Ruining my Billionaire High School Bully

I stood in the glass elevator, watching my reflection grow smaller as the city below me shrank. There I was-Madison Taylor, no longer the awkward girl with too-big sweaters and a heart too soft for her own good. No longer the girl who flinched at the sound of his name. Now, I was confident, collected, and ready to face whatever lay on the other side of those doors. Even him.

Ethan King.

I hadn't seen him in almost a decade. The last time we were in the same room, I'd been holding back tears as he and his friends laughed at my expense. High school had been its own kind of battlefield, and Ethan had been the king, both literally and figuratively. He'd ruled the halls with his charm, his looks, and his cruel words, cutting me down without ever giving it a second thought.

But that was years ago. I wasn't that girl anymore. And he? Well, he was the CEO of a billion-dollar company. King Enterprises. I clenched my jaw at the irony of the name. How fitting.

The elevator dinged, jolting me from my thoughts. The doors slid open, and I stepped out into a sleek, modern office floor-marble, chrome, glass everywhere. It was intimidating in its own way, but I held my head high, striding forward like I belonged here. Like I was meant to face him again.

"Can I help you?" the receptionist asked, looking up from her computer.

"I have an appointment with Ethan King," I said, my voice steady, cool.

She nodded and picked up the phone. "Ms. Taylor is here."

Ms. Taylor. I almost smiled at how different that sounded compared to what he used to call me. "Maddy the Mouse," or some other demeaning nickname that made me feel like nothing. But today, I wasn't that girl. Today, I was Madison Taylor, here for business.

"Mr. King will see you now," she said, standing to lead me down the long hallway toward his office.

Each step felt heavier than the last. My pulse quickened, my hand tightening around the folder I held like it was a lifeline. I could do this. I had to do this. After all, this meeting wasn't just about the job. It was about confronting my past-and maybe rewriting it.

The receptionist knocked once, then opened the large wooden door.

A petite blonde lady scurried out, hair disheveled and her heels in her hands.

She shot me a warning glare before getting into the elevator.

I stepped inside and admired the exquisite ambiance.

And there he was.

Ethan King.

The man who had once made my life unbearable.

He stood by the window, tall, broad-shouldered, and every bit as infuriatingly handsome as he had been in high school. His suit was tailored to perfection, of course, and when he turned around, his eyes-the same green eyes that had once narrowed in disdain every time they landed on me-locked onto mine.

For a brief moment, I felt the weight of all those old insecurities, the memories of his laughter at my expense crashing down on me. But I didn't falter. I couldn't.

"Madison Taylor," he said, his voice smooth but edged with something I couldn't place. He seemed... surprised. Good. Let him be.

"Ethan King," I replied, my tone as professional as I could manage, even though my heart was pounding. I could tell from the way his gaze lingered that he was taking in the difference. I wasn't the shy, vulnerable girl he remembered. And I wasn't here for small talk.

"Have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.

I didn't move right away. I wanted him to feel the weight of this moment-how much power I now held. I took my time, walking to the chair and sitting down, placing my folder on the desk between us.

"You look different Maddy the-" he said before I interrupted him.

"Don't even dare" I spat, shooting him a warning glare.

He looked taken aback but he quickly regained his composure.

"I looked through your resume and you're quite accomplished" he said as he swiped through his tablet.

"Thank you" I mouthed.

"Unfortunately, I don't think you're qualified to work in King's Enterprise" he said dismissively.

I needed this job. I had worked hard to make sure I met every single requirement.

How could he just sit there and judge my qualification by glancing at a piece of paper?

"No" I said firmly.

He looked up at me with confusion in his eyes.

"Excuse me?" He asked with a raised brow..

"No, I am over qualified for the job and your company needs me" I said confidently..

"You have no reason to deny me employment" I declared.

"I'm sorry Miss Taylor, I can't hire you" he said indifference obvious in his voice.

"No" I replied.

"I don't want to be tempted to call security to kick you out" I said, his eyes locked on mine.

"Call them then" I said calmly.

"Madison" he said, trying to warn me.

"I'm sure everyone would love to know the kind of man you actually are" I rolled my eyes.

"What do you mean?" He asked, his tone rising in anger.

