Chapter 228: Playing Dirty For Love

Chapter 228: Playing Dirty For Love
Nora’s POV

"I just called Alexander," Liam said, leaning against my office doorframe like he was king of the damn castle.

I kept my face locked in neutral, shuffling papers on my desk without skipping a beat. "Whatever you've got brewing with him is your circus, not mine."

"This ain't about your tangled-up personal drama, Nora." He plopped into the chair across from me, all slick business vibes. "It's a straight-up collab between Traynor Group and Claflin Enterprises. Pure work stuff."

I snorted, not buying his bullshit for a hot second. "Sure it is."

"It is," he insisted. "And get this—he didn't just bite on the partnership; he offered to drag his ass all the way to Highcrest City to seal the deal in person."

That slammed into me like a sucker punch to the gut. I jerked my head up, scanning his face for any smug giveaway. "He's coming here? To Highcrest?"

"You bet." Liam's mouth quirked into that annoying half-grin. "Sounded straight-up pumped about it, too."

I leaned back in my chair, my brain churning like a freaking hurricane. Alexander—the ghost who'd ghosted me for weeks, the jerk who'd pulled that lame phone interrogation about Aiden. Now he was storming my territory? My heart hammered, a nasty cocktail of rage and that idiotic flicker of heat I couldn't snuff out.

"What's the win for Traynor?" I demanded, shoving my mind into CEO gear despite the chaos swirling inside. "Hooking up with Claflin is no small potatoes. I'll stick with the project, but I've got demands."

"Hit me."

"First, profit split—seventy-thirty, our way." I held up a hand as he started to protest. "Second, if this tanks, Claflin swallows every damn loss."

Liam whistled low. "Harsh terms, Nora. He'll laugh you right out of the room."

"Then he's not as all-in as you say." I shrugged, faking ice-cold calm. "Oh, and I'll run the negotiations myself."

He slid a folder across the desk. "Prelims are in there. And Nora..." He paused at the door, giving me that big-brother stare-down. "Play nice. He's Daisy's brother—and your husband, don't forget."

I nodded vaguely. "I'll be as nice as he earns. But I'm here to guard Traynor's back."

The second he left, I cracked the folder, eyes racing over the details. This wasn't some penny-ante gig—it was empire-shifting, the kind that could build fortunes or bury them. My finger hovered over my phone, Alexander's contact mocking me like a loaded gun. Call him? Jump the gun on this nightmare?

Fuck that. Let the asshole chase me for a change. I was done groveling.

---

"Mommy, can we go to Charles's house today?" Aiden asked, his little face lighting up as he shoveled cereal like a champ.

I grinned, messing up his soft hair. "Actually, buddy, I was thinking we might hit up Kingsley City soon," I floated, watching his reaction like a hawk for any tells.

His spoon clattered into the bowl. "Will we see Charles there?"

"Charles lives right here in Highcrest, sweetie," I said gently.

"I know, but he could come too!" Aiden beamed, his kid logic rock-solid. "We can all go together!"

Right on cue, the doorbell rang. David, our buttoned-up butler, appeared in the doorway seconds later.

"Mr. Smith is here to see you, Miss Nora," he announced with his usual stiff polish.

Aiden nearly toppled his chair. "Charles is here!"

Sure enough, Charles strolled in, looking stupid-hot in fitted jeans and a button-down that clung just right to his frame. His eyes locked on mine, that warm, knowing smile spreading like wildfire.

"Hope I'm not interrupting breakfast," he said, though his vibe screamed he couldn't care less.

"Charles!" Aiden launched himself at him, and Charles scooped him up like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Guess what? We're going to Kingsley City, and you're coming!"

Charles raised a brow at me, intrigued. "That so?"

I shrugged, feeling weirdly exposed under his gaze. "Just kicking the idea around."

"Well, sign me up for the road trip," he said, setting Aiden down. "But today, how about that new indoor playground at the mall, little man?"

"Yes!" Aiden fist-pumped. "Can we, Mom? Please?"

Who could say no to that grin? "Alright. Let me grab my purse."

---

The kids' zone at Highcrest Mall was a riot of neon chaos and piercing shrieks. Aiden bolted the instant we signed the waiver, his green eyes—Alexander's eyes—sparkling with pure bliss under the fluorescent glare.

Charles guided me to a tucked-away café spot overlooking the frenzy. "Coffee?" he asked, already flagging a server.

"Make it strong—double espresso."

"Rough morning?" He slid into the seat across from me, all effortless charm.

"Rough month," I confessed, eyes fixed on Aiden scaling a foam wall like a mini conqueror. "Liam called Alexander today."

Charles's expression sharpened, laser-focused. "And?"

"And the great Alexander Claflin is blessing Highcrest with his royal presence for some business deal." I tried for casual, but the bitterness leaked out like venom.

"I see." He studied me for a long beat, intense. "We need to talk about you and Claflin, Nora."

"There's no 'me and Claflin,'" I snapped, sharper than I meant.

"Bullshit." His bluntness hit like a slap. "You're still crazy about him. It's written all over your face every time his name drops."

"That's ridiculous—"

"Nora," he cut in softly, "we're friends, right? That's what you called it. Friends don't lie to each other."

I stared into my steaming mug, excuses fizzing up like bad soda. "Fine. Maybe I still... feel something. But it doesn't change shit. He made his choice."

"If you love him, if you can't let go, then fight for him," Charles said, like it was that simple.

I let out a bitter laugh. "Alexander's the most stubborn prick alive. Once he decides, it's over."

"And you're just gonna wilt?" he challenged, leaning in closer. "Why's it always you crawling back? You apologizing? That's not right."

"Life's not fair," I muttered, dodging hard.

"Love's not fair," he shot back. "But you don't just quit. I've got a three-step plan."

I nearly choked on my coffee. "A what?"

"Step one: Be a total ice queen in negotiations. Drive him nuts."

"That'll be a breeze," I grumbled.

"Step two: When you're alone, switch it up. Show him the hurt, the real you."

"This sounds like straight manipulation."

"Step three," he pushed on, "if it bombs, make him jealous. Let him think you and I are together."

I froze, shaking my head. "No way. I'm not using you like some tool to piss him off—that's not fair to you. We've talked about this; I won't drag you into my mess like that."

Charles's eyes softened, but he didn't back down. "Nora, listen. You're not using me; I'm in this willingly. If it gets you what you want, what you need... it's worth it. Don't let pride steal your shot at happiness."

His words hit deep, stirring up that old memory of snooping Alexander's search history after our blowout: "how to apologize to your wife." He'd been trying, in his messed-up way. Damn it, maybe Charles was right.

"Fine," I sighed, a strange relief washing over me. "I'll try your stupid plan. But only because you're twisting my arm here."

Charles grinned like he'd just hit the jackpot. "Either you snag Alexander back, or you end up with me. Win-win."

I rolled my eyes, but a genuine smile cracked through. The guy was unstoppable.

Aiden bounced over, cheeks flushed and sweaty. "I'm starving!"

"I'll snag him a snack," Charles said, winking. "Meet us at the car? Won't be long."

As they headed off, I caught Charles whispering about some cotton candy scheme, Aiden giggling like they'd masterminded the perfect crime.

The next morning, I stormed into my Traynor Group office with fire in my gut.

"Mira," I barked to my assistant, "get Claflin Enterprises on the line. Tell them we need to lock in a face-to-face on this collab, stat."

Her eyes widened—she knew the drama. "You want me to call Alexander Claflin personally?"

"Hell yes," I said, my voice steady and fierce, surprising even me. "It's time we had a real conversation."