บททั้งหมดของ The mysterious Billionaire's Wife; a lost heiress.: บทที่ 101 - บทที่ 110

(Robert POV)James summoned me to his office the next morning.Not asked. Not requested. Summoned. Like I was still a child who needed disciplining instead of a grown man with a wife and responsibilities.The text had been brief. *My office. 9 AM. Don't be late.*I'd left Mia sleeping, her face peaceful in the early light. She'd tossed and turned most of the night, nightmares about Oscar and Sophia and legal battles chasing her through sleep.I hadn't slept at all. Just watched her and tried to figure out how to fix this mess.James's office at JR Investment was exactly as I remembered. Massive mahogany desk. Leather chairs that cost more than most cars. Floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city like a king surveying his kingdom.He sat behind the desk, his expression carved from stone."Sit," he said without preamble.I sat."I've been reviewing the contract with Oscar Wealth," James began, sliding papers across the desk. "It's ironclad. Legally binding. Enforceable in any court.

(Robert POV)Oscar Wealth's lawyer called on Monday morning.I was in my office at JR Investment, reviewing financial statements and trying to figure out how to produce ten billion dollars from thin air, when my phone rang."Mr. Lud? This is Marcus Vincent, representing Oscar Wealth. I'm calling to inform you that if we don't receive payment or a satisfactory resolution by Friday, we'll be moving forward with legal action.""What kind of legal action?""Breach of contract. We'll be seeking full damages, which include the ten billion dollar buyout plus interest and legal fees. We'll also be filing complaints with the SEC regarding potential stock manipulation and insider trading related to your marriage to Miss Cops."My blood ran cold. "That's absurd. There was no manipulation.""That's for the courts to decide. We have evidence suggesting your marriage was designed to facilitate Miss Cops's acquisition of Richard Cops's assets. Assets that rightfully should have been frozen pending i

(Mia POV)The email came on Friday morning.I was at Anita Trade and Investment, reviewing quarterly projections and trying to focus on anything except Robert's growing distance, when my assistant buzzed."Miss Cops? You have an email marked urgent from a Collins Ryder. He says he's an old friend."Collins Ryder. The name hit me like a punch to the chest.I hadn't thought about Collins in months. Not since before the contract marriage. Not since my old life had exploded and rebuilt itself into something unrecognizable.Collins had been my friend in college. Maybe more than a friend for a brief moment before I'd realized we were better off platonic. Smart. Ambitious. Kind in ways that made you forget how calculating he could be.I opened the email.*Mia, I heard about everything. Richard, the inheritance, everything you've been through. I'm so sorry. I'm back in California now, working as a senior prosecutor. If you need legal help with Anita Trade and Investment, or anything else, I'd

(Robert POV)I drove for hours.No destination. Just movement. Putting distance between myself and the image burned into my brain.Collins Ryder kissing Mia's cheek. Her hand pressed to the spot where his lips had been. The intimacy of their body language. The way she'd looked at him.Like he was safe. Comfortable. Easy.Everything I wasn't anymore.My phone kept buzzing. Mia calling. Texting. Leaving voicemails I couldn't bring myself to listen to.I'd told her not to come home. Sent that text in a moment of rage I immediately regretted but couldn't take back.Except she had to come home. Nel was there. Mrs. Cara. The house was hers as much as mine.I was being irrational. Childish. Letting jealousy cloud my judgment.But God, seeing another man's lips on her skin had nearly destroyed me.By the time I finally drove home, the sun was setting. Golden light painting everything orange and red like the world was on fire.Appropriate.I found Mia in Nel's room, reading to him. Some book a

( Mia POV)I ended up at Anita Trade and Investment.Work had always been a refuge. Something I could control when everything else spun out of reach.My assistant looked surprised to see me. "Miss Cops. I didn't expect you today.""Change of plans. What's on the schedule?""Board meeting at two. Conference call with Tokyo at four. And you have several messages from Mr. Ryder."Collins. Of course."Put him through if he calls again."I buried myself in work. Financial reports. Strategic planning. Merger discussions. Things that made sense. Things with clear answers.My phone rang at noon. Collins."Hey," I answered. "Sorry I haven't called back.""It's okay. I figured you were busy." A pause. "Or avoiding me.""Little bit of both.""Want to grab lunch? Or is that too complicated right now?"It was too complicated. Absolutely too complicated.But I said yes anyway.We met at a quiet restaurant away from downtown. Somewhere neither of us would run into business associates or reporters or