"You're a sick bully and I'm sure everyone would love to know that side of you" I retorted.

"Madison" he warned.

I shrugged and gave him a small smile,"Balls in your court"...

I grabbed my purse and snatched my resume from his hands.

As I headed towards the door, I turned back and caught a small look of confusion and shock on his face.

It was satisfying. He was a vile human being and he deserved to be mistreated.

"Did you forget something?" He asked as soon as his eyes caught mine.

"No" I chuckled, "See you Monday morning Mr King"....

Monday morning arrived faster than I expected. I spent the weekend mentally preparing, telling myself over and over that I was more than ready to face Ethan King again. After all, I'd walked out of his office on Friday with the upper hand-something I'd been waiting years to have. Now, it was time to follow through.

I stepped out of the cab in front of King Enterprises, the sun casting a golden glow on the towering glass structure. The building seemed even more intimidating than before, but I wasn't going to let it rattle me. Not today.

I walked through the grand lobby, the sound of my heels clicking against the marble floors echoing in the vast space. I could feel the eyes of the other employees as they passed by, but I didn't falter. I kept my head high and made my way to the elevator, determined to make my presence known without saying a word.

As I waited for the elevator, the soft chime signaling its arrival, I couldn't help but think of what Ethan must be feeling now. He'd tried to get rid of me, to deny me the job, but here I was, about to start working under his nose.

I stepped into the elevator, my finger hovering over the button for the floor where my new office awaited. Just as the doors began to close, I heard his voice behind me.

"Madison!"

I froze, my heart rate spiking at the sound of my name on his lips. I quickly pressed the button to close the doors, but nothing happened. They stayed open, mocking my attempt at escape.

"Hold it!" he called out, his footsteps quickening as he made his way down the hall toward me. I kept jabbing the button, willing the doors to close, but the elevator seemed to have other ideas.

Of course.

Ethan slid into the elevator just as the doors finally started to close, his presence filling the small space. He was wearing another impeccably tailored suit, and I could feel his gaze on me, but I refused to look at him. Instead, I kept my eyes straight ahead, willing the ride to be over as quickly as possible.

"Good morning, Miss Taylor," he said, his voice dripping with forced politeness. There was an edge to it, though-a hint of frustration that he couldn't quite hide.

I didn't reply.

I could feel the tension between us thickening with every second that passed. He had wanted me gone, and yet here I was, standing beside him, the silent reminder that he no longer had control over me.

"I see you didn't waste any time getting comfortable," he continued when I didn't respond, his tone sharper now.

I finally turned to look at him, meeting his piercing green eyes with an unwavering stare. "I told you I'd see you on Monday," I said coolly.

His jaw clenched. "Don't get too comfortable, Madison. This isn't high school anymore. I'm not the same person you used to know."

I raised an eyebrow. "Neither am I."

For a moment, we simply stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills. The tension in the small space was palpable, and I could sense the anger simmering just beneath the surface of his calm exterior.

The elevator dinged as it reached my floor, the doors sliding open with a soft hiss. I stepped forward without a word, determined not to let him get the last one.

But just as I was about to walk out, his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist gently but firmly.

"Madison," he said, his voice low, his eyes searching mine. "I just wanted to say.....you look....beautiful " he stammered, forcing a smile

I looked down at his hand, then back up at him, my expression unreadable. "Thanks" I replied softly.

I pulled my wrist free and walked out of the elevator, my heart racing but my steps steady.

Ethan followed closely behind me till we got into the conference room, his footsteps a constant reminder of his presence. I could feel his eyes on my back, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of turning around. The room was already filled with staff members seated around the long, polished table. As soon as we entered, the low hum of conversation quieted, and all eyes shifted toward us.

The blonde woman from Friday-his secretary or assistant, I assumed-was seated in the chair directly beside his. Her grin was wide, a little too eager, as she adjusted her scarf to reveal more of her chest. I suppressed a groan. She was clearly playing up her role, attempting to garner his attention in a way that made my skin crawl.

Without hesitation, I moved to an empty seat at the far end of the table, as far from Ethan and his sycophantic assistant as possible. I sat down, keeping my posture straight and my expression neutral, but inside, I could feel the tension building.

