Chapter 28
Lydia stood beside the luggage cart, her gaze cold as she met Michael’s eager expression and sneered, “Where I go is none of your concern, Mr. Finnian.”
Michael brushed off her sharp tone, assuming she was still throwing a little fit. He figured as long as she was heading back to Raventon, he’d have plenty of time to smooth things over with her.
Lydia was about to hail a taxi when she spotted the car Hayden had arranged was parked nearby. ‘He’s so thoughtful,’ she thought, and pushed the luggage cart toward it.
“Lydia, let me help you,” Michael insisted, stepping closer.
His honeyed words only made her stomach churn. “Security,” she called out firmly, “I don’t know this man.”
The hotel guard, who’d been watching the scene closely, hurried over. “Sir, please step away from the lady,” he said, positioning himself between them.
Michael scowled. “I’m a guest here, and I’m her boyfriend. Haven’t you ever seen couples bicker?” he snapped.
The guard was taken aback and turned to Lydia for confirmation.
“If I were your girlfriend, then who’s the woman you’re always with?” Lydia scoffed.
The thought of Michael and Ciara sharing a bed these past few days, just a few feet away, made her stomach turn. Hence, she had zero hesitation about exposing their dirty little secret to the world.
The guard’s gaze shifted to Michael, sharp with disdain.
With security holding Michael back, Lydia strode toward the car. The driver hurried to assist, and together they quickly. loaded her suitcases into the trunk.
Only after the car drove off did the guard release Michael and slowly walked away.
Just as Ciara was about to approach Michael and calm him down, he bolted toward a taxi parked by the roadside. “Michael!” she shouted.
But he paid her no heed. He slid swiftly into the passenger seat and told the driver, “Follow that car up ahead.”
The cab driver glanced at him over the rim of his thermos. “Is this some kind of TV show stunt?”
Michael frowned, pulling out a thick stack of cash. “Can you do it or not?”
The driver’s eyes widened as he stared at the money and then at the black car merging into traffic. He set his thermos down with a clink and gripped the steering wheel. “Hold on tight.”
The taxi roared away from the hotel’s circular drive, shadowing the black car in silence.
Ciara watched Michael’s taxi vanish and stamped her foot in frustration, her face twisting with anger.
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Chapter 28
The midday sun was scorching. When one rolled down the window, all they got was blast after blast of blistering heate
As Lydia’s car pulled to a stop side a sprawling luxury villa, Michael quickly signaled the driver to brake. They pulled.
over under the shade of trees at a street corner, hidden from view.
He squinted, watching as Lydia stacked her luggage by the front door. Soon, several women in matching uniforms emerged to help carry the bags inside–servants of the house, no doubt.
Michael’s fists clenched, his eyes icy. ‘So that’s why she wouldn’t come back to Raventon with me. She’s made it big in Jettridge. Maybe she’s always looked down on me, just waiting to dump me for some rich guy the moment she gets the chance.‘
In Jettridge, rich families always lived in massive mansions. If a guy didn’t bring a woman home to a proper place like that, there was usually some shady reason she wasn’t supposed to be seen.
A vein pulsed on Michael’s forehead. ‘No matter how stubborn Lydia was, I’d always kept a spot for her as Mrs. Finnian. But now, she’s just some guy’s side piece. How low she’s sunk!‘
He pulled out his phone and called his assistant, Timothy. “Find me an apartment to rent in Jettridge. I’ll text you the address shortly.”
Timothy’s hesitant voice came through the line. “But Mr. Finnian, the head office just sent word–they need you back in Raventon immediately.”
Michael recalled his reasons for coming to Jettridge, and the pricey emerald grail he’d bought that was now just collecting dust. His face hardened. “Tell them building a connection with the Leonard family takes time.”
Everyone knew the Leonard family’s clout in Jettridge. Finnian Group, based far away in Raventon, had long coveted a
foothold in the city. Michael was sure that if his family knew he might secure a link to the Leonards, they’d let him stay.
Timothy agreed to relay the message. Then he asked hesitantly, “Mr. Finnian, have you seen today’s news?”
Confused, Michael opened a news app, and his eyes landed on the headline: [Jettridge’s Urban Renewal Project Manager:
Sean.]
His heart plummeted. He clamped down on his frustration, forcing a calm tone. “Losing Leonard Group’s urban renewal project was just bad luck. Once we build that connection, better opportunities will come.”
Timothy was unconvinced but nodded. “I heard the bidding was cutthroat. Sean must’ve pulled some strings to win it.”
Michael couldn’t care less about the Hollander family. After a few perfunctory words, he brushed the topic aside. His eyes fixed on Lydia, burning with a mix of desire and hunger.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the road by the villa gate. The shifting shadows played over Lydia as she
moved.
“I’ve got this,” she grunted, straining to carry the box of paintings toward the front door. No sooner had she set it down
than Rachel called..
“Sean landed the urban renewal project. Want to come celebrate with lunch at the Hollander residence today?” Rachel
said.
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Chapter 28
Lydia saw right through it—Hayden was stoking more tension between the two Hollander branches. Got it, he replied. She wasn’t about to miss this spectacle.
It was nearly noon, so Lydia didn’t even bother tidying up her room. She just grabbed her bag and headed out. But as she reached the door, she collided with an unexpected face.
“What a coincidence,” Michael grinned, faking surprise.
Lydia saw through his act. She glanced around warily, ignoring him. Noticing the car that brought her had already left, she pulled out her phone to call a taxi to the Hollander residence.
“Off somewhere? I’m heading out too. Let me give you a lift.” Michael clung to her like a shadow. Back when they’d dated, she’d never realized he could be this relentless.
Michael had wasted no time–by noon, he’d rented the villa right next to Lydia’s. He’d also had his driver bring over his luggage from the hotel, and now his car sat parked at the entrance.
Lydia kept her expression cool, swiping faster on her phone screen to refresh the ride–hailing app. But ten minutes ticked by, and still, no driver accepted her request.
AD
