In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 310

"I don't know why you felt the need to wait, Maria." As if she didn't know. Maria was hoping to score points off her in front of Alexei. The woman was so predictable.

Alexei rose immediately, moving to pull out the chair beside him. "Good morning," he murmured, his hand briefly touching the small of her back as she sat.

It was a simple gesture, but Keira felt Maria's sharp gaze tracking every movement. She could practically feel the other woman's jealousy radiating across the table. And green was not a good color on her.

"I was just telling Alexei how excited you must be about tonight's announcement," Maria continued, "It's so romantic, isn't it? A fairy tale come to life."

The words dripped with false enthusiasm, and Keira caught the subtle emphasis on 'fairy tale'—as if their engagement was nothing more than a pretty story.

Keira felt like laughing. That was not what she said yesterday—the lying bitch. Did Maria really think she would keep everything to herself and suffer in silence? She was not weak, and she did not suffer in silence period… If she was upset, then everyone knew about it.

"Indeed," Keira replied evenly, reaching for her coffee cup. "Though I've always preferred stories with a bit more substance than your typical fairy tale."

Maria leaned towards Alexei placing her hand on the table right next to his. "Oh? And what kind of substance would that be?"

"The kind where the woman doesn't need rescuing," Keira said, meeting Maria's gaze directly. "Where she's capable of fighting her own battles and making her own choices. A couple should be equal, or the woman just comes off as one dimensional. Don't you think?" She allowed Alexei control in the bedroom, and she will never overstep him in front of his people.

Alexei's lips twitched with what might have been amusement, but he said nothing. He was letting her handle this on her own, which she appreciated.

"How very... modern of you, very American." Maria said, her tone suggesting that 'modern' was somehow distasteful. "Though I suppose when one comes from such a different background, traditional values might seem foreign."

The dig was subtle but unmistakable. Keira set down her coffee cup, her voice remaining perfectly pleasant. "You're absolutely right, Maria. I do come from a different background. One where we're taught to earn our place through merit rather than birthright."

"Merit," Maria repeated, her voice sharpening slightly. "How fascinating. And what exactly are your merits, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Understand what? That you think I'm beneath this family? That you believe I seduced Alexei for his title?" Keira leaned forward slightly. "Because if that's what you think, just say it for Alexei to hear… And frankly, you couldn't be more wrong… If anything, his title is the last thing I want. I just want him."

Maria's mouth opened and closed. Clearly, she hadn't expected Keira to call her out so bluntly.

"I... I never said—"

"Every word out of your mouth since yesterday has been designed to make me feel unwelcome and inadequate." Keira's voice remained calm, but there was steel underneath. "The question is, why do you care so much about who Alexei chooses to be with?" Keira felt like laughing. This woman wanted to play games. She had chosen the wrong person to play her games with.

"I care about this family's reputation—" Maria looked towards Alexei as if expecting him to step in and save her.

"Bullshit. Let's be honest here Maria. You care because you wanted him for yourself, and now you're pissed that he chose someone else.