All Chapters of Come Back To Me: Billionaire’s Regret: Chapter 31 - Chapter 39

39 Chapters

31. The Best Possible Arrangement

Shirley POV:Josh reached over and pointed at the names on the contract, his tone matter-of-fact."Yeah, just two.“Glazze Beauty for the makeup line, and Vanture Technologies for the wearables. The director mentioned these two were the best fit for our rollout strategy. I have to agree with him."I gripped my pen so hard I thought the casing would snap."So, from the very beginning, they never had any intention of giving us the entire group's business... did they?"I fought to keep my voice level, steady.Josh hesitated, the spark in his eyes dimming."Shirley, I know what you're thinking. But we're just not in that league yet. Snagging two subsidiaries is already a massive win for a firm our size.“Besides, if we deliver on these, the margins are huge enough. We can't expect the whole pie—we'd choke on it."My nails dug deep into my palms.Whatever he said next, I didn't hear a word of it.Josh patted my shoulder."Come on, Shirley, cheer up. Let's go out and celebrate."That snapped

32. Life Felt Like A Bad Joke

Shirley POV:Back at Kolvo, I slumped into my seat, utterly drained.Josh pushed the door open, his eyes widening in surprise."I thought you weren't feeling well? Didn't you say you were going home to rest?"I snapped out of my daze."I... I drove for a bit and felt better. I picked up some meds..."Throughout the rest of the afternoon, I could feel Josh's gaze drifting over to me.He looked like he had something to say, but he remained silent, the tension between us thickening.Finally, just before the end of the day, he stopped me."Shirley, this contract... I know it wasn't easy. I know how much you've put into this, and I'm proud of you, I really am."His eyes were dark, devoid of even a flicker of joy."But if this was earned through... unconventional means, I won't be happy about it. Shirley, you don't have to sacrifice anything for me. You don't have to endure anything. If that's the price, I'd rather rip up this contract right now!"He was spiraling.Behind his glasses, I saw

33. “I Hate All Of You”

Connor POV:By the time I reached the coordinates Shirley had shared, she was sitting on the curb, staring into space.The biting wind whipped through her long hair, but she remained as still as a statue.When she looked at me, her beautiful eyes seemed to see right through me, focused on something far in the distance.Two empty bottles lay tipped over at her feet.I checked the labels—low alcohol content, thank God.She never touched the stuff; I had no idea what had driven her to this.I reached out to her."Get up. Come home with me."She tilted her head, her blue eyes hazy with intoxication."Home? I don't have a home."Her voice was soft, laced with a raw huskiness.My heart gave a painful jolt.I pulled her into my arms, and she was as cold as a block of ice."Don't be foolish," I murmured against her hair. "Come back with me. It's freezing out here."She pushed against my chest, reaching for the bottles on the ground."Mom was dead... I haven't had a home in a long time."Tears

34. Hitting the Jackpot

Shirley POV:I woke up with a head-splitting hangover.I tried to piece together the fragmented memories of the night before.My memory of the strained conversation with Josh and that terrifying encounter at the small apartment remained sharp.But everything after the alcohol took hold was a blur.I had a hazy recollection of Connor snatching the bottle from my hand and shoving me into the car.Beyond that... nothing.I clutched my throbbing temples, overcome with regret.How could I have let myself get that wasted?If he hadn't shown up, I would have been in serious danger.Wait.Did he... hold me? Did he kiss me?In a panic, I checked myself under the covers.Thank God. We hadn't slept together.Relieved, I pulled myself together and headed down to the dining room.Connor was already there."Good morning..." I murmured, sliding into the chair next to him.He offered a brief acknowledgment but remained silent.Terrified he would bring up my drunken antics, I kept my head down, nearly

