All Chapters of THE WIFE HE NEVER HAD, NOW HE REGRETS IT: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

188 Chapters

BEG ME NOT TO LEAVE

ScarlettA faint smirk tugged at Adrian's lips. I wonder what about this situation he found amusing.“We have a deal,” he said, his deep voice vibrating in the quiet restaurant. “After our date, let's finalize the contract terms back at my club. What do you say?”My gaze lingered on him a bit longer. “Do you visit that club often? Aren't you afraid a rumor might start up if you're caught going there by reporters?”Adrian shrugged, completely unbothered. “I see no reason why a rumor should stir up just because I visit one of the many venues I own. It’s not even a headline-worthy scoop for a reporter.”He spoke with the absolute certainty of a man who controlled the media, not the other way around. Joining hands with him was definitely the smartest move I’d made yet.After our date, Adrian and I headed to the club in his car. This time—when we arrived—I didn't hesitate before stepping out, as I already knew what our arrangement was for.Daniel was already waiting outside the private roo

NO ONE WILL

ETHANThree.That's the number of failed meetings and deals that had slipped through my fingers, and every single one of them traced back to Scarlett.When the first meeting started, irritation crawled beneath my skin. My phone sat face-up beside the contract folder, the dark screen mocking me at every glance with neither calls nor messages from Scarlett.“Mr. Ethan,” Kevin's voice snapped through my thoughts. For a second, I had forgotten I wasn't alone in the room.He folded his hands atop the table. “Like I mentioned earlier, the patents tied to this project are under your wife's name, correct?”I forced out a small laugh. “That's correct. However, my wife isn't available at the moment, but that wouldn't be an issue as I will be handling the project directly.”Kevin nodded once. “I understand, but given the scale of this investment, I would feel more comfortable discussing the final terms directly with Mrs. Scarlett.”My jaw tightened. “Mr. Ashdale, are you implying this deal won't

HANGING ON A THIN THREAD

ETHANShortly after my call with Pete ended, I sent the money needed to get the job done. Then, a knock sounded against my office door.My frown deepened as I wasn't expecting anyone. Adjusting my suit jacket, I ordered, “Come in.”The door creaked open and Lydia—one of the administrative staff—stepped in, holding a tablet against her chest.“Mr. Ethan, the board has requested an emergency meeting with you.”My stomach tightened. Already? Had news about the failed negotiations spread that quickly? Shit. This was bad.I tugged my tie, suddenly aware of how sweaty my palms were. “Tell them I'll be there in five minutes.”“Yes sir.”The door shut behind Lydia. I stared at the dark screen of my phone, hoping to get an update from Pete about Scarlett's location, but I was faced with dead silence.My jaw clenched. “Useless idiot.”Snatching my phone off the desk, I shoved it into my pocket—my heart beating heavily against my chest—as I headed for the boardroom.When I stepped in, all ongoin

WHO FORGOT THEIR PLACE?

SCARLETTThe moment I stepped out of the shower and turned my phone back on, the screen lit up. A dull irritation crawled up my skin as Catalina's name flashed across the screen.My mother-in-law.In my previous life, I had spent years bending over backward, turning myself into the most obedient, pathetic daughter-in-law just to earn a scrap of approval from this woman. But no matter how hard I tried, she and the rest of the family always treated me like disposable furniture—all because I couldn't conceive.Droplets of water slid down my neck as I stared at her name for another second before answering. “Hello?”“Where are you, and why haven't you been home?” Catalina's sharp voice demanded through the speaker.Durian's loud crying echoed in the background, followed by the muffled crash of a sharp object. Ethan must have dumped the responsibility of looking after Durian on Catalina the second I stopped playing nanny.A faint smile tugged at my lips. “I've been trying to get Ethan the p

DISCIPLINE NOT BABY HER!

ETHANNibbling on the edge of my thumb, I paced across my office like a caged animal. Chairman Peters warning still echoed in my head. If Scarlett wasn't back in two days, I was going to lose everything. My phone buzzed at my desk. Relief washed over me in hopes that it was Pete but irritation coiled in my chest when I saw "Mother" flash across the screen instead. “What is it, Mother?“ I answered. “When is that wife of yours coming home?“ Catalina snapped. Durian's loud cries echoed through the background sharp enough to make me pull my phone away from my ear. It sounded like the boy was being tormented. “This child is impossible to handle!“ She continued. “He refuses to eat and keep throwing things around. Did Scarlett not train him properly?“My head throbbed. Of course, this was just what I needed to hear after spending the entire day dealing with one bad news or the other. “You've only been there for an hour“ I said, pressing two fingers against my temple. “Can you not start

