CEO’s Surrender With You I Can Never Win

Chapter 10

Finley looked at Bryan like a deer in headlights.

"Your... preference?" She squeaked out.

"But... But those were rumors..."

Bryan smirked at the young woman's dumbfounded look.

"Didn't you hear? There's no smoke without fire."

After dropping that bomb on his new wife, Bryan turned to leave.

"It's too late for regret now," Bryan said as he opened the door and left.

The sound of the door closing snapped Finley back to her senses and she exploded.

"Bryan Turner! Get back here! I don't care if you like men! We had a deal!"

Scrambling out of bed, she ran to the door and yanked it open. She stomped to where she saw Bryan disappeared to. Only to stop short when she heard his order his assistant to send some men to his place.. For a moment, Finley felt what it was like to be tricked by the big bad wolf.

Did he agree to this marriage just to get her secret recipe? That must be it!

"D*mn you, Bryan Turner!" Finley roared and stomped back to the bedroom, slamming the door shut in a fit of anger.

Bryan stared at the door of his study when he heard his wife curse him and storm off.

Harry stared at his Boss, convinced that the man had completely lost his mind.

"Sir, did you mean what you said?"

Bryan glared at his assistant, "What do you think?"

"Sir?"

Harry felt like banging his head on the wall.

"Do you want them? You can have them."

"No, thank you, Sir. I don't lean that way..." He trailed off when he caught the Boss's meaning.

Inside, Harry was complaining. "I'm not paid enough for this! What kind of game is Boss playing at now!"

It was destined to be a sleepless night for the inhabitants of Turner Mansion.

Early the next morning, a loud voice jerked Finley from a fitful sleep.

"Miss Keith! Why are you sleeping here?"

Before Finley was fully awake, the panicked voice of Kate the housekeeper flooded her ears. "Don't you know that Mr. Turner has severe mysophobia? The last woman who attempted to crawl into his bed was tossed out onto the streets. Just keep your head down and work diligently. Otherwise, you won't even know how you died. Forget the boss, I can introduce you to others..." Finley half-listened to Kate's well- meaning warnings as she was dragged out of bed and stuffed into a nearby guest room.

She smiled helplessly. It was too late, she was already married to the boss.

Sighing, she put the matter out of her mind. There were more important things to do than mope around.

It was time for the Annual Frangrance Competition.

This year, the finals were held in the Capital City. Thus, perfumers from all over the world had their eyes on the city, waiting to see who would walk away with the coveted golden trophy.

It wasn't just the monetary value of the trophy the contestants were after. It was the fame and prestige that came with it. As well as the admission into the elite circles one could only dream of glimpsing.

This year, many had their hopes pinned on Tricia, heir and head perfumer of the Keith group. With her wealthy background and good looks, it was easy to assume that she would be the champion. At least, that was what those who were flattering her thought.

"Tricia, I'm sure you will win today! You're so talented!"

"That's right! Don't forget about us little people when you reach the top, okay?"

"Stop it, I'm just average. There might be someone better than I here." Tricia replied that way but inside she was already smug. She was the future Mrs. Turner! Those judges will have to bow to her whims if they wanted to continue surviving in an industry dominated by the Turner family.

"Hey, someone is missing." A contestant suddenly said.

"Hm?" Her friend answered, "Oh, could it be your sister, Tricia? I heard she participated too."

"Shh... Didn't you hear? Tricia's sister is an idiot who doesn't know her limits. She was eliminated in the first round."

"Oh... Sorry."

However, the damage was done. Tricia's good mood from earlier had disappeared. Especially when she remembered the harsh lesson she learned. Her head still had a huge bruise from the coffin lid! Tricia knew too that the contestant was wrong. That b*tch could have competed in the finals against her!

If she hadn't had the foresight to sabotage Finley's entry, that brat would have had a shot at being champion. "Enough about that piece of trash! The latecomer is Lemon!"

"Lemon? Really? You're not joking? I love the summer scent she created last year..." The girl trailed off when she saw Tricia's expression turn ugly and hurriedly added, "But pay her no mind, she still is far inferior to you, Tricia."

However, someone in the crowd whispered to her companion, "That may not be true. I heard that Lemon joined the competition just by submitting a recipe and was directly invited to the finals. She may be this year's dark horse..."

"I know. Lemon may not have released many scents but any scent she releases will be sold out almost immediately."

Before Tricia could explode at the hushed comments, an uproar near the entrance caught her attention.

Under the escort of many muscular bodyguards, the man of her dreams walked in.

Dressed in a dark suit, the handsome man strode in like a king His cold and indifferent face only added to the allure of the forbidden.

Bryan hid the annoyance growing in his heart the moment he walked into the competition venue and felt the infatuated, scheming gazes of the people there.

Tricia daydreamed as she watched Bryan walk past. Proudly, she thought to herself, "That is MY future husband. Once we are married, I would be by his side..." An announcement cut through her reverie.

"Contestant number 701, are you here? Please check in with any of our staff. I repeat..."

Whispers started once again among the other contestants.

"Isn't that Lemon's number? She isn't here yet?"

"If she doesn't turn up before the host makes his announcement, that means she's forfeited."

Tricia silently prayed that Lemon would fall into a hole and never show up.

"Sorry, I'm late!"

A loud sweet voice called out from the open doorway just as the host was about to declare the start of the competition.

"I'm contestant number 701."

Bryan stared right at the young lady that walked through the door.

What was she doing here?

Then he took in the figure-hugging black dress she was wearing and scowled.

Feeling the man's burning gaze on her, Finley turned her head and flashed a smile. "Hi, Hubby!"