Startseite / Romance / Winning My Ex Wife / Kapitel 141 – Kapitel 150

Alle Kapitel von Winning My Ex Wife: Kapitel 141 – Kapitel 150

187 Kapitel

Chapter 141

Eloise’s povWe both winced, because we recognized that voice. Carlson's grin of triumph faded instantly as if a mask had dropped over his face. He practically jumped away from me.I turned my head. Edward was standing just inside the kitchen, too, his expression frozen, his eyes darting from Carlson's suddenly frozen face to mine. I knew my own face must have been pale, my eyes popping with rage that I couldn't hide.But Carlson recovered faster than either of us did. He straightened his tie needlessly. “Edward,” he said airily. “Was trying to talk to Chef Eloise about her kitchen efficiency. But I've got something vital out on the floor to attend to.”He moved to walk past Edward, but Edward didn’t step aside. He just stood there, blocking the way, staring at the board member.“What kind of issues?” Edward’s voice was calm and deadly.”Oh, you know. Post-incident follow-up. Standard procedure.” Carlson’s smile was straining at the edges. He sidestepped again at last, and this time E

Chapter 142

Edward’s povI looked around the table. At Gable, who was studying the table like it held the secrets of the universe. At Henshaw, who couldn’t meet my eyes. At the others, their faces were a mixture of discomfort and resolve. Carlson had gotten to them. He’d pre-sold this nonsense.“Is that what this is?” I asked, my voice dangerously quiet. “Is that why you called me in here? To propose we start treating our staff like potential felons?”“We’ve already discussed it, Edward,” Gable said, finally looking up. He sounded tired. “We think it’s a prudent measure. Given the circumstances.”“What circumstances?” I shot back. “The circumstance of a single disputed incident? This is a solution in search of a problem.”“The problem is a lack of accountability!” Carlson’s voice rose, losing its polished edge. “The problem is a culture where certain individuals believe they are above the rules! We are putting structures in place to correct that. The board agrees.”He swept his hand around the ta

Chapter 143

Edward’s povI left the office building and went to beg him to leave the exit of the parking lot as I stepped in front of his car. He slammed on the brakes. Lowering his window, he had a smile pasted across his face before he even looked up at me. “Edward. Blocking traffic now? I never thought you’d get this desperate.”“Why Frank Mullens, Carlson?” I didn’t bother with hellos. My voice was a low snap held tight with the strain of not letting my temper have its head.The smile fled from his face nor did it make any pretense at returning. “My, my. Somebody’s been eavesdropping on the hiring panel,” he observed dryly. “Not very CEO-like of you. Bordering on micromanagement, I’d say.”“I fired Frank for taking bribes to sell access. He’s a corrupt, greedy little weasel and you know it. So why? Why bring that specific poison back into my company?”“Your company?” Carlson chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. “See, that’s the problem right there, Edward. You see everything as ‘yours.’ Frank…

Chapter 144

Charlotte’s povI looked at the mountain of shopping bags in the middle of my room. Silks, cashmeres, fine wool, all of it feeling stupid and pointless now. The pregnancy check-up lie had been a Hail Mary, a desperate attempt to claw back some of Edward’s attention, to force him to see me as something other than an obstacle. And he’d brushed it off like a piece of lint on his suit jacket. ‘I’m busy.’The words still stung. He was always busy. Busy with her. Busy playing the hero for that… that cook.I angrily kicked a bag which didn't even go far.My choices were narrowing, closing down on me. I needed something that would save me. I needed something to help me get some semblance of peace. Then the phone rang, a private caller as Carlson’s name flashed off and on as though he could disappear before I answered.“Well?” I said with no pretense of a “hello” when I picked.“Done,” he replied and his voice was business-like. There was no hello, how are you? In the tone. I liked that, it

Chapter 145

Charlotte’s povThe smile vanished from my face as I put the cup in my hand down on the saucer calmly. Silence filled the huge empty room like a solid thing.Then, my phone buzzed on the table. It was Carlson.Carlson: Where are you? You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago. Can’t really have this be your first day impression.I glanced down at the text, at the demanding words of a man I was supposed to be working with to bring down that bitch. A slow, cold smile crept over my face, my red lips parting to reveal dangerous curves.I texted back one.Me: Almost there.I got to my feet, running my hands down the sleek red silk dress and nodding to no one in particular. Game on.***Edward’s povThe image of Charlotte in that red dress stuck in my head during the whole car ride. It was so… unlike her. She dressed for luncheons and gallery openings, not for… well, for whatever that was. A job? Where? Doing what? I tried to think about it but my brain was too cluttered with the impen

