Semua Bab The Wife They Rejected Was a Billionaire Heiress: Bab 61 - Bab 70

"We're not divorced yet. Legally, you're still my wife."Something colder settled into Ethan's eyes as his composure snapped back into place.He registered what he'd just done in front of a room full of people and, rather than panic, doubled down.He believed he was in the right here. There was no version of this where the Sinclairs would side against him over one woman.He turned to the old man, blunt. "Mr. Sinclair. Naomi is my wife. I'm here to bring her home."Every set of eyes in the room fixed on the three of them.The old man raised his head slowly, met Naomi's eyes first, and then let out a short, humorless laugh. "Funny. I don't recall hearing anything about Naomi being your wife.""Where exactly were you when she needed someone?"If he hadn't dug into Naomi's background himself, he'd have had no idea just how badly Ethan had treated her over the years. The thought of nearly being taken in by Ethan's performance of concern made something in his chest curdle.But the words lan

Anxiety pulled tight across Naomi's face. "Marcus is there security footage in this house?"Marcus's eyes flickered, quick to smooth it over. "There is. Actually, Sebastian just asked me for the key to the monitoring room a few minutes ago. He should be in there right now.""Take me there." Naomi didn't hesitate.Every second she couldn't account for Lily wound the panic tighter in her chest."This way."She followed close behind Marcus, silently praying nothing had happened to her daughter.A few minutes later, they reached the monitoring room door.Sure enough, it stood open."I'll wait out here," Marcus said, stepping back.Naomi nodded and stepped inside.Sebastian stood at the console, tall and composed, adjusting the feed, eyes locked on the screens.He seemed completely absorbed, as if he hadn't registered anyone entering the room at all.Naomi held off on interrupting, letting herself take him in for a beat instead.If that face ever wandered into entertainment, it would break

"Tell me exactly what happened at the Sinclair dinner."Ethan snapped back to attention at Grandma Blackwood's voice and walked her through the whole evening."And you actually believe whatever that woman told you?" Something bitter twisted across Grandma Blackwood's face. "Do you have any idea what's circulating online right now?"She thrust her phone at him. "See for yourself."Ethan's brow furrowed as he took it.His expression darkened the second the content loaded."This is what happens when you keep giving Naomi the benefit of the doubt," Grandma Blackwood said, sharp. "It's all over the internet already. Fix this. I refuse to have the Blackwood name dragged through this kind of mud.""I know."Something cold settled behind Ethan's eyes.Only three people had ever laid eyes on that photo. And he hadn't been the one to leak it.He'd resented Naomi plenty for what looked, to him, like a shameless scramble for status with the Sinclairs, but going public with it? Handing the story t

"Sir, the story online has been handled."Grant walked into the office, gave a quick rundown, then set two files on the desk. "The Sinclairs have softened up, Blackwood's officially got a slot in the bidding meeting."Something eased in Ethan's expression. Grant kept going. "One catch, the Sinclair bid date overlaps with another one of your active projects."He tapped the second file."I know." Ethan skimmed it. "Prioritize the Sinclair account.""The margins on this other deal are on par with Sinclair's, though, and it's a long-standing partner of ours. If we drop them for the Sinclairs, what happens if they decide to walk away from Blackwood entirely"Grant trailed off, watching Ethan's face carefully."If we land the Sinclair bid, Blackwood moves into a completely different tier." Ethan weighed it for a beat, then made the call. "Drop the other project."Grant's eyebrows shot up. "Sir, you're sure about this?"Ethan's frown deepened. "Is that a question?""No, sir. I'll handle it."

"Come with me."Sebastian stood and walked out of the coffee shop.Naomi tucked the draft away and followed.Meanwhile, at the Sinclair estate.The old man hung up the phone with his old friend looking considerably lighter.He headed downstairs and found Derek and Vivian in the living room. The smile on his face dropped instantly. "Derek. Where's your brother?""At the office," Derek answered fast. "Nathan's at his firm."Watching him answer so quickly this time, the old man's mouth twitched. "Good. Noted.""Grandpa, how'd you sleep last night?" Vivian asked out of nowhere.Something uneasy stirred in Derek's chest instantly.Whatever she's about to bring up, it's not going to be good."Fine," the old man said, flat, and turned to head back upstairs.He'd been the loudest voice against taking Vivian in, all those years ago. In the end, he'd lost that particular argument to his three grandsons and had simply learned to live with the outcome.Lately, though, watching her little maneuver