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CHAPTER 17

作者: queensly aria
last update 最終更新日: 2025-12-15 16:00:56

Maya

Friday arrived faster than I expected.

I stood in front of my closet staring at clothes I had not worn in years. Designer dresses from before I became Mrs. Chen. Everything felt like a costume from someone else's life.

Sophie appeared in my doorway holding a garment bag. "I brought options. Because I know you are spiraling right now."

"I am not spiraling."

"You have been standing in front of that closet for twenty minutes." She unzipped the bag, pulled out a deep emerald dress. "This one. Perfect for a first date with a billionaire who already thinks you are extraordinary."

"This is not a date. It is a business dinner with personal undertones."

"That is literally the definition of a date."

An hour later, I looked in the mirror and barely recognized myself. The emerald dress fit perfectly. I looked like Maya Lawson. Not the ghost who cooked David's dinners. The real version.

Adrian arrived exactly at seven. He wore a dark suit that probably cost more than most cars. But it was his
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  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 26

    DavidThe lawsuit was dropped.I saw the news online. Richard Moore withdrawing all claims against Lawson Corporation and Maya specifically. No explanation beyond "pursuing other opportunities."Translation: Maya destroyed him so completely he had no choice but to retreat.I should have felt vindicated. I should have felt proud of her. I should have felt nothing at all.Instead I felt the familiar ache of watching Maya succeed without me. Of being irrelevant to her victories. Of knowing I could have been part of this if I had been different three years ago.Dr. Chen would say I was making her success about me again. That I was centering myself in a narrative that had nothing to do with me anymore.She would be right.My phone rang. Jennifer."Did you see the news about Richard?" she asked."I saw it.""He dropped everything. Maya won. Completely." She paused. "How are you feeling about that?""Like I should feel nothing and actually feel everything." I sat on the hotel bed. "Like I a

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 25

    MayaThe press conference was a success.I sat in my office the next morning reading reviews. Business journals praised the partnership. Analysts projected strong returns. Social media buzzed with excitement about the Lawson-Frost collaboration.And Richard Moore's lawsuit was being dismissed as sour grapes from a disgruntled former employee."You crushed it," Sophie said, walking in with coffee. "Every major publication is calling you brilliant. Strategic. A force to be reckoned with.""They are calling me lucky," I corrected, reading another article. "Lucky timing. Lucky that Adrian was willing to move up the announcement.""Lucky is what jealous people call preparation meeting opportunity." She set the coffee on my desk. "You made a choice. You controlled the narrative. That is not luck. That is power."My phone buzzed. Adrian.Good morning. Have you seen the coverage?I replied: *Reading it now. We did well.We did better than well. We dominated the news cycle. Richard looks like

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 24

    DavidI saw the lawsuit complaint by accident.Jennifer had forwarded it to me with a note: *FYI. Richard is suing Lawson. Thought you should know since Maya is named.*I read it three times. Each time getting angrier.Richard was twisting everything. Every legitimate correction Maya made. Every smart business decision. All reframed as hostile and aggressive. As abuse of power.It was character assassination disguised as a lawsuit.My phone was in my hand before I thought about it. I was dialing Maya's number before I remembered I had promised to leave her alone.I hung up before it connected.Dr. Chen's voice in my head. *The work is yours. The growth is private. Maya does not need your help.*But this was different. This was Richard using my company connections to destroy her reputation. This was partially my fault. I had hired Richard. I had worked with him for years. I knew he held grudges.I called Jennifer instead."I saw the complaint," I said. "This is garbage. Richard is lyin

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 23

    MayaThe partnership launch was scheduled for three weeks from now.I sat in the Lawson Corporation conference room surrounded by marketing teams, product designers, and Adrian's top executives. The energy was electric. Nervous. Everyone understood this launch would define both companies for years to come.Adrian stood at the head of the table presenting our timeline. He was in full CEO mode. Sharp. Focused. Completely different from the man who kissed me three nights ago."We go public with the announcement next Monday," he said, clicking through slides. "Traditional press release. Followed by interviews with major business publications. Maya and I will handle those together.""Together?" Richard Moore's replacement, a woman named Linda Chen, raised an eyebrow. "Is that wise? Given the personal relationship rumors?"The room went quiet. Everyone looked at Adrian. Then at me. Waiting to see how we handled the question everyone was thinking."The personal relationship rumors are not r

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 22

    DavidThe article came out Wednesday morning.David Chen Opens Up About Divorce, Personal Growth, and Letting GoI saw it on my phone while eating hotel breakfast. Read it three times. Tried to figure out if I had made a terrible mistake.The journalist had quoted me accurately. Every word about Maya deserving happiness. About regretting my failures. It was all there. Public. Permanent.My phone started ringing immediately.Jennifer first. "Have you seen the article?""I am reading it now.""The board is concerned. They think you are having a breakdown. Investors are asking questions." She paused. "David, you cannot keep making Maya part of your public narrative.""I did not mean to. The journalist asked. I answered honestly.""Honesty does not always serve business interests. Right now, Chen Industries needs stability, not your therapy sessions broadcast in business journals." Her voice softened. "You need to stop talking about Maya. To anyone. Ever."She was right. Every time I spo

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 21

    MayaTuesday night arrived with the weight of inevitability.I changed outfits three times. Sophie sat on my bed offering commentary that ranged from helpful to deliberately unhelpful."The red dress says I am confident and sexy. The black dress says I am elegant and untouchable. The blue dress says I cannot make decisions." She handed me the red one. "Wear this. Adrian already knows you are smart. Show him you are also brave.""Brave is showing up when you are terrified." She stood, zipped up the dress. "You look gorgeous. He is going to forget his own name when he sees you."Adrian arrived at exactly seven. He stood at the door in a dark suit that probably cost more than most people's monthly salary. But it was his expression when he saw me that made my breath catch. Not surprise. Recognition. Like he was seeing exactly who he expected."You look stunning," he said simply."Thank you. You look very nice too."The restaurant was different this time. More intimate. A private room with

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