She Dressed Me Like Bait, Not Knowing the Shark Was My Brother Chapter 01

She Dressed Me Like Bait, Not Knowing the Shark Was My Brother Chapter 01

My boss had a nasty habit of tricking me into wearing tight, short skirts to serve drinks to sleazy clients. Then she’d drop hints that I was single and available, practically encouraging them to put their hands on me.

She called it a “character test” to see if they were worth doing business with.

Once the client took the bait, she’d burst in like a righteous avenger, throw a drink in his face, and then give me a tearful lecture, “Are that desperate for money? You’d throw away all your dignity for a sale?”

She loved stepping on my face to build up her own image as a classy, powerful woman.

This time, she’d specially prepared a gown with a neckline so low it was almost illegal. She was pushing me to toast a big-shot client with powerful connections, threatening to dock my perfect attendance bonus for three months if I refused.

But when I saw that familiar, cold face at the head of the table, I was the one who almost laughed.

If my brother saw me toasting in this outfit, the company would probably have my last name on it by tomorrow.

—

In the restroom, Emily Foster held out that skimpy, deep-V dress, looking at me like I was a lost cause. “Nicole, we’re counting on Mr. Hayes’s contract for next year’s bonus. Don’t you dare screw this up for us.”

Without waiting for an answer, she started pulling off my blazer and shoving the tacky dress into my arms. “You have to be a little flexible in business. You look so frumpy; how are you supposed to close a deal?”

The thing was almost see-through, like a piece of lingerie. She was dressed head-to-toe in a power suit, looking like a corporate queen, but she wanted me to play the cocktail waitress.

“Ms. Foster, the neckline is too low, and the skirt is too short. I’d be exposed if I sit down,” I stated flatly.

Emily just gave me a condescending smile, her voice dripping with manipulation. “What are you afraid of? I’ll be right there. We’re just testing his character. If Mr. Hayes is a decent guy, he won’t look. And if he is a creep, I’ll swoop in and protect you.”

Yeah, right. She always waited until their hands were practically on my thigh before she “swooped in.” And she was always the one who hinted to them that I was “fun” and “easy” first.

I wasn’t an idiot. I’d fallen for it twice. No more.

But since the client was my brother…

“Fine. I’ll wear it.” I took the dress and smiled.

She probably thought she’d finally broken me. Emily nodded, satisfied, and shoved me into a stall.

Through the door, I heard her sending a voice message, her tone barely a whisper.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Thornton. I’ve got Nicole toasting Mr. Hayes tonight. A man is still a man, right? The minute he makes a move, we’ll have leverage to squeeze his price, and I’ll look like a hero to the company.”

I laughed to myself. I just wanted to prove I could make it on my own. I moved out here to get some experience and handle my own rent.

Nobody ever taught me how to play office politics, so I’d just swallowed the crap to avoid getting stabbed in the back. But today…

I pulled out my phone and sent a message to my trusted contact. [Get ready for a show. Play along.]

He replied instantly, sending a single question mark.

The celebration was at the most exclusive hotel in the city, the Grand Pacific.

I walked into the private dining room. At the head of the table sat a man with an icy, intimidating aura.

My older brother, Jack Hayes. He’d left the family business years ago to make his own fortune.

The minute Emily walked in, she shoved me right in front of him.

“Mr. Hayes, this is Nicole from my team. She’s single, and she just totally admires your business genius. She’ll serve drinks tonight, so you just let her know if you need anything.”

She really emphasized the words “single” and “anything.”

With any other sleazy client, that would’ve been the signal to start groping.

“Go on, give Mr. Hayes a toast. Don’t just stand there like a dummy, show him what you’ve got.” She shoved a glass of red wine into my hand.

I walked toward the head of the table, holding the glass. My coworkers stared with a mix of pity and judgment.

When I got in front of Jack, he looked up. Our eyes met. His gaze stopped cold on my dress’s ridiculously low neckline.

Just for a second. But I saw the veins pop on the back of his hand holding his wine glass. I could almost hear his teeth grinding.

Before I could open my mouth, Jack stood up and shrugged off his suit jacket.

“Put this on.” His voice was low, barely containing his rage.

But Emily totally misread the gesture.

“Mr. Hayes, please! Have some decency!” She rushed over in a panic and pulled me behind her.

“Mr. Hayes, we’re here to talk business, not to entertain anyone! Nicole may be a junior employee, but she deserves respect! Just because you’re wealthy doesn’t mean you can lay a hand on her!”