Chapter 90: Bringing Dina Along

Dina didn’t care much about Cora’s new workload. What she cared about was where the upcoming meetings would happen.

A company conference room was useless to her — but if they moved things outside, maybe she could tag along.

If she went under the pretense of “keeping Cora company,” no one could object.

And men — men were simple. Creatures of impulse.

She smirked at her reflection in the café window. She was a Milan-trained model, a walking invitation in silk and perfume. All she needed was the right moment to remind Julian Watson of exactly what he’d lost.

Once he remembered her, everything that belonged to Cora would come back to her.

“Cora,” Dina said sweetly, testing the waters, “Mr. Mayer didn’t… treat you badly, did he?”

Cora blinked. “What? Of course not. He’s too busy — and too good-looking — to bother with me. He probably has women throwing themselves at him every hour.”

Dina’s gaze flickered, her voice softening to a practiced tremble. “Cora, I’ve stopped working lately. I’m so bored. Could you spend more time with me?”

“Sure,” Cora said without hesitation.

“Then… if your next meetings happen somewhere outside the company, maybe you could bring me? I promise I won’t eavesdrop. I understand how sensitive business talks are. I’d just… hate to sit alone while you’re busy.”

Her eyes shimmered as if tears were barely held back.

Cora sighed and reached for her hand. “I’ll try, Dina. But honestly, I don’t make the decisions.”

“I know.” Dina dabbed at her lashes with a tissue. “I’d never want to cause trouble for you.”

The more gently Dina spoke, the heavier Cora’s guilt became. She thought about Dina’s illness, about the limited time she had left — and how few chances remained to be a good friend.

Dina knew exactly which string to pull.

“We used to be inseparable,” she murmured. “Remember when you went on your first date with Matt and begged me to do your makeup? We were so nervous, so stupid, so happy.”

Cora laughed under her breath, nostalgia softening her face. Then she gave in.

“Fine. Tomorrow Julian and Mr. Mayer are playing golf at the villa outside the city. You can come.”

Dina’s pulse leapt. She schooled her features into mild surprise. “But I’m not part of Watson Group. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate?”

“I’ll say you’re my companion,” Cora said. “Or my assistant. No one will question it.”

Dina flung her arms around her. “Cora, you’ve always been the best to me. Ever since we were little.”

And that’s why you’ll never see it coming, she thought coldly behind the smile.

⸻

After lunch, Cora returned to the office and buried herself in work. The Watson–Mayer partnership was massive, rivaling their last Korean deal. Liam had even specified her by name to lead the project. There was no room for error.

She spent the afternoon chasing data, asking senior colleagues for advice, scribbling notes until her hand cramped.

When Julian arrived, that was the sight that greeted him — Cora bent over a notepad, eyes focused, a lock of hair falling against her cheek.

He’d seen that look before. It still did something to him.

His grandmother’s words from lunch echoed in his mind. He knew she was right — that she was always right — but knowing didn’t make it easier.

This was supposed to be a contract marriage, nothing more.

So why did the thought of her smiling at another man make him feel like something inside his chest was breaking?

He hadn’t been able to erase that photo — Cora, laughing as Liam leaned close to buckle her seatbelt. That image had burned through him like acid.

Why do I even care?

He used to hate clingy women. Now he couldn’t stand the idea of her slipping away.

“Mr. Watson!” The employees straightened as he walked in.

Julian nodded absently, his eyes fixed on Cora.

She looked up, brushing her bangs aside. The simple motion exposed the pale line of her throat. His gaze darkened.

“Mr.—” she began.

“Come with me.”

Before she could finish, Julian caught her wrist and dragged her toward the inner lounge.

“Julian—what are you doing?” she gasped as her back hit the wall. Her cheeks flushed, remembering last night.

He braced a hand beside her head, trapping her between his body and the wall. “What did you promise my grandmother?”

His thumb grazed her cheek. The softness made his pulse hitch—then her answer cut through the haze.

“Don’t worry. I won’t cling to you.”

Julian’s eyes turned black with fury. “What did you just say?”

Cora blinked at him, genuinely confused. Why is he angry again?

Wasn’t this what he wanted? Distance? Independence?

“Let me go,” she said, knocking his hand away.

He gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Tell me, Cora—what do you think this marriage is?”

“You said it yourself,” she shot back. “A contract. We don’t interfere with each other—”

Julian released her so suddenly she stumbled. His voice dropped to ice. “So you can’t wait to leave, is that it?”

She opened her mouth, but he cut her off.

“Mutual non-interference?” His laugh was low and sharp. “Funny. I don’t remember agreeing to that. As Mrs. Watson, you’ll act like it. And when your husband wants his wife in his bed—that is your duty.”

Cora froze. He’s lost his mind.

“Julian, this is the office—”

He leaned closer, voice a whisper of heat. “Then would you prefer home?”

Her face burned.

He moved even nearer, his breath brushing her ear. “Let me remind you, Cora—if you ever do something that disgraces this marriage, I can make sure your mother lives comfortably… or not at all.”

The words dropped like stones. Then he turned, yanked the door open, and walked out without another look.

Cora’s knees buckled against the wall.

What happened to you, Julian?

He’d been so calm, so protective only days ago. Now he was a stranger, unpredictable and cold.

She pressed a trembling hand to her chest, trying to steady her breath.

He thought she wanted the Watson name, the money, the power.

But all she wanted—honestly—was peace.

And somehow, that seemed to enrage him most of all.