Chapter 74They clung together like shipwrecked souls amidst the roiling tempest of their crumbling world, seeking shelter in the one Safe harbor they had left - their profound, battered love.When the intensity finally ebbed and they drew apart, foreheads resting together, Lily felt a modicum of the ice encasing her heart begin to thaw. She had no guarantee this wouldn't all end in further devastation, no assurance that the trust could ever be rebuilt once the whole truth finally saw daylight.But she did have this moment at least - a chance to grab the lifeline James was offering and make one last, valiant effort to navigate them through the storm. To save them both from going under amidst the swirling wreckage."Okay," she murmured shakily, cradling his face between her palms. "Show me, James. Demolish every lie and innuendo until there's no doubt left in my mind about who you really are."He turned his head and brushed a tender kiss across her inner wrist, the warmth of it searing
Chapter 75The next morning, James was spending much-needed quality time with Ava in the backyard playroom. Indeed, his small girl's contagious giggles while driving her toy cars around on the rainbow mat did replenish this battle-weary soul.For some small, fleeting moment, he could persist in the illusion that the world wasn't shredding apart at the seams all around them—that he didn't have to be the inhumanly indomitable James Watson, corporate CEO and high-stakes combat master. He could just bask in Ava's pure, unconditional love.Of course, this was a fleeting second of peacefulness. James' phone began buzzing on the side coffee table, caller ID blinking with his assistant's name. He found himself really not wanting to break the peaceful bubble that was around his daughter.But Louis wouldn't keep hounding him unless it was important. With a weary sigh, James scooped up Ava and settled her in his lap before answering."This is James." "Sir, I apologize for interrupting your time
After ending the call with his grandmother, James took a moment to gather himself, chest heaving with barely restrained fury. The idea that his own flesh and blood was being forced to question his integrity because of this vendetta...it drove home just how insidious and far-reaching Calum's smear campaign could become if left unchecked. Well, James would be damned if he let it spread any further and engulf the two people most precious to him - his daughter and wife.Speaking of which...Lily chose that moment to hurry through the patio doors, anxious eyes sweeping the room until they landed on him and Ava. Her shoulders sagged minutely with relief, but the tautness around her mouth remained."There you two are," she exhaled shakily, moving to join them on the playmat. Up close, James could see the faint smudges under her eyes, the pinched lines of stress etched around her lips. It was painfully clear she'd been beating herself up over this steadily imploding situation too.God, how h
Chapter 77James tries to calm himself down before stepping out of the car . Cameras flashed everywhere. Reporters shouted questions. It was chaos."Mr. Watson! Is it true you've been cooking the books?""James! Did you really steal from your investors?"He ignored them all. Head high, he walked straight to the office doors. Security guards made a path through the crowd.Inside, it was quieter. But James could feel eyes on him. His employees looked worried. Some whispered as he passed.Louis met him at the elevator. "Boss, it's bad. The stock is tanking. Investors are panicking."James nodded. "Let's go to my office. We need to plan."The ride up felt long. James' mind raced. How could he fix this mess? In his office, the team was waiting. Lawyers, PR people, board members. They all looked stressed."Alright," James said. "What's our first move?"Sarah from PR spoke up. "We need to make a statement. Fast. People are believing these lies.""Agreed," said Tom, the head lawyer. "But we
Chapter 78James hung up the phone. His hands were shaking. The SEC guy had sounded serious. Really serious."What did they say?" Louis asked.James ran a hand through his hair. "They're coming tomorrow with a whole team."Louis nodded. He looked scared. "What do we do?""We get ready," James said. "Call the lawyers. Tell them the early bird thing. Get everybody working on those files. We are going to be organized."As Louis hurried out, James slumped into his chair. His mind was racing.The SEC. The heart attack. Lily and Ava.His entire world appeared to be spinning out of control.His phone buzzed. A text from Lily:"Where are you? We need you here."James felt a pang of guilt. His family needed him. But if he walked out now.He texted back:"I'm so sorry. Can't leave yet. Tell Gran I love her. I'll be there as soon as possible."Lily's reply came fast:"James. She's asking for you. Please hurry."He stared at the message. Tears pricked his eyes.But he couldn't go. Not yet. Unless
Chapter 79James burst into the office. It was chaos. People were everywhere. SEC agents in suits. His employees looked scared.He spotted Louis and rushed over. "What's happening?"Louis looked stressed. "They're taking everything, boss. Computers, files, everything."James felt sick. This was bad. Really bad.He saw Agent Chen across the room. She was talking to Calum Strickland. They both looked happy.James clenched his fists. He wanted to punch Calum right in his smug face.But he had to be smart. He took a deep breath and walked over."Agent Chen," he said calmly. "I'm sorry I had to leave. Family emergency."She turned to him. Her face was cold. "Mr. Watson. How convenient that you had to leave just as we were getting to the important questions."James tried not to show how angry that made him. "My grandmother is dying. I had to see her."Calum smirked. "Oh, come on, James. We all know you're just trying to hide something."James ignored him. He focused on Agent Chen. "I'm here
Chapter 80James drove back to the office, his mind reeling with sadness and anxiety. He had just lost his grandmother, and now it seemed like he was about to lose his company as well. It felt like his whole world was falling apart.He sped into the parking lot and ran inside. Louis was waiting for him in the lobby and appeared stressed."Boss, you're not gonna believe this," Louis said."What? What happened?" James asked, gasping for breath.Louis shook his head. "We found Chloe, but. She's not alone."James felt a ball in his stomach drop. "Who's she with?... come to think of it Louis, when did she get out?""Well about that, I got the information that she came out about a month ago ""Who let her out, Clearly, she's not yet well" he said in frustration. "Well, you know they own that place""Come see for yourself," Louis said, beckoning him into the security room.There, on the monitors, James saw Chloe. She was in some fancy restaurant downtown. But she wasn't alone. Sitting acros
Chapter 81James woke up tentatively hopeful. Sunlight spilled into the room through the curtains, and for what felt like the first time in weeks, he wasn't packed with an awesome sense of foreboding. With the proof they had accumulated, he was quite certain Chloe and her gang could quickly find themselves behind bars. Maybe, simply perhaps, they might eventually position this entire mess at the back of them as soon as and for all.He turned over to look at Lily already wide awake, scrolling on her smartphone."Morning," he mumbled, kissing her cheek."Morning," she husked, still sleepy. "Any news?"James shook his head. "Not yet. But I'm expecting to hear something soon."They got up and started their morning routine. As James poured his coffee, he heard the pitter-patter of little toes. Ava regarded within the kitchen doorway—her hair a large number, her favorite stuffed elephant tucked beneath her arm."Daddy!" she squealed, going toward him.And James—grinning—scooped her up. ""G