Chapter 102

Derek POV

I found out the moment he smirked back at me from the crowd. I was meant to announce our new hotel opening in a few months. Instead, I left the podium as an engaged man. I should never have followed along with the madness.

"You wouldn't be the first rich man to have a mistress. It would be best to learn to handle your private business more discreetly. Just think about getting married to Madison—the kind of influence it would bring to you. Maybe I'd finally be able to respect you as a businessman. After that, you can sleep with whomever you want. Women like her know better than ever to expect men like you to be loyal." He smirked.

I laughed sarcastically. "Good thing I've never needed your permission to do anything. Even more so when it comes to my business," I answered.

He sighed theatrically. I knew his next words were about to be worse. "Do you intend on being this weak and pathetic for the rest of your life? Think about all the things you could achieve. Do you think y