All Chapters of I’m Back, Mr. CEO : Chapter 221 - Chapter 230

My throat is tight. “What makes you ask that?”“Because sometimes when you look at me, it feels familiar. Like you’re seeing something I can’t. And tonight, this whole date, the stars… it’s like you knew exactly what would trigger something in me.” Her voice is shaking slightly. “So I’m asking you directly. Have we met before?”Tell her. Tell her the truth.“No,” the lie comes out. “We haven’t met before the conference. But maybe…” I choose my words carefully. “Maybe we’re similar. Maybe we both loved stars as kids. Maybe that’s why this feels familiar.”She wants to believe me. I can see it. But there’s doubt in her eyes.“I had lunch with Cameron yesterday,” she says, changing the subject abruptly.My stomach drops. “Oh?”“He’s been asking questions about you again. About Phoenix Tech. About your background.” She’s watching my reaction. “He seems to think you’re hiding something.”“Cameron’s suspicious of everyone. Especially people who get close to you.”“That’s what I told him. Bu

She studies the screen, squinting. “I… maybe? There’s something about the eyes. But it’s been so long, and he was just a boy. This man could be anyone.” She looks at me. “Why are you asking? Who is this?”“Someone I’ve been working with. His name is Ethan James Grant.” I’m watching her face carefully. “He said he’s distantly related to Lucas Grant. Family’s in fashion and real estate.”“Lucas Grant is married to Serena Moore now,” Mom says slowly. “Adrian Moore’s ex-wife. But Grant is a common name. And this man…” She looks at the photo again, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I just don’t recognize him. If he is Ethan Moore, he’s changed completely. Or I’m just forgetting what that boy looked like.”My heart is racing. Could it be? Could Ethan James Grant actually be Ethan Moore?“Can I use your computer?” I ask. “I need to search something.”“Of course. It’s in the office.”I’m halfway across the living room when Mom’s phone rings. She answers, and her face goes pale.“What?

I wake up to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows and Maya’s head on my chest.For a moment, I just lie there, memorizing this. The weight of her against me. The soft sound of her breathing. The way her hand rests over my heart like she’s claiming it.Last night was perfect. More than perfect. It was everything I’ve dreamed about for fifteen years.And I’m still lying to her.The guilt sits heavy in my stomach, but I push it down. Just a little longer. Just until I figure out how to tell her the truth without losing her.Maya stirs, her eyes fluttering open. When she sees me, she smiles—a real, genuine smile that makes my chest ache.“Morning,” she murmurs.“Morning. Sleep well?”“Better than I have in years.” She stretches, catlike, and I’m very aware that she’s still naked under these sheets. “What time is it?”I check my phone on the nightstand. “Eight thirty.”“Mmm. We should get up. I have a meeting at eleven.” But she makes no move to leave the bed.“We have time.”She

{MAYA POV}I discovered it by accident.I’m in Ethan’s hotel room—he insisted on keeping it even though he’s been staying at my place most nights—looking for my phone charger that I left here yesterday. He’s in the shower, singing off-key to something I don’t recognize, and I’m rummaging through his messenger bag trying to find the charger before my phone dies completely.That’s when I see the folder.It’s not hidden, exactly. Just sitting there among his other work documents. But the label catches my eye: “Phoenix Tech - Q3 Financial Report.”I shouldn’t look. I know I shouldn’t.But curiosity wins.I pull out the folder and open it.The numbers don’t make sense at first. My brain refuses to process what I’m seeing. Revenue figures with too many zeros. Asset valuations that can’t possibly be right. Investment portfolios that would make even established companies jealous.Phoenix Tech isn’t a small startup.It’s a multi-million dollar tech company.I flip through page after page, my h

Cameron Blake walks in, and the temperature in the room drops ten degrees.“Don’t stop on my account,” he says, closing the door behind him. “This is just getting interesting.”Maya spins to face him. “Cameron? What are you doing here?”“Saving you from making a terrible mistake.” His eyes are on me, triumphant. “Though it seems Mr. Moore was finally working up the courage to tell you the truth. How noble.”Maya’s head whips back to me. “Moore? He just said… you called him Moore.”“Because that’s his name.” Cameron pulls out his phone, starts scrolling. “Ethan Moore. Son of Serena Moore, CEO of ETHEREAL. Stepson of Lucas Grant. And most importantly, son of Adrian Moore, the man whose company destroyed your father’s business and killed him.”“No.” Maya’s shaking her head. “No, that’s not… Ethan, tell him he’s wrong.”I can’t speak. Can’t move. This isn’t how this was supposed to happen.“Here.” Cameron shows her his phone. “Photos from charity galas, society pages, business articles. A