บททั้งหมดของ Falling for the CEO'S brother : บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

Victoria's PovThe restaurant was exactly the kind of place where deals were made and secrets were kept. Dim lighting, private booths, a staff trained to see nothing and remember less. I'd chosen it specifically for those reasons.Richard was already waiting when I arrived, a glass of scotch in front of him and that appreciative look in his eyes as I approached. He stood to greet me, his hand lingering at the small of my back as he kissed my cheek."Victoria. You look stunning as always.""Flattery will get you everywhere, darling." I slid into the booth across from him, accepting the wine he'd already ordered. "Though I hope you have more than compliments for me tonight.""Always straight to business with you." He smiled, but there was hunger in it. Not just for me but for the power I represented. "I like that about you.""Time is money, Richard. And speaking of money, I need an update on the Grey Tech situation."He pulled out a tablet and slid it across the table. Financial reports

Elise's povI froze, my hands still gripping the wet paper towels, watching Victoria's reflection in the mirror as she locked the bathroom door behind her with a decisive click."What are you doing?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady."We need to have a little chat. Woman to woman." Victoria leaned against the door, arms crossed, that predatory smile never faltering. "Away from protective boyfriends and prying eyes.""I don't have anything to say to you."My mind kept flickering to Sebastian and wondering where he was."No, but I have plenty to say to you." She pushed off the door and circled closer, like a cat playing with a mouse. "Did you really think I didn't notice? All those years ago, back in college?"My stomach dropped. "What are you talking about?""You. Following Marcus around like a lost puppy, sitting in the corner at parties just watching him, volunteering for every project he was on and turning down dates because you were 'busy' when we both know you were just hop

Elise's povWe pulled up to the penthouse and Leonardo helped us out. As we headed toward the private elevator, I noticed a black sedan parked across the street. The same one that had followed us before."Sebastian," I said quietly, nodding toward the car.He glanced over, his expression never changing. "I know. They've been there for twenty minutes.""Shouldn't we—""Let them watch. Let them report back to Victoria that we came straight home and allowed hee think she's winning." He pressed the elevator button. "Because tomorrow, we start taking everything away from her."In the elevator, Sebastian pulled me close, his forehead resting against mine. "I know tonight was hard.. seeing them announce the wedding.""It's not what you think. I don't want Marcus anymore. I really don't but watching him be manipulated like that, watching him walk into a trap he can't see..." I closed my eyes. "He was my best friend for so long. It hurts to see him like this.""I know and when this is over, wh

After lunch, we found a small park with a pond and rented a rowboat. Sebastian insisted on rowing even though I offered to help, claiming he needed to "maintain his masculine image" after I called him a marshmallow."Your masculine image is very secure," I assured him, trailing my fingers in the water. "Trust me.""Yeah?" He raised an eyebrow. "Even after I bought scented candles at that last booth because you said they smelled like Christmas?""Especially after that. It takes a real man to admit he likes pumpkin spice candles.""I only like them because they remind me of you." He stopped rowing and just looked at me. "Everything reminds me of you now. Coffee in the morning. That book we both love. The color red.” He winked at this. “It's like you've invaded every part of my life and I don't want you to leave."The boat drifted on the calm water while we just looked at each other. No drama, no threats, no complicated family dynamics. Just us in a rowboat on a sunny afternoon."I don't

Elise's pov"So let me get this straight," Olive said, stirring her third latte of the morning. "You're living with the hottest man in New York, sleeping in his bed every night, and you still haven't sealed the deal? Are you broken?"I threw a balled-up napkin at her. "It's not that simple.""It literally is that simple. He wants you, you want him. If I'm right, the math says you should be doing horizontal cardio by now.""Olive!""What? I'm just saying." She leaned across the table, lowering her voice. "Elise, you've been hung up on Marcus for years. Years. And now you have this gorgeous, successful man who actually sees you, who cooks for you, who looks at you like you hung the moon. What are you waiting for?"I wrapped my hands around my coffee cup. "I'm not waiting. Sebastian is. He wants me to be sure before we... you know.""Before you jump his bones?""Could you be more crude?""Could you be more in denial?" She sat back, studying me. "You love him."It wasn't a question."I do