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
Lily couldn't believe it, that the man she had been dating for six years was going to break her heart on their wedding dayShe was on her way to their venue, when she got a call that her fiancé had been seen in a hotel with another woman. At first, she didn't want to believe it, she wanted to shake the feeling off, but she just couldn't.She decided to go see things for herself. He had called earlier that he would be late because he had important business work to do, but he never said it was going to be in a hotel with another woman. She was stunned when she opened the room and saw her supposed groom on top of another woman." Ryan!" she called out."Lily... I can... I can explain" he said, adjusting himself while the other woman tried to cover her face.She stood there shaking and speechless for a minute. " How could you, Ryan, I loved you and this is what I get in return". Tears flowed from her eyes.He tries to reach her, but she hurriedly left the hotel with tears in her eyes.Sh
Lily's eyes fluttered open, squinting against the bright rays of the morning sun streaming through the panoramic windows. She gasped, taking in her surroundings... this was most definitely not the budget hotel room she had rented. She tried to recall how she ended up there. She felt a headache as she tried to think straight.The beautiful colours on the walls, the plush king-sized bed, the vaulted ceilings, the pristine modern furnishings, everything screamed opulent wealth and riches. Then something caught her eyes, it was the glittering diamond ring on her left hand that made Lily's heart stop. She held her hand upwards, staring at it in shock."What the hell did I do last night? Where am I ?" she croaked out, looking around, cradling her pounding head as flashes came back in fragmented memories. There was drinking...so much drinking to erase bthe pain of catching Ryan with another woman. Then the unexplainable urge to get back at him, the thought of killing him or putting a ring o
Lily let out a shaky breath once Chloe had disappeared. "Well, she seems...lovely"."Don't worry about Chloe's threatens", James waved a dismissive hand. "She's all bark and no bite most of the time. Everything will be fine.""I wouldn't be so sure about that." James and Lily turned to see a stylishly dressed man strolling into the living room, a bemused smirk on his face. He had an easy, laidback demeanor about him."Louis, my own very voice, what's up" James gave him a sardonic smile. "Coming from someone whose faith in me is staggering as always"Louis clicked his tongue teasingly. "You know I've got your back, J. But you also know the Adams crew aren't to be underestimated." He looked over at Lily with an appraising glance. "No offense to the newly wedded wifey, but getting drunk-married to some random bird has properly stuck a hornet's nest with that insufferable Chloe.""Watch who you're calling a random bird, Mister," Lily arched an eyebrow. Even rumpled in James' borrowed ro