered me as an alumnus or recognised me as Oliver’s wife despite my keeping a very low-profile while I was married to him; not to mention that such a high tuition would make more than a dent on my current financial situation. And before you ask, the college is in Grandville and I’ve enrolled using my mother’s maiden name.”
“Won’t that be a problem in the future?”
“I’m not there for the degree, Jason. I’m there for the knowledge. Right now what matters to me is not getting a diploma but learning how to save this ship from sinking without putting all the burden on you. Besides, using my mother’s surname is the only way I could think of to protect our reputation. Imagine if someone ever found out the CEO of Queen Industries is taking lessons to run the company.”
“You’re an admirable woman, Ms Sullivan.”
Chloe smiled at his use of her maiden name. It was nice to be recognised for herself.
“So we have a meeting with Grierson at ten. How are we going to handle it?” she asked, consulting her appointments.
“Stonewall. We need time to find out exactly what he wants.”
Ever since Oliver’s passing, offers to buy her out had showered even before she was legally entitled to dispose of the company.
“Another scavenger?” she cocked an eyebrow.
“Trying to define Grierson in one word would be over-simplifying him and his nature. I’d say he’s a survivor first and foremost. He makes his own rules; that makes him dangerous and, above all, unpredictable. The man’s a mystery as you must have realised after reading that background check I ran on him. There’s a huge blank in his past nobody’s been able to explain. What I can assure you is that he’s not asked for a meeting to exchange pleasantries; he’s made a name for himself thanks to his hostile takeovers in the electronics field. ”
“And Queens Industries belongs to his area of expertise. If he’s as dangerous as you’re saying, wouldn’t it better if you held a preliminary meeting with him... alone? ”
“He’s asked for a meeting with you and he wields too much power to alienate him. If we show him we’re vulnerable...”
“When you say we you mean I, Chloe Sullivan. In other words, if he guesses the truth, he can crush the company. I have to show him I’m in complete command. A real piece of cake,” she chuckled nervously.
“According to his lawyer, Mr Grierson met with Oliver on several occasions to talk about business. It appears they reached some sort of verbal agreement about Grierson’s involvement in Queen Industries. In the last couple of years he acquired three of the companies we do business with, and Oliver and I were working on finalising a big contract to supply one of them with Queen’s technology.”
“That means he might be here to discuss the terms of that contract.”
“It’s possible.”
“But you don’t think that’s the reason for his coming today,” she said speculatively.” Oliver would have never accepted him as a partner in the business if he hadn’t known him well. And you said it yourself, there’s a lot we don’t know about Grierson.”
“You’re right. I wasn’t part of their discussions. However, I got the impression they both knew each other from way back.”
“Friends?”
“I wouldn’t go as far as that. There was a palpable rivalry between them. Oliver would have taken him home and introduced him to you if they had been friends. Chloe, there’s a good chance that Grierson’s the one responsible for starting the rumours about the viability of Queen Industries. It’s a well-known practice to push the prey into a corner. “
“What happens if he starts asking me questions I don’t have the answers for?”
“Just do what we planned for our previous meetings; you managed to convince the others you’re a shrewd opponent.”
“So I’ll stick to yes or no when I haven’t got much information to work with and give you one of our usual cues if I find myself in a muddle. Are you sure this is going to work on him? I have a hunch our 10 o’clock appointment is one of a kind,” she told Jason with a worried frown. “Yes, come in,” she added on hearing a quick knock on the acid-etched glass door.
“It’s only me,” smiled Chloe’s assistant.”A courier’s just dropped this package for you, Mrs Queen. “
“Leave it in the inbox tray. I’ll check it out with the rest of my mail when I finish with my appointments.”
“It’s from Grierson,” explained Susan, handing it to her boss.
“Do you think this means he’s standing us up?” Chloe asked, shooting a puzzled look at Jason as she tore the paper and uncover a CD-ROM box.
“Maybe he wants us to have some numbers and projections to go over before the meeting,” replied Jason thoughtfully while Chloe loaded the disc on her laptop.
“Not an Excel file. It’s in video format,” she said looking at the pop-up menu.
“Was there an enclosed note in the package or a Post-it on the box?”
“Nothing,” she double-clicked on the icon.
“A clip from a gossip news show... featuring Grierson?” frowned Jason when the video started to play. “Why send us this? What do we care about his latest conquest and the string of brunettes he’s bedded?” he voiced his thoughts aloud as a reporter in off accompanied a slideshow of gorgeous young women interpolated with moving images featuring Grierson and a stunning escort.
Chloe was no longer listening to her trusted counsellor. His voice became a distant drone as soon as her eyes focused on the images playing since there, on the screen of her laptop, working his suave charm on the woman hanging on his arm, was the man from the lift.
His departure from the block of offices had been shot the night of the embarrassing event. There was no doubt about it; the woman draped on his arm was the curvaceous brunette who’d tried to lecture her and she was wearing the tight-fitting black dress and diamonds Chloe remembered. She bet the animal-rights activist wasn’t the kind to wear the same outfit twice.
The young widow felt her stomach churn at the awful implications. A cold sweat ran up her spine. She was going to be sick; the prospect of it happening in front of two of the people who had put all their trust in her ability to keep the company afloat added to her humiliation. So she took a couple of deep breaths and clenched her fists on her lap to control the urge to heave.
He knew who she was; he had to or there was no sense in his sending that video addressed to her. Jason had asked her if there was a note enclosed. There was no need. The meaning was clear. It was a threat. He knew something about her he was sure she didn’t want anyone else to find out.
It was a miracle she herself hadn’t been caught on tape as she was leaving the premises in a rush. It was a good thing he was the celebrity the paparazzi seemed to have been waiting for. She thanked Oliver’s policy to keep such a low profile after their marriage for it granted her a certain level of protection against the media vultures. There were some very nice people and great professionals in her former field of work, but there were also unscrupulous scandalmongers such as her old colleague at The Planet, Linda Lake.
“Chloe, are you all right?” Jason jerked her back to reality. “You look as if you were about to pass out.”
“Liver trouble. Blame it on the stress,” she smiled faintly.
“I’ll make you an infusion of herbal tea,” offered Susan with clear concern in her voice.
Dish water. Chloe would welcome a double dose of caffeine or even a tumbler of bourbon. However, she had to save face and keep up the pretence.
“Thanks, Suzy. I’d appreciate it.”
What on earth was she going to do when he turned up in her office? Should she pretend they’d never met? What if he decided to bring their encounter up? What exactly did he expect her to do?
It seemed fate was against letting her forget that night.
An unnerving business appointment had suddenly turned into a complete nightmare. Alexander Grierson had an ace up his sleeve and that ace was none other than the CEO of Queen Industries herself.
CHAPTER 3
A/N 2: Before you ask, the use of Grierson instead of Luthor as Lex's surname will be explained in coming chapters. Those of you who are familiar with my work might remember it from another fic; the reason for its use here is different, though.