บททั้งหมดของ Chasing Back The Woman He Destroyed: บทที่ 211 - บทที่ 220

Serena's POVA soft buzz from my phone again. I glanced down to see Morris's position on the screen, he was on his way.My gut made a small leap, excitement and nerves swirling together in an odd mix I hadn't felt in years."Here goes nothing," I muttered under my breath.Sophia slid in next to me, sparkling eyes. "Remember… be Serena, not Diamond. At least until it's absolutely necessary."I nodded, holding onto my phone, the tension growing and the hope of a challenge taking root.Morris would arrive shortly. And I would play my part to perfection… even if it meant spinning a falsehood to protect all that I was.I paced back and forth in the living room at a snail's pace, phone in hand, observing the tiny blue dot inch closer on the map. Sophia sat cross-legged on the couch, scrolling through her own phone with a smiling amusement, clearly enjoying my paces of frustration."You're as frantic as a teenager on a first date," she mocked, raising an eyebrow. "Is Tinder ruining you?"I s

Serena's POVMorris's lips curled into a sneering smile at my question. "Tinder?" he repeated, tilting his head just so, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was enjoying himself just a bit too much. "You'd be surprised at how many people with influence frequent the open. Some call it a playground. I call it a… filter."I raised an eyebrow, against my will. "A filter?"He settled back, folding his arms in easy confidence. "Yes. People here drop their masks faster than they do in boardrooms. You get to see who is pushy, who is shy, and who is just trying to waste time. Very useful if you know how to read between the lines."Sophia let out a soft laugh. “So you’re telling me Tinder is your business strategy?” She leaned forward with her trademark smirk. “God, Serena, look at that, this could be your most scandalous networking move yet.”I shot her a glare, though my lips twitched with suppressed laughter. “Scandalous? Hardly. Strategic, maybe.”Sophia arched an eyebrow dramatically. "St

Serena's POVMorris glanced at his watch, then smoothed his jacket with the same casual confidence he'd exhibited since he initially walked in. "Well," he said, flashing that smarmy smile again, "I'd like to be off now. It's been wonderful being here with you both."I was surprised. "Already?"Sophia leaned forward, her mouth opening in pretended surprise. "You're going so soon? We just got started."He laughed low in his throat, shaking his head. "Trust me, I would've liked to stay a few hours longer. But there's some stuff I've set up to do today, and I really can't postpone it.""Novatech stuff?" I asked carefully, my head to the side.His eyes flicked to me, steady and level. "Yes. Novatech material." He paused with calculated slowness before adding, "We're in the final phases of negotiating a partnership agreement with a rising company. If all goes well, the announcement will shake the Sunderland market somewhat."That intrigued me more than I cared to let him notice. "Sounds… m

Alexander's POVDarla gave me a side-eye. "Want to call Serena? Maybe let her know you're in town too?"I shook my head in a rush. "No. Not yet." My voice was harsher than I intended, but I let it stand. "If I do that now, she'll get the impression that I'm stalking her, and that is something I don't really want. She needs to be able to breathe, not be watched." Darla nodded slowly, still her eyes fixed on the road. "You're playing it safe.""Strategic," I corrected gently. "There is a difference." I thought for a moment. "I'll discover a means in, something that won't get by her defenses. But until then, don't do anything.""Okay," she breathed, looking at me again with a smile of comprehension. "You sound like someone with a game of chess of emotions."I smiled weakly. "You'd be surprised at how much alike they are."She smiled gently and let it drop.Outside of us, the city glowed softly at night, Sunderland's skyline tangled mess of glass points and mysteries. Every light was a g

Alexander's POVI exhaled slowly. "Diamond Company," I said low in my voice, covering my surprise with curiosity. "Interesting."Alexa didn't notice the effort I put into a weak smile. She went on, oblivious. "It's tough, but it's worth it. The pay's good, and the people there are… ambitious."She hesitated for a split second before speaking, as if considering her words. "Too ambitious at times."I had trouble managing a weak smile. "And what do you really do there?"“I work in the legal department," she bragged. "Internal contracts, drafting documents, occasionally representing the company in negotiations.""Incredible," I breathed, my mind already elsewhere. Legal department. Contracts. That meant she was privy to information, information that could be lethal in the wrong hands. Or the right ones.I massaged the back of my neck, pretending to relax. "So you have dealings with the boss often?”“Sometimes.” She shrugged. “Not as much as the senior lawyers, but enough to know the hiera