All Chapters of The Wife They Rejected Was a Billionaire Heiress: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

The more Derek turned it over, the more unbalanced he felt.If I'd known music would take off like this, why'd I even bother with the business track first?He had no idea whether Naomi would actually want to come to his concert."I've got a show scheduled next week. Wanted to invite her, but after the whole watch thing, I wasn't sure if she still held it against me. So I ran it by Grandpa instead."After turning it over enough times, Derek finally spelled it out. "If Grandpa's the one extending the invite, she can't really say no, right?"While the three brothers kept chatting, Naomi wrapped up her call with the old man.Didn't realize my slightly clueless brother was actually some kind of celebrity.She walked back toward the car, mid-thought, and found Sebastian already gone.Just as she registered he'd left without a word, a message came through.Something came up. Heading out.Is this him explaining himself to me?Something strange and unnamed flickered in Naomi's chest, gone as f

"Obviously. Do you have any self-awareness at all?" The receptionist studied Naomi a beat longer, then shrugged it off. "People do whatever it takes to get ahead. You'd be surprised what some of these women try."Right on cue, Owen appeared at the front doors.Spotting him, the receptionist lifted her chin. "Owen this one's claiming to be the Sinclair project lead. Wanted to see Mr. Cole. I stopped her.""Honestly, these women never run out of new angles. Pretty face, wasted on the wrong strategy." She shook her head, almost sympathetic.Owen's mouth twitched.So this is why the boss suddenly told me to come downstairs and grab someone."There's been no shortage of women trying to get close to Mr. Cole over the years. Ms. Hart, please don't take it personally." Owen gave a brief explanation, then gestured her forward. "This way, please."Watching Owen defer to her so quickly, the receptionist blinked, stunned.She looked between Owen and Naomi. "Wait, she's actually the Sinclair proje

Something in Sebastian's expression paused. He looked ready to decline, then didn't.I always eat alone.The only time I ever sit down with actual family is the standing Cole dinner.Watching him hesitate rather than refuse outright, Lily kept pushing. "Handsome uncle, please? Eat with us?"Naomi caught the hesitation too and started to give him an out."Sure," Sebastian said before she got the chance.Naomi blinked, surprised, then smiled. "This way, then."A few minutes later, the three of them arrived at the apartment.Sebastian stepped inside and took in the layout.Small, but warm every corner clearly lived in and cared for. Whoever kept this place clearly loved their life."Mr. Cole, make yourself comfortable in the living room. I'll go start on the ingredients."Naomi went to carry Lily back to her room to rest.Lily puffed her cheeks out. "Mom, I'm fine now. I want to stay out here and keep handsome uncle company."Naomi checked her pulse gently, held it a beat, then let go. "

His own daughter was standing there defending another man in front of him.Lily had never once shielded him like that.Ethan didn't think he'd ever been unkind to either of his kids. So why did Lily gravitate this hard toward strangers instead of him?"Mr. Cole, I need to sort some family business." Ethan swallowed down whatever he was actually feeling.The subtext was clear enough a polite ask for Sebastian to leave.Sebastian didn't budge. His dark eyes slid past Ethan and settled on Naomi. "Ms. Hart. Do you actually have family business to handle right now?""No." Naomi cut in fast, turning a cold look on the two of them standing uninvited in her home. "You're the ones who need to leave.""Mom, how could you kick out Dad and me for some other guy?" Julian's eyes went wide, something strange and accusing in the way he looked at her.Naomi wasn't in the mood to explain herself. She grabbed a fistful of Julian's shirt and steered him toward the door.Then her eyes cut to Ethan. "Are y

Miles caught the shift instantly."Wait, is this about a woman? Is it Ms. Hart? You want backup? I'm an excellent wingman, I could seal this deal for you"Sebastian pressed two fingers to his temple. "Don't worry about it. Hanging up.""Handsome uncle!"The second Sebastian's car pulled up, Lily's bright voice rang out.He followed the sound and found mother and daughter standing outside the apartment, already watching him.Something in him went still for a beat before his legs carried him forward on autopilot.Naomi took Lily's hand and started toward the car.Morning light caught the two of them just right, lending the whole scene something almost luminous.Watching them close the distance, smiling, a bold thought surfaced in Sebastian's mind.If Naomi really is that girl, I'd walk away from the engagement without a second thought, whatever it costs me.The thought lingered for a moment, then quietly slipped away."Mr. Cole, sorry I need to drop Lily at school first," Naomi said.Sh