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CHAPTER 121
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A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 122
TRENT'S POVLydia's words echoed in my mind, each one driving the truth home like a dagger to the heart. "...the man, he was there that day. He was with my husband, lurking around outside the car, watching him hit that poor man down the street."So it was true - my father hadn't simply been an accessory to whatever cover-up Mr. Stewart was involved in. No, he was the one pulling the strings from the very beginning.The memory of Lydia's pained expression as she struggled to recall more details as she said. "I'm sorry, but I really didn't get a view of the man he hit," she'd said, that same vacant look clouding her eyes once more.Of course she hadn't - because there was no random victim, no tragic vehicular accident at all. Just a cold-blooded assault staged by my father's own hand.I pushed through the front door of the house, But the sight that greeted me made my blood run cold.There was my father, pacing back and forth as he barked furiously into his phone. "What did you just say?
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 123
TRENT'S POV I sighed deeply as I collapsed into the leather chair behind Dad's desk, utterly deflated. For hours, I've been meticulously scouring every nook and cranny of this study, desperate to uncover some clue, some hint about the dark secret he was so hellbent on keeping buried.But my search had proved fruitless, yielding absolutely zilch. Typical, really. Of course the old bastard would be extra careful in concealing anything incriminating about his past misdeeds. He was nothing if not a calculated, diabolical son of a bitch.Raking a hand through my disheveled hair, I swiveled the chair to gaze out at the imposing shelves of books and files lining the walls. So much for my harebrained idea of somehow cracking this case wide open through some miracle discovery. Fat chance of that happening now.There has to be a better way of prying those ugly truths from Dad's tightlipped grasp.My mind drifted back to that fatefulday at the hospital, mulling over his ramblings about a food
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 124
ELLA'S POVI stared down at the flyer in my hands, the bold letters seeming to mockingly leap off the page:"RIVERSIDE ANNUAL TALENT SHOWCASE - DANCE COMPETITION!$5,000 GRAND PRIZE FOR THE BEST DANCER!"My gaze tracked lower to the rest of the details, and my brief thrill of hope quickly morphed into one of doubt."Dancers will be evaluated by professional instructors from renowned academies, including..."The list of highly prestigious dance schools went on and on. Just reading the names made my palms start sweating. This is a huge cash prize, sure...but also having to put myself out there and compete against all the town's most elite, experienced dancers? With a frustrated sigh, I tossed the flyer back down onto Ryan's coffee table, flopping onto the couch beside him. This was just a pipe dream, nothing more. As much as I'd grown to love dancing under Ryan's patient guidance these past few months, I was still just a beginner at best. A total amateur compared to the real talents o
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 125
TRENTS POVI watched Ella from my spot sprawled on the living room couch, unable to suppress an adoring smile as she sat cross-legged on the floor, brow furrowed in intense concentration over her textbook. Leave it to her to turn a lazy Sunday afternoon into an impromptu study session.As if sensing my eyes on her, she glanced up, strands of her chestnut hair falling across her face. Those big, soulful eyes of hers narrowed when she caught me staring instead of studying like I was supposed to be."You know, staring at the textbook doesn't actually constitute reading it," she teased.God, she looked so adorably smug in that moment. Heat crept up the back of my neck as I quickly pretended to straighten up, cracking open the calculus book she'd all but forced into my hands earlier."Easy for you to say, Mrs. I Breezed Through Calculus With Flying Colors," I shot back, snapping the textbook closed. "Some of us mere mortals actually have to put in effort to understand this mind-numbing non
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 126
TRENT'S POV TWO DAYS AGO AT MR MATTHEWS OFFICE "So are you telling me that this was the reason Daniel was acting that way before he disappeared?" His gravelly voice sliced through the silence. Slowly, I rose from the plush leather chair, squaring my shoulders. "Yes, Mr. Matthews," I stated. "It wasn't just family issues that made him go off the rails back then. There was more to it, sir." I watched him intently, taking in the rigid set of his broad shoulders, the tense lines etched across his forehead. This powerful titan of a man was clearly grappling with some immense inner turmoil. At last, he came to a halt, hands stuffed into his pockets as he lifted his eyes to meet my stare once more. "I warned him that this was getting too dangerous," he murmured. "I told Daniel we needed to stop this idiotic digging before it was too late." He shook his head slowly, jaw clenching. "But I know how stubborn he gets once he got a notion stuck in his head. I didn't know he still contin
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 127
ELLA’S povI stared down at the crumpled divorce agreement papers in my hands, my heart clenching painfully. Ever since the other day when Trent freaked out after seeing these, that look of anguish on his face has been burned into my mind.What could possibly be in these legal documents that shook him to his core like that? I've pored over them a hundred times and can't find anything too abnormal - just the standard jargon about the separation of assets, custody agreements, all the typical divorce minutiae. Sure, seeing my dad's name printed there is always a harsh reminder of his absence from my life. But other than a few brief pangs of melancholy, these papers never broughtup such a dramatic reaction before. So why now? And why from Trent of all people?Ugh, I just don't get it! I flopped back against the pillows with a frustrated huff. Absentmindedly, I reached for my phone, instantly navigating to Trent's text thread like I'd done a million times over the past few days.Only th
