The CEO’s Curve of Fate のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

The smooth elevator ride back down to the lobby felt entirely different for Giselle. Resting safely inside her jacket pocket was the matte-black keycard, and beside her stood Braden, carrying the small leftovers of their homemade pasta. "I'll have my driver take you back," Braden said quietly as the elevator approached the ground floor. Giselle smiled up at him. "You don't have to escort me all the way to the car, you know." "I know," Braden replied, his eyes soft as he looked down at her. "I want to." Ding. The heavy doors slid open into the opulent, dimly lit main lobby of the Martin Residence. But the usual serene atmosphere was entirely gone. Near the front desk, two tall security guards stood in a rigid stance, blocking a man in a sharp, dark tailored suit. "I told you, I am not leaving until I speak with Mr. Martin," a cold, tight voice echoed across the marble floor. Giselle’s steps halted instantly. Her breath hitched in her throat, her stomach dropping into a cold, par

Giselle stood alone on the balcony of her temporary apartment, both hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea. Far below, yellow taxis crawled through the avenue while morning sunlight reflected off hundreds of glass skyscrapers, painting the city skyline in streaks of liquid gold.Yesterday, her name had been plastered everywhere: business columns, television broadcasts, and high-society tabloid blogs. Paparazzi had camped outside her building, ravenous for photographs and sensational statements regarding her divorce from Darel King, her quiet alliance with Braden Martin, and the increasingly unstable position of King Enterprises.A few months ago, that level of critical scrutiny would have utterly terrified her. Today, Giselle simply took a slow sip of her tea and felt nothing but an overwhelming, liberating calm. She no longer needed to explain her worth, nor did she need anyone’s permission to occupy space.Her phone vibrated on the marble table behind her, revealing an email notific

Giselle stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror.Over the past few weeks, six or seven kilograms had melted away. Not through extreme starvation, punishing workouts, or an obsessive desire to become someone else—she had simply learned how to take care of herself, inside and out.Tonight, for the first time in years, Giselle wasn’t wondering if her arms looked too soft. She wasn’t tugging at the fabric to hide her waist, nor was she dreading the judgmental whispers that used to follow her into every room.She looked at her reflection and smiled—a genuine, radiant smile."You look beautiful," she whispered.Then she paused, correcting herself with quiet conviction: "I feel beautiful."That was the true transformation.A soft, rhythmically steady knock sounded at her door. "Giselle?"Her heart skipped a beat. Braden.She checked her reflection one last time before walking over to open the door.Braden stood in the doorway, looking effortlessly striking in a impeccably tailored

The main ballroom grew louder by the minute.Lively orchestral music drifted through the air, silver glasses clinked, and light laughter echoed beneath the brilliant crystal chandeliers.Giselle offered a polite, composed smile to another group of real estate developers before stepping back slightly. "Excuse me for a moment," she murmured to Braden. "I'm going to step out for some air."Braden nodded gently, his eyes scanning the immediate area with subtle vigilance. "Take your time. I'll be right here."Giselle gave him a small, reassuring smile before turning toward the VIP corridor. The moment she crossed the threshold, the deafening roar of the gala faded into a soft, distant hum.Finally. Silence.She exhaled slowly, resting her fingertips against the cool diamond chain at her neck. Tonight had been an overwhelming whirlwind—not because she felt small or out of place, but because, for the first time in her life, she had walked into a room full of Manhattan's most formidable figur

Giselle stood near the foyer, still draped in her sapphire gown. Braden stood a few paces away, his black tuxedo jacket unbuttoned.Neither spoke.The quiet, heavy question he had whispered in the hallway still hung between them, thick with unspoken desire.Can you stay with me, Giselle?Her heart hammered against her ribs in a frantic, unhurried rhythm—not from fear, but from a profound, terrifying clarity. For the first time in years, standing this close to a man didn't make her want to retreat or shrink into the background.She looked up, meeting his intense, dark gaze. "Why?"Braden’s brow furrowed subtly. "Why what, Gigi?""Why do you want me to stay?"Braden didn't answer right away. Instead, he closed the distance between them—one deliberate, unhurried step at a time—until the heat radiating from his chest enveloped her senses."Because I don't want tonight to end," he said quietly. "And I don't want you leaving my side."Giselle swallowed, her throat dry. "Braden...""I know w