Chapter 4: Meet My Wife, Mr Harry!

Diana

Lawrence’s sharp voice stopped me in my tracks.

“I asked you a question, Diana.” Lawrence stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face. “You weren’t in this villa last night, and your phone was switched off all night. Where were you?”

I tightened my grip on my phone and held his gaze, refusing to let his interrogation unsettle me. I had switched it off myself, and I had no intention of explaining why.

“I’m talking to you, Diana.”

“I heard you. I went out to cool off.” I walked past him, too exhausted to deal with another argument, but he caught my arm before I could get away.

“Cool off? And you spent the night out?”

“At least it was peaceful.”

“With another man, I suppose.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I forced myself to cut in immediately.

“All by myself. Besides, you seemed perfectly comfortable with your own evening arrangements. I hope you enjoyed your night with your ex-lover.”

His jaw tightened. “Watch your mouth, Diana.”

“Not when I’m saying facts. Mr Grant.”

He released my arm and shot me a hard look.

“Don’t worry, Lawrence. I’ll leave you to enjoy your guest as you want.” I turned toward the stairs, but his voice stopped me.

“We’re not finished talking.”

“We are.” I continued upstairs without looking back.

Once inside my bedroom, I locked the door and leaned against it, my heart still racing.

Was Lawrence suspecting me?

Thank God Vivienne wouldn’t be returning from her solo trip anytime soon. Because dealing with my mother-in-law would have been an even bigger problem.

I closed my eyes, memories of the previous night flooding my mind. I touched my lips, remembering Harry’s kisses and the warmth of his arms around me. No matter how hard I tried to push the memories away, they kept returning, leaving me caught between guilt and a longing I had no right to feel.

I hurried into the bathroom and turned on the shower, scrubbing my skin and hair as if I could wash away the memories of last night. When I finally stepped out, I put on a simple black dress and sat on the edge of the bed, hoping to find a little peace.

A hard knock shattered the silence.

I sighed and unlocked it, knowing fully well it was Lawrence. He pushed inside, his expression hard with anger.

“Where were you last night?”

“Didn’t we already discuss that?”

“No, we didn’t.” He shut the door behind him and fixed his eyes on me. “I want a proper answer.”

“I don’t owe you one.”

His eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, he checked his watch.

“I don’t have time for this. The important business partner I’d been telling you about will arrive shortly, and he’ll be staying here while we finalize our deal. I expect you downstairs to receive him. We will deal with this later.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “And you never mentioned he’d be staying here too? Is this house a hotel now?”

“Don’t start.”

“You keep bringing people here without telling me, Lawrence. First Jasmine, and now your important business partner is staying too. Do you ever remember that you have a wife?”

“This is business, Diana. Behave yourself.”

I laughed bitterly. “Of course. Everything is business when it suits you.”

His expression hardened. “Be downstairs in twenty minutes.”

“Crystal clear.” I snarled and he walked out, shutting the door behind him with a force that made me shake my head in frustration.

I finished getting ready and headed downstairs, determined to survive whatever performance Lawrence expected me to put on. The staff were busy preparing the reception room, while Kathy gave me a worried glance as I passed. I offered her a small smile and continued toward the foyer.

Lawrence stood near the windows, speaking on his phone. Jasmine sat comfortably on the sofa, scrolling through hers as though she had lived in the villa for years. How pathetic.

I ignored them and checked the refreshments, making sure everything was in place. If Lawrence wanted a perfect hostess, I would give him one. I had no intention of allowing him to see how much his behaviour had hurt me.

A car pulled into the driveway. Within minutes, Lawrence ended his call, straightened his jacket, and headed for the entrance. I watched his expression change, the coldness disappearing as he reached for the door.

“Mr. Harry! Welcome. It’s good to finally meet you.”

The name made my fingers freeze around the tray I was holding.

Harry?

I turned just as a tall man in a tailored black suit stepped into the sitting room. My heart slammed against my ribs, and the cups on the tray rattled as my grip faltered.

It was Harry Scot.

For a brief moment, Harry’s composure slipped when his eyes found mine. Shock flashed across his face before he quickly concealed it, replacing it with the calm expression of a successful businessman.

I could barely breathe.

What was he doing here?

“It’s a pleasure to be here,” Harry replied, shaking Lawrence’s hand, his voice steady.

Lawrence clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ve heard great things about Scot Global Holdings. I’m confident this partnership will be beneficial to both companies.”

“I’m looking forward to working with you.”

I lowered the tray onto the console table, gripping its edges until my fingers stopped trembling. All I wanted was to get upstairs before Harry looked at me again.

“Diana, come over here,” Lawrence called.

My fingers tightened around the tray. For a moment, I couldn’t move. Then I straightened, smoothed my dress, and turned toward them with a smile that felt painfully stiff.

One step at a time, I walked over, careful not to let my eyes meet Harry’s.

“Diana, this is Harry Scot, the founder of Scot Global Holdings. He’ll be staying with us for the next few weeks while we finalize the partnership.”

Lawrence turned toward Harry. “And this is my wife, Diana Grant.”

Harry looked directly at me before extending his hand.

“Mrs. Grant. A pleasure to meet you.”

I stared at his outstretched hand, remembering how those same fingers had held mine the previous night. My mouth went dry, and for one terrible second, I feared Lawrence would notice the panic in my expression.

I forced myself to take Harry’s hand.

“Welcome to our home, Mr. Scot.”

His fingers closed around mine, and the familiar touch sent a shiver through me. His thumb brushed lightly across my knuckles before he released me, the gesture so brief that Lawrence didn’t seem to notice.

“Thank you, Diana,” Harry replied, his expression perfectly composed.

Lawrence glanced between us before gesturing toward the corridor. “Mr. Harry, it would be my pleasure to show you your room. We’ve arranged everything in there for your maximum comfort.”

My stomach twisted.

Harry nodded and followed him, listening as Lawrence explained the arrangements. Jasmine rose from the sofa and approached them with a welcoming smile.

“You must be Mr. Scot. I’ve heard so much about the partnership.”

Harry turned toward her. “And you are?”

“Jasmine. I’m working with Lawrence on the Singapore deal.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

Their exchange was brief, but I noticed Jasmine studying him with interest. I looked away, refusing to concern myself with another woman’s interest in an ex who wouldn’t want anything to do with me anymore.

Harry was the one person I had never truly forgotten, and now he was staying under the same roof as me and my husband.

How on earth was I supposed to survive this?