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CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
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2024-11-08 23:01:10
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Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
Richard's car scattered gravel as he swerved into Stone’s villa driveway. His phone had been blowing up all morning with the same message - fucking Seth Donovan was in the running for Tuberose. Of all the twenty-seven firms, that snake had to be one of them."Mother!" His voice echoed through the marble foyer.Victoria Stone didn't look up from her morning paper, a cup of Earl Grey steaming beside her. "I assume this dramatic entrance is about the announcement by Tuberose to open up their options?""Twenty-seven." Richard paced the Persian carpet. "Twenty-seven competing firms and all I can think about is one. Seth fucking Donovan."“Victoria sighed, setting down her paper. "You're acting like you've forgotten who you are. Calm yourself. There are dozens of prestigious firms entering this competition. Seth Donovan isn't guaranteed to be your main rival.""You don't understand. He's got Isabella and she-""Might be leading his team. Yes, I know." She set down her cup with deliberate pr
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
The next morning, Seth showed Isabella to her new workstation for the Tuberose project. "This is Paige and Leo our design heads," he said, gesturing to them. "And of course, Karen's your direct supervisor." He checked his watch. "I'll need a full briefing by the end of the day. Good luck." With that, he was gone.Isabella's fingers flew across her tablet, making last-minute adjustments to her presentation. First impressions matter, she reminded herself."So," Leo's voice cut through her concentration. "This is what Karen's new prodigy came up with?""These solar panel configurations," Karen said, pointing to her designs ignoring Leo, "they're innovative, but have you considered the maintenance implications?"Isabella straightened her shoulders. "The AI system would optimize—""Theory is one thing," Paige cut in, arms crossed. "But we're talking about a multi-billion dollar project. Have you ever managed implementation at this scale?"Isabella felt her confidence waver. These weren't
Last Updated : 2024-11-11Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
Isabella looked at her phone and sighed. “I should let you get back to work,” she said lightly, though her voice held a hint of reluctance. “I do not want to keep you any longer.”Before she could stand, Seth quickly interjected, "No, don't go. Your presence here, makes a real difference to me." He paused, then added with a sheepish smile, "In fact, why don't we wrap things up here and ride home together?"Isabella paused, a curious eyebrow raised. "Home, huh?" She glanced around the office, considering his words. "But you've still got work to do. I do not want to be a distraction."Seth's lips curved into a soft smile. "What if I told you I want you around?" he asked, his voice calm and sincere.Her lips curved mischievously. "Aw, is this your way of admitting you are scared of staying here alone?" she teased.He chuckled, a warm laugh that lit up his face. "Busted. I can not survive without my safety net." He met her eyes. "So, what do you say? Stay and wait for me?"Isabella preten
Last Updated : 2024-11-12Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY
The drive home was silent. Isabella stared out the window, Seth's words about "bad feelings" echoing in her mind. When they pulled up to his house, she moved to get out, but Seth caught her wrist."Wait." His voice was soft. "About Sterling—""I have an early meeting tomorrow," Isabella cut in. "Tuberose submission deadline, remember?"Seth released her wrist, his expression unreadable. "Right. The deadline."The next morning, Isabella buried herself in her research. She'd barely slept, but work was a welcome distraction. Around noon, Karen appeared at her desk."We are ready for you," Karen announced. In the conference room, Leo and Paige were already waiting. Seth entered last, his eyes finding Isabella's for a moment before focusing on the presentation screen."Show me what we've got," he said.Five hours, 40 minutes later, they concluded on what they would be working onThe next few days flew by in a caffeine-fueled blur. Everyone was running on fumes, trying to get the entry des
Last Updated : 2024-11-12Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY ONE
Three days later, Seth gathered the team back in the conference room, an unopened email on his screen."The results are in but I haven't looked at it yet," he announced. "Wanted us all to see it together."Isabella gripped her tablet tightly. Karen held her breath. Leo and Paige exchanged glances.Seth clicked the email. The room was completely silent as his eyes scanned the text.A slow smile spread across his face. "We're through to the next round."The room exploded. Leo actually jumped up, pulling Paige into a hug who, for once, didn't maintain her usual ice-queen demeanor. "About damn time!" she laughed."Alright, alright," Seth raised his voice over the celebration. "This calls for drinks. Landon Lounge tonight, on me."As the team filed out, chattering about evening plans, Seth caught Isabella's arm. "Hey, you did really—""The team did," Isabella cut him off, but gently."Isabella, can we just talk for a minute?""Let's focus on the celebration, okay?" She stepped away, her mi
Last Updated : 2024-11-13Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY TWO
Victoria Stone burst through Martinez's office door, making him jump in his seat."I just got off the phone with my son," Victoria spat. "Care to explain why their design is moving forward?""Mrs. Stone, I—""Stop." She held up a manicured finger. "Do you know how much money I've invested in you? How many strings I pulled to get you on that panel?"Martinez tugged at his collar. "The head of the committee—""I don't care about the head of the committee!" Victoria slammed both hands on his desk. "When I put someone in position, I expect results. Do you know what happens to people who disappoint me, Martinez?""Mrs. Stone, please—""Ask Donald from Mason. Oh wait, you can't. He's working at a gas station in his hometown now." She leaned closer. "Nobody will hire him in this industry. Funny how that works, isn't it?"Martinez's face went pale. "I-I can still fix this.""You'd better. Because right now, your career is hanging by a thread." She straightened up, adjusting her cuscustom-made
