How had he ever been attracted to her, he would never know.
She took a step toward him and reached for him again. “I missed you, Victor. I figured now was as good a time as any to?—”
“Stop.” He clenched his jaw and held his hand up.
She paused, and a momentary look of confusion crossed her face, then it disappeared.
“You do not show up at my house. Not ever. Not uninvited.”
“What? I used to live here.” She smirked.
“This was never your home.”
She ignored his comment and sashayed past him and seated herself in one of the leather chairs as if she owned it. She crossed her legs and gave a hefty sigh.
“You’re being dramatic,” she whispered. She flung her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Let’s talk like adults.”
Vic moved to stand before his desk. He folded his arms and stared at her. Disbelief filled him as he took her in. She had some nerve to show up here and act like she had done no wrong. Hell, in her eyes, she probably felt as if she hadn’t.
“You have exactly five minutes,” he said.
“Five minutes?” she scoffed. “Victor, come on. I’m here because we need to discuss what’s best for us. Your image.”
“My image?” He narrowed his eyes on her.
“Yes,” she breathed. A calculated glint appeared in her eyes. “You can finish having your fun with your baby momma, but the media needs to see a reconciliation between us. Think about it. They love seeing us together. We are the power couple people root for. It’s practically a disservice for us not to be together. This will help with your company’s brand.”
His fury turned sharp and deadly.
“You did not just say that,” he bit out through clenched teeth. How dare she come into his home and not only insult Tachina and render her to a stereotype but she tried to get back together with him when he’d expressed many times before that he wasn’t interested. Tachina had always been more to him than a ‘baby momma’. She was his son’s mother.
“Don’t pretend you’re not aware of what you represent. You’re Maxwell and Sons. You run a billion-dollar company, come from a strong family with long ties, a community pillar. You don’t need someone dragging your reputation down. You need someone with pedigree. With name value. Someone like me.”
She leaned back with a wide smile as if pleased with her pitch to him.
“You are talking about the mother of my child.” His voice hardened. He clenched his fists together and kept them against his body.
“Oh, please.” She gave a dramatic eyeroll. “She trapped you once and she’s trying to do it again. Don’t be naïve. You know she wants your money. I’ll compromise with you. If you want to keep her on the side—fine. Just don’t bring any more bastards into the world with her. Once we get married, only our children will matter and be your true heirs.”
“What?” He couldn’t believe his ears.
But Sydney ignored him and kept going.
“You think she’s not using you? Victor, darling, wake up. You deserve someone who will add to your worth. Just think how much it will mean to have our two families merge. I’m the better choice for you. Not someone who’s climbing into your life just to use you as a ladder.” Her tone was very condescending and arrogant. It represented everything she was. A rich woman who thought she deserved to get what she wanted.
He drew in a slow, deep breath. He sat on the edge of his desk and leveled her with his cold gaze. Many men could barely hold it when he locked in on them. The rage that burned inside him was teetering on a level he had never experienced before.
“You really think you’re the one who adds value to me?”
“Why of course, darling. You know I do, and I forgive you. For sleeping with her. I’m sure you were doing it while we were together. I mean, I know a man like you has certain needs and I was very busy with my work. We’ll just keep her tucked away for you.”
“Sydney, look at me.” He leaned forward slightly.
She did with a smug smirk on her lips. She thought she’d won.
“I don’t want you. I will never want you. You are not good enough for me.”
Her eyes widened slightly. He could see her scrambling to find something to counteract what he was saying, but he didn’t let herspeak.