My Enemy's Daughter (Edited)

chapter 3(edited version)

❤️ Fiona's POV❤️

“Dad, do I really have to go with you?” I asked for what felt like the thousandth time during the car ride.

“Yes, I have a business deal with a new client, and I need you to be present,” he said sternly.

I love my dad, but I can't stand his attitude. He always gives orders in that hard, no-nonsense voice and resorts to yelling when things don’t go his way.

“But you can handle these things yourself,” I stated, trying to keep the peace.

“Yes, but this client is important,” Dad countered.

I rolled my eyes, frustrated. “I knew it!” I yelled suddenly. “You just want me to go with you to seduce him!”

I saw our driver, Drew, glance at us, his shock clear before he composed himself again.

Dad sighed. “I didn’t say that exactly.”

“I know you, Dad, and I’ve told you a hundred times: I’m not doing that for you anymore. I’m different now.”

He let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, come off that born-again nonsense. This is business. We don’t mix personal hobbies with work.”

I almost screamed in frustration. Last week, he called my faith a “desperate search for meaning,” and now it was a “hobby”? I had no idea how to explain to him that the old Fiona, the one who had manipulated his clients before she was even eighteen, was gone. She had died the day I gave my life to Christ.

I sighed deeply and turned to Drew. “Pull over.”

Dad turned to me, fury blazing in his eyes. “No! Keep driving!” he yelled at Drew before facing me again. “You’ll come with me, Fiona, or else—”

“Your threats don’t work on me anymore, Dad. Don’t try it,” I said firmly, glaring right back at him.

There was a tense pause before his expression softened. “Fine. Just come with me, please. You don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.”

I looked into his pleading eyes, and as usual, my resolve weakened. I was such a sucker.

“Alright, fine,” I muttered.

A few minutes later, we arrived at a massive skyscraper. I couldn’t help but stare in admiration.

“No wonder you’re chasing this client. This place screams money,” I said.

Dad dismissed my comment with a grunt. He hated admitting anyone was richer than him.

We got out of the car, and Dad marched toward the building like he owned it. The secretary quickly rushed over, looking flustered.

“I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t just walk in—”

“Do you know who you’re talking to?” Dad snapped.

Her face paled. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Bruckner. I didn’t recognize you.”

Dad glared at her, then turned on his heel, heading for the elevator. The poor secretary looked devastated.

I felt bad for her, so I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. He’s always like that,” I said softly.

She shot me a cold look, shrugged off my hand, and stormed away.

Well, so much for trying to be nice.

I hurried to catch up with Dad in the elevator. We rode in silence to the top floor, and I followed him into the office lobby. Surprisingly, Dad approached the secretary’s desk with a smirk.

“Good day,” he said, leaning on her desk. Was he seriously flirting?

“Good day, Mr. Bruckner,” she replied with a forced smile.

“You can call me Jake,” he said, flashing what he probably thought was a charming grin.

I wanted to crawl into a hole. Why was my dad like this?

The secretary ignored his attempt at being suave and turned to me. “And you are?”

Before I could speak, Dad cut in, “She’s my secretary.”

I shot him a sharp look. “I’m his general manager and legal advisor, Fiona Bruckner. I’m also his daughter, *right* Dad?”

Dad rolled his eyes. The secretary stifled a laugh, then spoke into her intercom. “Mr. Fox is expecting you. Please follow me.”

Dad waved her off. “I know where I’m going.”

The secretary, however, led us to the office anyway. I noticed she wasn’t wearing any shoes. Before I could ask, she shrugged and said, “It’s been a long day. Had to throw them away.”

Oh. I assumed they’d broken or something.

We entered the office, and I expected to see the usual—a tired old businessman looking for another deal. Instead, I was greeted by someone entirely different. Mr. Fox was… stunningly handsome. His sharp suit and no-nonsense expression gave him an air of power and authority, and he looked me over with an intensity that made me feel small.

For a moment, I was self-conscious, but I quickly pushed the feeling aside. I was a different person now—confident, strong. Still, there was something about his presence that left me off-balance.

Dad was speaking to Mr. Fox, exchanging pleasantries, but I was too busy fighting off inappropriate thoughts. What was wrong with me?

Mr. Fox reached out for a handshake, and I responded slowly, feeling a strange pull toward him. Before I could introduce myself, Dad did it for me.

As soon as Mr. Fox heard I was Jake’s daughter, his expression shifted—something hardened in his eyes. His withdrawal from the handshake was abrupt and left me feeling awkward.

The meeting began, with Dad and Mr. Fox discussing business while I scanned the room in silence. I hated meetings like this. Dad always treated me like I didn’t exist, and it was exhausting.

Suddenly, Mr. Fox turned to me. “What do you think, Miss Fiona?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “I think resources could be managed better,” I said, a little too bored.

His eyes narrowed, and I could tell he was intrigued. Dad, however, kicked me under the table.

“Tell me more,” Mr. Fox said, leaning back in his chair.

Ignoring Dad’s irritation, I grabbed the project plans and pointed out several redundancies. Mr. Fox seemed impressed, his focus entirely on me.

When I finished, he smiled, and I blushed, caught off guard by his approval. Was I… *blushing*?

The moment was short-lived, though. Dad cleared his throat, and Mr. Fox’s expression went cold again.

“Thank you for your input. We’ll revise the contract accordingly,” Mr. Fox said, his tone distant now.

As we left the office, I noticed a red heel sticking out of the trash can by his desk. I couldn’t help but wonder about the story behind it.

Dad was in a good mood on the ride home. “He’s hooked, Fiona. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you,” he said, laughing.

I just stared out the window, tuning him out. All I could think about was Mr. Fox. There was something about him… something I couldn’t shake.

Wednesday couldn’t come soon enough.