جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 80

The hostess led Celeste toward a table near the back of the restaurant. She thanked her before taking her seat. Lunch had already begun. Low conversations filled the room while waiters crossed between the tables carrying trays from the kitchen. Celeste checked the time on her watch. Three minutes later, a man in a dark suit entered the restaurant. He spotted her immediately. "Miss Vance." He pulled out the chair opposite hers before placing a slim document folder on the table. "Thank you for coming." "I've made some progress." Celeste reached for the folder. The first page contained a timeline. Six years. Every entry belonged to Nora. She turned the page. The investigator rested one hand on the folder. "Nora Vance arrived in London six years ago." Celeste continued reading. "She enrolled at Westbridge Business School within three months of arriving." He slid another document toward her. "She graduated with distinction." Another page. "Not long afterward, Beaumont

CharlieThe conference coordinator handed each team a folder before directing us toward one of the briefing rooms.I held the door open while Nora walked in ahead of me, balancing her notebook against one arm. The room was smaller than the main conference hall, with a long table in the center and a large screen already displaying the case study."So..." I pulled out the chair beside hers instead of sitting across from her. "Looks like we're partners.""It looks that way." She placed her notebook on the table before opening the folder. "Let's not embarrass ourselves.""I make no promises."She rolled her eyes and that made me laugh.The case study described a fictional retail company planning to expand into three international markets. We needed to evaluate the risks, recommend an investment strategy and prepare a presentation before the afternoon session ended.I skimmed the financial reports while Nora was already highlighting sections with a pen.I looked sideways."You still do th

Saturday arrived with clear skies over New York.Nora was still in Chicago.After breakfast, Marta looked from Lena to Theo before folding the kitchen towel over her shoulder."If the two of you spend one more hour inside this house, you'll start climbing the walls."Lena grinned."So we're going somewhere?""We are."Victor picked up the car keys from the hallway table."I know exactly where."Half an hour later, the SUV pulled into one of the city's largest parks.The paths were already busy with families, cyclists, and children chasing footballs across the grass.Lena climbed out before Victor had finished opening the boot."I'm going to the swings!""Stay where we can see you," Marta called after her."I will."She was already halfway across the playground.Victor looked at Theo."Coming?"Theo nodded and followed him at a slower pace.Marta sar on a nearby bench beneath a large maple tree while Victor stayed close enough to keep Lena in sight.The morning passed easily.Lena insi

Nora The wind carried the last warmth of the evening across the rooftop. Charlie's eyes were still on me. He didn't speak again. I looked across the skyline before drawing a slow breath. "It's too late, Charlie." He lowered his head. "I know." I turned toward him. "You threw all of it away." He remained where he was. "Our friendship." His fingers tightened around the railing. "Our marriage." He closed his eyes briefly. "Our future." When he looked back at me, he still didn't interrupt. "You don't get to decide one day that you want it back." "I know." His voice barely rose above the wind. I stepped away from the railing. "I can't pretend those three years of marriage never happened." I turned toward the rooftop door. Behind me, I heard him draw a breath. "I'm not giving up." He said. My hand rested on the door handle, but I didn't look back. "I'm not asking you to forget." His voice carried across the rooftop. "I'm going to earn another chance." My fingers t

The road narrowed long before the house came into view. Trees lined both sides of the driveway, hiding the property from the main road. By the time Celeste brought the car to a stop, the only sound came from the engine settling into silence. Gregory Beaumont stood on the veranda. He waited until she stepped out before opening the front door. "Thank you for coming." "I almost didn't." He inclined his head. "But you did." She followed him inside. The house was quiet. A fireplace burned in the sitting room. Two glasses rested on a low table between a pair of leather chairs. Gregory picked up one of them. "I wasn't sure what you preferred." "I'm not staying long." He set the glass back where it had been. "Then we'll get straight to it." Celeste remained standing. Gregory looked at her for a moment. "I read the news." She said nothing. "The engagement between you and Charlie is over." His eyes stayed on her. "The wedding's cancelled." He slipped one hand into his poc