After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 21

**Clocks Lie To Hearts by Asa River Flint**

**Chapter 21**

“With all that money spent, how could I not like it?” she mused, though her heart felt heavy with the weight of the unspoken truth.

Louisa had already made up her mind to part with it at the second-hand market the very next day, where she hoped to turn a tidy profit.

With a nonchalant flick of her wrist, she tossed the bracelet into her handbag, its metallic glint catching the light for just a moment before disappearing into the depths of her purse.

George observed her closely, his dark brows knitting together in a deep furrow of concern. It was as if he were trying to decipher a complex puzzle, the pieces of which seemed to elude him.

Why couldn’t she be more like Vivian, who embraced gifts with a radiant smile and genuine delight?

When had Louisa become such a riddle, so difficult to read?

His voice dipped, laden with an inexplicable heaviness, “I put a lot of thought into picking out that gift for you. If you don’t like it, fine, but can you just be straightforward with me? I’ve been really busy lately and don’t have time to keep guessing what you’re thinking.”

Louisa’s laughter burst forth unexpectedly, ringing in the air like a mocking bell, and George felt a jolt of indignation.

“Can you speak properly?” he asked, his tone sharp, eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her.

Louisa hadn’t intended to engage in a verbal sparring match, but his relentless insistence ignited something within her.

Her laughter took on a brighter tone, yet her eyes turned to ice. “What do you want me to say? Are you expecting me to be grateful for your little assistant’s leftovers?”

George was momentarily speechless, his mind racing back to that afternoon when Jared had handed him the gift, and Vivian had caught sight of it.

Vivian, with her passion for bracelets and her collection of limited editions, had insisted on having the piece. He had felt cornered, unable to refuse her request, never anticipating that Louisa would find out.

He instinctively began to explain, “Yes, Vivian took the bracelet. I’ve mentioned this before. Our company, the Capulet Group, collaborates with the Price Group. Vivian liked the bracelet, and I couldn’t be stingy over one bracelet. You could just let her…”

His words trailed off as the car glided into the villa’s driveway.

Louisa unbuckled her seatbelt, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. “You bought the gift. You can give it to whoever you want; I don’t care. Just don’t give me something someone else rejected.”

With that, she exited the car, her demeanor eerily composed.

George felt a pang of frustration in his chest; he didn’t want their conversation to end this way. He wanted to reach out, to bridge the widening chasm between them. But as he parked and stepped into the living room, he saw her retreating upstairs, isolating herself in her room.

He felt powerless to change the course of their evening.

Frustration bubbled inside him, and with a clenched fist, he struck the coffee table, the sound echoing in the silence.

The following day, Louisa resumed her routine, heading to work as if nothing had transpired.

As she was leaving, their paths crossed once more.

She cast a calm glance in his direction, unhurriedly changing her shoes as if their previous argument was nothing but a fleeting shadow.

George, feeling a surge of hope, blurted out, “Let’s go together?”

For seven years, they had maintained a separation between home and work, even when their home life was filled with sweetness.

Today, something compelled him to break that pattern, but as soon as the words left his lips, regret washed over him.

Louisa caught the hint of his anxiety but feigned nonchalance, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “Not afraid of being seen?”

George’s expression hardened, and silence fell between them like a heavy curtain.

Louisa didn’t press further; instead, she grabbed her car keys and bag and made her way out.

Louisa smiled, a bittersweet expression crossing her face. “I’ve already resigned.”

A hush fell over the room, their coffee and snacks suddenly losing their appeal.

A young woman approached her, hesitation evident in her demeanor as she spoke, her voice trembling, “Ms. Forbes, I don’t want you to leave…”

Louisa offered her a reassuring smile, patiently comforting the team and calming their rising emotions.

As the clock approached six o’clock, Louisa finally gathered her belongings and prepared to leave the marketing department for the last time.

Starting tomorrow, she wouldn’t be returning.

Though she had initially taken Hazel’s money to be there, she had nurtured the marketing department from its infancy and hoped it would flourish even in her absence.

Determined, she decided to head upstairs to speak with George, at least to ensure everything was set for the marketing team.

However, upon reaching the executive floor, she found her path obstructed by Jared.

His expression was tense, eyes darting nervously. “Mrs. Capulet, Mr. Capulet is in a meeting right now. It’s not convenient. Could you come back later?”

Louisa’s instincts kicked in; she recognized the signs of something amiss.

Her gaze turned icy, and she didn’t bother to linger on the sordid scene, choosing instead to turn and leave.

But just then, she overheard moans emanating from the office, unmistakably belonging to Vivian.

Then came her giggles, light and teasing. “George, stop it. I have something to tell you. You wouldn’t believe how awful Louisa is. I heard she’s taken over the marketing department and caused quite a stir. Many people say they want to leave with her.

“I think they’re all ungrateful. George, you should just fire them all.”