35. Thanks, My Partner

Shirley POV:"Your partner?"For a heartbeat, I questioned my own hearing."Yes," Josh said firmly. "With a seventy percent stake.""No, absolutely not! Kolvo is your blood, sweat, and tears. It's built on your designs, your strategies, the clients you brought in. What am I in all this?“Thirty. That's my ceiling.""This money just gave Kolvo a pulse, Shirley. You don't seem to realize how critical that is.""I just got lucky! I didn't put in the work, and I didn't take the risks...""If you don't accept these terms," his voice turned cold and rigid, "I can't take the money."My temper flared, and my voice rose an octave."Josh! The camera crews, the media buys—every part of this project needs cash now. We are at the starting line. Do you really want to blow this contract?“Don't you dare get stubborn with me!"I was flushed, my chest heaving."I get it, okay? I just... I can't take that big of a slice."...We went back and forth, locked in a fierce debate over the equity split.He ke

36. The Bracelet

Shirley POV:The blue velvet box hit the desk with a sharp crack.I winced, my eyes stinging as if scorched by fire. My first instinct was to look away.I fought for control, forcing a strained smile onto my face."It's just... not my style."Connor rose from the sofa, closing the distance between us step by deliberate step.His grayish-blue eyes were calm but piercingly cold; a chill began to wrap around my entire body.He looked like a predator who finally cornered his prey."Fair enough. If it doesn't suit you, you liquidate it."His voice dripped with sarcasm.The sheer weight of his presence was suffocating, making my knees go weak.I dug my nails into my palms, using the sharp pain to keep myself grounded."You know," I managed, my voice trembling. "I... I prefer cash. Money makes me feel safe."I lowered my head, unable to meet his gaze.His eyes have never looked this commanding—or this dangerous.Suddenly, his arm hooked around my waist, yanking me flush against him.He leaned

37. Standing Outside The Car

Shirley POV:Connor left early the next morning.I finally let out a breath I'd been holding; I could finally have a quiet breakfast in peace.I didn't sleep a wink last night.My mind was a relentless loop of him auditing the books and tracing the money back to Kolvo.I had used cash for the transaction.Would he still find out I gave it to Josh?And if he did... would he actually go after him?Josh hadn't arrived yet when I reached the office.I buried my face in my palms, trying to steal a moment of rest.The dread in my chest was even heavier than it had been yesterday.I could feel it in my bones—Connor wasn't going to let this go.The door swung open, and Josh walked in, bringing the morning sunlight with him."Morning, Shirley—hey, what's wrong? You look like hell. "I quickly rubbed my face and smoothed my hair."Me? Nothing's wrong.""You've got some serious bags under your eyes. And your eyes are red and swollen. Have you been crying?"I forced a fake smile."I was just too e

38. Meeting The Director

Shirley POV:"The Marketing Director for Virex wants to see me tonight."I clicked my phone screen off."Oh? Why didn't he reach out to me?"Josh's voice didn't sound particularly pleased.I shrugged."Who knows? Maybe it slipped his mind."Josh's gaze darkened, his expression turning increasingly somber."Shirley, that Hunter guy... he's a piece of work. I need you to hold the line. Don't compromise your integrity for the sake of this contract."My heart rate spiked."What are you trying to say?"Had he connected the dots?"I'll say it one more time," Josh said, his voice earnest."If this contract requires you to trade your body for it, I’m walking away from the deal."I knew this was Josh's unwavering principle.He never played the game of sycophancy with clients.But this contract... that is exactly how it was won.I forced a grin, patting his arm as if it were no big deal."I won't. If you're that worried, why don't you come with me tonight?"I was just tossing the idea out there,

39. Professional Ethics

Shirley POV:"Sorry—"I slammed into a firm chest.A second later, a pair of hands reached out to steady me."Shirley!"It was Josh.It was only then that I realized I was trembling—so hard I could barely keep my feet.He pulled me toward him, half-carrying me away from the hallway and into the elevator lobby.I leaned against him, trying to regain my balance, my breath coming in short, jagged gasps."Talk to me. What's going on?"He lowered his voice, urgent and concerned.I wanted to say "nothing," but my lips wouldn't stop shaking.Just then, the elevator chimed behind us.The door slid open, and a man stepped out.In that heartbeat, I felt it—that familiar, crushing weight in the air.I turned, and it was like falling into an ice-clad abyss.My entire body went numb.Connor.He walked with a measured, unhurried pace.His gaze flickered to my face for the briefest of seconds—cold and clinical, as if he's appraising a piece of damaged art in his collection.Then, his eyes drifted slo

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