Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaire's Curvy Prize: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

Queen and Ava arrived at T&B with a strange sense of calm. James's visit was still somewhere in the back of her mind.His demand. His assumption that she would come running back. His sudden talk about a wedding that didn't even have a ring attached to it.But she wasn't going to let him ruin her day. Not today. She walked into the office beside Ava."Coffee?" Ava asked. "Definitely." They had barely reached their desks when Queen noticed Melissa standing near the conference room.She was holding a folder. And she wasn't alone. Two junior associates were listening to her.Melissa noticed Queen. Her smile disappeared almost immediately. "Queen."Queen nodded. "Morning." Melissa looked at the folder in her hands. "So how is the Harbor View presentation going?"Queen stopped. "Going well." "Interesting." Ava glanced at Queen. There was something in Melissa's voice.Queen noticed it too. "I'll be presenting the acquisition brief." Melissa gave a small laugh."Right. Melissa opened the fold

By eight-thirty the next morning, Queen was already standing outside the Harbor View property with a folder tucked beneath her arm.The site looked nothing like the polished renderings she'd spent the last several weeks studying.Steel frames rose against the morning sky, construction vehicles moved slowly across the far side of the property, and the sound of machinery carried through the open air.Beyond the construction zone, the harbor stretched toward the horizon. Queen looked down at her shoes.She had chosen them carefully that morning. Comfortable enough to walk in. Professional enough that Richard couldn't complain. Ava stood beside her, looking around."So this is Harbor View." Queen nodded. "Hard to believe this is going to become one of the most expensive properties in the city.""That's why we're here." Richard's voice came from behind them. They turned. Richard approached with Melissa and two other members of the T&B team.His expression was businesslike. "Mr. Williams ha

I had waited all this while. Longer than I probably should have. I had waited through the café. Through the wedding. Through the lunches. Through the meetings. Through every moment when you smiled at me and then looked away as if you were afraid of what that smile might mean.I had told myself there was no hurry. So I waited. I kept our conversations respectful.I kept my distance when I needed to. I never asked for your number. Not because I didn't want it. God knew I wanted it.And today, I am not going to pretend anymore. "I suppose this is the right time."Queen stared at him. "The right time for what? George smiled. "For me to stop pretending I only look forward to seeing you because of work"Her lips parted slightly. He had said it so calmly. As if admitting that he'd been thinking about her was the most natural thing in the world.Queen lowered her eyes to her phone. "George please" He gave a small laugh."I probably shouldn't be making you nervous." "You are not making me ner

Queen had stopped checking James's calls. At first, she had felt guilty about it.Every time his name appeared on her screen, something inside her told her she should answer.They were still technically on a break. She hadn't officially ended everything.She had simply asked for space, moved into Ava's apartment, and stopped allowing James to dictate every decision she made.But James hadn't accepted the distance. He called in the morning. He called during lunch.Sometimes he called three or four times in a row. When she didn't answer, he sent messages.We need to talk. How long are you planning to stay angry?You can't just disappear. Come home, Queen. I'm still your boyfriend. That last message had bothered her more than the others.Not because it was false. Because she wasn't sure she still wanted it to be true.She had read the messages without responding. Not because she wanted to punish him.She simply didn't know what to say. And lately, whenever she thought about James, she re

Queen had expected lunch with George to feel awkward. She had spent most of the morning wondering what they would talk about once they took business off the table.At work, there was always something to discuss. Harbor View. Reports. Designs. Deadlines.But lunch was different. There would be just the two of them. No Richard. No Melissa. No project files between them. And, perhaps most importantly, no reason for George to be sitting across from her unless he genuinely wanted to.Queen had been to expensive restaurants before. Usually, she had gone because James had been invited somewhere, or because someone from his photography circle wanted to be seen in a particular place. This was different.The moment George's car entered the private entrance of the restaurant, Queen noticed the change in atmosphere.The valet was already waiting. A member of staff stepped forward before George had even opened his door, greeting him by name.“Good afternoon, Mr. Williams. Your table is ready. Geor