After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269

Louisa pushed the door open.

No sign of Julian. She could hear him on the phone in the bedroom.

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Not wanting to disturb him, she sat down at the dining table. Julian had already ordered dinner–nothing extravagant, just four dishes and a soup, all her favorites.

But right now, Louisa had no appetite. Her mind kept replaying the day’s events.

The orchard matched Vivian’s description perfectly. And Lily’s reaction hadn’t seemed fake. So why couldn’t they find Mark’s body? It

didn’t make sense.

Had Lily and Vivian secretly moved it?

When Julian emerged from the bedroom, he found her sitting there with a troubled expression, lost in thought.

He sat beside her and gently patted her head. “Why aren’t you eating? Don’t like the food?”

“It’s not that…” she murmured, absently stirring the soup.

Julian said nothing, simply watching her, his hand resting on her head, fingers lightly massaging her scalp. Louisa didn’t even notice.

She looked up at him. “I used to think I was pretty capable. Why do I suddenly feel so useless lately?”

Julian couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Louisa glared at him.

Typical Julian, always mocking her. She shouldn’t have said anything. She lowered her head and started eating.

Julian spoke slowly. “You were made a permanent employee on your second day at the Tudor Group, with my father’s personal approval. Do you realize that’s never happened before in the company’s hundred–year history? You’re the first.”

Louisa’s chopsticks paused midair.

Was Julian actually complimenting her? Was she hearing things?

“With the Aurora Media Group project,” he continued, “you saved the Tudor Group from a fifty billion dollar loss. The Oakridge Commons project went through five different managers who all failed, but you turned it around in just one month, even outperforming Oakview Residences.

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Chapter 269

“You built an entirely new design team for the Tudor Group. You’re already famous within the company. And you call that ‘useless‘?”

His voice was deep and measured, like a clear stream flowing gently past her ear–soft yet powerful.

Louisa’s heart skipped a beat.

After a moment, she turned to look at him, her eyes filled with disbelief. “Julian, are you actually praising me?”

He smiled. “Was I not obvious enough?”

“But with Vivian, I failed completely.”

“You didn’t lose to any one person–you lost to the power of capital. Their methods were despicable and dirty. You don’t need to learn them. There’s no shame in losing that fight. Understand?”

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Louisa was speechless.

Her past experiences had only taught her that this was a world where the strong devoured the weak. Only by being powerful enough could she avoid being swallowed whole.

This was the first time anyone had said such things to her.

She suddenly felt a bittersweet warmth in her heart.

The food before her suddenly seemed appetizing.

She lowered her head and began eating in earnest, missing the tender, indulgent look Julian gave her.

After finishing her meal, she wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Thanks for dinner. I should get back to my room–Sadie’s probably bored by

herself.”

“I’m bored too,” Julian replied.

Why didn’t she offer to keep him company?

Louisa thought for a moment. “Should I ask Teddy to come up?”

Julian laughed, though he was slightly annoyed.

Louisa had perfected the art of cutting and running–the moment her problem was solved, she was ready to bolt.

Still, he didn’t press the issue. He stood up with her. “Let me walk you back to your room.”

Startled, Louisa quickly declined. “No need. I won’t get lost. You should get some rest.”

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She turned to leave.

Just as she reached the door, the doorbell rang.

Louisa jumped, turning back to look at Julian.

Who could be visiting so late?

Surely not. Maybe it was Teddy?

She reached for the door handle.

Before she could touch it, a pale, slender hand covered hers, gently folding her fingers into his palm.

Louisa turned to him with a puzzled look.

Julian pressed her against the wall, placing a finger to his lips in a silencing gesture.

Louisa frowned, asking with her eyes: ‘What’s going on?‘Julian leaned close to her ear and whispered, “What if it’s George?”

“That’s… impossible,” she said.

Why would George come to Julian’s room in the middle of the night? To chat? To hang out? It made no sense.

But Julian looked serious, not like he was joking.

Still, she shook her head. “It can’t be him. Absolutely not.”

Julian raised an eyebrow. “Want to bet?”

“No.”

Julian’s arm encircled her waist as he leaned his forehead against hers, smiling. “If you’re so confident, why not take the bet? Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“Because this whole setup reeks of a trap,” she replied.

Julian laughed softly.

Louisa quickly covered his mouth with her hand. “Shhh! Keep it down.”

Julian fell silent, his deep eyes–like they held the stars themselves–gazing intently at her.

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Louisa’s heart raced, her face flushing.

His lips were pressed against her palm, warm breath caressing her skin.

Her legs felt weak beneath her.

Was he planning to… do something?

Although, she wouldn’t mind if they…

No! No way!

She quickly shook her head, trying to clear away those inappropriate thoughts.

Julian watched her internal struggle with amusement. “What are you thinking about? You-”

“Nothing! I’m not thinking about anything,” she interrupted hastily.

Seeing him about to speak again and fearing he’d expose the thoughts she was trying to hide, she quickly changed the subject. “You wanted to bet? Fine, I’m in. What are the stakes?”

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