Chapter 146

Edward’s povStill, he didn’t look at me. “The security of the company is the most important thing. We have to be seen as strong and together in this. Mr. Carlson’s way, although… intense maybe… It’s the easiest for us to get there.”I couldn’t understand it. It wasn’t him. Those weren’t his words, they were Carlson’s words; put into his mouth. Empty words that said nothing.“Oscar,” I said, my voice hardening. “Think about what you’re saying. Frank Mullens? The man who sold keyed access to the paparazzi? This is the guy you want in charge of our ‘security’? This is the ‘unified front’ you’re talking about?”He winced again and, for a moment, all that toughened resolve slipped from his face. But then he frowned and, just like that, it was all back. “The past is the past,” he muttered stubbornly. “People deserve second chances… And the screenings… they’re an unfortunate necessity…”I stood there, my mind blank. The betrayal was so much that I couldn’t even think. I looked at Oscar’s cl

Chapter 147

Edward’s POVThe silence in Charlotte’s office pushed down on me in a heavy and suffocating way. Carlson’s words still hung in the air between us, lodged there like a knife handle-deep into solid oak. Either Charlotte stays or Eloise goes.What kind of stupid choice was this? This wasn’t a choice? This was suicide. I hated this with everything within me. This was a trap and I needed to get away from here. There was no way to beat Carlson in this game. He grinned at me then, sitting back in that cushioned chair with perfect smug ease as if he knew exactly what I was thinking and liked what lay behind those haunted eyes of mine.Before I could say anything, Bryan entered and bowed to us."Edward? Mr. Carlson?" he said, his voice weak. "Frank Mullens is here. For his onboarding. He's waiting in your office."That name was like another punch in the gut. Of course, it had to be him. Carlson wasn't just making a joke, he was designing the set, bringing all the actors back like some kind o

Chapter 148

Charlotte’s pov“Yes.”I scoffed, “You shouldn’t.”“Maybe.”“Definitely.”He sighed and came close to me. “But I do. I’m just going to warn you to stop before someone gets hurt. It might even be you.””I don’t need warnings.”“Yes, you do. You just won’t admit it.”“Why do you think you know me so well, huh? You think because you’ve watched me from the sidelines, you’ve figured me out? You haven’t.”“I’ve seen enough.”“No, you’ve seen what I wanted you to see.”That made him pause. And I smiled in a slow way.“Bryan… you don’t know me,” I said with a smile. “You’re just another player on the board.”“And who’s the king?”“Me.”“No,” he said flatly. “You’re the queen. And queens fall too.”My smile faltered just a fraction, but I recovered quickly. “Careful, Bryan. You almost sound threatening.”“I’m not threatening you.”“Good. Because I’d hate to see you try.”“I’m warning you.”“Again with the warnings. Warnings are boring.”“They’re necessary.”“Necessary for weak people. I’m not

Chapter 149

Charlotte’s povI watched the way her hands moved. They were not steady like mine. She was better suited to a kitchen counter than a battlefield.“If you help her,” I said, “you are now a target.”She looked at me like I had said something rude. “A target?”“For trouble,” I said. “For danger. For consequences.”She swallowed. “I’ll protect her. I will. I promise.”“Promises are easy,” I said, picking up my glass again. It felt heavy in my hand.She trembled. “You don’t have to be here. You can leave.”“I can,” I said. “But why will I want to do that? I’m here now.”“Oh god.”“I want to see how she breaks,” I said, slowly. “I want to see the moment she thinks no one loves her. I want to see whether she will stand after that.”“Why?” Her voice cracked.“Because I like seeing people who think they are safe fall,” I said. “It shows them who they really are.”She took a deeper breath and looked at me with a hand over her mouth. “You’re cruel,” she said. “I can’t…”“You can,” I said. “You c

Chapter 150

Eloise’s povShe didn’t reply at once, but looked at Sandra and nudged her with an elbow. “Tell her.”Sandra clung to the tray, glancing in my direction before quickly looking away again. “Eloise…”“Tell me what?” I sighed.“Charlotte… She’s your new boss.”I blinked at her. The kitchen seemed to hum with silence. “What?”“That’s what Carlson said,” Sandra whispered, as if she’d rather melt into the wall.Of course. Carlson. Who else would pull this kind of move?“Oh don’t look so depressed Eloise,” Charlotte laughed. “Finally someone to make sure you’ve got all you need. Like a proper boss should. So that you won’t make that stupid mistake you made the last time and almost poisoned half the guests. I’d hate for that to happen again.”I could feel the heat start to build up from my neck. My jaw was so clenched it hurt.“You’re here to… to do what? Babysit me?”"Exactly!" Her smile turned wry. "I'm just sweet and accommodating, here to make sure everything runs smoothly. To make sure y

ZURÜCK

...

...

WEITER

CODE SCANNEN, UM IN DER APP ZU LESEN

DMCA.com Protection Status