Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Jessica’s POV

I sat in the cold hush of my new office, the glow from my computer screen casting blue shadows across the minimalist desk.

The space was sleek-glass walls on one side overlooking the bustling city below, an ergonomic chair that hinted at long hours, and a potted plant in the corner that looked too perfect to be real.

I’d been poring over every news article, blog post, and tabloid snippet about Aaron from the past six years, digesting the headlines like bitter medicine.

David hadn’t been exaggerating-there was a coordinated effort to dismantle him. Every headline seemed designed to chip away at his credibility.

I leaned back, rubbing my temples.

What had he done to earn this kind of systematic erasure?

My mind immediately drifted to Kennedy Tyrone. The patriarch. A man who viewed his family like chess pieces on a board he owned.

Kennedy never wanted his grandson to break free; he wanted a dynasty of puppets. Could he really be paying bloggers to ruin his own flesh and blood?

I didn’t want to believe it, family bonds should run deeper than that. But remembering how he’d once tried to bribe me to sabotage Aaron, it wouldn’t shock me.

I pulled out the notepad I’d bought just for this job, a simple spiral-bound thing with a motivational quote on the cover.

I jotted his name down: Kennedy Tyrone-Suspect #1. Motive: Control and revenge. Investigate ties to media outlets.

Next on the list: Eric. I typed his name into the search bar, but the results were sparse-nothing flashy, just scattered grainy photos from fan sightings at clubs or airports.

According to Google, he was just a list of stats: age, height, family tree, and a career that seemed to have stalled out, or maybe he’d just stopped trying.

But I couldn’t cross him off. Not with their history. You don’t just “accidentally” help Fiona cheat on your own cousin and then move on with your life.

That kind of betrayal is personal. It’s rooted in something deep-jealousy, maybe? Or the need to take the one thing Aaron actually valued?

Eric was a quiet variable, and in this world, the quiet ones are usually the most dangerous

1 bit down on my pen cap, chewing thoughtfully as I searched deeper.

I’d scrolled so far down the rabbit hole that the headlines were starting to bleed together.

If it wasn’t his own blood trying to sink him, then the list of enemies was endless. Business rivals looking to scavenge his Scouting empire, or maybe just bottom-feeding bloggers who realized that Aaron Tyrone was a keyword that printed money.

The web was a tangled mess; sorting truth from trash would take time.

I let out a long, shaky breath and dragged my hands through my hair, letting my fingers snag in the tangles.

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Chapter 73

A sharp knock sliced through my thoughts. I straightened my spine instantly, smoothing my hair.

I didn’t want anyone-especially not on my first day-to see me looking drained.

“Come in,” I called.

The door creaked open to reveal a tall, striking woman. She was dressed in a tailored sheath dress, her dark hair pulled back into a flawless chignon.

A pair of stylish oval glasses rested on the bridge of her nose, and her pink lips curled into a friendly smile.

“Hello, Miss Reid,” she greeted, stepping in with an easy grace.

I rose to my feet, offering an awkward smile.

“Jessica is fine.”

She chuckled, clasping her hands in front of her.

“I’m Kelly.” She extended a hand, her nails manicured in a soft nude shade.

I shook it, her grip firm and professional.

“Hello, Kelly.”

“How’s your first day here?” She asked, her eyes taking in every detail of my office.

Okay… where was this going? Who was she, exactly? A colleague? A supervisor?

My face must have shown the confusion because she laughed again, light and reassuring.

“Don’t worry,” she said, waving a hand. “Mr. David Tyrone sent me to ensure you were doing fine. I’m the HR manager for Aaron Global Athletics.”

My lips formed a surprised “O,” and I nodded, relaxing a fraction.

“Thank you for checking in, Kelly. I’m doing absolutely fine.”

“That’s great to hear.” She paused, tilting her head as if measuring me. “Has Mr Tyrone gone over the ground rules yet? Or given you the grand tour?”

“Not yet,” I admitted, feeling a little sheepish.

David probably figured our history meant I already knew the drill, or he just didn’t think I needed the ‘newbie’ speech.

Kelly clicked her tongue, a mix of amusement and mock exasperation.

“Well, let’s fix that.”

