Share

340 Lunch With Lance

Author: Anney GW
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-17 11:21:20

(Winona)

I’m at my favorite café, waiting for Lance. After everything with Phillip, I’m hoping this is argument free. The sun is shining, and I’m in control again—at least for now.

I text Lance to see if he had some time. I may as well get this over with as well. I told him I’m going to Europe at the end of this week.

The door swings open, and there he is, his easy grin and relaxed posture unchanged.

“Hey, stranger,” he says, sliding into the chair across from me. “You look like someone who’s just made a big decision.”

“I have.” I smile, signaling the waiter. “I just told Phillip I’m out. Offer him the business.”

Lance raises his eyebrows. “Oh, I was talking about Europe. So, the whole business? Just like that?”

“Just like that.” I shrug. “I’m done, Lance. I’ve been done for a while, but it’s official now. It’s time to move on.”

He smiles, crossing his arms. “Damn. You’ve always had your hand in something. You going to be a kept woman? You know that’s my dream job…”

I laugh. “Jealous?
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter
Comments (1)
goodnovel comment avatar
mitzi.goodson
That’s his best friend……..so wrong on so many levels.
VIEW ALL COMMENTS

Related chapters

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   341 The Farm

    (Jayden)“We have a little bit of everything here,” Viktor says as we settle at the laden long wooden table.“This is all from the farm?” I ask, glancing over at the colorful dishes, the jams, honey, cheeses, and cured meats. Even the bread and butter has the same label.“All of it,” Viktor confirms. “The bread is from our grain, milled right here. The honey, the jams, the cheeses—everything comes from what we produce on the land.”Klara, Viktor’s mother, balances the baby on her hip while ladling soup into bowls. “I’m a local Doula and I make a range of natural remedies and skin care products. Grow all the herbs myself.”“I have a five-month-old boy. Henry. He was born very prematurely. But he’s growing stronger.”“I’m glad he is. This vegetable soup is from the garden,” she says, handing me a bowl. “No preservatives, no chemicals—just fresh, organic produce.”I take a spoonful. It’s rich and earthy, with a depth of flavor I’ve never tasted before. “This is incredible,” I admit, savo

    Last Updated : 2024-10-18
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   342 Thorns In My Side

    (Judy)I tap my fingers impatiently on my desk at Brennan Industries, staring at the documents in front of me. Gabriel’s sisters, those sentimental fools, turned down my offer. All because they wanted to sell their shares to him directly. Idiots.I gave them the best offer they’ll ever get, but no—family first, apparently.That will bite them on the ass one day. Mark my words. They’ll learn that family loyalty means nothing when I’m in control. Family is just a tool—leverage to use when necessary.I smirk to myself. If I can’t convince them to sell to me, I’ll force their hand. I always find a way. There’s more than one method to get what I want, and I’ve never been afraid to get my hands dirty. They’re going to regret turning me down.My phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. I glance at the screen, a message from one of my contacts. It’s about Maria. My smirk deepens—I’ve been waiting for this. I know she’s been feeling the pressure lately.I skim through the message, but then,

    Last Updated : 2024-10-18
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   343 What Do I Want?

    (Cass)I sit in my small, cluttered apartment, staring at the text Gabriel sent an hour ago. He’s pushing me again, wanting me to go with him while he builds his venture. My excuse is always work. I love my job.I’m still learning, still growing in the kitchen, even if the chef is a bit of a hard-ass.Gabriel doesn’t get it. He keeps talking about this hospitality business he’s setting up—food, accommodation, a destination for corporate team-building weeks, conferences, whatever.It sounds impressive, sure. But the idea of working under him, tied to him like that...it doesn’t sit right. I don’t want to be part of his empire, whatever that is.He has a conditional green card now and blind Freddy can see our lives are moving away from each other.I glance around my apartment, a mess of half-folded laundry, mismatched furniture, and the faint smell of weed that lingers no matter how much I air the place out.Maybe the pot’s been a bit too frequent lately, but it helps. Work’s been stress

    Last Updated : 2024-10-20
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   344 Mid Flight Worry