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 128
Ella's POVOkay, this was getting a little out of hand. As I glanced up at Ryan from the frilly pink dress I was currently swimming in, I couldn't help but giggle at the oversized bow on the back."You've got to be kidding me with this one," I teased, giving a little twirl that made the poufy skirt flare out ridiculously. "Do I look like a giant cupcake or what?"Ryan's eyes danced as he shook his head. "Maybe not that particular number," he chuckled. "But don't worry, we'll find the perfect dress for you yet."I threw up my hands up. "Ryan, you really don't have to do this, you know. A simple 'thank you for being such an awesome tutor' would've been just fine." "Ah, but where's the fun in that?" he countered with a wink. "Consider this my way of showing a truly exceptional teacher my gratitude."Rolling my eyes, I retreated back into the changing room to slip out of the cupcake catastrophe. As I shimmied into the next potential option Ryan handed over the door, my mind drifted back
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 129
Ella's POVMy feet could barely keep up with how fast I wanted to go. I wasn't just walking anymore - I was practically running, unable to contain my excitement at the thought of finally seeing Trent again. With each hurried step, I replayed his text over and over in my mind. "Ella, we need to talk." At last, I turned the corner onto his quiet neighborhood street, his house coming into view. And there he was, patiently waiting for me out front like he'd said. The sight of Trent's tall frame standing on the porch made my heart flutter wildly in my chest. Oh, my handsome, silly boyfriend - did he have any clue how much I'd missed laying eyes on that warm smile and tousled hair of his?Before I could stop myself, I came barreling towards him, his arms opening in anticipation of my embrace.But rather than leaping into his waiting arms like I'd imagined a million times, my emotions boiled over into something else entirely. Without warning, I started beating his chest with a breathless
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A deal with the playboy EPILOGUE PART TWO - THE END
ELLA'S POV "Remember when Connor tried to ask out Jessica by serenading her in the cafeteria?" Liam grinned. "He sang so off-key, the lunch ladies thought a cat was dying in the kitchen!"We all burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the luxurious ballroom of the Grand Plaza Hotel. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm glow over our little group huddled around one of the many round tables. Large flat-screen TVs mounted on the walls played a slideshow of our high school memories.Connor's face turned beet red as he playfully shoved Liam. "Oh yeah? What about the time you accidentally set off the fire alarm trying to impress Dolly with your 'mad science skills'?"Dolly giggled, leaning into Liam's side. "I thought it was cute! Even if we did have to stand outside in the rain for an hour."I couldn't help but smile, taking a sip of my champagne. "God, we were such disasters back then. Remember the great cafeteria food fight of senior year?"Amelia snorted, nearl
A deal with the playboy EPILOGUE : PART ONE
FIVE YEARS LATERELLA'S POV The spotlight blazed down on me as I twirled across the stage, my body moving in perfect harmony with the music. As I neared the climax of my performance, I could feel the energy of the audience pulsing through the air.With one final leap, I landed in my ending pose, chest heaving and sweat on my skin. For a moment, there was silence. Then, like a dam bursting, the applause erupted. The sound washed over me that left me breathless.I straightened up, a wide smile spreading across my face as I took in the sea of faces before me. There, in the front row, sat some of the most respected names in dance. Critics, choreographers, fellow dancers - all on their feet, clapping and cheering.As I made my way off stage, I was immediately surrounded by a swarm of people. Hands reached out, voices called my name, all clamoring for a piece of my attention."Ella! Ella! Can I get your autograph?""Ms. Thompson, that performance was breathtaking!""Ella, when's your ne
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 198
ELLA'S POV The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. Before I knew it, we were all outside, the summer sun beating down on our black gowns. I stood apart from the crowd, watching as my classmates tossed their caps into the air, their laughter and cheers filling the courtyard.I looked down at my own cap, running my fingers over the tassel. Then, with a deep breath, I flung it skyward, watching as it spun through the air before disappearing into the sea of black and gold.As I searched the crowd for my cap, a familiar voice called out behind me. "Ella! We did it!"I turned to see Susan racing towards me, her gown billowing behind her like a superhero's cape. She crashed into me, wrapping me in a bone-crushing hug that nearly knocked us both over."Can you believe it? We're officially high school graduates!" Susan squealed, jumping up and down while still clinging to me.I couldn't help but laugh, her excitement infectious. "I know, it's crazy!"Amelia appeared at our side, her perfe
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 197
