His Fiancée, The Secret Agent

My gaze drifted over Sloane, a cold smile touching my lips. "You're just an assistant. Who gave you the right to speak to me like that?"

Before Sloane could respond, a group of Trevor Group executives strode in, laughing amongst themselves. They bypassed me completely, flocking to Sloane's side. Seeing the brooch in my hand, they gasped dramatically.

"How dare you take Sloane's brooch! If she's too upset to attend the engagement party, you'll be banned from the Trevor Group for life!"

Sloane pointed at the brooch triumphantly. "Did you hear that? Hurry up and give it to me!"

"Someone with your background should feel lucky to marry into the Trevor family. As long as you don't make a scene, we'll find some cushy, do-nothing job for you in the company. Just stop wanting things that aren't yours."

I glanced at the brooch, my expression impassive. "If you want to be the lady of the house, be my guest. But this brooch is mine. You're not having it."

My words sent Sloane into a rage. The executives around her squared up to me, clearly ready to get physical.

Their aggressive postures were laughable. What they thought were intimidating moves were nothing but amateur posturing to me.

I used the room to my advantage, effortlessly evading their clumsy attempts to corner me. In the chaos, Sloane lunged at me.

The next second, the door was thrown open violently. An authoritative voice cut through the chaos.

"All of you, stop!"

At his command, several bodyguards in suits flooded the room. The man standing behind them adjusted his expensive, custom-made suit and spoke in a deep, stern voice.

"What is all this? Sloane, as my assistant, this chaos reflects on me. I don't want to see it again."

I watched the man approach, forcing a cool, polite smile. "Patrick Trevor. Hello."

I had to admit, he was the very picture of what most women fantasized about: handsome, well-built, and radiating a commanding presence that filled any room he entered.

Meeting Patrick's scrutinizing gaze, I began, "I'm Ingrid Davenport, and I'm your..."

Before I could finish, Patrick looked me up and down with contempt. He raised a hand, signaling a bodyguard. "I don't waste my breath on nobodies."

The next moment, the towering bodyguards blocked my view.

I was stunned. When had I become a nobody? I was Patrick's intended fiancée, the woman who was supposed to become his wife.

Rage burned in my chest, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. "Patrick, the entire business world is watching our engagement party. I am your fiancée. How could I possibly be a nobody?"

A mocking expression twisted Patrick's handsome face. "So, you do know this party has everyone's attention. A social climber who thinks her pretty face is a ticket to the top? You must have been planning this for a long time."

He looked me up and down with disgust. "But let me tell you, you are not worthy of being my wife. If it weren't for the resources your family provided, what makes you think you'd even be standing here? Stop making a fool of yourself."