    (Winona)The hum of the engines is a constant, steady sound, almost like a lullaby. Abby is curled up with her favorite stuffed animal, chatting with Sarah, who’s sharing her earbuds and explaining how the game on her tablet works.Bobby is deep in concentration, lost in some building game of his own, while Henry naps peacefully beside me, the soft beeping of his monitor like background music.I touch his little hand and marvel at how much he’s grown.I do feel peaceful, but something is off with me. There’s a tightness in my chest, and every time I shift in my seat, I get hit with another wave of dizziness.The headache, a dull throb at the base of my skull, persists. I press my fingers to my temples, trying to stave it off. I know I do need the bathroom. I stand up and my lightheadedness has me gripping the seat to steady myself.“Ma’am, are you alright?” one of the medical team asks.I force a smile. “I’m fine, just a little dizzy. I think it’s the excitement and stress catching

    Last Updated : 2024-10-20
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   345 Memories That Haunt

    (Winona)I start to drift off to sleep. I see Judy’s face, cold and cruel.I’ll take that baby from you.I bolt upright, gasping for air, the terror still lingering in my pounding chest.I’m not there anymore. I’m safe. We’re safe. I breath deep. Stop letting this mess with you, I tell myself. I know we’re okay. We’re going to Jayden. We are safe.But the fear lingers. Because Judy is still out there. And I know she’s not done. She never is. No matter what happens, I don’t think we’ll ever shake her.As long as she thinks there’s a chance with Jayden, it will always be the same.I lie back down, closing my eyes again. I just want to forget it all. I want to focus on Jayden, on our family, on the life we’re building.I turn in bed, staring at the ceiling in the jet again, trying to block out the swirling thoughts. The soft hum of the plane’s engines doesn’t help me sleep. Neither does the lingering dizziness or headache.But it’s not just the physical stuff keeping me awake. It’s the m

    Last Updated : 2024-10-20
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   346 Stopover in Dubai

    (Winona)The plane lands smoothly in Dubai.“Mommy, is Daddy here?” Abby asks, clutching her stuffed animal tightly.“Oh, honey,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’m sorry. We need to stop here and have one more plane ride and then we’ll see Daddy. Okay?”Her face drops. “Oh. I thought we saw Daddy now.”“Only one more plane ride.”The doors open. I gather the kids, the medical entourage making sure Henry is okay before they hand him over to me.I thank them and take him in his carrier. I’ll clip it onto the wheels as soon as they unload the base.“Stay close, kids.” I say. “Bobby, keep an eye on your sisters please.”The terminal is elegant, marble floors reflecting the dazzling lights above. The kids are still buzzing around me, and I’m trying to focus on keeping them in line when—“Hey, troublemakers! Welcome to Dubai.”My head snaps up.Jayden is there, right behind Bobby, grinning, with his arms wide open. My heart stutters, and before I can even register what’s happening, the kids have

    Last Updated : 2024-10-21
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   347 Rest and Reunion

    (Winona)When I wake up, the sun is low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow through the enormous windows. The bed beneath me is impossibly soft, and for the first time in days, I feel… good.The dizziness has faded, and my headache is gone.I stretch out, feeling the luxurious sheets under my fingertips. This place is a dream. But more than the comfort, I’m starving. I sit up and glance at the time. It’s early evening, and Jayden and the kids are still out.The suite is quiet and I get up and pull on a robe.I hear the door click open. It’s Jayden. “We’re back.”“I’ll come out.”“You look better.”“I slept like a log.”I give him a quick kiss as we head out to the living area.“Mommy!” Abby rushes over. “We saw so many cool things! Daddy took us to see the tallest building ever!”Bobby, always the calm one, strolls over more casually. “It was pretty cool.”Sarah tugs on Jayden’s hand. “Daddy, can we show Mommy the pictures we took?”“Sure thing,” he says, settling onto the sofa be

    Last Updated : 2024-10-21
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   348 Back At The Estate

    (Jayden)Hugo steps forward, giving me a tight-lipped smile. “Welcome home, Mr. Brennan. The staff are ready to accommodate your needs.”I nod. “The kids need to let off some steam.”“I certainly hope you don’t mean in here.” Hugo frowns.“This is their home now, Hugo. Relax. Kids, go explore outside but not too far from the house,” I tell them.“Please be aware there are rare flora species in the grounds.”They just look at Hugo like he’s an alien.“Stick to the paths.” I explain.They are gone with an entourage of staffers trying to keep up.Winona is back from changing Henry and she glances around the reception room, her expression tight. “This place is incredible, but I’m worried about the kids here. They’re just normal kids, and all this...” she gestures at the antiques and delicate furniture, “isn’t exactly kid-proof.”Hugo’s smile fades a little. “The children will need to understand the importance of boundaries, Mrs. Brennan. This is not a playground.Winona doesn’t miss a be

