Rural Belle & Three Heirs by Harper Hall

Chapter 45 Disliking Michael

Michael was fuming. Hearing Karlie's voice, he spun around and snapped, "What are you doing here?"

"Mic, just hear me out," Karlie said, rushing over to him.

"Explain what? What's there to explain?" Michael shot back, clearly not in the mood.

Karlie tried to reason with him, "Mic, I told the reporters and friends for all our sakes."

"Oh really?" Michael raised an eyebrow, not buying it.

Karlie pressed on, "Mic, we've been killing it as a screen couple and raking in the cash. If we keep this up, the sky's the limit. I don't want Miss Davis messing that up. She's not in the industry, and going public would be a nightmare for her. She's better off behind the scenes."

Even though Karlie's explanation made sense, Michael wasn't having it.

Chloe, clearly enjoying the drama, chimed in, "I think Miss Taylor is handling things just fine. If I knew there'd be so many reporters at this lame party, I wouldn't have come with you. Michael, I'm here to make money, not to deal with drama." Chloe's indifferent attitude only added to Michael's frustration. What was Chloe getting at? Was she trying to distance herself from him? He had a one-in-three chance of becoming her husband. He didn't care about her looks, but she had the nerve to call him, a handsome guy, trouble? That was a first since he had joined the showbiz.

you keep nagging. Only Miss Taylor can put up with you. Anyone else would've smashed your head by now. You should try to get along with her. It's not easy finding a girlfriend

Chloe was her rival, always ready to compete for Michael. But

at Chloe and said, "Chloe, what do you want? Are

waved her hand and said, "No, I didn't mean to upset you. Didn't you

Michael and started

turned back to Karlie and said, "Miss Taylor, don't be mad. I'm just borrowing your boyfriend

was deliberately saying things to get under his skin.

wasn't

Karlie was much more reserved. She knew Chloe had serious financial clout, so she didn't dare act all high and

shook her head. "He's not some rare gem; not every

that marriage contract with the Martin

forcing me. If he was,

marry him because of the contract, so they weren't rivals. Since they weren't rivals, they could be friends, which would

honestly, "I think you can tell I have feelings for him. But he's a playboy, not easy to pin down. I've been trying