Too Late To Love Me, Mr Billionaire のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

**KIRA**The convoy stopped in front of the Ashford International Events Center.Kira looked out the window. The building was huge. Glass walls, expensive cars everywhere, photographers standing behind ropes with their cameras ready.A lot of people.More than she expected.The driver opened her door. “Miss Ashford.”Kira stepped out.Immediately, cameras started flashing. Voices shouted her name from every direction.“Kira! Over here!”“Miss Ashford!”“Look this way!”She ignored them. Kept her face neutral and walked forward.The red dress moved as she walked. Her heels made sharp sounds against the pavement. She didn’t smile. Didn’t wave. Just walked like she had somewhere important to be.Because she did.At the entrance, Marcus was waiting. He smiled when he saw her.“There she is.”Kira took his hand. He kissed her cheek quickly.

KIRAThe gala was winding down.People had moved from their seats to stand in groups around the ballroom. Conversations filled the air. Laughter. The sound of champagne glasses clinking.Kira stood near the center of the room, talking to an older man in an expensive suit. Mr. Peterson. CEO of some tech company Marcus said she should meet.“Your brother speaks very highly of you, Miss Ashford,” Peterson said.“That’s kind of him.”“He mentioned you have plans to expand the hospitality division into international markets.”“I do. We’re looking at Europe first. Then Asia.”Peterson nodded, impressed. “Bold. I like it.”Beside her, Elijah shifted slightly. His hand rested lightly on her waist. It had been there most of the night. Steady. Supportive.And every time she moved, he moved with her. When her dress trailed on the floor, he bent down slightly to lift it without her asking. When someone stepped too close, he was there, creating space.Kira hadn’t asked him to do any of it.He just

**KIRA**The car was quiet.Kira sat in the back seat, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past. Her feet hurt. Her face felt tight from smiling all night. Her head was full of voices and faces and conversations she’d already started to forget.But one conversation she couldn’t forget.Adrian.Standing in front of her. Asking to talk. Reaching for her hand.And Elijah stepping in.Your replacement.Kira smiled slightly at the memory.Beside her, Elijah sat with his jacket off, his tie loosened. He looked relaxed. Comfortable.He hadn’t said much since they left the gala. Just asked if she was okay. She’d said yes, and he’d left it at that.No pushing. No questions.Just quiet.Kira appreciated that.The car turned onto a quieter street. They were almost back to the Ashford Estate.“Thank you,” Kira said suddenly.Elijah looked

**KIRA**Kira stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting the collar of her black suit.Sharp. Professional. Powerful.The jacket was tailored perfectly. The pants fell just right. She allowed her fall like a model. Red bottom heels completed the look.This was CEO Kira.Not housewife Kira. Not invisible Kira.This version didn’t apologize. Didn’t shrink. Didn’t second-guess herself.She grabbed her bag and walked downstairs.Marcus was in the foyer, coffee in hand, scrolling through his phone.“Ready for your first day?” he asked.“As ready as I’ll ever be.”“Nervous?”“No.”He looked up and smiled. “Good. You shouldn’t be. That hotel’s been waiting for someone who actually knows what they’re doing.”“Is it really that bad?”“Worse. Three managers in two years. All of them quit or got reassigned. Staff morale is low. Revenue is down. It’s a mess

KIRAKira sat behind her new desk, staring at the stack of files in front of her.Revenue reports. Staff complaints. Guest reviews.All bad.She pulled out her phone and dialed Marcus.He picked up on the second ring. “How’s your first day?”“Terrible.”Marcus laughed. “That bad?”“Worse. This place is a disaster, Marcus. The kitchen is using dead seafood. The rooms haven’t been properly cleaned in God knows how long. The mattresses are falling apart.” She leaned back in her chair. “Did you give me this hotel to punish me for being away for nine years?”“What? No.”“Then why is it like this?”Marcus sighed. “Honestly? We neglected it. The hotel division wasn’t performing well over the past two years, and we had too many other things going on. Bigger projects. More profitable ventures. This place just… fell through the cracks.”“Fell through the cracks?” Kira repeated. “Marcus, this isn’t a crack. This is a canyon.”“I know. That’s why we need you to fix it.”“It’s going to take more t