บททั้งหมดของ RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK: บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

We left the warehouse in a convoy of black SUVs, Nolan’s men securing every angle as if Lorenzo might try something last-minute. My father was weak but stable, his head resting against the seat as he exhaled heavily. I held his hand, my fingers gripping his like a lifeline.The drive back was silent.I kept replaying the night in my head—Lorenzo’s threats, Nolan’s calculated control, the way the power shifted so quickly. My mind was spinning, trying to process what it all meant.But one thought stood out among the chaos.This isn’t over.Not by a long shot.We pulled up to a private estate—one of Nolan’s, no doubt. The moment we entered, medical staff was waiting for my father. They whisked him away into a large, well-equipped room that looked more like a high-end hospital suite than a bedroom.Chelsea was already there.She rushed forward the second she saw me. “Oh my god, Demi—”I barely had time to react before she pulled me into a tight hug.“You’re okay,” she whispered, her voice

Nolan leaned back in his chair, his smirk lingering as he watched me.“Go on,” he said, steepling his fingers together. “What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”I ignored the endearment, keeping my expression neutral.“We need to set some boundaries,” I said. “Rules.”His brows lifted slightly, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Rules?”“Yes.”I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to remain calm. I had spent the whole night thinking about this—about what I could control in a situation where I had already lost so much.If I had to play this game, I needed to be clear about my terms.“No unnecessary public displays of affection,” I said firmly. “Nothing more than what’s required to sell the engagement.”Nolan hummed, tapping his fingers against the desk. “You do realize we’ll need to be convincing, right?”I met his gaze without flinching. “Convincing doesn’t mean excessive.”His lips twitched like he wanted to argue, but instead, he just nodded. “Fine. What else?”“No unannounced vi

I didn’t have to wait long.Jeff replied almost immediately.Jeff: That was fast. Have a change of heart, sweetheart?My fingers tightened around my phone.Demi: Where are you?Jeff: Somewhere fun. Want to join?I didn’t have time for his games.Demi: I’m serious, Jeff. Where?A pause. Then:Jeff: My place. Half an hour. Come alone.I had no intention of obeying that last part.But I was going.Because if I wanted to destroy Nolan, I needed a new ally.Even if that ally was a snake.Jeff’s apartment was exactly what I expected—expensive, sleek, and deliberately impersonal.The kind of place a man like him never really called home.He was waiting for me, sprawled lazily on his couch, a whiskey glass in one hand and a smirk already in place.“Demi,” he drawled. “That was quicker than I thought. What changed?”I didn’t sit.Instead, I pulled out my phone, opened the screenshot I’d taken of Nolan’s text conversation with Lorenzo, and tossed it onto the table in front of him.Jeff picked i

I should have walked away.Should have turned my back on Victor and whatever game he was playing.But I didn’t.Because his words were still echoing in my head."He wasn’t hiding it from you. He was hiding you from it."And I needed to know what the hell that meant.I forced myself to meet Victor’s gaze. “Then tell me. If Nolan and Lorenzo aren’t running this, who is?”Victor smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s the right question. But you already know the answer, don’t you?”A slow chill crept up my spine.No. No, that wasn’t possible.I shook my head. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be standing here asking you.”Victor’s smirk faded. He studied me for a beat, like he was weighing something in his mind. Then he took the folder, flipped it open again, and pulled out a single page.I felt my stomach drop the second I saw the name printed at the top.My father.My hands curled into fists at my sides. “What does he have to do with this?”Victor let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.

I didn’t look back.Not at Jeff.Not at the mess we were leaving behind.Not at the blood on the floor.If I let myself hesitate for even a second, I’d start questioning everything—again.And I was done with that.Nolan matched my stride as we stepped out of the warehouse, the cold night air hitting me like a slap. The city stretched beyond the docks, its glow distant but constant, like a heartbeat. A reminder that the world kept moving, even when mine had just crumbled.“You sure you want to do this, sweetheart?” Nolan asked, his tone as casual as if we were discussing dinner plans.I didn’t answer.Because I wasn’t sure of anything anymore.Except one thing.I wasn’t going to be their pawn.Not Jeff’s.Not Nolan’s.Not The Syndicate’s.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “I need a plan.”Nolan let out a low chuckle. “Well, lucky for you, I happen to be an expert in getting out of impossible situations.”I shot him a glare. “That’s funny. I thought you were an expert