Ethan made his way to his seat at the head of the table, murmuring a low "Good morning" to the room. The staff responded in unison, though the energy in the air was stiff, almost robotic. His presence clearly commanded the room, whether by respect or fear, I wasn't sure.

He cleared his throat, signaling the start of the meeting. "I'd like to begin with the financial report for this month."

The blonde woman, wasting no time, darted up from her seat, practically lunging toward the documents held by the woman seated next to me. She grabbed them in a rush, her movements exaggerated as if trying to impress everyone with her eagerness. I rolled my eyes, watching her bounce back toward Ethan, her high heels clicking sharply on the floor.

As Ethan flipped through the report, the blonde hovered over him, too close for comfort. I saw her lean in, her chest brushing against his shoulder with each subtle shift of her body. My stomach twisted in disgust as I glanced around the room, wondering if anyone else noticed. But no one seemed fazed. It was as though they were used to this kind of behavior.

Ethan, however, seemed indifferent. His face remained stoic, focused on the report in front of him. After a few moments, he looked up and shot her a stern glance.

"Take your seat," he ordered, his voice firm but controlled.

Her face flushed as she quickly retreated to her chair, clearly embarrassed but trying to mask it with a forced smile. The room fell into an awkward silence, but it was soon broken when Ethan spoke again-this time addressing me.

"Madison," he said, his voice cutting through the quiet. My name on his lips sent a jolt of surprise through me, and I looked up, meeting his eyes.

"Yes Sir?" I responded, my tone sharper than intended, but I wasn't about to let him catch me off guard.

"Stand up," he instructed calmly.

A wave of tension rolled through the room, and I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze shift toward me. My heart raced, but I stood slowly, refusing to show any sign of nerves.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes assessing me carefully. "I'd like you to introduce yourself to the rest of the team"

My brows furrowed. I hadn't expected this. Why was he putting me on the spot like this? And more importantly, what was he trying to accomplish?

I cleared my throat, pushing down the knot of anxiety rising in my chest. "My name is Madison Taylor. I've worked with top firms and helped them streamline operations and improve profitability. I'm here to bring that expertise to King Enterprises."

Ethan nodded, but there was a flicker of something in his expression-a challenge, perhaps, or maybe a hint of amusement. "Good," he said, leaning forward slightly. "Madison will be heading our regional operations from now on "

His words were carefully chosen, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this was some kind of game to him. A way to test me, to see if I would crack under the pressure.

The blonde woman, now seated and glaring at me with thinly veiled disdain, shifted in her chair, clearly irritated that I was being given attention that she clearly craved.

"Anything else?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, meeting Ethan's gaze head-on.

He smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yes. Samantha, please switch seats with Ms Taylor" he said turning his attention to the blonde lady who now looked like she had seen a ghost.

"I'm perfectly fine here" I intercepted.

"You belong here with the other managers" he said firmly.

I nodded and packed up my things before heading to my new seat.

Samantha glared at me, her anger visible. After much hesitation, she stood up and grumbled as she made her way to the back.

"Welcome aboard Madison" the man seated beside me said with a smile.

I smiled and mouthed a small thank you.

The meeting swung into full action and Ethan began to address the issues with the company's finances.

The meeting stretched for several long hours and due to lack of briefing, I began to feel lost and my frustration became quite visible.

"Madison" Ethan said, tapping the desk.

I looked up at him.

"You look confused" he said coldly.

"Not really" I muttered.

"Good" he said, "I was beginning to doubt if you could handle the position".

My heart dropped.

Was his plan to berate me in front of his staff.

"I am fine Mr King" I said firmly.

He scoffed and turned back to the document he had in his hands.

After several long painful hours, the meeting finally came to an end.

Once Ethan was out, everyone else hurriedly packed up to return to their offices.

I stayed behind, carefully navigating the piles of documents Ethan had assigned to me.

"Maddy the Mouse" a feminine voice said behind me.

I turned around and found Samantha starring over my shoulder.

"What did you call me?" I asked.

"You haven't changed one bit. Still the same pathetic quivering mouse you have always been" she spat.

"Excuse me?" I asked, my voice rising in anger.

"You will never be able to come between Ethan and I. We've been together since high school, we're meant for each other" she said, inching closer to me.