ELLA'S POV The guest speaker's voice droned on, barely penetrating the fog of my thoughts. I shifted in my plastic chair, my graduation gown suddenly feeling too tight. My eyes wandered across the sea of black caps, finally landing on a familiar pair of figures.Ryan and Susan sat a few rows ahead, their heads tilted towards each other in quiet conversation. A small smile tugged at my lips as I watched Ryan's hand slip into Susan's, their fingers intertwining. Thank God they finally worked things out. As if sensing my gaze, Susan turned, her eyes meeting mine. Her face lit up with a warm smile, mouthing a silent "Thank you" in my direction.I nodded back, genuinely happy for them both. But as I turned away, a familiar discomfort bloomed in my stomach. It started as a dull ache, quickly escalating into a churning sensation that made me grip the edges of my seat. I swallowed hard, willing the nausea to subside.This wasn't the first time. For the past two weeks, these waves had becom
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 196
ELLA'S POVThe summer sun beat down on us as we streamed out of the auditorium, a sea of black gowns and square caps. I squinted against the brightness, my hand instinctively reaching for Tom's. His fingers intertwined with mine, warm and comforting, yet not quite right.I forced a smile, trying to ignore the hollowness in my chest. "It's so awkward, right? Us being together like this."Tommy's eyes met mine. "We'll make it work, Ella. We have to."And we did, in a way. The past few months had been a whirlwind of pretending, of plastering on smiles and playing the part of the perfect couple. It was easier than facing the truth - that Trent was gone, possibly forever. The pity in people's eyes when they thought about 'poor Ella' was too much to bear. At least this way, I could pretend everything was normal.I'd thrown myself into the charade with a desperation that surprised even me. Late-night study sessions with Tommy, learning every detail of Trent's life. Practicing his mannerism
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 195
ELLA'S POV I placed my trembling hand in his, still stunned by his sudden appearance. As he led me to the front, my mind raced with questions. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, their excited whispers creating a noise around us.We glided across the floor, and I couldn't help but stare at Trent. He moved with such grace, showing no signs of the injuries that had kept him hospitalized. Something felt off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.As we stepped onto the stage, the spotlight bathed us in its warm glow. Trent's eyes sparkled with an intensity I'd never seen before. Just as we were about to begin our dance, he dropped his crutches. I gasped, instinctively reaching out to steady him.But he didn't falter. Instead, he swept me into his arms with a flourish, spinning me around as if he'd never been injured at all. The crowd erupted in cheers, but their excitement felt distant, muffled by the doubt growing in my mind.As we swayed to the music, I studied his face closely. T
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 194
ELLA'S POVI stood before the mirror, my reflection staring back at me.The dress hugged my curves perfectly, its deep purple fabric shimmering in the light of my bedroom. My fingers traced the beadwork along the bodice, memories flooding back of the day Trent had bought it at the store."You're beautiful," I whispered to my reflection, trying to summon the confidence I once had. I smoothed out a non-existent wrinkle, remembering the day Lucinda had "accidentally" spilled punch on it at the couple's dance. It had taken three trips to the dry cleaner to remove the stain completely, but I didn't care. This dress was more than just fabric and thread; it was a symbol of everything Trent and I had been through.Let them stare, I thought defiantly. Let them whisper about how I'm wearing the same dress. This isn't about them. This is for Trent.As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I caught sight of Mr. Matthews in the living room. He was pacing back and forth, his fingers drumming nervo
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 193
ELLA'S POV"Ella!" Susan's arms wrapped around me like a vice. "We've been worried sick about you!" Her voice cracked, and I felt her shoulders shake. "It's been like walking through a ghost town without you here."I hesitated for a moment before returning her embrace, burying my face in her shoulder. The warmth of human contact after so long in isolation nearly overwhelmed me.As Susan pulled back, I caught sight of Amelia hovering a few feet away. Our eyes met for a split second before she looked down, her fingers twisting the hem of her sweater. The pain across her face made my chest tighten.Susan followed my gaze, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She's been like that for days now, Ella. Ever since... well, you know." She bit her lip, clearly struggling to find the right words. "I think she blames herself for what her dad did. She won't talk about it, but I can see it eating her up inside."I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This wasn't going to be easy, but I couldn't bear t
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 192
ELLA'S POVI opened my eyes to another gray morning, the sunlight struggling to penetrate the heavy curtains I'd drawn weeks ago. The silence in my room was deafening, broken only by the occasional ping of my phone - another message I'd ignore. Everything wasn't okay. It hadn't been for weeks.Trent was still in the hospital, and I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty. The worst part? I didn't even know how he was faring. Some ridiculous ban on visits had been imposed, cutting me off from the one person I desperately needed to see.I dragged myself out of bed, my feet hitting the cold floor. My reflection in the mirror was a stranger - hollow-eyed and pale. I barely recognized myself anymore.For the umpteenth time, I found myself outside the Donovan mansion, my fists pounding against the imposing iron gates. "Please!" I screamed, my voice hoarse from overuse. "I just need to know if he's okay!"My cries echoed in the empty driveway, met only by the rustling of leaves. As always, th
