Chapter Twenty -Nine

Leilani POV

" The pictures in the tabloids" she muttered in case he hadn't heard her she pulled her phone and dropped it in front of him on the table, that one read

CEO's Estranged Wife in Secret Tryst with Rival?

There were many others like it, Sebastian bent over the phone and looked at it,his mouth quirked into a faint smile, as he pulled back, leaning into his chair

“Leilani,” he said finally, his tone smooth and almost infuriatingly calm,

“you give me too much credit. The tabloids don’t need my help to spin a story. They’ve been doing that for years.”

“You’re lying,” she said, her voice firmer this time.

“You think I don’t know what you’re doing? You’re trying to ruin Gustin and you’re using the me to do it.” Leilani gritted her teeth, her heartbeat drummed in her ears, she was furious, all she wanted was peace and quiet and to not be dragged into the tabloids everytime she closed her eyes.

“Ruin, Gustin? Leilani, I don't need to lift a finger to do that. He does that by himself, your divorce scandal is one case.” he muttered,his eyes glittering with amusement as he continued,

“But if I were behind this—and I’m not— then I'd target Gustin, more not you" he mumbled and she sighed

Sebastian was responsible for this in some way she knew by the look in his eyes, she had faced men like Sebastian before—powerful, ruthless, always looking for a way to manipulate and control. Gustin was one of those men even though she had loved him too much to think much of it.

“Whatever game you’re playing, Sebastian, it ends here,” she said, stepping forward, her voice laced with anger.

“Stay out of my life. This isn’t just about your business—this is my personal life, my children. If you do anything that will hurt my family in your vendetta against Gustin, , I’ll make sure you regret it.”

“You have a fire in you Leilani , that's very good but I'll give you a big of advice,threats–" He shook his head as if disappointed. The room was filled with a tense, heavy silence, as he added

"they don’t work on me.”

Leilani’s fists tightened even further, nails digging into her palms and Sebastian’s gaze sharpened, his smile fading as he studied her.

He leaned back in his chair again,

“Very well,” he said,

“If it bothers you so much, I’ll stay out of it. Consider it a courtesy… for now.”

She turned on her heel without another word, and as she reached the door, Sebastian’s voice called out behind her, cold

" I believe Gustin has seen it, that's why you're fidgeting" he asked.

Her hand froze on the door handle, her body stiffening.

“You should really ask yourself, Leilani, why Gustin hasn’t defended you against the media storm." She turned to him slightly

" He's not my husband anymore, defending me is not his job anymore " she replied pulling the door open.

She had dealt with Sebastian but now, she had another problem to solve

Gustin. He would be furious, and while she understood that, did it really matter and certainly have him no right to demand she leave her job

She grabbed her bag off the counter and made her say to the elevator, the elevator doors opened slowed than she would like and Leilani stepped out into the lobby, her steps brisk as she made her way toward the exit.

The noise of the city swallowed her almost immediately, but no one seemed to notice her. So either they hadn't read the news or it wasn't as bad as she was expecting.

She hailed a cab and gave the driver Gustin’s office address. The ride was short, but it gave her enough time to steel herself for what was to come.

When the car pulled up outside the towering building where Gustin’s office was located, Leilani hesitated for only a moment before stepping out.

Her stomach churned with angry energy, but she pushed it aside, she stood in front of the office, she was no longer the woman who would let herself be pushed around by men like Gustin or Sebastian he didn't get to do that to her again

She walked through the lobby and into the elevator, pressing the button for Gustin’s floor. When the doors finally opened, Leilani stepped out, her eyes scanning the familiar hallway.

" Is he in " she gestured to the assistant, as she strode towards his door , the girl ran after her

" Ma'am just wait " just as she was about to push open the door, it swung open from the other side and she nearly collided with someone else stepping out.

Leilani took an involuntary step back as she came face to face with .

“Watch where you’re going,” came the sharp, icy voice of none other than Bellamy.

Leilani’s breath caught in her throat as she looked up into her eyes

“Well, well,” Bellamy drawled, her voice dripping with syrup

“If it isn’t the estranged wife.What are you doing here?” Bellamy demanded, her voice sharp.Leilani’s chest tightened with anger

“i don't see how it's any of your business, Bellamy.” she mumbled

“oh sweet heart, I think it does. I think you’ll find that things have changed since you walked out of his life.”

"What the hell is going on here?” Gustin called out from his office. Bellamy’s smile widened, sending a chill down Leilani’s spine.

“Nothing, darling" she called back sweetly, she walked out the door and leaned into as she whispered

"Don’t pretend you were some perfect wife. We both know Gustin deserves better you" she hissed, Leilani shrugged as she replied

. “You maybe right. But that doesn't make you anything more than a distraction, a temporary fix for Gustin " Bellamy’s smile wavered, and Leilani knew she had struck a nerve

“We’ll see about that.”Bellamy hissed

Without another word, she brushed past her, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she sauntered down the hallway, leaving Leilani standing at the door, her heart pounding in her chest.