It finally struck me. She was Samantha Smith. The head cheerleader and meanest girl ever.

"I promise you, I am only here to work. I don't want Ethan" I said, turning back to my work.

She spun my chair around and stepped closer to me. Her perfume filled my nostrils and the air was so dense I could hardly breathe.

"If I ever find out you're messing with him, trust me, you wouldn't live to tell the story" she whispered in my ear before dumping my files on my lap and walking away....

Working at King's Enterprises had been hell. Ethan had been assigning me more work each day, clearly doing it just to piss me off. No one in the office seemed surprised at the workload piling up on my desk. In fact, the staff seemed to avoid eye contact with me altogether, as if associating with me would make them targets of his wrath as well. It was almost seven p.m., and I was still sitting in my office, trying to get through the never-ending stack of documents Ethan had sent over earlier in the day.

My eyes burned from staring at the computer screen for hours. The office was quiet now, most people having left an hour ago. I sighed heavily, rubbing my temples in an attempt to ward off the headache that had been building all day.

A soft knock on my office door broke the silence, and I looked up to see Ethan standing there, his expression unreadable. "What are you still doing here?" he asked, his voice low but with that edge of authority he never seemed to lose.

I rolled my eyes. "What does it look like?" I pointed to the mountain of documents stacked on my desk. "You've been burying me in work all day, so I'm trying to finish it."

He stepped further into the office, his gaze shifting from the papers to me. "It's late. You should stop working and go home."

I almost laughed. "I'm fine, really. I'll finish up soon."

"No," he said, more firmly this time. "Close up. Now. You'll finish it tomorrow."

I stared at him for a moment, wondering what had brought on this sudden concern for my well-being. But I was too exhausted to argue. With a sigh, I closed the binder I'd been working on, grabbed my laptop, and slung my bag over my shoulder.

Ethan moved to hold the door open for me, and we walked out together. The office was eerily quiet, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing through the empty halls. We headed to the elevator in silence, the tension between us palpable but unspoken.

As we rode down to the ground floor, Ethan finally broke the silence. "Am I going to see you tonight?" he asked, his tone casual but his words heavy with something else-something I couldn't quite place.

I frowned, confused. "Why would you?"

He glanced at me, the corner of his mouth twitching with a faint smirk. "You didn't hear? There's a fall party tonight. Happens every year."

I blinked. "No one told me."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, looking amused. "Samantha didn't send a memo to you?"

I bit the inside of my cheek, remembering the way Samantha had sneered at me days ago. "No, she didn't."

"Well, consider yourself informed now," Ethan said with a shrug. "You should come. It's a good opportunity to meet more of the team. Plus, it's... tradition."

I hesitated, not entirely sure if I wanted to spend more time around him-or Samantha, for that matter-outside of work. But part of me knew I couldn't just avoid these events if I wanted to be taken seriously here. This was more than just a job-it was a chance to prove myself, to show that I could thrive even under the pressure Ethan seemed determined to put me through.

"I'll think about it," I said finally, my tone noncommittal.

Ethan nodded, though I could tell by the look in his eyes that he wasn't convinced. The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped out into the lobby. He paused for a moment, watching me as I adjusted my bag on my shoulder.

"I'll see you there," he said, his voice soft but firm, as if it wasn't up for debate. Then, without waiting for my response, he turned and walked toward the parking garage, leaving me standing in the empty lobby.

---

Later that evening, I found myself standing in front of my closet, staring blankly at the rows of clothes. Why did I care about this stupid party? I could just stay home, relax, and avoid the inevitable awkward encounters with Ethan or Samantha. But something inside me-maybe it was pride, or maybe it was just stubbornness-pushed me to go. I wasn't going to let them think they could intimidate me, not in the office and certainly not at a social event.

After much deliberation, I settled on a sleek black dress that wasn't too flashy but still made a statement. I paired it with simple jewelry and heels, taking one last look in the mirror before heading out the door.

The party was being held at an upscale rooftop bar downtown, and by the time I arrived, the place was buzzing with people from the office. I spotted a few familiar faces, including some of the senior managers, but my eyes were immediately drawn to Ethan, standing near the bar with a drink in his hand. He was talking to a group of colleagues, but his gaze flicked toward me the moment I walked in.

