After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 176

Louisa, suddenly hearing her name, snapped back to attention. She looked at the two men in confusion. Had she missed something?

“Then it’s settled, Teddy declared. “Ms. Forbes, you’ll accompany Mr. Tudor to the resort on Saturday.”

‘No, I can’t- Louisa began.

“Do you have other plans that day?” Teddy interrupted.

She didn’t have plans, but she simply didn’t want to go.

By now, the car had reached the parking garage beneath their building.

“You two can work out the details,” Julian said, exiting the car.

Louisa sighed in frustration.

“Since you don’t have anything else going on, just fill in for me,” Teddy persisted. “I’ll return the favor someday. We’re all on the same team–no need to be

so formal.”

“You’re asking me for a favor while telling me not to be formal?” Louisa replied incredulously. “What kind of logic is that?”

Bob joined in. “Ms. Forbes, Mr. Tudor has been so good to you. If you’re free, please help out. We can’t let him go alone–that would be pitiful.”

Louisa fell silent.

Julian? Pitiful? The CEO of Tudor Group had Teddy as his assistant, four female secretaries in the office, and Teresa who would probably jump at the chance

to accompany him.

But facing their sincere, pleading expressions, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. “Fine, I’ll go.”

“Thank you so much,” Teddy said with a satisfied smile.

Louisa glared at him as she got out of the car.

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Inside the vehicle, Teddy and Bob high–fived each other. “Mission accomplished!”

The things they did for Julian’s long–term happiness. He really ought to give them a raise,

Outside, Louisa walked toward the elevator. Julian hadn’t gone up yet; the elevator had just arrived.

He noticed her following silently, his jacket still in her arms and a gloomy expression on her face.

His lips curved slightly. “All settled, then?”

Louisa shot him a look of restrained irritation. “I’ve mysteriously acquired all these extra duties. Shouldn’t you consider giving me a raise?”

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Julian chuckled softly. “Ms. Forbes, you already have my supplementary card. Isn’t that enough?”

‘That’s completely different, she protested. “The card is for work expenses. A raise would be my own money that I could spend however I want.”

Julian leaned down, his voice low near her ear. ‘You can spend my money however you want too.”

His deep, resonant voice carried a magnetic quality that penetrated her senses.

Louisa froze. What did he mean?

Freely spending his money was a privilege reserved for a wife, wasn’t it?

How could he say something so suggestive to her?

But that wasn’t quite right either.

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In wealthy families like his, husbands rarely gave their wives control over their money. Many such couples even signed prenuptial agreements.

Take her and George for example, throughout their marriage, George had never publicly acknowledged her status. His parents had never accepted her either. The idea of freely spending his money had been unthinkable.

Julian must be speaking carelessly. She shouldn’t overthink it.

She tapped her head lightly, trying to regain her composure.

Julian entered the elevator, amused by her furrowed brow and sudden realization. “What are you overthinking now? If you don’t get in, I’m closing the door.”

Louisa snapped back to reality and hurried inside.

They rode in silence. Only when they reached their doors did Julian speak again. “Don’t forget to wake me up tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, I know,” she replied dejectedly.

Back in her apartment, she set a new alarm thirty minutes earlier than her usual wake–up time.

She couldn’t understand how she’d gotten herself into this situation.

After showering, Louisa went to bed but found herself unable to sleep.

Her thoughts drifted to the phone calls that had caused such urgent reactions from George and Caden.

What could have been so pressing? Besides the project issues, only matters concerning Vivian seemed likely to demand such immediate attention.

Who knew what new scheme Vivian was plotting now?

Thinking about Vivian soured her mood. If she truly wanted to deal with Vivian, she had options. She simply refused to stoop to underhanded tactics.

What she really wanted was to see Vivian in prison, ending this mess once and for all.

Sadie had explained that based on current evidence, Vivian could only be charged as an accomplice to kidnapping.

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Even adding charges of intentional injury and attempted murder, and with the Price family’s legal team working overtime, the sentence might only amount

to about ten years.

Yet Vivian was determined to avoid prison entirely.

The Price family had produced medical documentation of mental illness, and Vivian had publicly displayed symptoms of a breakdown… clearly, they had

bribed someone.

If only the Tudor family or Julian would intervene. With Tudor’s influence, the Price family couldn’t exploit legal loopholes.

She wondered what Julian was thinking. When Vivian had nearly destroyed her, he had kept Vivian detained. Now that Vivian had stabbed him, he seemed indifferent, letting them do as they pleased.

But she had no right to demand explanations. Perhaps he had his own considerations.

With a sigh, she pushed these thoughts away and tried to sleep.

The next morning, Louisa woke early. After preparing and eating breakfast, she went to wake Julian.

She entered his passcode with practiced ease. He had shared it with her days ago, and she’d memorized it immediately.

At the time, distracted by other concerns, she hadn’t given

much thought.

Now, as she entered the code, she realized something startling: Julian’s passcode was identical to the one she and George had used for their home.

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