After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 40

**Clocks Lie To Hearts by Asa River Flint**
**Chapter 40**

Vivian felt as though she had just dodged a bullet, and the moment she caught sight of George, the dam of her emotions broke. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pushed past Flora, her heart racing. She threw herself into George’s waiting arms, relief flooding her senses. “George! You’re finally here! They were going to kill me! You have to avenge me…”

Her voice trembled, each word laced with the remnants of fear as she buried herself deeper into his embrace, seeking solace in his strength.

George’s hand moved to her back, patting her gently, but an unsettling chill radiated from him as he scanned the room with narrowed eyes. “What did you do to her?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Flora, unfazed, smirked as she replied, “Oh, Mr. Capulet, must you be so serious? What could we possibly do to her? She’s the darling daughter of the Price family and your little lover, after all. Protected by two powerful families—why would we dare lay a finger on her?”

“Flora!” George’s tone was sharp, cutting through the air like a whip, his patience clearly wearing thin.

Sadie stepped forward, her arms crossed defiantly. “What’s going on here? Did Flora speak untruths? You’re holding another woman in your arms right in front of your wife. I should be asking you—what exactly are you doing?”

George’s expression darkened, shadows creeping across his features as he absorbed the barrage of accusations.

Finally, his gaze landed on Louisa, who stood calmly observing the unfolding drama. “Louisa, tell me what happened,” he urged, desperation creeping into his voice.

Louisa offered a thin smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes, as she gestured toward Vivian still nestled against George. “You’re questioning us about what we did to her? Why not ask what she was doing in my hospital room in the first place?”

George looked down at Vivian, confusion mingling with concern. “Why did you come here?” he asked softly, his brow furrowing.

“Do we really need to ask?” Sadie interjected sharply, her tone dripping with disdain.

She pointedly glanced at the love bites adorning Vivian’s neck. “Clearly, she came to flaunt her trophies from you, trying to show Louisa just how desirable she is, hoping to pressure Louisa into stepping aside.”

Sadie’s words hit the mark, and George’s face hardened, the tension in the room thickening. “Is that true?” he pressed, his voice strained as he turned to Vivian.

“No!” Vivian protested, her voice rising as she regained some composure. “That’s not what happened at all! I heard Ms. Forbes was hospitalized, and I came out of concern. Instead of appreciating my gesture, they attacked me—pulled my hair and threatened to cut up my face with a knife.”

She looked utterly pitiful, her disheveled hair framing her tear-streaked face, eyes wide and pleading as they locked onto George’s.

His heart softened at the sight of her distress. He gently stroked her back, trying to provide comfort amidst the chaos.

Flora, unable to contain her disbelief, let out a laugh that rang with incredulity.

With a mocking smile, she approached Vivian. “You say we hit you?”

Suddenly, without warning, Flora’s hand shot out, landing a sharp slap across Vivian’s cheek. “That’s what hitting looks like,” she sneered, her contempt palpable.

As the daughter of the Young family, Flora had been trained in self-defense since childhood. She knew precisely how much force to exert, and the slap left Vivian momentarily stunned, her cheek ablaze with pain. The sound of Vivian’s wails escalated, echoing through the room in a crescendo of hysteria.

But Flora wasn’t finished. The thought of this woman undermining her friend’s marriage, repeatedly provoking them, ignited a fire within her. She longed to deliver a few well-placed kicks, but before she could act on her impulse, George yanked her away. “Flora, that’s enough!” he commanded, his voice firm.

He crouched beside Vivian, concern etched across his features as he assessed her condition.

The crowd at the door grew bolder, their whispers morphing into heated debates about which woman truly held the title of mistress.

But George couldn’t focus on that now. Vivian’s relentless sobbing was driving him to distraction, gnawing at his insides.

His patience, already thin, snapped. “I said, get out of my way!” His final command was imbued with the authority of a man used to being obeyed.

Though Sadie and Flora felt a twinge of intimidation, they understood the potential fallout for Louisa if George left with Vivian in front of so many witnesses. They stood their ground, resolute.

The standoff continued, tension thick in the air.

Louisa, who had remained silent until now, finally rose from her bed, her expression unreadable.

She stepped forward, pulling her friends aside before gesturing toward the door. “Mr. Capulet, please proceed. If you need to console your mistress, do it elsewhere. Don’t shout at my friends in my presence.”

Her voice was ice-cold, yet perfectly steady, a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding her.

Her friends watched her with heavy hearts, the pain of witnessing her husband defend his mistress right before her eyes palpable in the air. How much anguish must she be enduring?

George stared at Louisa, unsettled by her calm demeanor, which only seemed to deepen the chasm of uncertainty between them.

As he opened his mouth to speak, Louisa cut him off, her tone frosty. “Remember this—keep your mistress on a tight leash. Don’t let her disgust me with her presence again. Next time, a slapped face will be the least of her concerns.”