GET RID OF HIM

ETHAN“Answer me, both of you!“ I barked when neither responded.Mother flinched. “Y-Yes. I understand.“But Gideon doesn't say anything, his face tight with resentment.“Gideon, don't push me,“ I warned.“But she started it! Why should we sit back and do nothing?“ He shot back.I rolled my eyes, explaining for the umpteenth time. “Whatever you think Scarlett did was a misunderstanding. Let it go.““But—““Gideon, that's enough,“ Catalina cuts in, gripping his arms. Facing me with icy eyes, she added, “I hope you regret choosing that woman over your own family, Ethan.““Scarlett is not "that woman." She's my wife.“Shaking her head with disappointment, Catalina pulled Gideon along with her. “Come on, Gideon. Let's go.“My brows creased as they headed towards the entrance door. Yes, I wanted Mother and Gideon to leave so that Scarlett could come home peacefully, but not with both of them upset.“Mother, don't leave like this.“Catalina didn't even slow down. “You don't need to concern

A NEW HEIR

ETHAN“Are you out of your mind?“ I asked. “You want me to kill him?““I'm saying you could hire some thugs to scare Pete a little and force him to move out of town,“ she corrected.I scoffed. “And get more involved with him than I already am? No thanks.“Things were already spiraling out of control. The last thing I needed right now was another mess tied to Pete.Scrubbing a hand down my face, I changed the subject entirely. “Anyway, Durian is the reason Scarlett hasn't been coming home lately. She thought it was better to give the kid some space as he wasn't opening up to her.“Panic flashed across her face. “And you let her leave? She still hasn't signed those adoption papers!“My patience snapped. “You think I don't know that? How was I supposed to know Scarlett planned to leave the house completely after the mess that day? And don't make this all my fault; you were standing right beside Durian that day. You could have stopped him from overhearing us.“She crossed her arms tightly

THE NEW CHAIRMAN

AdrianThe drive to the main estate took twenty-three minutes, but it felt longer than that.Daniel sat in the passenger seat making nonstop calls while I stared through the tinted window, fingers tapping against my knees as I replayed every possible scenario my father's collapse could create.A chairman falling sick was one thing, but if my father were to pass away before naming me his successor, that was another.Daniel wrap up his conversation within seconds. He quickly hung up and turned around to face me.“The family doctor arrived ten minutes ago. According to the report, Chairman Hartley collapsed due to stress-induced blood pressure complications.”What an interesting way to call terminal lung cancer. The day my father forced me to marry within a month to secure my succession rights, I discovered the truth afterward. He had stage IV lung cancer.I had waited for my father to tell me himself, but he never did, so I pretended to know nothing. Instead of getting a checkup, Victor

ACCOMPANY ME AS MY DATE

ScarlettThe call ended with a soft click. Even through the phone, I heard that greedy edge creeping into Ethan's voice the second I mentioned the patent authorization agreement currently being drafted.A quiet smile touched my lips. Things are about to get very interesting now.“Mrs. Scarlett,” Leonard called, pulling me from my thoughts. “The finalized draft of the agreement may take a little longer than expected. Would you prefer to wait or return tomorrow morning?”I glanced at the wall clock. It read 8:45 p.m. I hadn't realized time had gone by that quickly.“I'll come back tomorrow morning,” I replied.“Very well. Have a good night.”“You too, Mr. Leonard.”The elevator ride down Leonard's office floor was silent. Outside his company building, I noticed a familiar sleek black car parked at the entrance.Daniel stood beside it with one gloved hand resting on the already-opened back door. When our eyes locked, Daniel flashed a dazzling smile.My steps slowed as I approached him. “

LIKE THE LAST TIME

ETHANThat completely caught my attention. “A new heir to LG group?“Aurelia crossed one leg over the other, leaning back against the leather sofa. “Yes. Do you know what that means, Ethan? It means the entire power structure of the Gance family is shifting. You don't have to waste time begging the old board members anymore. You can pitch your investment proposal directly to this new heir instead.”Hope sparked inside my chest, my fingers tightening around the armrest of my chair. EH Pharmaceuticals was on the brink of suffocating, and the LG Group was the only life jacket left in this country.“I found this,” Aurelia said, tilting her screen toward me. A blurry paparazzi photo displayed a young woman standing beside a luxury black car while bodyguards surrounded her.I leaned closer, squinting at the screen. “There's barely anything visible. Her back is turned.”“That's because the media hasn't gotten a proper shot yet. The Gance family is protecting her identity.“Although I couldn'

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