All Chapters of Dumped Yesterday, Owned by My ex's Mafia Uncle Today: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

[Jake's POV] "Every tabloid in the city is talking about it!" Jessica screeched. "They say you were at that café. That you were protecting some... mistress. A waitress! A bottom-feeder!""Watch your tone," Noah's voice cut through hers like a blade. It was low, calm, and terrifying."I won't!" Jessica argued."My friends are laughing at me. The Delaneys are questioning the alliance. You nearly got killed, and your nephew was tortured, all because of some low-class girl? If she had died in the hostage crisis, Noah, I wouldn't care. We could just pay off her family. But now she's a scandal!"I swallowed hard, shrinking back in my chair. Jessica had a death wish talking to Uncle Noah like that."Jessica," Noah said. I could practically hear him standing up. "Let me remind you of two things. One: We are not engaged. Two: Elena Campbell is under my employ. She is a talented asset I am using for a project.""If you insult my staff or my judgment again, you won't just lose the engagement. Y

[Elena’s POV]The greenhouse suddenly felt very hot. And it wasn't because of the heaters for the orchids.It was because of what I just said."I was thinking about you."The words hung in the air between us. Noah’s hand was still on my chin, his thumb resting near my lip. For a moment, the cruel, cold mask he always wore slipped. He looked... human. Surprised.But then, panic hit me like a bucket of ice.Stupid, Elena. Stupid!I bit the inside of my cheek. I remembered the contract I signed. It was thick, full of legal words I barely understood, but one rule was very clear: No emotional attachment.I was here to paint. I was here to pay a debt. I was his "asset," his toy. I wasn't allowed to fall for the boss.Even if... even if I was already breaking that rule every single day.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. I needed to fix this. I needed to make it sound like business."I mean..." I stammered, my eyes darting away from his intense blue stare. "I was thinking about you... and the

[Elena's POV]My legs felt like jelly.Every step I took down the garden path sent a dull ache through my thighs. My body felt heavy, used, and marked.I pulled the high collar of my dress tighter around my neck. It was a conservative, long-sleeved white dress, the only thing I could find that covered the purple bruises and love bites Noah had left on my skin.He hadn't let me sleep. He had kept me up until dawn, touching me, fucking me, punishing me for making him wait for 3 days."Sit up straight," Noah murmured, walking beside me. He looked fresh, energetic, and perfectly groomed in a dark suit. "You look like you're about to faint.""I wonder why," I muttered, glaring at him.He just smirked. He led me to the patio where tea was served.Nicole was already there, looking nervous. And sitting across from her was the "client."Adrian.My breath hitched.He wasn't wearing the "old man" disguise from the museum. He wasn't wearing the leather jacket from the café.He was wearing a sharp

[Noah's POV]"Jessica," I said, putting on a fake, shark-like smile. "Right on time."She walked into the garden like she owned the place. Her heels clicked loudly on the stone path.Two maids followed her, struggling with bags from Hermes and Chanel.Jessica stopped in front of me and leaned in for a kiss on the cheek. I didn't move away, but I didn't lean in either."I brought gifts!" she announced, her voice loud and shrill. "And I decided to stay for dinner. We need to really talk about the engagement party details, Noah. My father is getting impatient."She turned, flipping her long blonde hair, and her eyes landed on the table.First, she looked at the check Adrian had left. Then, she looked at Elena.Her smile dropped instantly. It turned into a sneer."Oh," Jessica said, her voice dripping with poison. "The waitress is still here? I thought you would have thrown

[Noah's POV]"Noah, it's so late. And the roads are dangerous. Can't I just stay the night?"Jessica's voice grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.I looked at her standing in the doorway of the dining room, her eyes wide and pleading, her hand clutching her Chanel purse like a lifeline.Normally, I would have said no. I would have had Daniel call her a car and sent her on her way.But tonight, I was angry. Angry at Elena.During dinner, when Jessica asked to stay, I had looked at Elena. I expected a reaction. A frown. A glare. Anything.But she had just stood there, holding her sketchbook, looking blank. Like she didn't care who I slept with. Like I was just a job.That indifference pissed me off.I wanted to punish her. I wanted to make her wonder."Fine," I said coldly, my eyes flickering to Elena's closed bedroom door down the hall. "Daniel will prepare the guest suite."Jessica's face lit up l