Semua Bab A Taste Of Him: The One I Was Never Meant to Want : Bab 81 - Bab 90

Chapter 82Aurora's povA gentle chime rang through the hall.Conversations slowly tapered off as a woman stepped onto the raised platform, her mask ivory, her voice smooth and assured.“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may borrow your attention for just a moment.”The room obeyed.“This evening is not only about elegance and alliances,” she continued, smiling, “but about acknowledging the individuals whose vision continues to shape industries, communities, and futures.”A few names were mentioned—old money, new power.People whose reputations spoke louder than applause.Heads nodded.Respect rippled through the room.“And of course,” she added, pausing just long enough, “we are honored to welcome distinguished contributors joining us tonight—Ms. Eleanor Hartwell, Mr. Dominic Royce, the Calder Group, and…”Her gaze shifted briefly.“And… our famous Aurora Smith.”I straightened instinctively, pulse skipping, not from nerves, but from the strange awareness that I was being seen.The applause

Chapter 84Aurora's povI mean—come on. I’d been on a flight for almost eight hours.All I wanted was the hotel Nick helped me book here in London. I want those soft bed to envelop me again.My legs still felt wobbly, like the ground hadn’t forgiven me for leaving it.And suddenly, God—I was hot from someone staring too much.Maybe I should just get another drink.I spotted a passing attendant and took a glass without slowing down. One long sip. Then another.Bad idea.The champagne slid down too easily, buzzing straight to my head. The room tilted just a notch—subtle, but enough to make me blink.I hope I’m not getting drunk, I thought hazily.Somebody save me! Oh no, no Layla around here.My heels felt heavier. The music got louder. People’s laughter started overlapping in strange ways. When I laughed at something nearby, it came out half a beat late.Yeah.That was my sign.I needed to leave by all means necessary, so it didn't get more embarrassing.I started toward the parking ar

Chapter 86Aurora's povI stood up to the bathroom, the door closing behind me with a loud thud.I leaned my forehead against the cool glass shield for a second, breathing through the tightness in my chest, then turned the shower on before I could think better of it. The water came down warm and steady.I stepped under the water fully clothed in nerves and embarrassment, letting it soak my hair, my shoulders, my thoughts.And then, the memories flooded in without permission.I remembered driving off… but not far.Not far at all.I hadn’t been stable. I knew it then. I knew it now. I was still within the premises when I shoved the car opened myself, cold air rushing in like a slap of reality. I bent over beside the car, hands braced on my knees, breathing hard—then straightened again.Concrete under my heels.I saw him still standing there.Jaxon, deliberately Watching.Then walking toward me.I laughed—loud, reckless,even though nothing was funny. Not even a little.His jacket follow

CHAPTER 88Jaxon’s POVGrey skies pressed low over the city as my car rolled into the courtyard of Hôtel de Crillon, stone and glass standing tall, screaming wealth. The kind of place where huge deals were whispered, Where money didn’t flash.I stepped out, coat tailored, expression neutral, my mind already in numbers.Three days.That was all this meeting was supposed to be.Three days of alignment, projections, and future leverage, hoping for its best.Nothing more.Inside, the lobby smelled like polished marble and old decisions. I checked in without looking at the concierge long enough for him to ask questions. My assistant would handle the rest. I wasn’t here to admire Paris.I was here to own something for the future.The first meeting took place two hours later in a private conference suite overlooking the Seine. Glass walls. Rich Minimalist design. Purely professional looking.The investor arrived on time. Well, new money always did.“Mr. Grayson,” he said, standing to shake

Chapter 90 Aurora's povI stood before the mirror longer than necessary.The gown was tailored within an inch of my life—ivory, sharp-lined, structured at the shoulders, cinched just enough at the waist. No jewelry except a slim watch resting against my wrist, and a very Minimal makeupI slipped on my heels, the sound firm against marble, grounding. The woman staring back at me didn’t flinch. Well, A.S. Global Sports & Management didn’t belong to fear.It belonged to me.The elevator ride up was silent except for the hum of ascent and the quiet breathing of the woman beside me—my operations director.She cleared her throat.“Just so you’re aware,” she said carefully, eyes fixed ahead, “one of the investors is a Grayson.”The name landed like a blade between my ribs.I froze inwardly.My fingers curled once at my side, nails pressing into my palm. Grayson. Of course. Of all the surnames in all the cities in all the industries.I considered, for half a second, backing out.Postponing