Chapter 189

Alessa’s POVThey started to whisper, the camera clicked faster but I didn’t move. "JR Corps was built on a principle that was established before I was born and it was for this company would stand for integrity." I kept my gaze moving across the room. "I want to talk to you about what happens when someone inside this company decides that principle is an obstacle."I looked at Jason at the side of the room. He gave the smallest nod.The screens behind me came to life and then a recording of Jason’s voice filled the entire eoom. As he spoke, murmurs filled the room, board members rose to their feet and even my family were shocked. I didn't look at him. I kept my eyes forward, and raised one hand. "There's more."The noise subsided and I nodded. "Exactly one week ago, I was abducted." My eyes found Jason as I kept speaking. “And I was left to die in a burning building. The individual who coordinated my abduction was a woman named Laura. And the individual who contracted her…”I fin

Chapter 190

Alessa's POVThe boardroom smelled the same as it always had and I had sat in this room hundreds of times. I knew every face around this table.Today, some of those faces were not happy with me."What you did," Gerald Fitch said, setting his pen down, "was bypass every established protocol for internal misconduct. There are procedures, Miss James. You ambushed your own brother in front of cameras.""He ambushed me in a burning building," I said pleasantly. "I thought we would try it my way."There was a ripple around the table, and I caught some people trying to hide their smiles. "The reputational damage alone-“ Gerald snapped."Is significantly less than the reputational damage of forty-three million dollars in undisclosed transfers coming out through a regulatory audit," I said. "Which it would have, eventually. These things always do." I looked at him steadily. "I chose the version where we controlled the narrative. That distinction matters to shareholders and it will matter in

Chapter 191

Alessa’s POVI looked at the reports still spread across the table."Alessa." She warned."I'm going," I said, and started stacking papers.She watched me with the expression of someone trying very hard not to smile. "He's been waiting for this for a while, you know."I smiled. "Lisa.""I'm just noting." She said with a shrug. "You're just noting nothing." I closed my laptop. "Go home.""I love how you think that tone still works on me." She was already packing her own bag, betraying that she had been waiting for this moment. "You look nice, by the way. The blue works.""Goodnight, Lisa."She winked. "Have fun.""Goodnight-""Text me.""Lisa."She left, laughing. I sucked in a breath and pulled out my compact mirror, checking my face and fixing my makeup.When I was done, I grabbed my coat and bag, heading downstairs. Jason was outside, leaning against the building with his hands in his pockets and looking at the street. He turned when the door opened, and a bright smile envelope

Chapter 192

Alessa's POVJaime was standing at the gate with his hands loose at his sides, he looked thinner than I remembered but my heart remained unwavering. Jason stepped forward and squared his shoulders."You need to leave," he said."I know," Jaime said. "I will. I just need a minute."Jason scowled. "You don't get a minute.""Jason." My voice came out quieter than I intended.He looked back at me and his jaw was clenched tight. I touched his arm once, gently.A sigh left his throat and he bobbed his head, conceding. I looked at Jaime. "Say what you came to say."Jaime exhaled. He looked down at the ground for a moment, then at me. "I'm sorry," he said. "I know that doesn't fix anything and I'm not here because I think it fixes anything.”His lips were pressed tightly. "I just needed you to hear it from me. I'm sorry for all of it. The way things ended and the things I didn't say when I should have.""Jaime.” I whispered. “You don’t have to do it.”"You don't have to say anything." He sh

Epilogue

Alessa’s POV Four years ago, I stood in a boardroom and dismantled my brother's life in front of cameras.Today, I couldn't find my passport because my mother had reorganized my suitcase while I was in the shower."The linen trousers," my mother said firmly, holding them up. "They're breathable. You'll be in Australia in July, Alessa… it's their winter, but you'll still be warm and you need the waistband room."I was rubbing a hand against my six month old bump. "I packed those already.""You packed the navy ones. I'm talking about the cream ones." She said. "I don't need two pairs of linen trousers-""You absolutely need two pairs." She was already folding them into the bag. "And the wrap dresses. All three of them. They'll accommodate the bump beautifully and you won't have to think about it."From the other side of the bed, Josephine, my mother-in-law, looked up from where she was reorganizing my shoes.“Take the sundresses instead," she said. "The wrap dresses are lovely but th

All Chapters of The Betrayed Heiress: Chasing Her Back: Chapter 191 - Chapter 195

Chapter 189

Chapter 190

Chapter 191

Chapter 192

Epilogue