Cyrus carefully set the ball on the desk and bent over the phone. “Gentlemen, we’ll have to postpone this conversation.”
Her cheeks flushed hot, and she allowed herself a brief moment of contrition. She hadn’t known he was in the middle of a meeting when she barged in.
“I have a hysterical woman in my office and this may take some time to resolve. On Monday I’ll have my secretary contact you to reschedule our meeting.” He hit a button and turned off the speaker.
Daniella bristled at the disparaging remark he used to describe her. She’d show him hysterical if that’s what he really wanted.
“What is this?” She jabbed a finger at the wrinkled letter she’d dropped on his desk.
He slid it toward him and scanned the contents. “Looks like a dismissal letter,” he said.
“Your dismissal letter. You bought a majority interest in BoldMine, Inc. and fired Roland. How could you? He’s worked hard for years to get this company launched.”
Cyrus folded his arms across his chest, the movement bringing attention to his hard pecs. Was his chest bigger? Even his biceps looked larger.
“He did such a good job of selling the company at dinner the other night, I have no doubt I made the right decision to invest in BoldMine.”
“All of a sudden you’re interested in inventory software?” Daniella demanded. His personal investments tended toward real estate and businesses that complemented his family’s businesses.
“You know I have a diverse portfolio.”
“It’s not that damn diverse. Don’t patronize me, Cyrus. Your investment had nothing to do with diversifying your portfolio. You wanted to destroy his life.”
He sat down and rested his hands on the cushioned arms of the chair. Leaning back, his expression turned indolent, uncaring. “Destroy his life? You’re being a bit melodramatic, aren’t you?”
“If anyone’s being dramatic, it’s you. Those were your words three years ago, remember? And you followed through. For no good reason, you had Roland dismissed from a company he founded.”
“Maybe he should have stayed away from you.” His tone grated on her nerves.
That was why no man within the entire city of Seattle would come near her or risk being seen with her. Not while she was still Cyrus Johnson’s wife. His power and influence was far reaching.
The Seattle social circle for the rich and famous was small, and every other single man her age—even those who were older—steered clear because of her ties to Cyrus. None of them wanted to risk his wrath—yet another reason she needed to be free of him.
As long as she remained his wife, she couldn’t get a date even if she paid for one. She’d dropped the Johnson part of her name after they separated, yet every article about her gallery described her as “the estranged wife of Cyrus Johnson, billionaire brewer and head of Johnson Enterprises.” As if the modifying phrase was a title attached to her name. She was inextricably tied to him, with no identity of her own.
“I can’t respect a man who goes back on his promise. What choice did I have?” He tried to look apologetic but failed miserably. She wasn’t even sure he was really trying. “What were you doing with him anyway?”
“I forgave him for what he did. Who knows, we may rekindle or relationship after you and I divorce.”
The comment had been meant to provoke him, but Cyrus chuckled knowingly. He didn’t believe a word she said. “You expect me to believe you’re going back to him? After being with me? Come on, Dani.”
She gritted her teeth at his egotism. “Why didn’t you take your revenge out on me?” Daniella leaned over the desk. “You had no right to hurt him. This is between you and me.”
“I disagree,” Cyrus said coolly. “I think any man who knowingly goes out with another man’s wife is being damned disrespectful. Not to mention Roland reneged on our original agreement.”
“One that was dishonest and deceitful,” she reminded.
“One that served his purpose at the time. He took the money.”