Last Updated : 2024-11-13Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY THREE
Isabella came downstairs the next morning, finding Seth already at the kitchen counter with his laptop. The silence between them felt heavier than usual."Are we still not talking?" she asked, reaching for the coffee pot."Didn't know we were not." Seth kept his eyes on his screen.Isabella took a deep breath. "Well, since we apparently are...I could use your advice about something.""Sure, what is up?" His tone was carefully neutral."It is about Sterling." She noticed how Seth's jaw tightened at the name. "He has not returned any of my messages.”"And that surprises you?" Seth finally looked up. "The guy was practically force-feeding you wine.""He was not force-feeding me anything," Isabella protested. "I just...I feel like I handled it badly.""By choosing not to leave with someone who was clearly trying to get you drunk?""You make it sound so calculated.""Because it was." Seth closed his laptop. "Look, if he actually cared about you, he would be more concerned about your safety
Last Updated : 2024-11-14Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY FOUR
The look in his eyes told Isabella he wasn't just talking about the house. Still, she decided to play along "Really?" She tried to hide her smile but failed."Really." He pressed his credit card into her palm. "And speaking of perfect things, this has no limit. Get whatever makes you happy.""You're not going to let this go, are you?" Isabella shook her head, amused by his persistence."Not a chance." Seth grinnedShe studied the card in her hands. "Are you serious about this?""Very." His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Go crazy.""You're going to regret this, you know." She turned the card over, still not quite believing his offer."Somehow, I doubt that." He winked. "Go spoil yourself. You deserve it."Isabella wandered through the mall until a Gucci handbag caught her eye. As she reached for the store's door, a voice behind her made her freeze."Well, isn't this cute?"Isabella didn't need to turn around to know it was Eliza."Look who's window shopping,” Eliza said, her heels cli
Last Updated : 2024-11-14
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Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE
"You have loads of nerve, don't you?" As Eliza's figure vanished beyond Zenith's glass doors.Isabella's mother muttered something under her breath. James Sr. responded, "Calm down," but there was little conviction in his voice. He stirred his coffee absently. "There is nothing to be gained by creating a scene here."“Calm down?” She snapped, throwing her napkin onto the table. “That ungrateful little—” She caught herself, looking at the surrounding tables where diners were beginning to take notice. She lowered her voice to a harsh whisper. “We brought her up! Took her into the fold like she was one of ours. And this is the thanks we get?”With an astonished look on his lips, James Jr, who had been drinking an expensive gin and tonic, sat back in his chair. "You didn't exactly act with good intentions when you did that, Mother, and I hate to tell you that. Let’s not rewrite history.”She shot him a warning look. “Don’t you dare speak to me like that?”James Sr. pinched the bridge of h
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Eliza couldn't sleep.How could she, when Jackson's entire apartment looked like some crazy rich person had exploded all over it? Not that she wasn't used to his place by now - God knows she'd spent enough time here while Richard thought she was at "pregnancy yoga." The thought made her smile as she snuggled deeper into Jackson's chest, his steady breathing usually enough to lull her to sleep.But not tonight.Maybe it was the millions in stolen goods scattered around them. Or maybe it was just that their son was at Maria's place. Although, JJ always slept better with Jackson around - probably because he was actually his father, not that Richard had ever figured that out, but they needed alone time."You're thinking too loud," Jackson mumbled against her hair, pulling her closer. Even half-asleep, he knew exactly how to hold her."Sorry, baby." She turned in his arms, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "Just worried about JJ.""He's fine. Maria's got him." His hands slid under her (his) t-sh
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TEN
Louis couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu as he walked through the precinct door. It all felt like yesterday and a lifetime ago at the same time.The first person to spot him was Robin from records. Then Paul. Then Angela. One by one, they started clapping. Louis felt his ears grow hot as more officers joined in, some whistling, others calling out. "Welcome back, Detective.""Alright, alright, save some noise for the actual criminals!" The captain's voice cut through the applause. He stood in his office doorway, arms crossed, trying and failing to hide a smile. "Detective Louis. My office."Louis made his way through the crowd, accepting handshakes and back pats. Inside the captain's office, he couldn't help but smile at the memories that kept flooding his mind - back-to-back countless briefings and debriefing"Something funny, Louis?" Captain asked."Just thinking, Cap. Happy to be back." "Sit down, son," He said, closing the door. "It's nice to officially have you back. Not like
