Bye Loser! Love, Daddy's Heiress - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

I burst into the conference room like a storm, slamming a thick folder onto the polished table. The executives jumped, their shocked faces turning toward me—but I didn't give a damn.
"Lothario," I announced, voice sharp as a blade, "someone in this company has been feeding confidential intel to your competitors." His posture stiffened instantly. "Who?"
My glare locked onto the man sitting across from me—Harrison, one of his so-called trusted employees. "Him."
Harrison scoffed. "You've lost your mind."
Arms crossed, I smirked. "I've got proof." Flipping open the folder, I revealed a trail of damning evidence—emails, call logs, signed documents. "Months of leaks. That's why you've been losing bids. That's why every deal slips through your fingers."
Lothario's expression turned glacial as he scanned the pages. His grip tightened, crumpling the edges. "You betrayed me," he said, voice dangerously quiet.
Harrison paled. "I—I didn't—"
"Get out." Lothario's command was final.
Security hauled Harrison away, and when Lothario turned to me, his gaze was unreadable. "How did you find this?"
I shrugged. "I pay attention."
For just a second—just a flicker—I saw something in his eyes. Something like admiration.
"You're incredible," he murmured.
I flashed a grin. "I know."
And now… I let out a dry chuckle, shaking my head at my own naivety. Back then, I'd fought for him. Protected him. Sacrificed for him. And where had that left me? Betrayed. Discarded. Humiliated. I'd been the one holding his empire together when it was crumbling.
Now? I was the one burning it to the ground. I took another sip of wine, satisfaction curling in my chest.
"Laugh now, Lothario," I whispered to myself. "Let's see if you survive this without me."
Word had reached me—Lothario was drowning in liquor, haunted by the past he'd carelessly thrown away.
I should've felt nothing.
But when I heard he'd gone back to our old apartment—the place where he'd once made me feel like I belonged—something twisted inside me.
He'd been found there, drunk out of his mind, clutching the ultrasound report and hospital papers I'd thrown at his feet during his engagement party. My sources said he'd been slurring my name like a desperate man begging for salvation.
And yet, I wasn't moved.
He did this to himself.
Still, as I sat in my office reviewing reports, a dull ache settled in my chest. I buried myself in work, but no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept drifting back—to the way he'd once looked at me with something close to love, to the future I'd been stupid enough to believe in.
I clenched my jaw.
Lothario wasn't my problem anymore.
Then, as if the universe loved testing me, I started seeing him everywhere.
First, outside my office building. I stepped out with Taurus Sullivan at my side and spotted him leaning against his car across the street, watching me with those dark, unreadable eyes.
I ignored him.
Second, at my favorite café. I'd just taken a sip of espresso when I felt the weight of his stare. Glancing up, I found him a few tables away, pretending to read a newspaper but failing miserably at hiding the fact that his eyes were locked on me.
I ignored him again.
Third, he actually tried to approach me.
I was crossing the Anderson Corp lobby when I heard my name.
"Pearl."
I barely hesitated before continuing like I hadn't heard him.
"Pearl, wait." His voice was sharper this time.
I reached the elevator and stepped inside without a backward glance.
The doors closed in his face.
His persistence would've been funny if it weren't so pathetic.
Then came the high-society party.
The room glittered with the city's elite—power players, tycoons, the kind of people who thrived on influence. Taurus and I arrived together, as usual. He'd become my shadow at these events, not that I minded. His presence was… convenient. And watching Lothario's face twist with jealousy every time he saw Taurus at my side? That was just a bonus.
I was deep in conversation with investors when I felt it—the heat of his stare burning into me from across the room.
I didn't acknowledge him.
Instead, I laughed at something Taurus said, my hand resting lightly on his arm.
Lothario's glass nearly cracked in his grip.
The night wore on, and I thought he'd finally gotten the message.
But I should've known better.
Stepping onto the terrace for air, I heard footsteps behind me.
I exhaled. Of course.
"Pearl."
His voice was rough, almost pleading.
I smirked, taking a slow sip of champagne before turning. "I was wondering when you'd finally grow a spine."
His jaw clenched. "We need to talk."
I tilted my head. "Talk? About what?"
His eyes darkened. "You know damn well what."
I chuckled. "If this is about your company crumbling, I don't care enough to discuss it."
His fingers twitched like he wanted to reach for me but knew better.
"I need to know," he said, voice low. "Why did you—"
The terrace doors swung open, and Taurus stepped beside me, his presence radiating dominance. His hand settled on my waist, possessive but effortless, like he had every right to be there. "Problem, Pearl?"
I smiled. "Not at all. Just an old acquaintance who hasn't learned his place."
Lothario's fists balled. "Stay out of this, Sullivan."
Taurus laughed, the sound laced with warning. "I would, but you're bothering my woman. And I don't tolerate that."
Something feral flashed in Lothario's eyes.
Leaning into Taurus, I whispered just loud enough for Lothario to hear, "He used to be my dog. But I don't keep pets anymore."
Lothario's face went white.
Taurus smirked, his fingers tracing idle circles on my hip. "Good. I prefer being the only one you keep around."
I laughed, turning back to Lothario with icy amusement. "Run along now. You look pathetic."
His breath came heavy with rage, but he said nothing.
I didn't wait for him to.
With Taurus at my side, I walked away, leaving Lothario standing there—drowning in the wreckage of his own mistakes.