After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 203

ma Dimonaire’s Arms

Louisa was still in a daze as she followed Teddy out.

The conference room erupted into chaos the moment they left. These seasoned corporate veterans immediately turned on Teresa:

“Ms. Hughes, what’s going on here? They can’t just promote someone without any explanation to the rest of us!”

“Exactly! Louisa’s still on probation–no seniority, no experience. What makes her qualified to lead a special projects team?”

“Even if none of us are qualified, what about you, Ms. Hughes? You’re right here. Since when did Louisa get to throw her weight ar

“Right! She’s already Deputy Director. One more achievement and she’ll be on equal footing with Ms. Hughes!”

“Equal footing? When have you ever seen a department with two directors? Eventually one stays and one goes.”

Teresa’s face turned ghostly pale, her fingers curled into tight fists. She couldn’t believe Julian would do this–promoting Louisa just that, appointing her as leader of the special projects team.

Was this really a promotion? No–it was a deliberate humiliation of Teresa.

What did Louisa have that she didn’t? What made her so special?

Teresa was nearly blind with rage. Her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms, drawing blood. Everyone in the room noticed.

They all knew about Teresa’s feelings for Julian. The others piled on, increasing the pressure–stopping just short of explicitly suggesti

she take Louisa down.

Teresa’s tightly wound emotions finally snapped. She slammed her fist on the conference table. “Enough! Shut up, all of you!”

Meanwhile, Louisa and Teddy rode the elevator together. She kept her brows furrowed the entire way, showing none of the excitement typically associated with a promotion.

Teddy was baffled. He even waved his hand in front of her face. “Hello? Are you still in shock? Do you realize you just got promoted?*

In all his years at the Tudor Group, he’d never seen someone get a double promotion and not be thrilled about it.

Louisa looked at him. I’m still hasically a newcomer. Isn’t Mr. Tudor worried people will resent this and cause problems for him?

Teddy Oldict answer, just smiled at her a smile that grew increasingly suggestive.

1/4

Chapter 203

Louisa felt uncomfortable under his gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

23

“It’s just… you’ve become the investment department’s number one target, yet instead of worrying about yourself, you’re concerned Mr. Tudor?”

Louisa missed the significance of his last point and nodded earnestly. “Of course I worry about myself too, but what can I do? My ab speak for themselves. Whether they’re jealous or just don’t like me, I’m going to face trouble either way.”

She’d already been through this at the Capulet Group. She was used to it.

But to Teddy’s ears: Was Louisa always this confident? Then again, she had every right to be.

After a pause, he said, “I think from the day Mr. Tudor recruited you into the Tudor Group, he already had your position mapped out. Everything you’ve experienced was just him giving you time to earn everyone’s respect. So don’t overthink it.”

“Did Mr. Tudor tell you that?” Louisa asked curiously.

“No, he never said that. It’s just my interpretation.”

Louisa mentally rolled her eyes. So their entire conversation was basically pointless?

By then, the elevator had reached the 36th floor. Teddy led her forward.

He knocked on Julian’s office door, and upon hearing “Come in,” opened it for her to enter.

Julian was reviewing documents.

She approached and asked, “Mr. Tudor, you wanted to see me?”

Julian didn’t answer immediately. After signing the document in front of him, he pushed a stack of project files toward her. “These are the company’s current priority projects. Look through them first and let me know your thoughts.”

“Of course.”

She gathered up the files and turned to leave.

Julian watched her decisive movements. “Where are you going?”

Louisa turned back, confused. “To review the files?”

“Review them here.” He gestured toward a desk nearby, indicating she should sit there. “These projects are urgent. I need results by this afternoon. If you have any questions, ask me immediately. Don’t delay,”

Louisa was stunned. When had she ever delayed work? And working in the same office with him? That seemed strange.

2/4

11

Chapter 203

If word got out, it would spark yet another round of gossip.

Julian noticed her furrowed brow and asked lightly, “Ms. Forbes, is there a problem?”

Louisa remained silent. Fine. Whatever. She’d better start reviewing.

She sat down at the designated desk.

The projects Julian had given her were indeed high–priority ones. If successful, the return on investment would be substantial. If had been distributed normally, they would never have landed on her desk.

She began reviewing them carefully. During this time, she and Julian barely exchanged words. The office remained quiet.

Teddy came in once and, seeing this cozy scene, couldn’t suppress his smile. Louisa didn’t notice. Her mind was completely absorbe

the project materials.

Some involved overseas construction projects dealing with social responsibility and community harmony.

For the first time, she understood why the Tudor Group had remained standing through a century of economic upheavals. These cor

projects also made her feel pressure like never before.

She found herself lost in thought.

“What did that pen ever do to you?”

A cool, teasing voice suddenly broke her concentration. She snapped back to reality and followed Julian’s gaze to discover she’d been chewing on her pen, leaving teeth marks all over it.

He chuckled. “Whatever grudge you have against it, tell me. I’ll mediate.”

Louisa fell silent. Before she could respond, her phone rang.

She checked the caller ID: Naomi. Her former subordinate from the Capulet Group. Why would she call out of the blue?

She frowned slightly and stood to take the call outside.

Julian stopped her. “Don’t go disturbing others. Take it here.”

Louisa was speechless again. Had she heard correctly? Was Julian actually being considerate of other employees?

No–she was more inclined to believe Julian suspected she had some shady connection to her former company.

She had nothing to hide. To prove her innocence, she answered the call right in front of Julian, even putting it on speaker. “Naomi, what

do you need?