Semua Bab Dumped Bride, Dangerous Upgrade: Bab 11 - Bab 20

After a few more pleasantries, Meredith made her exit smooth."This project was a pleasure. Hopefully we'll work together again," she said, hand out, smile polite.Mr. Warren shook it fast, nodding. "Absolutely. You're sharp—really enjoyed this. Safe travels, let's stay in touch.""Of course." With a final nod, she grabbed her suitcase and headed for the front doors.Sunlight poured through the glass, casting soft reflections over the marble floor.Across the lobby, Vicky hovered, eyes locked on Meredith's back, her message just sent.Panic kicked in.What if Alden showed up and Meredith was already gone? Would he think she made it all up?Not happening.She had to stall her.Right as Meredith stepped out the revolving door, Vicky stormed forward, heels clicking loud, and blocked her path.Vicky raised her chin, eyes gleaming with venom."Well, well. Look who it is. Meredith. That didn't take long—dumped by Alden and already hotel-hopping with new men? That guy earlier... h

Vicky's shriek cut through the air, heads turning.Meredith didn't even flinch. No pause. No look back.She rolled her suitcase to the curb, flagged a cab like nothing happened."Airport, please."Door shut. Vicky's screeching—gone.The cab slid into traffic, smooth and steady.Meredith leaned back, eyes on the blur of city lights outside the window.Five years of love and effort, all in this place. She'd poured everything into it—roots, dreams, plans.Now? Just rubble.She pulled out her phone, eyes skimming the flight confirmation. Her finger hovered over the screen.'Goodbye, Borevia.'Goodbye—Alden Ashford.'***Meredith's cab slid onto the Airport Expressway just as a black Bentley screeched to a stop outside the Hilton.Alden flew out, stormed into the lobby, and looked like he was ready to explode. He still had the velvet ring box in a death grip."Alden! You're finally here!"Vicky ran at him, sobbing into her hands—then peeked up to make sure he saw the tears.

Borevia City Hospital.Alden burst into the ER like a wrecking ball. Pale. Eyes wild. Jacket wrinkled and half-off one shoulder—total mess.He grabbed a nurse mid-stride. "Last week. Meredith Martinez. Emergency appendix surgery. Who was the surgeon?!"She flinched, trying to yank free. "Sir, please. We can't—""Just tell me!" His voice cracked. "Was it bad?! Is she okay?!"He looked so wrecked, an older nurse jumped in. "Sir, let go. We can't help you if you're like this."He forced a breath, dropped his hand, but didn't budge. "Please. Check. Meredith Martinez. Appendectomy. Last week."Something in his face must've worked. She turned to the monitor."Meredith Martinez... okay. Came in late Wednesday. Emergency laparoscopic appendectomy. Abscess drainage. Dr. Foden led the surgery. She's been discharged."Alden's voice shook. "Was it bad?""Gangrenous perforation. Localized peritonitis. Pretty bad. Surgery was on time, recovery stable, but..." She gave him a pointed look. "

October, Southiano.The drizzle had this inky vibe, like someone dunked the whole sky in denim. Everything outside looked washed-out blue.Meredith stared out the window, thinking how Borevia never looked like this."We really gotta wear this?"Luke Lawson tugged at his tie, scowling into the rearview. "I look like a damn billboard."She didn't even blink. "First case. Bold colors scream confidence. That's the play."He glanced at her reflection—red lips, black suit tailored to kill, coral brooch throwing off light like it had an attitude.'She looks badass. But... will it actually work? We're just running on vibes now?'He made a face. Total buzzkill move. "Boss, Ascendra Biotech's legal team has THREE elite squads. And their CEO? Hayden Harington? Sued a rival out of existence last year..."Meredith flinched.Hayden Harington.Her brother's archenemy.She'd heard that name forever—golden boy, always stealing the spotlight.Built Ascendra in college. Three years in? Prepp

When Meredith didn't answer, Hayden let out a low laugh and tapped the table with one knuckle. "Alright, enough catching up. What kind of evidence do you think proves intent?"Her throat tightened. Intent—that murky middle ground lawyers loved to twist. It was the one crack in the case she could use.But Hayden had gone straight for the kill. No wiggle room.Backing down, though? Not her style.So she laid it all out, piece by piece. The one flaw she'd found after three brutal days buried in files.She wasn't aiming to win—just trying not to crash and burn."That makes a lot of sense."'Wait, WHAT? Is he serious?' She'd thrown in every trick she knew. Even she wasn't sure half of it would stick.When Hayden caught her stunned look, his lips curled just slightly. "Did your team check the defendant's financials before taking the case?"Meredith, under his laser stare, gave a small nod and slid the report over. "Ascendra Biotech's $500,000 demand is based on ten times their avera