I could feel the heat of his eyes on me as I made my way to the bar. I ordered a drink and tried to blend in with the crowd, but it wasn't long before Ethan appeared at my side.

"You made it," he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

I took a sip of my drink before responding. "I did."

He glanced around the room, then back at me. "Enjoying yourself?"

"I just got here," I replied coolly, keeping my tone neutral.

Ethan smiled, but it was the kind of smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Good. Because I'd hate for you to feel out of place."

I raised an eyebrow, sensing the underlying challenge in his words. "I can handle myself just fine."

He tilted his head slightly, studying me with that same piercing gaze he always seemed to have. "We'll see."

Before I could respond, Samantha appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. She looped her arm through Ethan's, her smile bright but her eyes cold as they landed on me.

"Well, isn't this cozy?" she said, her tone dripping with false sweetness.

"Samantha," I greeted, my voice flat. I wasn't in the mood for her games tonight.

She leaned closer to Ethan, pressing herself against him in a way that made me want to gag. "I hope you're enjoying the party, Madison. It's always such a great way to... get to know everyone better."

Her meaning was clear, and I could feel the tension between us rising. I wasn't about to let her get under my skin, though.

"Absolutely," I said, giving her a tight smile. "I'm sure I'll get to know everyone... including you."

Samantha's smile faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered. "Of course. After all, we go way back, don't we, Maddy?"

My stomach twisted at the use of the nickname she'd used to mock me in high school, but I kept my composure. "Yes," I said, my voice calm but firm.

Ethan watched the exchange in silence, his expression unreadable, but I could see the obvious irritation in his eyes.

"We should get more drinks" he said, interrupting I and Samantha's weird conversation.

"Yes" Samantha said clapping her hands gleefully.

"I don't know if Maddy can handle the alcohol " she sneered.

"I'll be alright" I said coolly.

Ethan ordered some shots and a bottle of champagne and we began drinking.

We took several rounds of vodka and my throat had began to burn but I was determined to not look like a kill joy.

I pushed through and downed the content of my glass.

I was beginning to feel slow and tipsy and the alcohol seemed to make Samantha even more obnoxious.

"Are you alright?" Ethan asked.

I nodded, unable to find words to describe how I was feeling.

"Do you want to see something cool?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Come with me" he said, pulling my arm.

"Where are you off to?" Samantha asked.

"Madison is wasted, I want to make sure she gets home safely" Ethan replied as we made our way to the elevator.

"Why did you lie to her?" I asked as soon as we were inside the elevator.

"I didn't want her to come with" he laughed.

The elevator finally came to a halt and Ethan led the way to a room. He had reserved a suite in the hotel and as much as I wanted to run back to the party, I was too curious to know what he wanted to show me.

We arrived at the door and he swiped his card, granting us access to the large room.

"Come" he said, signalling to me.

He led the way to the balcony which had an amazing view of the city.

"Wow!" I whispered under my breath.

"Seattle is beautiful from up here" he sighed as we took in the view.

I nodded in agreement.

"You know what else looks beautiful tonight?" He said softly.

"If you say me, I'm going to punch you in the face" I said firmly.

"God no! I was talking about the river !" He laughed.

I chuckled in embarrassment.

"But you do look beautiful" he said tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ears.

"What changed Maddy?" He asked.

"Please do not call me Maddy" I frowned.

"I'm sorry" he laughed.

"Would you let me kiss you?" He asked with a straight face.

And without waiting for a response, his lips crashed into mine.

His kiss was fierce and overwhelming and my breath was caught in my throat.

His soft hand gently wrapped round my neck, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss.

I finally gave in and granted him access into my mouth.

His lips tasted of wine and a hint of vodka.

His mouth made its way to my neck, gently sucking and leaving hickeys around my pale skin.

He finally pulled away and stared down at me, his 6ft frame towering above me.

Our eyes locked and his lips were red and swollen.

"The things I want to do to you Miss Taylor" he said biting his bottom lip.

It must have been the alcohol but the words that spilled out of my mouth were beyond my control.

"What did you say?" He asked, inching closer to me.

"Do whatever you want to me".....