A Secretive Deal with My Billionaire Boss novel Chapter 338

Chapter 338

Alexander

“Madison made her choice,” I said finally. “I respected it.”

“Respect.” Anthony rolled the word around like he was tasting it. “That’s a first for you.”

I shot him a dark look.

+25 BONUS

“Hey, I’m just saying you’ve never been one to take rejection lying down. Remember that hostile takeover you orchestrated just because Jameson turned down your initial offer?” Anthony chuckled. “You don’t give up easily. So why give up on Madison?”

The question hung between us, demanding an answer I wasn’t ready to give.

“It’s different,” I said finally.

“Different how?”

“Madison isn’t a business deal.”

“No, she’s better,” Anthony countered. “She’s real, Alex. She cares about you, not your money, not your power. I’m not trying to tell you how to live your life. But as your friend, I have to point out that you’re making a mistake. Madison Harper is exactly what you need, someone genuine in a world full of people who only want what you can give them.”

“And Katherine isn’t genuine?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

Anthony’s expression hardened. “Katherine is exactly who she’s always been: selfish, ambitious, and willing to use anyone to get what she wants. Including you.”

I stared into my whiskey, unwilling to acknowledge the truth in his words.

“You know I’m right,” Anthony pressed. “Madison is the real deal. Don’t throw that away for whatever game Katherine’s playing.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“It absolutely is that simple.” Anthony leaned forward, his eyes intense. “Madison, good. Katherine, bad. See? Simple.”

Despite everything, I laughed. “When did you become such a relationship expert?”

“When I started dating someone with actual emotional intelligence.” He grinned. “Lyla’s rubbing off on me.”

“Clearly.” I took another sip of my drink. “But you’re oversimplifying.”

“Am I? It looks pretty straightforward. You were happy with Madison. Katherine showed up. Now you’re miserable but pretending not to be.” Anthony shrugged. “Doesn’t take a genius to connect those dots.”

I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it. Was he right? Had I let Katherine’s return affect my judgment?

Chapter 338

+25 BONUS

“It wasn’t working with Madison,” I said finally.

“Bullshit.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said bullshit.” Anthony’s eyes glinted with challenge. “It was working fine until Katherine appeared. Then suddenly it wasn’t ‘working‘? Come on, Alex.”

“Madison was uncomfortable with the arrangement.

“Arrangement.” Anthony snorted. “There’s that word again. What exactly was this ‘arrangement‘?”

I hesitated, reluctant to share the details.

“Let me guess,” Anthony continued. “Some kind of exclusive but temporary relationship with all the benefits and none of the commitment? Classic Alexander Knight move.”

His accuracy was unnerving. “Something like that.”

“And let me guess again, you never actually talked about feelings or where things might go beyond this‘ arrangement‘?”

I shifted uncomfortably. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Of course it wasn’t.” Anthony rolled his eyes. “Because God forbid Alexander Knight actually admit he has feelings for someone.”

“I care about Madison,” I admitted, surprising myself with the words. “She’s… different.”

“Different how?”

I thought about how to answer, how to explain the way Madison challenged me, surprised me, made me want to be better. How she didn’t back down from my moods or my demands. How she saw through my bullshit and called me on it.

“She sees me,” I said simply.

Anthony’s expression softened. “And that terrifies you, doesn’t it?”

I didn’t answer, but my silence was confirmation enough.

“Look,” Anthony said, his voice gentler than before. “I’ve known you a long time. I’ve seen you with countless women, models, actresses, and socialites. But I’ve never seen you look at anyone the way you look at Madison Harper.”

“I don’t look at her any particular way,” I protested.

“Yes, you do.” Anthony smiled. “Like she’s a puzzle you can’t quite figure out. Like you’re afraid she might disappear if you blink. Like she matters.”

“She’s an employee.”

2/4

Chapter 338

+25 BONUS

“She’s more than that, and you know it.” Anthony leaned back. “The question is, what are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing,” I said firmly. “She made her choice. I respect that.”

“Respect.” Anthony chuckled. “Since when did Alexander Knight start respecting other people’s choices when they conflict with what he wants?”

“People change.”

“Not that much.” Anthony drained his glass. “So, what’s the real reason you’re letting her go without a fight? Are you afraid?”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify