After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197

Louisa ended up staying, following Julian into the club where the reception manager greeted them respectfully. “Mr. Tudor, Mr. Getty is

already waiting inside. Let me escort you.”

“Thank you,” Julian replied simply.

Louisa froze at the name. Mr. Getty? The same one who sent the Rose of Jericho–Julian’s boyfriend? Why would Julian bring her to meet

him?

Before she could formulate an excuse to leave, they had already reached the entrance.

“Mr. Tudor, I can wait outside,” she suggested quickly.

Julian turned to her. “There’s plenty of space inside.” The implication was clear: Get in.

Then she’d become a third wheel. She inwardly groaned but followed orders.

Julian pushed open the door, revealing a luxurious private room where a handsome man lounged on the sofa.

He was muscular, wearing a floral shirt with only the bottom few buttons fastened, leaving his well–defined chest partially exposed.

Louisa couldn’t help but look twice–purely out of curiosity. In her experience, men who wore floral shirts were typically playboys, gang

leaders, or nouveau riche.

Yet this man carried himself with a natural, carefree confidence that avoided vulgarity. Then again, as Julian’s friend, he was bound to

have some class.

“Like what you see?” Julian’s icy voice cut through her thoughts.

“Yes. It is nice,” she replied honestly.

Julian covered her eyes with one hand, pulling her slightly toward him. “Stop staring at malnourished things.”

Louisa was speechless. Was she not allowed to compliment his boyfriend? Julian’s possessiveness was ridiculous.

“Button up your shirt, Nicholas.” Julian told the man.

“I’m hot,” Nicholas replied with a mischievous look. “Don’t tell me you’re not feeling it too, all buttoned up in that suit. Why don’t you take something off and cool down with me?”

“I suggest you remove your skin entirely. Even cooler.”

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“Why so violent as soon as we meet? Found a new love and forgotten the old one?” Nicholas shot Louisa a wounded look, as if she’d

stolen his lover.

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“Mr. Getty, you misunderstand,” Louisa quickly explained. “Mr. Tudor and I are strictly employer and employee. There’s nothing

inappropriate between us.”

Her statement was met with complete silence. Julian’s face darkened considerably while Nicholas laughed so hard he could barely breathe.

Under Julian’s frigid glare, he finally relented.

“OK, OK, I’ll button up. The things I do for love. Since I’m being so obedient, how about a kiss?”

Louisa’s eyes widened in shock. This was so bold.

“Can you shut that mouth of yours?” Julian growled.

Nicholas reluctantly buttoned his shirt, instantly transforming into the picture of a refined, indolent heir.

Shortly after, Nicholas ordered their meal. The table, large enough for twenty, looked eerily empty with just the three of them.

Course after course arrived–signature dishes from Michelin–starred chefs alongside local specialties.

While conversing with Nicholas, Julian casually placed a small bowl of seafood bisque in front of Louisa. “Eat.”

Understanding they needed to talk, she lowered her head and quietly sipped her soup.

Nicholas rested his chin on one hand, watching Julian with amusement. “This must be the first time our Mr. Tudor has been so attentive

to a woman.”

Julian shot him a death glare that clearly meant “shut up.”

Nicholas looked even more delighted, though his glances toward Louisa occasionally carried something deeper.

During the meal, he casually asked, “About the Capulet and Price Groups project–you’re really not budging on that?”

Julian looked up. “You’re still concerned about that?”

Louisa, dutifully eating, paused at the familiar names.

Nicholas leaned back against the sofa. “It doesn’t concern me directly. A few days ago, those old foxes Dominic and Owen visited my second uncle. They were locked in a room plotting for hours. I suspect it was about this.”

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“What, are they looking for financial backing from the Getty family? Or planning another alliance?” Julian’s tone was casual, but when he

mentioned “another alliance, there was unmistakable sarcasm.

The Getty family had risen through underworld connections during turbulent times–a complicated history Julian knew something about.

Thirty years ago, Silverlight City didn’t have its current seven major corporate groups. The Getty family, led by the patriarch, rivaled the

Tudor family in power and influence.

Reportedly, the old man had always intended to pass the family business to his eldest son, Oliver.

But something happened. Twenty–seven years ago, Oliver and his wife Melinda met with tragedy.

Oliver and his four bodyguards were burned to ashes in a massive fire. His wife Melinda jumped into the river with their newborn

daughter in a suicide.

Police recovered only Melinda’s body, once the radiant first lady of Sunrise City, now so bloated by seawater that she was barely

recognizable.

As for the newborn daughter, she vanished without a trace. Most assumed that with the mother dead, the infant couldn’t have survived.

Shortly after, the Getty patriarch also died. The Getty family passed to his only remaining son, Gareth Getty.

That same year, the Capulet family and Price family suddenly rose to prominence, joining Silverlight City’s elite seven families.

Julian knew these details because his parents had been close friends with Oliver and Melinda.

His mother Adeline and Melinda were particularly close confidantes. Whenever she visited her maiden home, she would pay respects to her friend who had died so young.

Adeline often said the Capulet Group and Price Group had secured their positions by stepping over Oliver’s corpse.

Nicholas was Oliver’s only surviving son.

“I only recently discovered that Gareth stole the Getty family holdings from my father,” he laughed bitterly. “But he couldn’t maintain the legacy either.

“Twenty years ago, they were forced to change direction, transforming the former ‘Getty Syndicate‘ into today’s Getty Group.”

His voice grew harder. “Grandmother forced him to name me as heir, and I’ve walked the line between life and death more times than I can count these years.”

His eyes flashed with anger. “Damn it! If I weren’t determined to investigate my father’s death and avenge this blood debt, who the hell

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Chapter 197

would want to be this heir?”

He hurled his ceramic cup against the wall where it shattered violently.

Louisa jumped at the sudden outburst.

Julian soothingly stroked her head and took her hand. “It’s alright.”

Nicholas looked at her apologetically. “Sorry for frightening you.”

Louisa quickly shook her head. “I’m fine. Please don’t mind me–continue.”

Julian turned to Nicholas. “Have you uncovered any evidence lately?”

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