Chapter 65
Adeline froze.
He had said he would have “torn that place apart,” but somehow her brain translated it to… he would have missed her.
A faint blush crept across her face.
“Um… thanks for your concern,” she managed.]
I show the same concern for all my employees,” Zarek replied evenly.]
Rex blinked in confusion: The same concern for everyone? Since when?]
The atmosphere suddenly filled with an awkward tension that nobody quite knew how to break…]
Finally. Rex jumped in, cheerfully returning to the factory situation. “Miss Paige’s pretty sharp, boss. She got about eighty percent of it right.”
“What about the twenty percent I missed?” Adeline asked, grateful for the change of subject.]
“Those ghost employees? They were actual ghosts, in a way. They’re dead–Mateus killed them.”
“Dead?!”
Adeline’s eyes widened in shock.
She had assumed they might be relatives or friends on a fake payroll, not murder victims.
Rex nodded grimly, “Crazy, right? None of us saw the homicide angle coming.”
Adeline’s mind raced. “That explains everything. That’s the leverage Victor had over him. No wonder Mateus was willing to take the fall.“]
Payroll fraud and kidnapping weren’t nearly as serious as murder.]
They were actual factory workers–first hires, married couple. They hadn’t been there two weeks when Mateus killed them one night. Claims it was an argument that got out of hand.
“Victor discovered the bodies and cooked up this whole scheme, creating the illusion they were still alive. Even made up a workplace injury story. To keep the other employees quiet, they split the ghost salaries. From that point on, Victor had them all under his thumb.“]
“And Victor wasn’t just after that chump change from payroll fraud. He had bigger ambitions. Set up a renewable energy company under his brother–in–law’s name and had Mateus steal research data and raw materials. The accountant cooked the books, shift supervisor ran interference… it’s insane. What looked like a small leak turned out to be systematic looting.”
Adeline felt sick just hearing about it.
She’d suspected there was more to the story, but nothing this extensive.
She glanced at Zarek. “I’m guessing a total clean sweep is coming?”
If the factory was this corrupt, the branch office must have had collaborators too. This kind of operation couldn’t have flown under Serena’s radar without inside help.
“A complete overhaul is exactly what’s needed,” Zarek nodded. “This branch has been underperforming for years. I was planning to restructure anyway, so this gives us legitimate grounds. Not a total loss.“]
His matter–of–fact tone made Adeline suddenly feel like some corporate bloodhound–sniffing out corruption and bringing down the hammer.]]
The door opened as Tristan returned.
His expression was already dark, but seeing Zarek in the room sent it plummeting further.[]
“Mr. Weasley, what’s with these daily visits to another man’s wife? What exactly are your intentions?” Tristan’s voice dripped with hostility
Adeline inhaled sharply. “Jesus, Tristan, what is wrong with you?‘]
Zarek remained surprisingly composed. Tim checking on my employee’s recovery. After all, she was injured while working for me.
Both statements were factually accurate, yet something about the delivery felt slightly off]
Tristan’s forehead vein visibly pulsed. “Let me make this crystal clear. She is MY woman. In life or death, she belongs to me. Anyone who tries to come between us will regret it.”
Zarek Listened to Tristan’s threats with a faint, almost amused smule.]
Though he didn’t say a word, his expression somehow fell challenging as if Tristan had just told a joke that he found entertaining
Tristan seemed to read the meaning behind that smule, his hostility intensifying.
flex was sweating bullets Mr. Kelce, you’ve completely misunderstood. We’re just here for a professional courtesy visit, nothing more. And our CEO is a total gentleman, not some player. I can personally guarantee he has absolutely no interest in Miss Paige.)
Zark gave Rex a cool slightly irritated glance.
Adeline was unterly mortified]
She didnt care to explain anything to Tristan, but she couldn’t let Zerek sulfer these baseless accusations. “Tristan would you stop being insane? Mr. Weasley has zero interest in me. He doesn’t even like women(1)
บ
0
Her last statement successfully suenced the entire fam
* EASTERN
Chapter 65
After a long pause, Zarek finally spoke, his expression a mix of appredation and speechless exasperation. “Miss Paige, thank you for that… clarification about my personal life. I should really give you a bonus for such
enthusiastic PR work
With that, he stood and walked toward the door.
Adeline belatedly realized what she’d implied and desperately tried to salvage the situation. I didn’t mean you like men! What I meant was-
The door slammed shut.]
1
Adeline closed her mouth.
Tristan narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Weasley’s gay? Doesn’t look it.]
Adeline’s temple throbbed with a headache. “Tristan, we are DONE. Even if you’re dragging your feet on the divorce papers, we are finished! Stop calling me your wife, stop calling me your woman! I’m not anyone’s possession–I belong to myself“]
Unless I’m dead, nothing between us will ever be done, Tristan growled, his tone hardening as if trying to carve the words into her bones, making it clear that his determination matched hers.]
She was determined to leave him.
He was equally determined to keep her.
The next morning.
Rex arrived at the hospital with the driver to settle the medical bills and handle the discharge paperwork for Adeline.]
He was feeling the pressure but pushed through anyway.
Why should she take his plane? We have our own. We don’t need your help,” Tristan declared imperiously when he learned they’d come to take Adeline to the airport.]]
Adeline ignored him completely, focusing instead on getting out of bed, gesturing for Rex to bring the wheelchair closer.
Tristan stood up and blocked the wheelchair.]
Adeline immediately lost it. “What are you doing right now? Looking to argue or physically fight? My leg wound has barely healed–are you trying to force me to stand and tear it open again? Would that make you happy?“]
Tristan was taken aback
He hadn’t wanted to argue with her, much less harm her. His tone softened. “Taking our jet back is just as good. There’s no need to impose on others.” 1
Adeline’s expression remained ice–cold. “There is no ‘our‘ between you and me. You’re the outsider here.“]
Tristan felt like he’d been stabbed in the chest, the pain sharp and visceral.
In the end, he didn’t dare physically stop her, fearing she might struggle and reopen her wound.[]
However, he insisted on pushing her wheelchair himself and followed her into the car headed for the airport.]
He actually didn’t want to return to New York so quickly. He wanted to find somewhere private where they could reconnect and rebuild their relationship.
At the airport VIP lounge.
Zarek observed Tristan’s presence with cool detachment. “Mr. Kelce, looking for a free ride?‘
at.“1
Tristan, surprisingly thick–skinned, replied, “Indeed. If you’re feeling stingy about it, Mr. Weasley, I’m happy to pay for my seat.”
♡(1)
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.