Chapter 85
Zarek answered the phone.]
At the same time, he waved dismissively at the executives in his office–a casual gesture tinged with indifference[]
The group fled as if they’d been granted a reprieve []
Standing there another second felt like they might need ventilators.[]
They were beginning to realize, with growing alarm, that the prince who had been abroad all this time hadn’t been merely coasting on his family name and good looks. He hadn’t just been building his reputation in London on family connections and resources while secretly lacking talent []
They had assumed they could easily outmaneuver him with minimal effort []
Instead… they were being humiliated one after another.[]
Rex stood in the corner of the office, looking utterly bewildered.[]
“Ms. Paige? What is it? Zarek held the phone to his ear, his tone characteristically mild.[]
“I was supposed to return to work the day after tomorrow, and my leg is healing well,” Adeline said. “But I need to visit my grandmother… I’d like to take another week off. 1]
Her voice sounded completely normal. Only someone listening carefully could detect anything unusual, but Zarek knew she was barely holding it together.]
Zarek was silent for a few seconds.]
You’re getting quite addicted to skipping work. Are you planning to milk this injury indefinitely?]
-1
o, that’s not-
1 expect you in the office the day after tomorrow.”
Just five days–1
“Not even half a day. I want to see you at your desk the day after tomorrow morning.“]
Adeline went quiet for a few seconds.]
Finally, she seemed to deflate like a punctured balloon, her voice dropping. I’m sorry. I had no idea divorce would become so complicated. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have applied for this job so impulsively and caused you all this trouble. Just give me five more days, and I promise I’ll sort everything out. Otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?” Zarek prompted.[]
“People will start talking about you 100.
The situation had been escalating for nearly three hours now. It was uniikely he was still unaware
She wasn’t confident she could turn public opinion around in just two days.
If she showed up at Dominex now, constantly seen with Zarek, the rumors about him would multiply too.
“Ah, so thats what you’re worried about
Zarek sounded like hed had a revelation, then abruptly changed the subject. “How do you plan to handle this? Do you have a strategy?“]
After a five–second pause, Adeline answered concisely: “Fight fire with fire. Negotiate. []
Zarek:
ile sighed, as if overwhelmed with mixed emotions. “Ms. Paige, you’re scaring me.]
Adeline explained “I dont usually operate this way, but they’ve gone too far They’re forcing me to play hardball.]
“What scares me is your blund confidence,” he clarified.[]
“You’re intelligent–surely you can see that the Granthans are the ones puslung Amanda to do this? What makes you think you can take on two of New York’s most powerful families alone?”
I have my methods,” she replied stubbornly
“Adelle, courage to adurable, but it’s a sulatule for actual power A unicorn charging into a pride of lions is just a sacrifice []
“Even if it’s a sacrifice, I’ll take down the mastermind first. If I have to go down with them, so be ar
Adele regretted the words as soon as they gen her muth, realizing how reckless they sounded
Zaren’s expression turned serious
He sudden start in dimicatio was so palpable that Adelie tuld see his anger through the phone]
Im Tyar but podeled That was at spact. “[]
Zorske Walures suflened algidly. “You’re my employeejow You Cepts the and my company: Comer to work as scheduled, and End a way to resolve this situation. How does that sound?[]
Ho vise held an aiment hypten guailty D
It surged that with just a red from her, even the must deunting problems would be effetly subo
Adult pass that any Ü
He was Zarch Wesley, after all)
Having such promoci fyn kakung fu te blood to gay but was he being too groux|||
Chapter 85
Summer’s teasing comments and his ambiguous words from last night circled in her mind, dropping bombs of confusion[]
After a long silence, Zarek prompted, “Still thinking about it?]
“I appreciate your offer, but Ill handle this myself! Thank you! Goodbye!“[]
Adeline rushed through her response and hung up []
Zarek: …
He stared at his phone thoughtfully. After a moment, understanding seemed to dawn on him, and his expressive eyes dimmed, as if covered by a thick layer of dust []
Meanwhile.
Adeline clutched her phone for a full five minutes before her heartbeat finally steadied []
Thinking carefully about his behavior, while he had been kind to her… had he actually shown any romantic interest?]
She was reading too much into things.[]
It was impossible!
He didn’t even like women![]
SLAMI
The front door banged shut.[]
Summer was back.]
She’d had a court case this morning that ended after noon.]
The proceedings hadn’t gone well. The opposing side had presented new evidence, forcing her to request a recess. Afterward, she’d had lunch with her client, then found a nearby café to discuss strategy.
By the time she saw Amanda’s statement, it was nearly one o’clock.]
She had planned to return to her office but came straight home Instead
Has Amanda completely lost her mind?” She flung her briefcase aside, her young face creased with a deep frown.
Adeline collected herself []
Clearing her head of the jumbled thoughts, she responded, “It’s definitely strange.
Summer folded her arms, pacing in front of the sofa. “If she can release a statement, so can we. What we have is even more explosive than her garbage. But once we do this, you and Tristan won’t have any dignity left between you“]
Adeline’s eyes gradually hardened to ice. The Kelces didn’t leave me any dignity either.
Summer sat on the sofa. “What I’m saying is, Tristan might not have known about today’s statement. No matter how you look at it, it doesn’t make sense for him to be so contradictory. You two shared eight good years together…]
“Even if he didn’t do 1! personally.” Adeline countered, “isn’t he still responsible for creating this mess?“.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to end things civilly. If he had just agreed to the divorce properly, we wouldn’t have all these complications. Everything I’ve done, everything Evelyn’s done, everything Amanda’s done he pushed us all to this point. Shouldn’t be bear the consequences?“]
Summer fell shent
After a moment, she nodded. “Alright. Then we hit back, no holds barred. I’m your divorce lawyer and your best friend. I’ll speak for you
They unmediately got to work []
They listed the points to refute, the attacks to make, and the evidence to present.[]
Just as they were ready to record a video response on their phone, the doorbell rang[]
Tu get 11 Summer said.[]
She went to the door and pecked through the peephole.[]
Tristan
He had the nerve to show up!
fier ullal surge uf anger quickly gave way to calculated calm. She turned on her phone’s recording function and tucked it under a sota cushion, giving Adeline a meanhigful look before going to open the door []
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.