18 Chapter 18–Strategic Counterattack
18 Chapter 18 – Strategic Counterattack
“Miss Vance, please lock the door. We’ll be discussing sensitive financial information, and I don’t want any interruptions.”
I approached her desk with my most serious business expression. “Miss Vance, I need you to get a printed copy of the quarterly financial report from Owen’s office. The physical copy, not an email.
Liam’s POV
She could have easily requested this electronically, but I needed her away from her desk for a few minutes. She nodded and left immediately, her heels clicking down the corridor. The moment she was out of sight, I grabbed her cake and headed to my office, settling onto the leather couch with my prize.
I sat across from Damian at our usual restaurant, laying out every detail of what happened with Hazel. His expression shifted from curiosity to complete disbelief.
When she returned with the report, I maintained my professional facade.
“You can sit down, Miss Vance. This review will take considerable time.”
An idea began forming in my mind, wicked and perfect. Hazel’s little game was about
to come to an end.
“She’s not going to break first. She’s playing this game like a master, and I refuse to be
the one who caves.”
After thoroughly analyzing every page and providing comprehensive instructions, I set the papers aside and reached for the cake. I leaned back into the plush cushions, slowly opening the package and taking a deliberate bite. The chocolate was rich and decadent. I closed my eyes and made a soft sound of appreciation, fully aware that she was watching my every move.
She looked suspicious but complied, walking over and handing me the thick document. I accepted it and began reviewing the first pages, my expression serious and focused. She remained standing, uncertain.
“I’m going to apologize to my dear assistant. I’m going to buy her replacement underwear. The smile spreading across my face was purely predatory. Damian burst
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into laughter, shaking his head in disbelief.
When I returned to the office, she was already at her desk, typing away. A small
package sat beside her computer with what looked like a slice of chocolate cake inside. Perfect. This was going to be even better than I’d planned.
“Don’t act like the victim here, Liam. You fired the first shot. What exactly were you expecting?”
“Wait, you’re telling me she walked around the office with no underwear under that dress?” Damian’s voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes wide with shock.
For the next hour, 1 genuinely focused on the financial report, giving her detailed instructions which she dutifully recorded on her tablet. This helped her relax slightly. and she seemed to convince herself that maybe I wasn’t plotting anything after all. For the first time all day, our interaction was purely professional.
“I know that look,” Damian said, his amusement clear. “You just thought of something devious, and I want details.”
“This is absolutely incredible. I hope you don’t mind me sampling your dessert.” I looked at her with completely innocent eyes, as if I hadn’t orchestrated this entire scenario. She seemed confused and shook her head, indicating she didn’t mind. Then I picked up the gift bag and extended it toward her. “Consider this a peace offering. Miss Vance. I sincerely hope you find it acceptable.”
Chapter 18 – Strategic Counterattack
“So what’s your next move?”
Her eyes immediately noticed the gift bag positioned strategically beside me on the couch. She moved to the far end of the sofa, settling into the exact spot I’d anticipated, since I was occupying the other end. That’s when she spotted her cake on the coffee table, and her eyes widened with realization. But she said nothing, which impressed
- me.
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I had left her completely exposed in that provocative little number. Any wrong move, any slight bend, and she’d be in a mortifying tuation. The thought should have concerned me more, but I had destroyed her underwear in a moment of pure madness. Even if I hadn’t, there was no way I would have returned it to her.
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18 Chapter 18–Strategic Counterattack
I ran my hands through my hair, frustration building in my chest. “Look, I called her in carly just to mess with her head a little. Maybe push her buttons, see her squirm. I never intended to actually touch her. But then she showed up dressed like she was ready for battle. That tight dress that rides up her thighs every time she sits down, those heels that make her legs look endless. The second I saw her, my brain just shut down completely.”
“This woman is going to be the death of me, Damian. Today she decided to declare war on my self–control”
“I don’t know yet, but I guarantee she’s planning her next attack right now. I’m going back to that office ready for whatever she throws at me.”
She was tense, clearly knowing I was orchestrating something, but I wanted to keep her guessing. The anticipation was delicious, and I was firmly back in control where I belonged.
We left the restaurant, and I headed straight to the most exclusive lingerie boutique in the city. I selected a lacy thong that was more suggestion than coverage, with the word “sexy” spelled out in golden charms and rhinestones across the back straps. The delicate fabric would tear easily between my fingers if I wanted it to. I shook my head at the thought. At this rate, I’d leave that woman with no underwear collection at all. The idea made me laugh out loud. I had the saleswoman wrap it in elegant packaging and left the store feeling like I’d regained the upper hand. Hazel wouldn’t dare continue her provocations after what I was about to do.
“And clearly, hers did too. Face it, Liami, this woman has you completely twisted around her finger. Whatever’s building between you two is going to explode, and I’m going to enjoy watching you try to fight it.”
She accepted the bag from my hand, her fingers brushing mine briefly. I had to fight to suppress the satisfied smile threatening to break across my face. Game on, Miss Vance, Let’s see how you handle this next move.
