Hiding My Brilliance From The Obsessive Heir

Kinsley stared at the black screen of her phone resting on her lap. She waited for the fake emergency message to light up. Across the narrow table, Julian watched her. He tracked every micro-expression on her face, every shallow breath she took.

The waiter appeared like a ghost, placing a heavy crystal glass of scotch in front of Julian. For a fraction of a second, Julian's dark eyes shifted to the glass.

It was the only break in his visual lock.

Edmon stood up abruptly. He held a tall, expensive bottle of Patrón tequila in his sweaty hand. He slammed it onto the table.

"We must do shots!" Edmon declared, his voice booming with forced enthusiasm. "To honor our esteemed guest. Everyone, glasses up."

Sitting next to Kinsley, Hailey Finch visibly paled. Hailey subtly clutched her stomach under the table. Kinsley knew Hailey was eight weeks pregnant and desperately trying to hide it from the ruthless HR department.

Edmon marched around the table. He slammed a small shot glass directly in front of Hailey. He poured the clear liquid to the brim.

"Drink up, Hailey. Show some dedication to the agency," Edmon demanded aggressively.

Hailey stammers, her eyes wide with panic. "Edmon, I... I really can't tonight. I have a slight medical..."

"Nonsense. One shot won't kill you," Edmon interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Kinsley didn't think. She reacted.

She reached across the table without a second of hesitation. Her hand snatched the shot glass from Hailey's space and pulled it firmly toward herself.

Edmon glared at Kinsley. His face flushed a deep, angry purple at her blatant defiance of his direct order.

"I'll take the shot for her," Kinsley stated calmly. She kept her face completely stoic. She raised the glass toward her lips.

Across the table, Amy snickers loudly. She leaned over and whispered into Brenda Walsh's ear. "Look at her trying to show off in front of the billionaire. Pathetic."

Julian's jaw tightened imperceptibly. A small muscle ticked beneath his skin. His long fingers gripped his scotch glass as he watched Kinsley prepare to swallow the harsh liquor.

Before the rim of the shot glass could even touch Kinsley's lips, Julian moved.

He reached across the narrow table. His large, warm hand wrapped firmly over her wrist.

Kinsley gasped softly. The sudden, burning contact of his skin against hers sent a shockwave up her arm. Her eyes snapped up to meet his dark, dangerous gaze.

Julian easily pried the shot glass from her trembling fingers. His thumb brushed against her pulse point. His touch lingered for a second longer than necessary.

Edmon froze in terror. He mistakenly believed Kinsley had just deeply offended the Montgomery heir.

Julian set the shot glass down on the table with a sharp, final clink. He didn't look at Kinsley anymore. He looked directly at Edmon.

"Forcing employees to consume alcohol against their will is a massive corporate liability, Mr. Justice," Julian remarked. His voice was dangerously low, cold enough to freeze the tequila.

Edmon immediately shrank back. The bottle of Patrón nearly slipped from his sweaty grip. "Of course, Mr. Montgomery. You are absolutely right. Waiter! Clear this away instantly."

Kinsley pulled her hand back sharply. She hid her hands under the table, rubbing her wrist where he had touched her. She tried to erase the phantom heat burning into her skin.

Hailey leaned over and whispered a tearful "Thank you" into Kinsley's ear. Hailey was completely unaware of the silent, violent emotional war raging across the table.

Julian picked up his scotch. He took a slow, deliberate sip. His eyes drifted back to Kinsley, challenging her to acknowledge the favor he just did for her.

Kinsley stubbornly looked away. She focused entirely on the intricate floral pattern of the wallpaper. She refused to give him the satisfaction of her gratitude.

Suddenly, her phone screen lit up in her lap. The fake emergency text finally arrived.

It was the perfect excuse.

Kinsley stood up abruptly. Her chair scraped loudly against the hardwood floor.

"I apologize, Edmon. I have a family emergency. I need to leave immediately," Kinsley announced to the table.

Edmon waved her off dismissively. He was too busy trying to regain Julian's favor to care about a junior creative leaving early. "Fine, fine. Go."

Kinsley grabbed her worn wool coat and her purse. She speed-walked out of the private room. She didn't cast a single backward glance at the billionaire sitting across from her empty chair.

Julian watched her retreating back. The muscle in his jaw ticked again. He calculated his next move.

Kinsley pushed through the heavy front doors of the restaurant. The crisp, freezing night air hit her face. She took a deep, shaky breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

She walked swiftly down the damp pavement, wrapping her coat tighter against the chill. She just wanted to disappear into the anonymity of the city.

Inside the private room, Julian abruptly stood up. The leather chair squeaked. He tossed a crisp hundred-dollar bill onto the table. He left Edmon mid-sentence without a word of goodbye.

Julian strode out of the restaurant. The valet rushed forward, but Julian ignored him. His dark eyes locked onto Kinsley's distant figure, hurrying down the block toward the bus stop.