    Last Updated : 2024-10-22

Latest chapter

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   Dear Readers

    Readers, I’ve been back through all your comments and it really touches me that so many of you cared about these characters. I want to send a very special shout out to mitzi.goodson and Theresa for your active love of the story all the way and for commenting regularly. I love you guys and I love all the readers #hearteyes# Also I have discovered a mistake in the upload of Chapter 553. Only half the chapter seems to have been uploaded and I have now fixed that. I know you’re asking about if you’ll see these characters again…right now, I’m letting them rest but I hope to update you on them in the future. Right now I’m focusing on my new stories which I know you’ll also love.In the next one, After waking from a 5 month coma, Ava Lancaster watches her beloved daughter die. Ex-husband Zach Lorne, allowed the mother of his first child, cunning Sienna Sinclair to use little Lila as a medical pawn. Consumed by grief, Ava sets their mansion ablaze—clutching Lila’s body while Zach pleads out

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   600 Our Forever

    (Winona)Lisa sits on the couch between me and Jayden, her fingers curled around the USB stick.“You don’t have to,” I remind her gently.“I know,” she replies. “But I want to. I can’t move forward if I don’t hear him out.” She hands the drive to Jayden.Jayden leans forward and plugs the drive in. The screen flickers.And then there he is.Lance. Black eye blooming from Jayden’s attack over hall pass week, bruised knuckles, the same crooked grin he always wore.“Lisa,” he says, “I’m so sorry. I wish this could have been different.”I glance at her. She flinches but doesn’t look away.He shakes his head. “No big poetic intro. No music. No tragic montage. Just me.”His smile cracks slightly.“First, I want to say this isn’t your fault. You didn’t fail me. You didn’t love me wrong. In fact, you’re probably the only person who ever loved me right.”Lisa’s breath hitches beside me.“I wasn’t built for longevity, Lisa. You knew that. Hell, I practically had an exit sign blinking over my he

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   599 Full Circle

    (Winona)Viktor stands with his hands by his side while Jayden finishes up his announcement.I watch on, proud of them both. Not only staunch in business but as friends.“I’ll still be involved on a higher level, but day-to-day, Viktor’s your guy,” Jayden says, firm and confident. “Effective immediately, he’s the new CEO of Nexus Global.”There’s a brief pause before the quiet, respectful claps ripple through the room.Viktor just nods. “Thank you,” he says. No long speech. No dramatic reaction. Just two words. Classic Viktor.Jayden glances my way and walks over.“Proud of him,” I say quietly. “And of you.”“He’s ready,” Jayden replies. “Hell, he’s been ready for a while now. He taught me almost everything I know about Nexus Global.”Viktor lingers by the window, posture steady. Astrid steps up beside him, saying something low. He replies with a brief nod and the smallest of smirks.Jayden leans into me and murmurs, “did you see that?”I arch an eyebrow. “The nod or the smirk?”“Both

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   598 The Final Decision

    (Winona)I see the moment his eyes catch mine in the window behind Astrid. He blinks like he’s seeing a ghost. Too late. I’m already across the restaurant floor, my heels pounding each step out in deliberate warning, the sound sharp against the quiet hum of late-night conversations. Heads turn. I don’t care.His face shifts from confusion to panic as I advance—his mouth parting slightly, eyes darting to Astrid like he’s trying to figure out if he’s imagining this. He’s not. I’m here. I saw everything.I saw the kiss. I saw the closeness after. The lingering smiles, the laughter, and the way Astrid’s hand stayed on his like they were sharing secrets. Like she belongs to him. You don’t need sound to understand body language.That kiss wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a friendly peck on the cheek. It was enough for me to wonder if they’ve been playing me for a fool for weeks. Maybe months.Jayden stands just as I reach the table, knocking his chair back in a clumsy scrape. Astrid rema

