Chapter 7<\/p>\n
Chapter 7<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus<\/p>\n
I heard news that Owen was scrambling frantically over company issues. After thinking it over, I went to the study to find Dad. But he seemed to know what I was going to say and handed me a document directly.<\/p>\n
Seeing the contents inside, I froze in place, somewhat stunned. This was Owen\u2019s company\u2019s financial statement, but it was different from what I\u2019d seen before.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe company\u2019s been in trouble for a while now, but to attract investors, he created two sets of books. The external accounts are fake. Only this one is real.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s already a funding gap of nearly 300 million. Even if I drop the lawsuit now, he\u2019ll have a hard time surviving,\u201d Dad said calmly.<\/p>\n
I flipped through page after page, my heart growing colder with each one. I didn\u2019t say anything more and quietly left the study.<\/p>\n
Probably worried I was taking this too hard, Dad brought Mom and me to a welcome banquet for one of his friends that evening to help me relax. I didn\u2019t expect to run into Owen and Lila there.<\/p>\n
The banquet hadn\u2019t started yet. Mom was chatting with friends in the lounge, so Dad and I went to the main hall first. We were discussing my new company when I spotted the two of them finishing drinks with someone.<\/p>\n
Lila was wearing the custom dress Owen had made for her. When she saw me, she deliberately adjusted Owen\u2019s collar.<\/p>\n
\u201cCharlotte, fancy seeing you here. What a surprise.\u201d She spoke first.<\/p>\n
Owen also looked in my direction. He was about to say something, but for some reason, his expression instantly darkened.<\/p>\n
I was used to it by now. Over the years, his moods had been unpredictable, especially after getting together with Lila. He\u2019d even given me the cold shoulder more frequently<\/p>\n
But I didn\u2019t want Dad to have to deal with his attitude too. I tugged at Dad\u2019s arm, turning to leave.<\/p>\n
Lila quickly stepped forward, blocking our path. \u201cWhy are you running? After working together for so many years, shouldn\u2019t we at least chat when we run into each other?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guests at this banquet are all wealthy and well-connected. You probably don\u2019t even have a job now, right? How did you even get in here?<\/p>\n
\u201cDid this man bring you in?\u201d<\/p>\n
As she spoke, Lila glanced at Dad with an insinuating look.<\/p>\n
She was about to say something else when Owen stepped forward with a cold laugh. \u201cCharlotte, you really aren\u2019t picky. Did you dump me for this old man?\u201d<\/p>\n
I frowned, realizing he\u2019d misunderstood. I couldn\u2019t help but snap back angrily, \u201cOwen, watch your mouth. This is<\/p>\n
I was about to tell him this was my father when Owen interrupted me. \u201cI don\u2019t care who he is! Probably just some old guy with money!<\/p>\n
\u201cCharlotte, don\u2019t think the company can\u2019t function without you. The company\u2019s running perfectly fine now. I came here today to meet with Mr. Jared Lloyd. He\u2019s already greed to have serious discussions with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen our partnership goes through, do you know what the company will become?\u201d<\/p>\n
As if imagining his future success, Owen looked at me with smug satisfaction. He was eager to see me, embarrassed and begging him. But he didn\u2019t know that Jare Lloyd was my father.<\/p>\n
I had taken my mother\u2019s last name, and since I kept a low profile, few people knew my real identity. I was about to say something when Dad lightly tugged my arm.<\/p>\n
I fell silent. Dad probably already figured out who Owen was by now. His current behavior was completely different from how I\u2019d described him to my parents before left home.<\/p>\n
I felt somewhat embarrassed for a moment. But Dad didn\u2019t say anything. He stepped forward, his lips curving slightly upward, his manner as warm as always.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung man, let me give you some advice. Think carefully before you speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cCareless words can do lasting damage, especially to those you care about. If you do something you regret later, it\u2019ll be too late.\u201d<\/p>\n
At this, Owen let out a cold laugh. He suddenly grabbed a glass of red wine from a nearby table and threw it directly at Dad\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re just a homewrecker. Who the hell do you think you are to lecture me?\u201d<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t hold back anymore. Without hesitation, I slapped Owen across the face.<\/p>\n
\u51f9<\/p>\n
Support<\/p>\n
Share<\/p>\n
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby\u2019s writing style is bold and irresistible\u2014perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.<\/p>\n
Royal Blood in Exile by Mark Twain 7 Chapter 7 Chapter 7 +25 Bonus I heard news that Owen was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-from-betrayed-wife-to-heartless-ceo-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23421"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23421\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}