She began listing them as we walked out, her heels clicking rhythmically on the polished floors while she showed me around the building: conference rooms with state-of-the-art projectors, a gym for stall that rivaled pro facilities, and break areas with vending machines stocked like a mini gourmet market.

Most rules were standard: no unauthorized access to confidential files, maintain professionalism on social media, report any suspicious activity immediately.

But Aaron’s pet peeves stood out-no tardiness (ironic, given my late arrival), keep personal calls to a minimum during work hours, and absolutely no fraternizing that could blur lines.

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Chapter 73

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The way Kelly talked about him made my stomach drop. He didn’t sound like the guy I used to know; he sounded like a

machine.

No small talk, no excuses, and a mile-high wall around everything he did.

She described him as “professional,” but what she meant was cold.

He was the kind of boss who saw everything but felt nothing. It was like he’d stripped away everything human about himself and replaced it with an ironclad set of rules.

I wondered if my disappearance had carved that ice into him, but then I remembered: Aaron was never exactly a ray of sunshine.

He’d been arrogant, manipulative and of course….my bully back in high school.

The tour ended by the elevators, and I gave Kelly a genuine thank you. Just as she was about to head back, she checked her

watch.

“We’ve still got ten minutes. Come on, you need caffeine if you’re going to survive the afternoon.”

I followed her into the cafeteria, which felt less like a corporate breakroom and more like a high-end bistro. It was loud—a mix of clinking silverware and the low hum of office gossip.

I was so busy taking it all in that I didn’t see the guy in front of me until I’d practically bounced off his shoulder.

“Crap, sorry!” I said, grabbing his arm to steady myself.

He turned around, and for a second, I just blinked. He was handsome: sharply defined features, warm eyes, and a grin that looked like he was constantly in on a joke you hadn’t heard yet.

He looked effortless, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a look that was way too relaxed for this building.

His grin widened as he looked me over.

“Actually, I think it’s my lucky day.”

Kelly let out a loud, dramatic groan. “Seth, seriously? Do you have to hit on every single woman in this building?”

Seth didn’t even flinch. He just kept his eyes on me.

“Don’t mind her, she’s just trying to ruin my reputation. Can you blame me for noticing someone this beautiful?”

I felt the heat climb up my neck. It was a cheesy line, but the way he said it-completely unabashed-actually made me laugh.

“Since Kelly already blew my cover,” he said, leaning in slightly, “do I get to know your name?”

“Jessica,” I said, finding my voice.

“Jessica,” he repeated, his accent giving the name a bit of a melodic lift. “Have lunch with me? Right now?”

Kelly punched his arm lightly. “Dude, she’s with me. And don’t forget, I’m HR. I could report you for creating a… let’s call it a ‘distractingly thirsty’ work environment. You know boss doesn’t fuck with that.”

Seth feigned a look of pure heartbreak.

“Please, don’t report me to the Big Boss. He’ll give me that look.”

Seth suddenly straightened his back, furrowed his brows into a terrifyingly accurate imitation of Aaron’s scowl, and

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Chapter 73

deepened his voice.

“Seth, if your productivity matched your libido, we’d own the moon.”

I burst out laughing, but the sound was cut short.

The cafeteria went pin-drop quiet, like someone had hit mute on the room. Even Seth froze mid-gesture.

I turned slowly, my heart racing a little bit wilder.

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Aaron was standing a few yards away, flanked by several men in suits and a woman clutching a tablet. His jaw was clenched so tight I thought his teeth might crack.

His eyes swept over the room, landing on me for a heartbeat that felt like an eternity.

The heat of his gaze made my skin prickle. He didn’t say a word to us; he simply turned and continued toward the kitchen

area.

But right before he disappeared through the doors, he paused and glanced back at me one last time-a look that was unreadable and heavy.

As soon as he was gone, the entire staff seemed to exhale at once. It was hilarious, in a dark sort of way.

Even after six years, the man could command a room just by breathing.

“Those were the Department of Health officials,” Kelly whispered, finally finding her voice. “They do monthly sanitary checks.”

I nodded, trying to get my heart rate back to something resembling normal.

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14:16 Mon, Jan 12 R