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12:48 Mon, 14 Apr AM ·
Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Grayson retrieved the USB drive and Cassie’s diary, both of which she had hidden in the farthest corner of my apartment mailbox in Century City. It was only after Evan was sent to prison and his crimes were exposed to the public that I finally felt a sense of peace.
When Asher Reid arrived at the villa following the incidents, his intentions extended beyond merely retrieving Cassie’s diary. However, I refused to entertain him and had security escort him from the premises.
“I hope you won’t do the same to me,” Grayson murmured, gently running a hairdryer through my hair.
I met his gaze in the mirror, amusement flickering in my eyes. “Are you afraid I’ll abandon you after everything you’ve done for me?”
I watched him nod in the mirror, his fingers trembling slightly as they worked through my damp strands.
“We haven’t exactly defined what we are to each other now,” he admitted.
“Aren’t you my husband?” I replied with gentle playfulness.
His reflection showed a satisfied smile spreading across his face. The truth was, Grayson and I had always shared something deeper than labels. Neither of us dwelled on the divorce because, in the end, it didn’t change what we were to each other.
Divorce or not, legal papers couldn’t dictate the feelings of my heart. Being Mrs. Blake was just a title, a legal formality, but our shared commitment to parenting our unborn child created a bond far more meaningful than any official designation.
“All done,” he murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to the crook of my neck.
I closed my eyes, savoring his presence. He had brought work to the villa, ensuring he could stay by my side.
Questions began forming in my mind as his breath warmed my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Grayson turned my chair to face him, his gaze dropping to my rounded belly. The sight seemed to bring him back to the present, and he gently kissed my swollen abdomen.
“How do you manage to…” I felt heat rise in my cheeks, struggling to voice such an intimate question.
He smirked, immediately catching my meaning. “You mean how I handle my physical needs?”
I swallowed hard, embarrassed by my own curiosity.
Despite our reconciliation, we had maintained physical boundaries, especially now, with me so close to giving birth.
Grayson had never been the type to stop at just one release–he always made sure I felt every bit of his desire. Now, seeing my advanced pregnancy, he wrestled with his self–control, determined to put my well–being first despite his desires.
“Every man knows how to take care of his own needs, babe,” he murmured.
His hand gently traced over my belly with care and admiration. “My desire for you doesn’t justify risking your comfort or safety.”
I reached up to stroke his cheek, touched by his consideration. He responded by pressing a gentle kiss to my lips before helping me settle onto the bed, my exhaustion becoming increasingly apparent.
Just as I was getting comfortable, a knock disrupted our moment.
“Boss, you have a visitor. It’s Ms. Joanne,” Martha’s voice came from the other side of the door.
Grayson and I exchanged a glance. “If you don’t want to see her, just say the word. I’ll send her away,” he offered protectively.
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12:48 Mon, 14 Apr AM.
Chapter 103
I sighed. “We can’t risk offending her. The paparazzi have been camped outside the villa for days, waiting to get my statement about Charlotte, Cassie, and Evan’s situation, as well as Gabriel and Sabrina’s relationship.”
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Ever since my return to Los Angeles, speculation had been relentless. Malicious posts had flooded social media–some claimed I was carrying Gabriel’s child after a leaked photo of us in the Bahamas. Others suggested that I had seduced Mr. Blake and gotten pregnant on purpose, securing my future with his wealth.
Shooing away a woman who flew from Paris to LA would only add to my already tarnished reputation.
Still, I knew why Joanne was here.
We sat across from each other in the living room. She sat nervously at one end of the sofa while I remained calm on the other, quietly sipping my water as I watched her.
Finally, I broke the silence. “What brings you here, Joanne?”
She hesitated before asking, “Did you take all your work to Santiago?”
Ah, so that was it.
Santiago was Joanne’s primary competitor in the industry. After she had rejected my designs during my time in Paris, Santiago’s assistant reached out to review my work. Of course, it wasn’t just by chance–Grayson had set up the meeting and offered Santiago a tempting business deal.
With my name once again capturing public attention, Santiago naturally seized this moment to announce our partnership. He’s already showcasing my designs on their website, implementing a three–month pre–order system.
This arrangement works out perfectly for both of us. Santiago avoids upfront costs since the funds come directly from customer pre–orders while I still have full creative control over my brand.
I couldn’t help but smile a little, knowing that even while pregnant, I’d secured financial independence.
Of course, Joanne didn’t anticipate the outcome.
“Joanne, I honestly admired you, and you were a source of inspiration for my designs. However, I can’t overlook how quickly you passed judgment on my creations and my character.”
She bit her lip, swallowing her pride. “I… I was wrong.”
I took a deep breath, knowing that Santiago’s reputation for being picky about partnerships had probably made Joanne rethink her quick judgment of my work.
“You should know that returning to your company isn’t an option for me now,” I said, my tone calm but firm.
She nodded. “I came here, in part, to apologize. Looking at you, I see reflections of Bella, and I failed her just like I failed you.”
She let out a bitter laugh before continuing.
“The day Mr. Blake walked into my office, declaring his commitment to ensuring your success in this industry, I knew I had lost. He was ready to outsmart me completely. Just as he said, none of your brand’s competitors in my company are performing well in the market.”
After our conversation, she said goodbye and left for Paris, carrying the weight of her regrets.
That evening, Grayson invited me to a business party hosted by his partner. I didn’t expect to see Valeria there, let alone have her block our entrance and confront us.
Her gaze swept over me sharply before settling on my husband, filled with accusation.
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12:48 Mon, 14 Apr #AM ·
Chapter 103
“Grayson, you owe me an explanation. Why was I removed from my position as head chief of SummitGlow?”
