Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 99

(ARIELLE’S POV)

In the following days, things kept falling into place. My new life was taking a new shape soon, and I couldn't be more excited. The house, the restaurant, everything was coming together for food.

Just as Maverick and I were building towers with his blocks, my phone buzzed.

“Girl! Guess what?” Ashley’s voice screamed through the speaker.

I laughed. “What now?”

“Guess!” she insisted.

“Did you get a promotion?” I teased.

“I wish! No, it’s bigger. You’ll love this,” she giggled. “Your house is ready!”

“Oh my God! Are you serious?” I squealed.

She went on about the newly installed chandeliers, plush furniture, and the kitchen she knew I’d die for. As much as I wanted to joke about her theatrics, her excitement mirrored my own.

“You’ll love it. Trust me,” she assured. But her tone suddenly shifted. “But hey, I really think it’s a good time for you to come back. You know there’s something else…”

“What is it?”

“I heard some weird stuff going on in Italy. Mafia stuff,” she whispered, lowering her voice like someone could overhear us.

I rolled my eyes, amused. “Ashley, come on. We’ve been over this—no one’s after me.”

“No, seriously. My guy? He’s got connections with some insiders, and they’re saying there’s a power struggle because some old Mafia boss just died. And get this—he showed me pictures of the guy’s stash. Wine, jewelry, gold, like something out of a movie.”

I laughed. “Ashley, I’m pretty sure I’m not on the mob’s radar. And wait…are we talking about Keith? The one you called an annoying brat last week?”

She huffed. “Fine, mock me all you want. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Before I could respond, a knock on the door interrupted us. “I have to go. I think Dwayne’s here. I’ll call you later.”

“Oooh, Dwayne, huh? Talk soon!” she teased before I hung up.

Maverick raced to the door, his voice high-pitched with excitement. “Uncle Dwayne!”

Dwayne entered, bringing in a gust of cold air. His usual warm smile was in place. However, there was something different today, like something…heavier in his eyes. I suddenly noticed his face was abnormally pale.

I smiled and crouched down to his level. “Hey, remember that drawing you made for Uncle Dwayne? Why don’t you go grab it and bring it to him? I’m sure he’d love to see it.”

Maverick’s face brightened as he let go of Dwayne. “Oh, yeah! I’ll go get it!” he exclaimed, running off to his room.

As soon as he disappeared, I straightened up and turned to Dwayne, my tone shifting.

“Ok. What happened?”