“Lauren is staying at The Carson Ivory. She’ll be in tomorrow to collect her things, no doubt. I will speak to her then.”
“So, I just broke her heart for no reason?”
“Would appear so. Justine is on standby for you.”
“Cheers. Cain, she deserves her job back.”
“I know.”
“You sure you are going to be able to cope, knowing she works for you, all pale and petite? I think the universe is trying to test you.” He sniggers.
“I think I can manage.”
“It’s almost comical that you think you have this under control.” Perry laughs and hangs up before I can retort. Arsehole.
My phone pings with another notification, only it’s my assistant again.
Congratulations, you are now the majority shareholder of Ivory Corp!
The elation I hoped for is subtler than I expected, and the keen sense of pride I thought I would feel isn’t there. I stare at my phone and read over the words that bring me closer to my end goal, and I feel nothing but the same biting anger. The violent burn of revenge that has followed me from my youth to my adulthood.
Royce Ivory will be a ghost to this world.
Just like my father is.
Chapter4
Lauren
Pain is the first thing I feel when I wake. The pressure between my eyes ripples across my face, reminding me what a terrible day yesterday was. It hurts a great deal more now. I trail my fingers over the bridge of my nose and flinch. Pushing free of the quilt, I walk quickly into the bathroom and pull back, horrified at the mess that is my face. “What the hell?” I’m sporting two black eyes, and my bump is a deep shade of purple. “No!” I cry, touching the area. This is just bloody great. I drop, sitting on the edge of the bath, and sigh. I begin to frown, but the swelling forbids it. I barely woke during the night. The painkillers had been strong enough to ease me under, and Amberley had stayed over to keep an eye on me but had to leave early for work.
I flick on the kettle and rummage in the freezer for a cold compress, biting back a moan as dizziness washes over me. Hesitantly, I hold the icy block to my face, then dose up on pain relief. I take time with my makeup, determined not to waste the day. I’m going to spend the morning looking for jobs before I meet Amberley for lunch. It takes longer than expected to cover the bruising, as my face is swollen, and even with pain relief, I’m still hurting. I took one hell of a bash to the face. If I ever see Perry again, he owes me big time.
After a productive morning, I’ve managed to secure an interview this afternoon at a competitor hotel, and I’m expecting a call back later for a waitressing role should all else fail. Quite frankly, I will take anything to tide me over until I can secure myself something more permanent. I make the rash decision to put my favourite dress on before I meet Amberley. If I’m going to turn up to collect my belongings, it will be with my pride intact and a killer dress as a silent fuck you to my boss. I may be pale, but I look damn good in this dress. I drag a deep red lipstick over my full lips and smirk back at my porcelain profile. I’ve always been one to keep my head down and work hard, but something about Cain Carson-Ivory has made me want to have the last word. Even if that’s me holding my head high and rocking the shit out of my power dress as I stride out of his hotel. My usual coat is at work, so I pull down a more formal cream one and pair it with nude heels. I look sexy but, more importantly, professional. Amberley has text telling me to meet her at Porto, so I book an Uber and leave my house feeling heaps better.
I find her sitting at the back with a coffee already in her hands. “Hey!” I smile, taking the seat opposite her.
“Jesus!” She gawps. “You look hot.”
“Well, I have two black eyes and feel like an alien, so this is my way of making myself feel better.” I grin. It’s half true.
“Oh no, really?” She frowns at my face. I pull out my phone and find the image I took before I covered it up with a ton of makeup. “Ouch!”
“Even talking hurts.” I moan and pick up the menu, having a quick scan as the waitress comes over, and I order a coffee.
“I might just have a salad as I ate a huge breakfast.” Amberley rubs her stomach.
“I’m still full from our takeaway.” I laugh, then wince. Not only do I look like an idiot, I can barely enjoy myself because I’m in so much pain.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
“I’ve had some painkillers.” I shrug, trying not to let it bother me. “But yes.” Each time the skin around my nose and eyes tightens, it sends a sharp stab of pain across my face and my eyes water. “I think I’ll have a salad, too.”
“Their avocado one is nice,” she says absently, still searching for something to eat.
“I have an interview this afternoon and a callback,” I tell her and smile at the waitress as she brings over my coffee.
“Wow, that’s amazing.”