Julia~It had been two days since she came to Ryan’s hideout. Her complexion had improved; she was drinking less now, more awake than she had been in weeks. And that was because, first, she’d cleared her debt to Adele’s lawyers. Second, she and Ryan were back together. And third, he had promised to marry her, leave the country, and start afresh abroad if things got out of hand. It meant her children would finally have their father.As for Roman, she'd set him free. Julia was all smiles, humming softly as she set the table for dinner, a transparent lace robe draped over red lingerie. Her hair was gathered into a messy bun, loose strands framing her glowing face – she'd prepped herself for Ryan's return. After eating the meal, he'd eat her too. Just then, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, her smile deepened. She answered the call, grabbing the fruit plate on the table and heading for the living room. “Ma’am, I’m calling to inform you that our application for the World Fashion Gal
Ryan~Thirty billion.She was willing to give him thirty billion. At first, it felt suspicious. Knowing the kind of person Adele had become, watching her grow sharper and wiser, seeing her dine with the likes of her mother-in-law, and even the First Lady begging for a day with her, he knew she wasn't the same Adele he used to know. She had become refined, strategic, and unpredictable. There was no way she would hand him thirty billion without a reason.If she had said she wanted to help him because she believed in him, or that his company was worth saving, or any of those obvious lies people told when pretending to care, he would have immediately known she was scheming against him. But when she hinted that she wanted him back, that she wasn’t happy in her marriage, he believed her.It made sense.He already knew she wouldn’t be happy as a West. Adele wasn’t built for that kind of world. She might have developed some courage in the last few months, but not enough to survive the icy per
Adele~ His eyes widened. “T–thirty… billion?” I shrugged lightly, pretending to think it over. “Well, you said temporary loan, right? I’m assuming you need something substantial enough to shake the board’s doubts. Or am I wrong?” He blinked rapidly, like a man trying to decide if he’d just been handed salvation or poison. “N-no, you’re right. That would be more than enough,” he said quickly, his voice trembling with hope and disbelief. “Adele, that would save everything.” “Would it?” I asked softly, still swirling the water in my glass. “Because saving everything and you are two very different things.” His smile faltered a little. “What do you mean?” I met his gaze and smiled slowly, sweetly, dangerously. “You said you wanted to rebuild, right? Then maybe it’s time you rebuilt without breaking anyone else in the process.” He frowned. “I don’t understand.” Of course he didn’t. Ryan was the kind of man who only ever understood when the blade was already halfway through. “Tell m
Ryan's jaw tightened. “He never forgave me for having an affair with Julia. He was only waiting for the right time to strike.” That's what you get for sleeping with your friend's wife. I mused. Anyway, I'd set the fire that consumed their friendship. How giddy! But the bastard forgot to add that Roman wasn't Sophia's father. But why would he, when he probably didn't realize that just like me, Roman found out too. Still, I tilted my head with soft sympathy, even lowered my lashes a little. “Oh, Ryan… that must’ve been devastating.” He sighed heavily, rubbing his temple. “You have no idea. It’s been hell. I’ve lost investors, credibility, everything. The board’s on my neck. I’m drowning, Adele. I thought—” He paused, his gaze lifting to me with that familiar mix of arrogance and helplessness. “I thought maybe you could help me. You’ve always believed in me.” Hmmm… I thought I'd die and be buried before we finally reach here. I smiled faintly, leaning back. “Help you?” He nod
Adele ~ “Ho,” I chuckled, hiding my face behind my palms because I was dying of second-hand embarrassment. “Ryan, please...” But he probably thought I was shy or something because he laughed, really laughed, and grew bolder. “You still find me attractive, don’t you?” he said, leaning forward, voice dropping an octave that probably used to make my heart skip. Now it just made my spine itch. I peeked at him between my fingers, trying to smother the hysterical laughter bubbling up. “Attractive?” I echoed weakly. No, Ryan, the only thing attractive right now is your confidence. It’s adorable how it survived the fall of your reputation. That was what I wanted to say, but remember, we’re after his company. I couldn’t risk letting my mask slip. I let my hands drop and cleared my throat, even grabbed my glass and sipped my water, avoiding his eyes. All I was missing was a blush. But unfortunately, Ryan’s delusion had bored my cheeks to death. Even so, my actions of avoiding his quest
Adele My eyes flicked to him briefly, then back to the untouched water. “Are you?” His throat bobbed. “Yes. Everything that happened... It was Julia. She—” I raised a hand, my expression unchanging. “Don’t. Don’t you dare insult my intelligence like that.” He froze. “I’ve heard that story before,” I continued quietly. “The scheming mistress, the manipulative temptress, the man who was just confused. It’s funny, isn’t it? How every coward finds the same script when the lights turn off.” He winced, lowering his head. The candlelight caught the sharp lines of his jaw, now shadowed and tense. “You’re right,” he said after a pause. “It wasn’t her. It was me.” “Good.” I leaned back slightly. “At least that’s one honest thing I’ve heard from you in years.” The words came out smooth, almost gentle, but I saw the hit land. His shoulders twitched, and for a second, I thought he might break. But no. Ryan had always been good at rebuilding himself mid-collapse. “I was stupid,” he admitte