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Jackson left with all that was given to him, and Eliza went back to grabbing whatever else she could find. That's when she saw it - a picture that had fallen behind Richard's desk. The one from that night they'd finally broken Isabella.She picked it up, a smirk playing on her lips as she remembered how Isabella had stood there, clueless about what was coming. Her own cousin, so trusting, so stupid. The glass was cracked now, right through where Isabella should have been standing."How fast things can go wrong?" Eliza traced the crack with her nail, remembering how Isabella had cried and begged her to tell the truth. Like she'd ever admit that getting Richard into bed had been the easiest part of her plan.“The strongest family now a laughing stock."All those family dinners, all those times Isabella had confided in her about her marriage problems. God, it had been almost too easy. And Victoria - she'd played right into Eliza's hands, doing the dirty work of destroying Isabella's repu
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT
The patient's dog eats the fattest bone – or so they say. But sometimes, that patient dog might just starve to death waiting for scraps that never come. But that wasn’t the case for Eliza. Oh, no, Eliza was no ordinary dog. She watched, calculated, and planned. The bone had always been her target, fat and juicy, waiting just out of reach. She had endured Richard Stone's controlling behaviour, his condescension, and his family's thinly veiled disdain. And now? The universe had finally served her dinner on a silver platter, and she was ready to devour every last bite. Eliza lay back on her chaise lounge, her silk robe draped loosely around her. The morning sun streamed through the tall windows, hitting the marble floors in a way that could blind you if you looked directly at it—but that was the charm of having floor-to-ceiling windows in a Bali villa, wasn’t it?She couldn't stop scrolling through her phone, biting back the smile that threatened to take over her whole face. Her lip glo
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN
There was a buzz about the precinct that Louis hadn't experienced in a long time. Officers hurried back and forth, their footsteps resonating against the worn vinyl floors, as phones rang nonstop. Richard Stone's downfall had caused confusion, but it was the correct kind of upheaval, as if justice had finally found its feet.Louis couldn't help but lean forward on the bench near the holding cells, his hands clasped together as he watched the scene unfold. His suspension might have kept him from being in the thick of it, but wild horses couldn't drag him away now. Not when they were this close.The main doors swung open with a bang. Lieutenant Rodriguez strode in, flanked by two officers who had Richard Stone between them. Even in cuffs, Stone carried himself like he owned the place. His expensive suit was only slightly wrinkled, and that insufferable smug smile still played on his lips."Get him processed," Rodriguez ordered, his voice cutting through the noise. "Full intake. I want p
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIX
Tara could not sit anymore. She leaned back from her laptop, her mind was racing a million miles an hour as she paced back and forth across her kitchen floor. Holy shit. Holy. Actual. Shit. Oh my god, she thought. Human trafficking. And all these powerful people involved. They were way over their heads.Louis watched her from his seat, his fingers drumming lightly on the table as he gave her space to process. “What is the problem, Tara?” he finally asked.She spun around to face him, her eyes wild. “What is the problem?” she echoed. “Louis, this could kill us. You know that, right? Come on, let’s be realistic! I know we are happy we have this, but”She ran her hands through her hair for probably the hundredth time, making it look even more of a mess, but she couldn't care less right now. This is bigger than them and they need to face it. She began pacing again and gestured to the screen like it was a bomb about to explode. “This isn’t just a little dirt we can throw at Richard. This
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE
Louis nodded. “How is her dad?”“Pre-op tests all morning. Surgery's scheduled for two." Seth said, leaning against the hallway wall next to Louis. "Man, the chairs here are brutal."The sound of footsteps made them both turn. Tara walked towards them, holding a paper cup of what was probably the world's worst coffee. "Tara.” Louis’s voice cracked slightly, betraying the emotions he was trying to hold backShe froze for half a second, her grip tightening on the flimsy coffee cup. "Louis," she said back, her voice carefully steady, but her eyes told another story. They always did when it came to him.Seth looked between them, then cleared his throat. "I should...check on Isabella. My girl should be starving.” He squeezed Louis’s shoulder. “Text me if you need me.”The silence that followed felt heavy enough to touch. Louis’s eyes stayed on Tara as she lifted the cup to her lips, taking a small sip. Her nose wrinkled at the taste. It was such a small, familiar thing, but it hit him har
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR
No one spoke for what felt like forever. Barry stared at his daughter, his face pale. For a second, it looked like he might actually pass out. "My God," he whispered. "All this time, I thought..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "I was so wrapped up in my own problems, I didn't even notice you were in danger." "That's exactly why I didn't tell you," Tara said softly. "You had enough to worry about." Isabella stepped forward, unable to stay quiet any longer. "Tara, what exactly did you find? While you were investigating?" Tara glanced at her father, then back at Seth. "Remember we found financial records. Massive transfers through shell companies, money disappearing into offshore accounts and we all thought it was just standard corporate fraud, but..." She took a shaky breath. "The deeper I dug, the worse it got. These weren't just cooking the books – there were connections to weapons deals, human trafficking, drug cartels." Seth leaned against the counter, his expression gr
