After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Louisa glanced coldly toward Teresa’s office. “Best not to get involved in other people’s business.”

“But isn’t this dangerous? And against company policy?” Marlee pressed.

“If alcoholics listened to advice, they wouldn’t be alcoholics,” Louisa replied pragmatically. “She probably doesn’t want anyone to know. You’re a junior employee–pretend you didn’t see anything. Better to keep yourself out of trouble.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Marlee conceded, understanding Louisa was looking out for her.

After leaving the building, Louisa sat in her car and thought for a moment before sending Julian a brief message: [Teresa is drinking in her office.]

That was all–she’d done her duty by alerting him. How Julian handled it wasn’t her concern. She started her car and headed home.

Julian read her message without any visible reaction.

Teddy, who also saw it, couldn’t help commenting, “Ms. Forbes is so kind–hearted. Despite how Ms. Hughes constantly makes things difficult for her, she still thought to inform you.”

“Mr. Tudor, are you going to check on her?” he asked.

Julian’s expression remained stern. “Why would I?” The more concern he showed Teresa, the more false hope it would give her.

After a brief pause, he added, “Have someone keep an eye on her discreetly. Just make sure nothing happens.”

“Yes, sir.”

It was nearly ten when Louisa reached her building’s underground parking garage. She didn’t immediately exit her car, instead scanning

her surroundings carefully. No one was around.

As she walked toward the elevator, she continued checking in all directions.

Ever since learning George had moved to the same building, she’d become paranoid whenever entering or leaving, afraid he might

suddenly appear and corner her.

Seeing no one, she quickly entered the elevator and patted her chest in relief. She made it home without incident.

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That night, she was on a group call with her best friends while lying in bed with a face mask. Flora was luxuriating in a bubble bath,

while Sadie reviewed case files as they talked.

Louisa learned that George had been staying at his company office for days.

Several projects at the Capulet Group were simultaneously experiencing problems, and he was too busy to even come home.

Flora couldn’t help feeling vindicated. “Now he must realize how much our Louisa sacrificed for him. For the past two years, he’s been out having fun while Louisa worked day and night. Now that he’s lost her, he can just wallow in regret.”

“I heard about Vivian today,” Sadie added. “Apparently, she’s terrified in prison–having daily breakdowns, completely unhinged.”

“Serves her right,” Flora declared. “She dared to mess with our Louisa. She can rot in prison for all I care.”

As her friends chatted on, Sadie noticed Louisa’s silence. “What are you thinking about?”

Louisa removed her face mask before answering slowly, “Nothing much. I was just thinking that before long, George will probably want to

discuss our divorce.”

If George’s company projects were truly troublesome, and if Vivian’s condition was deteriorating severely–with both issues happening simultaneously, divorce would become inevitable.

Flora and Sadie fell silent. Although they knew Louisa needed this divorce, George had been her first love–the man she’d deeply loved for ten years. Even after divorce brought her peace, her heart would still ache.

The three friends had grown up together and understood each other profoundly. They could sense her melancholy and pain.

After a while, Flora finally asked, “Louisa, will you ever believe in love again?”

Louisa didn’t respond immediately, and Flora suddenly regretted bringing up the topic.

Then Louisa slowly smiled. “I’ve always believed in love. It’s just that only after experiencing it can one understand that love and forever

are two different things.”

She continued thoughtfully, “Whether men or women, most are sincere when making promises. But life is so long–who can guarantee they’ll maintain that same love throughout their entire life?

“It’s the person who believed in those promises, who thought love could be eternal, who says love is a lie when it doesn’t last forever.

‘So, setting aside the burden of “forever, I still believe love is beautiful and real. I’m just… afraid now.”

She didn’t voice the last sentence aloud. It was a feeling from deep within, something that had grown like a towering tree in her heart, standing tall yet choking her.

Her friends fell silent. Only someone who had experienced such pain firsthand could speak those words.

They chatted a bit longer before saying goodnight, and the night returned to silence.

But prison was never a quiet place.

Vivian suddenly woke from her sleep in terror. After half a month, she still hadn’t adjusted to the prison environment. The sharp

squeaking of rats sent her into hysterical screaming.

The female guard on duty came to silence her. “What’s all this noise? People are trying to sleep! Go back to bed and be quiet.”

“What do I care if they’re sleeping? I want out! I want to see my parents! I want to see my brother! I want to see George-*

“There’s no George here for you. Go back to sleep!” The guard had little patience.

All the female guards knew Vivian was a homewrecker who had nearly destroyed someone’s marriage, and that George was her lover. Whenever she mentioned his name, everyone either verbally or physically abused her.

This comment severely triggered Vivian. “Who says George isn’t here?” she screamed. “He wouldn’t abandon me! He loves me the most! Louisa sent you to trick me, didn’t she? You’re lying to me! You bitch! Bitch! Bitch!”

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She mistook the guard for Louisa and lunged at her, starting a physical fight that awakened many inmates.

The Price family received news of her midnight assault on a guard and rushed to the prison.

Looking through the glass partition at their daughter–reduced to a barely human state–Lily nearly collapsed.

She clutched her son’s collar, sobbing uncontrollably. “Caden, get your sister out of here, whatever it takes. She can’t take it anymore, and

neither can I…”

Caden patted his mother’s shoulder. “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll find a way.”

After leaving the prison, instead of going home, he went straight to the Capulet Group Building to find George.

Louisa knew nothing of these nighttime developments. She slept soundly and woke early the next morning feeling refreshed.

Just as she was about to prepare herself a nice breakfast, her phone rang.

It was Julian.

“Good morning, Mr. Tudor,” she answered, her voice clear and energetic.

Julian chuckled softly. “You sound in good spirits. Come over and apply medicine to my injury.”

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