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   597 Impulsive Kiss

    (Jayden)Astrid raises her glass, the candlelight catching the rim. “To surviving another quarter without firing anyone major.”“To the rest of us surviving the grueling schedule of the Ice Queen herself.”“You did okay.”“Just okay?”“Better than okay. You have quite the work drive, Jayden. Gus was right to leave Nexus in your hands.”“Not one of you thought that at first. You all hated me. Especially Hugo. I think he still might, actually.”“Oh, you are not so bad, after all.”We clink glasses. The wine’s sharp, dry—like her. The restaurant is dim, ambient, tucked just off the canal. Astrid insisted it was the best late-night spot in Brussels. So far, I can’t argue.The food was incredible, the service seamless, and the company? Easy. A little too easy.This dinner has gone longer than I expected. I expected an answer from Winona to my text. But it hasn’t come. The conversation just flowed so effortlessly tonight.No drama. No awkward silences. No carefully chosen words. Astrid, wh

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   596 Instincts Don't Lie

    (Winona)It’s nearly 1 a.m. when I step off the jet into the crisp Brussels air. I haven’t slept. I haven’t eaten properly. My thoughts have been chewing on each other for nine hours straight.I hear my phone notification, but I see Cass and I’m so damn happy. She’s about to launch the rest of her life and I’m excited for her.“It’s so good to see you.” I say as I run towards her and give her a hug.“You look like hell,” she says as she grins and hugs me back.“Oh, thanks for the compliment. You look like death yourself.”“Just finished a12 hour shift, what’s your excuse?”We walk out to the private parking area. Having a private jet is so convenient.“I can only blame stress and paranoia,” I tell her as we put my case in the back seat and get into her car.“Paranoia?”“Yes, about where Jayden and I stand in out marriage lately. I’m not sure I’m what makes him happy. All we do is fight, it seems.”“Okay… ah, so me telling him you’d have been better off never meeting him probably didn’

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   595 After Hours

    (Jayden)It’s nearly ten. The office is quiet, except for the soft hum of fluorescent lights above the boardroom. Astrid and I have been going through projections for Q3. Numbers, strategies, deadlines. All things that used to matter more than they do right now. My family call is bothering me. It’s not that Winona had a sudden business trip, that’s expected, it’s just the way we interact lately. Going through the motions. Not speaking up on how we feel in case it triggers an argument. I’m as much to blame.“You missed an adjustment here,” she says, tapping the edge of my laptop.“I didn’t miss it,” I say, not looking up. “I just didn’t apply it yet.”She raises an eyebrow. She knows I’m distracted. I’ve worked with her long enough to recognize the look that says I’m full of shit.“You want my input or just someone to nod along while you pretend to work?” she asks.I lean back in my chair. “You always cut right through it, don’t you?”“Of course.”She’s right. She doesn’t have patie

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   594 Surface Tension

    (Winona)The family call starts like any other.Except this time, I’ve told the kids I’ll be away and lied about where I’m going.Now I have to convince Jayden it’s an unexpected business trip.Bobby’s got a stack of papers next to him, pretending he’s not glancing at them while he listens to Jayden. He’s been working on some design options for the school vegetable garden.He’s become quietly obsessed with getting it right.Sarah is asking about when she can next visit the Nexus office again. Abby’s wearing one of Henry’s bibs and announcing herself as the ‘baby boss’ while trying to feed Henry a cracker he doesn’t want.Henry is slamming his hands on the table, shrieking with defiance, and Kit is doing her best to keep the screen steady while holding him.Chaos. Beautiful, familiar chaos. Welcome to the Brennan zoo.Jayden is calm, smiling, fully engaged. He’s asking Bobby about his team at school, praising his leadership skills. He tells Sarah he misses her drawings and promises to

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   593 Surprises

    (Winona)Phillip is at his desk when I walk in, finishing up a call. He looks up and gives me a half smile, casual but watchful.I cross the room but remain standing. “I won’t keep you long. I just… I wanted to let you know I’m stepping down in an active capacity from Vault. Effective immediately.”Phillip’s face shifts from polite curiosity to astonishment. “Wait—stepping down how?”I nod. “I’ll remain the owner. But I’m not going to be overseeing day-to-day management or strategic decisions anymore. I’m handing all of that to you. If you want it. CEO, President, call it what you will—I’m out.”He studies me carefully. “That’s… a big move, Winona. You’ve always been a control fre… ahh, hands-on.”I give him a quick grin. “Nice save.”“I’m talented, what can I say? But you being hands-off, I’m not sure that’s even possible.”“I’ve realized I can’t keep devoting so much energy to business. My family needs me. My kids need me.”“Is this what Jayden asked you to do?” “No. He’s been exc

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status