After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 373

Chapter 373

Louisa didn’t argue about who would pay.

She sent Marlee to eat at the company cafeteria.

Then she headed alone to the parking garage, got in her car, and drove to the agreed location.

Fifteen minutes later.

Willowgate Kitchen.

Louisa arrived right on time.

Ryder was already there.

He’d been drinking water, but seeing Louisa, his eyes lit up.

He immediately set down his glass and stood. “Louisa, I hope I didn’t mess up your schedule?”

Louisa smiled politely. “Work matters – I’d make time no matter how busy.

One sentence drew a clear line between them.

It also let Ryder know where she stood.

Ryder felt a twinge of disappointment but still smiled and gestured. “Please, sit.”

Louisa nodded slightly and sat across from him.

Ryder handed her the menu. “See what you’d like.”

Louisa: “You order your favorites first.”

Ryder: ‘I’m not picky. You know this place you choose.”

Louisa didn’t argue further, ordering several of the house specialties.

Ryder poured her water, making small talk with practiced ease. “It’s been early ten years since we’ve seen each other, right? The second year after I left for college, I came home and heard you’d moved away. I remener…

‘Yeah.”

Louisa cut him off with a smile.

She didn’t want to hear him dredge up the past. She immediately got to the point: You mentioned wanting to learn about investment. What’s your team’s current situation? Have you already submitted applications to nvestment firms? Or haven’t you found investors yet? Or are you running into specific problems?‘

1/5

30%

15:39 Mon, Feb 2 GGD.

Chapter 373

Ryder: “No investors yet. Wanted to ask your advice.”

Louisa: “Let me give you a few references. Your team can discuss and consider them.”

‘Great.

30%

Louisa asked the server for a pen and paper, writing down several recommendations and explaining the basics, making notes on the important

points.

She wrote and talked simultaneously.

She was completely focused.

She didn’t notice Ryder’s attention wandering, his gaze falling on her, eyes filled with barely suppressed longing.

Meanwhile.

Outside the restaurant, in a car.

Julian sat in the passenger seat, watching that cozy scene inside, his expression thunderous.

Teddy had already shivered several times in a row.

So cold.

He wanted to turn on the heat.

Inside the restaurant.

Louisa finished explaining. Looking up, she met Ryder’s gaze and realized e’d been staring.

She immediately leaned back, asking coolly: “Any other questions?”

‘No, you explained it very thoroughly.”

After answering, Ryder quickly added: “But I’m wondering if our team applies for investment from the Tudor Group, would we have a shot?”

–

Louisa: “Hard to say. We’d need to assess your team first, and ultimately, Mr. Tudor makes the final call. I can’t make any promises.”

Ryder: ‘No problem. We welcome assessment anytime. How about we exchange contact info?”

He pulled out his phone.

Louisa hesitated briefly.

This was work. If she refused, it would look bad.

She took out her phone and let him add her.

2/5

15:39 Mon, Feb 2 GGD.

Chapter 373

Ryder’s face immediately broke into a smile.

He and Louisa hadn’t seen each other in ten years. Ten years later, they’d reunited and she was divorced now.

And he’d gotten her contact information.

This time, he definitely had a chance.

¢ % 30% –>

At least he had the right to pursue her now.

He immediately asked: “Louisa, which day are you free this weekend?”

Louisa pretended not to understand his meaning, asking with a smile: “You mean for the assessment? Weekends probably won’t work. It

depends on scheduling.”

Ryder felt disappointed.

He’d wanted to invite her to dinner, or maybe a movie.

Someone as smart as Louisa – how could she not understand?

But every time, she deflected with work.

Was she trying to gently tell him they could only have a professional relationship, nothing romantic?

Made sense. She’d just gone through a failed marriage. Of course, she wouldn’t want to jump into another relationship so quickly.

If he wanted to pursue her, he couldn’t rush.

He’d waited fifteen years already. What was a little more time?

He didn’t push, smiling gently at her. “No worries. Whenever you have time, then.”

Louisa didn’t respond.

Using work as an excuse, she said she needed to leave.

Ryder walked her to her car, gentlemanly opening the door for her.

Louisa thanked him politely and got in.

Even after her car disappeared from view, Ryder stood there watching.

In another car.

Julian and Teddy had witnessed the whole scene.

Teddy couldn’t help sighing. “Real devotion there.”

‘What did you say?”

3/5

15:39 Mon, Feb 2 GGD.

Chapter 373

Julian shot him an icy, completely frigid look.

–

Teddy swallowed hard and immediately changed the subject. “I meant Louisa’s already gone, we should follow.”

Julian: “Then why are you still sitting there? What are you waiting for?”

Teddy floored the gas pedal, silently praying: Louisa, you’re in deep trouble. Good luck to you.

Louisa sneezed out of nowhere.

After leaving the restaurant, while waiting at the second traffic light, she spotted Julian’s car behind her.

She’d been confused earlier – it was lunch time, hadn’t Julian said Bob was bringing lunch?

That meant Julian had no lunch meetings today.

So why was he out at this hour?

This was a quiet back road Julian never took.

Had he followed her?

Louisa’s heart sank. Had Julian already seen her with Ryder?

She’d told him she had a client meeting and would eat out with Marlee.

But instead, he’d discovered her with Ryder.

Did he think she’d lied to him?

Louisa felt instinctively panicked.

But she and Ryder hadn’t done anything wrong. They’d purely discussed work.

Besides, hadn’t Julian’s mother sent Teresa to drive them apart?

Teresa was even wearing the Tudor family heirloom bracelet meant for daughters–in–law.

And all she’d done was have a meal with Ryder.

What did she have to feel guilty about?

Her frantic heart immediately calmed.

Entering the Tudor Group Building’s underground parking garage.

Louisa had just turned off her engine when Teddy pulled in behind her.

30%

4/5

15:39 Mon, Feb 2 GGD.

Chapter 373

Louisa got out of her car. Julian happened to be getting out too.

She met his cold, dark gaze and greeted him calmly: “Mr. Tudor.”

Comments

R Visitor

More chapters please. I need to finish reading this book..

3 days ago

4

SHARE