After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 42

**Clocks Lie To Hearts by Asa River Flint**
**Chapter 42**

Louisa’s smile radiated warmth, a beacon of defiance. “Even if I were to name a price, do you really think you would follow through?”

Instantly, a shadow crossed Owen’s features, darkening the room with his displeasure.

The Price family had no shortage of wealth, yet they were not accustomed to this sort of underhanded negotiation. Owen had come here with the intention of humiliating Louisa, but she was proving to be an elusive target, refusing to take the bait he dangled before her.

Feigning ignorance, Louisa continued, “I’ll be honest—I do appreciate money. But even if you were bold enough to offer it, I would never accept. Let’s face the truth—I know exactly why you’re here, and I’ve made my stance abundantly clear. If you have something to discuss, go speak with George.”

Owen and Lily’s faces drained of color, their expressions twisted with barely contained fury.

Louisa calmly gestured toward the door, her voice steady. “Please, do us both a favor and see yourselves out.”

With a furious huff, Owen and Lily stormed out, the door slamming shut behind them with a resounding thud.

Once the door clicked into place, Louisa leaned against it, her earlier smile evaporating like morning mist, replaced by a cool, steely expression.

Outside her room, Owen and Lily fumed, their anger palpable in the air.

Lily was practically vibrating with rage. “That little tramp is tougher than she appears! No wonder our Vivian can’t handle her. Why didn’t you put her in her place?”

Owen remained silent, his brow furrowed as he mulled over the encounter.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” Lily demanded, her voice sharp.

Owen’s mind raced, a thought striking him like a bolt of lightning. “Doesn’t she seem familiar? Like someone we know?”

“Familiar? Like who?” Lily’s confusion was evident, her brow knitting together.

Owen shook his head slowly, frustration mounting. “Not just one person… but two.”

Lily’s eyes widened, her bewilderment deepening. “What are you talking about?”

Owen elaborated, “Her face, it sparks something in me. But that confidence, that unshakeable calm in the face of adversity—it reminds me of someone entirely different.”

He muttered to himself, a firm resolve beginning to take root. He would delve deeper into this Louisa’s background; she was more than she appeared.

While Louisa had successfully sent the Prices packing, the hospital was a bustling hub, filled with gossiping visitors and curious patients.

By morning, the tale of their confrontation had spread like wildfire throughout the hospital corridors.

Lily had been working tirelessly to fan the flames, painting Louisa as a homewrecker who had audaciously seduced her future son-in-law.

Initially, people were skeptical, caught in a web of uncertainty, unsure of whom to believe.

But then Lily wielded her family’s status like a weapon, asserting that with their esteemed background, their daughter had no reason to sully herself as someone’s mistress. In contrast, Louisa was merely a nobody, desperate enough to lure a wealthy man.

In the blink of an eye, the rumors morphed into a tempest, spreading with alarming speed.

The following day, Louisa’s IV drip finally finished its course.

Determined to regain some semblance of normalcy, she made her way to the nurse’s station to request a new IV bottle.

The nurses, trained in professionalism, managed to keep their lips sealed in her presence, though their cold demeanor spoke volumes. Behind her back, whispers danced through the air.

But the other patients and visitors were far less discreet.

As Louisa traversed the hallway, a woman seated nearby hurled her half-empty drink bottle at her with venomous intent. “Disgusting! You shameless hussy, seducing another woman’s husband! You deserve to be struck by lightning!”

Louisa’s gaze fell first on the bottle that struck her leg and rolled to the floor.

Then, she turned her attention to the woman who had thrown it.

The woman was in her forties, her hair a disheveled mess, her figure slightly overweight, and her eyes burned with unrestrained hatred directed at Louisa.

Instead of retaliating with anger, Louisa’s lips curled into a serene smile. She bent down, retrieved the bottle, and walked purposefully toward the woman.

Louisa, ever transparent, recounted the visit from Vivian’s parents, her tone steady despite the gravity of the situation.

Flora’s face flushed with anger. “They dared to come after you? Who do they think they are? Do they believe you’re an easy target?”

Sadie interjected, her voice firm. “Flora, this is partly your fault. You should have intimidated that brat instead of slapping her so hard. Without evidence, her family wouldn’t have been able to do much. Now, they’re blaming Louisa for everything.”

Flora felt a pang of regret, not for the slap itself, which she stood by, but for not being there to protect Louisa the previous night.

With a fierce determination, she stood up. “I’m going to confront them!”

She strode toward the door, her resolve unyielding.

Louisa quickly grabbed her arm, halting her. “Wait. This isn’t your fault. If Vivian could come and provoke me, her parents would have sought me out eventually. Your slap didn’t change much.”

Still, Flora couldn’t shake the guilt. “Then I’m staying with you tonight.”

Louisa chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Fine, but only if you promise not to snore.”

Flora shot her a mock glare. “When have I ever snored? Don’t tarnish my reputation! If I end up single because of you, I’ll stick by your side forever.”

“I’m not taking care of you for free. You’ll have to be my little sister.”

“Get out of here!”

Their laughter filled the room, a comforting balm against the chaos surrounding them.

That night, Flora insisted on staying, adamant about not leaving Louisa alone to face the storm.

Fortunately, the VIP room was equipped with an extra bed for companions, a small mercy in the midst of turmoil.

As night fell, the two friends lay in their beds, gazing out at the starry sky through the window, lost in their thoughts.

Flora broke the silence, her voice thoughtful. “With George treating you like this and the Price family coming after you, aren’t you going to clear things up with him?”