جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

CHAPTER THIRTY ONEChristine was up before dawn once again , eyes fixed on the ceiling, chest tight with the kind of ache that doesn’t go away with sleep.She hadn’t really rested just drifted in and out of a haze all night, mind circling the same anxious loop. Adrian’s stare across the boardroom. The sound of whispering behind half-shut folders.She blinked up focusing on the cracks in the ceiling like they could give her all the answers she needed.It was not yet fully daylight when her phone rang on the nightstand. The screen glowed:Dad.Her heart sank a little in her chest.She sighed, reaching for the phone. “Morning.”“Chrissy.” Her father’s voice was thick, groggy. But there was something else something quiet and urgent threaded through. “Can you come home this morning? Just come for breakfast. Please.”She sat up slowly. Her body felt heavier than usual.“Alright,” she said.She didn’t take long. Showered in silence. Pulled on black cigarette trousers and a pale blue blouse

CHAPTER THIRTY THREEChristine’s PoVChristine spent the rest of her day in her office working, the window blinds shut, her desk buried beneath with so many unopened papers and also unopened folders. The room, once her sanctuary, now felt like a pressure chamber silent, airless, and suffocating.Her phone buzzed every minute with different calls some from her father, she got texts from Angela, a few emails from board members wanting “clarification” on the clause that had changed her entire world. She ignored them all. The weight in her chest wouldn’t let her speak, and the noise in her head was louder than anything anyone else could say.She couldn’t stop seeing Adrian’s face. The steady gaze, the calm expression, the way he had delivered betrayal like a business memo polished, professional, detached. As though she were just another deal to close. Not the woman who was once the closest to him and kept his secrets even if they bickered constantly . Not the woman who once made him lau

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVECHRISTINEs povChristine sat cross legged on her living room floor surrounded by different papers and folders spread around her like a chaotic sea. It was almost midnight, but sleep felt far away from her tonight.Polite business talk that’s clearly hiding something shady.She ran a hand through her hair, pushing the loose strands away from her eyes as she reread the merger clause again reading in between each lines for the third time. Each time, the words became more and more blurry to her.She reached for her cup of tea, now cold and tasteless , and took a small sip anyway.She was completely worn out, her thoughts racing, and her chest felt tight from all the anger and fear building up inside her. Angela was sat also curled up on the sofa nearby, laptop balanced on her knees, typing furiously.“Here,” Angela said quietly, turning her screen to face Christine. “I cross-referenced the merger clause with the original family charter agreements. If the voting restr

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVENAdrian povAdrian sat alone in his car with his driver in front , staring blankly out at the evening traffic. His phone buzzed with Marks updates on board compliance filings, but he ignored them. His mind was completely consumed by one thing:Brian.He clenched his fist tighter on his thigh, his jaw ticking with anger. He’d seen Brian’s name pop up on the shareholder influence reports today. Brian had been reaching out to minority investors, pushing his own funding proposal for Dreamspace.And worst of all, he’d been calling Christine again.“Turn around,” Adrian told his driver suddenly. “We’re making a quick stop before home.”Twenty minutes later, he walked into a private lounge downtown, flanked by two security staff. Brian sat alone in a corner booth, typing into his laptop. His eyes widened slightly when Adrian slid into the seat opposite him without invitation.“Adrian,” Brian said carefully, setting aside his drink. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”Adria

Chapter thirty nineChristine’s POV Christine stood in front of Adrian’s penthouse door, her hand hovering over the brass handle. She hated herself for being here. Hated that after everything, his invitation still pulled her in like a tide she couldn’t fight and she had not hesitated at all.His text had been brief:Dinner. My place. 8PM. We need to talk.No threats. No commands. Just quiet finality. And despite her fury, curiosity burned inside her. What could he possibly say now?Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.He stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the glittering Atlanta skyline. The lights bathed him in a pale gold glow, casting his sharp features into an unreadable mask.“Christine,” he said softly, without turning.She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. The scent of rosemary chicken and garlic butter wafted through the air, mingling with the faint woodsy cologne she had always hated for how it made her heart twist.He turned to face