The Mischievous Mrs. Maxfield Read Online Free PDF

away.
     
    "Money can make hell seem like heaven, Ms. Samuels," he said and I halted in my steps. "When you're truly burning in it with no way out, maybe you'll appreciate the offer I'm making you."
     
    He walked around me and took a folded sheaf of papers from inside his jacket. "This is the contract. It's designed to protect both our interests. If you wish to consult your own lawyer, contact mine on the number listed so that you can procure the services of one at no charge and with a non-disclosure agreement that will protect me in case he decides to open his mouth."
     
    Despite myself, I took the papers but without glancing at them.
     
    "You have until Friday to decide," he said. "I'll meet you here at ten."
     
    "You're wasting time, you know," I said through gritted teeth. "You might fancy yourself persuasive but it's not going to work.'
     
    He suddenly grinned and for a moment, the sight of a smile stretching across his face and changing his stony but handsome profile caught me completely off guard.
     
    "Oh, you haven't seen me persuasive yet, Ms. Samuels," he said as he started walking backwards to to the door. "And let me warn you, I play dirty."
     
    And with that, he turned and walked back inside.
     
    I muttered a colorful string of curses under my breath before glancing at the sheaf of papers in my hand.
     
    I should just shred this and make a point that way, I told myself, kicking a stray pebble with my toe. 
     
    And what? Work yourself to death for ten years and possibly run into a sleazeball like Dustin again who won't settle for some harmless flirting? 
     
    I sighed and picked up the empty trash bin.
     
    The money-side of this argument was definitely gaining popularity, especially after what happened with Dustin. Incredibly, life with the arrogant and infuriating Brandon Maxfield seemed much more preferable than the prospect of letting other men grope and pet me for the sake of a few extra dollars here and there.
     
    I felt a rush of anger.
     
    I never once thought I'd stoop this low but the circumstances were out of my control. The man responsible for them was already buried six feet in the ground. My mother was just as dead to me.
     
    If there was a quick way out of this, it was Brandon's offer.
     
    My only worry was that in escaping this life, I might just imprison myself in a completely different one where I may not get so lucky a second time.

Chapter Three: The Inevitable
     
    By the time Friday came, I was already losing my mind.
     
    The notice of sale from the bank arrived and I had about three weeks before the house was to be auctioned off. I got the default notice about five months ago and I've dragged it on as much as I could. The mortage payments were too high and it was hard to keep up with it along with the insurance, property taxes and all the utilties. I wouldn't even get started on my other consumer debt.
     
    I went to the bank again to get another loan but considering I was only nineteen without much of a credit history or other collateral, they turned me down. I went to other loan agencies but the interests were so high they were almost criminal. I'd only bury myself deeper into debt if I signed up with any of them.
     
    I needed money and I needed it fast but my paycheck barely covered my personal expenses and if I had to move in three weeks, I needed the money to pay down an apartment if I didn't want to sleep on the streets.
     
    There's money to be had if you would just sign on the dotted line.
     
    Even though I was still stewing in indignation at Brandon's offer, I couldn't resist going over the contract.
     
    Reading it definitely made things seem very real—that marrying him and getting paid for it was not merely just an arbitrary idea. 
     
    The marriage would be real—and so would be the lies and the money.
     
    "Why can't just the prince come riding down in his white horse and rescue Cinderella because he couldn't live without her?" I muttered after I finally