Chapter 1254

Wilder: "Maybe Rhett really did have a personal emergency. Could it just be something private?"

Makiko: "Wilder, you're treating Rhett like he's actually a decent guy. He's never played by the rules. One day, he just up and leaves, drops all the company's projects without a word. Now that he's gone, how are we even supposed to keep things running?"

The three of them felt absolutely sick to their stomachs-like they'd just swallowed a fly by accident.

They sat together, brainstorming, but in the end, they had no choice but to reach out and see if any other tech folks could jump in and help out fast.

...

Josefina and Oliver found out while they were both working in Oliver's office.

His phone rang, and then, at the exact same moment, so did hers.

They both hung up, looking stunned.

"Rhett really quit," Josefina said, shaking her head, still not quite believing it.

Oliver said quietly, "I bet it was Mrs. Salisbury's decision."

That was all it took for Josefina to put the pieces together.

She called Sylvie, needing to know if the family had something to do with this. Sylvie didn't beat around the bush.

"My grandma heard Rhett was working at Wilder's company. She told him he needed to think about who he was up against and not go against the people who helped our family. I know your brother Reid started his own tech company, and Rhett working with his rival is basically going against you, too. Rhett isn't all bad—at least he knows when to stop. By the way, Josie, everyone in my family wants to thank you."

Josefina: "...Wait. Thank me?"

"Of course! If it weren't for you, my grandma never would've figured out what Rhett was really doing. You helped her see things clearly. That's all thanks to you."

Josefina almost burst out laughing. Rhett would lose his mind if he knew he was getting blamed for this.

He'd obviously never told the Salisburys about their rivalry.

And honestly, Josefina hadn't expected Rhett to actually listen to Kania, not in a million years.

"Sorry if I'm being nosy, but what's Rhett's connection to your family, exactly?"

"He's my grandma's friend's son. After he lost his own family, my grandma paid for his schooling and helped him start his business. He really listens to her-he's basically one of us now. When our family had some problems, my grandma told us not to tell Rhett because she was afraid he'd do something reckless."

Josefina: "Yeah, that does sound like him. He can be pretty impulsive."

"Josie, you've known Rhett a long time, haven't you?"

"I have," Josefina said, honest. "I know him better than most."

She stood up from the couch as she finished her sentence.

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed.

Oliver took her phone and ended the call.

"Oliver, I wasn't finished talking to Sylvie! That's so rude."

Oliver wrapped an arm around her waist, turning her to face him.

“Josie, you know Rhett pretty well, huh?" His eyes searched hers, intense and unblinking.

Josefina tried to step back, but Oliver's warm hand held her in place, leaving her nowhere to go.

"He's my nemesis. Know your

enemy win your battles, right? Ifet

didn't understand him how else could I beat him

Oliver's lips curled in a half-smile-he clearly wasn't buying it.

He pulled her even closer, his lips brushing hers his voice teasing and low, I know what it means to be in love and at war."