She Rejected The Heir. I Married Him. Chapter 04
The car entered an affluent neighborhood on the south side of the city and stopped before a sprawling estate.
The Voss residence.
I opened the door and stepped out.
The estate manager came to greet me.
“Mrs. Voss, Mr. Voss asked us to prepare the south-facing primary bedroom on the second floor for you.”
“Everything inside has been selected in your size.”
“Thank you.”
I went inside.
The house was stark and minimalist, with no unnecessary decoration.
It reminded me of Cassian.
I settled into the primary bedroom.
The dressing room was filled with the latest women’s collections, and a complete set of luxury skin care sat on the vanity.
It was an unexpected amount of care from a supposedly reckless heir who did nothing but spend money.
It was also more respect than Adrian had shown me in eight years.
At noon, the estate manager brought lunch.
“Mr. Voss said he’ll be at the family estate putting on a show for his grandfather. He may not return for a few days.”
“Please let me know if you need anything.”
Putting on a show.
I caught the phrase and nodded.
“Understood.”
Cassian didn’t appear for the next three days.
I spent my days drawing and reading, as invisible as I’d promised to be.
Then, on the fourth afternoon, the Ashford company’s design director called.
“Mira, Miss Carlisle changed the fire-rated panel specifications in the Orion hotel renovation plans you handled before you left.”
“The contractor has stopped work, and the city inspector wants the plans resubmitted.”
“Mr. Ashford wants you here immediately to sign a statement admitting you submitted the incorrect version.”
My pen stopped moving.
“Sienna changed the specifications. Why should I take responsibility for professional negligence?”
“Those are Mr. Ashford’s instructions.”
The director’s voice was rigid.
“He said you don’t have a job anymore anyway. A negligence finding won’t matter.”
“Miss Carlisle has a future in society. She can’t afford a stain on her reputation.”
I laughed in disbelief.
“I’m not coming.”
“Don’t make us get ugly, Mira.”
The director gave a cold laugh.
“Mr. Ashford said if you refuse to sign, the company will report you to the state architecture board for gross negligence. No firm will touch your résumé after that.”
The call ended.
Ten minutes later, Adrian called from a different number.
I answered.
“Get your ass to the office.”
He was barely containing his anger.
“Sienna’s crying her eyes out. The owner tore into her because of your negligence.”
“My negligence?” I gave a bitter laugh.
“If you’d explained the specifications properly, she wouldn’t have changed them incorrectly.”
His logic was as flawless as ever.
“I’m not coming.”
“Mira Sloan.”
His voice turned dangerously low.
“You think marrying Cassian Voss makes you untouchable?”
“The Voss family is about to go bankrupt. Cassian can’t protect you.”
“Come here, take responsibility, and apologize to Sienna. Then I might leave you a way back.”
“Otherwise, I’ll make sure you never find another job in Greyhaven.”
That was Adrian. He always knew exactly where to hurt me.
My future, sacrificed to keep Sienna innocent.
I said nothing.
“Did you hear me?” he demanded.
A long-fingered hand reached over my shoulder and took the phone.
Startled, I turned.
Cassian stood behind me. I hadn’t heard him come in.
He wore the same black shirt, a faint, cool scent clinging to him.
He lifted the phone to his ear.
“Adrian Ashford.”
His voice was low and cold, leaving no room for argument.