Scandal and Seduction のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 31 - チャプター 40

Elena’s POV“Sit,” he said, clearing his throat.I walked forward, pulled a chair from the desk, and sat. My hands stayed folded tightly in my lap.I told myself there was nothing to worry about, but my heart wouldn’t stop pounding.What if I had done something wrong? Or worse—what if he had somehow figured out who I really was? That I was the daughter of the man whose company he destroyed?He lifted a cup of steaming coffee from the table and took a slow sip.“Elena, right?” he asked, adjusting his glasses as though trying to see me better.“Yes, sir.” I nodded.He exhaled and leaned back in his chair. Then, in a calm voice, he said:“You’ll be the new vice president of the company, effective tomorrow.”So it was true. They were really promoting me.It was an incredible opportunity—great pay, more responsibility—but I wasn’t even close to qualified. Mrs. Rory had years of experience. I, on the other hand, hadn’t even been at R&C for a full year. Working as Andrew's assistant was my f

Elena’s POVHer words felt like arrows — sharp, precise, and merciless — stabbing straight into me. She looked at me with that same disapproving glare she’d worn the first day we met, as if I were an unwanted stain on her perfectly arranged life.Why did she hate me so much?What had I done?Or… did she already know who I was?Before I could process the whole thought, she tugged Andrew by the arm and pulled him to the far corner of the ward. They spoke quietly, voices low and tense while I stood frozen beside Mr. Blake’s bed, my gaze fixed on his pale motionless face.He was the only person who had openly approved of my marriage to Andrew. Now he lay here, trapped between life and death — and suddenly, everything felt uncertain.Would Andrew listen to his mother and just terminate the contract?Or would he still choose me… even now?Even my own family hadn’t supported this marriage… but that was because they were hiding something. Something big — a secret they refused to tell me.I d

Elena's POV Soon, the rain began to drizzle, carried by a sharp, restless wind. People hurried past, clutching their bags and jackets and darting into shops and doorways to escape the downpour, but I kept walking, unbothered by the cold drops that would soon drench my clothes.After a few more steps from the café, I decided to hail a taxi and go home. I needed space—to think, to breathe, to make sense of everything and make a decision.I waved at a cab and it pulled up in front of me instantly. Sliding into the back seat, I told the driver my address, and he drove off just as the drizzle turned into heavier drops.I reached into my purse, pulled out my phone, and sent a quick message to Andrew, telling him I’d gone home and that he shouldn’t worry. I’m fine, I wrote. Just tired. Need to rest.Once I hit send, I turned the phone facedown on my thigh and leaned against the window, watching the rain trace silver lines down the glass until the world outside blurred into a watercolor haze

Elena’s POV“What the hell are you doing in my office?” Andrew’s voice was cold, his eyes sharp as daggers.Matthew didn’t flinch. Instead, he chuckled and leaned back in the chair, resting his arms lazily on the armrests.“Nice press conference, brother. You really stole the spotlight this time. Everyone’s talking about you.”“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” Andrew shot back.“Oh, come on,” Matthew drawled, swinging his legs off the desk. “Don’t be so uptight. You should know how proud I am of you.”He paused, smirk tugging at his lips. “Announcing your engagement to my ex? That’s bold—even for you. Guess you really don’t care about what anyone thinks.”I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to stay still.Did he have to keep reminding everyone that we used to be together?Andrew’s eyes narrowed dangerously, though his tone stayed even. “You really don’t know when to shut up, do you?”Matthew let out a mocking laugh.“What? It’s not an insult, brother. I just never thought y

Andrew’s POV“Oh, don’t sound so dramatic, darling.” My mother’s voice on the other end was all cheer and obliviousness. “Lilith just needs a place to stay for a few weeks. Your house is enormous. Why let all that space go to waste?”My jaw tightened. My eyes darted toward Elena, who stood by the corner, pretending to focus on the stack of documents in her hands. But her posture gave her away. Her shoulders were drawn, and her eyes were fixed on a single point that wasn’t really there. She was listening, every word sinking in.“Mother, no.”“No?” She repeated like she hadn't heard me the first time.“That’s right,” I said firmly.She laughed softly like I had just told some joke. “Oh, Andrew, don’t be ridiculous. You and Lilith practically grew up together. There’s nothing improper about it.”I let out a sharp breath and shook my head, disbelief curling in my chest. My mother had always known how I felt about being manipulated. Yet here she was again, trying to play matchmaker, to mol