After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 53

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

Louisa’s gaze transformed, becoming as frigid as a winter night.

Hazel, caught completely off guard, hadn’t anticipated Louisa would suddenly bring up the contentious video. The tension in the air thickened, and Hazel felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her.

Yet, Louisa had not come here to rehash old grievances today. With a voice as sharp as glass, she declared, “Enough talk. If we’re going to sign a contract, let’s get to it.”

Hazel’s heart raced, fury bubbling just beneath the surface. The muscles in her face twitched, betraying her simmering anger. Finally, with a decisive movement, she retrieved the supplementary agreement from her bag and flung it onto the table in front of Louisa, the papers scattering like fallen leaves.

Louisa picked it up, noting the substantial thickness of the stack. What could have been summarized in a few concise sentences had been unnecessarily bloated into a convoluted mess of legal jargon and fluff.

Did they really believe she would skim through this without a second thought? It didn’t take a genius to figure out that hidden trap clauses lay buried within.

After flipping through the pages with a casual, almost dismissive air, Louisa looked up at Hazel and stated, “I need my lawyer to review this agreement. I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”

Hazel shot back immediately, her voice laced with irritation. “Absolutely not! I have a packed schedule tomorrow. If you have questions, you should voice them now, and I’ll make the necessary changes.”

Louisa raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sardonic smile. “Oh, really? Then perhaps you should draft a new one, just as I specify.”

“What are you thinking? We must use my version!” Hazel’s face was a mask of hostility, her eyes narrowing as she leaned forward, her posture radiating aggression.

Louisa let out a soft laugh, leaning back in her chair with an air of nonchalance. “Didn’t you just say I could suggest changes? Now you’re insisting we adhere strictly to your version? What exactly are you trying to convey here?”

“I mean you must sign today, no negotiations! Otherwise, forget about that $1 billion! Your agreement is nothing but extortion—I could legally refuse to pay anything!” Hazel’s voice rose, echoing off the walls, her frustration palpable.

Louisa nodded slowly, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. “Alright then!” She waved the contract in her hand, a glimmer of mischief in her gaze. “Since you can’t wait one day, surely ten minutes won’t be an issue? I need my lawyer to take a look at this. If she gives it the green light, I’ll sign right away. How does that sound?”

Hazel flicked her hand dismissively, her impatience clear. “Hurry up then.”

With that, Louisa stood, clutching the contract tightly as she strode out. Her claim of needing to call Sadie was merely a ruse to throw Hazel off her trail.

As she had flipped through the contract earlier, a particular clause had caught her eye: [If engaged in improper relations with another man before divorce, this contract becomes void.]

It was a blatant trap. Even if she had been entirely faithful, they could easily fabricate evidence against her. She couldn’t linger here any longer—she needed to escape, and fast.

9:54 AM, Wednesday, December 17.

In the private room, Hazel wasted no time after Louisa’s departure. She dialed a number with urgency. “She took the agreement and left. Vivian, can you really help me avoid paying this compensation?”

Vivian’s voice was steady and reassuring on the other end. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Capulet. Everything is arranged. I guarantee you won’t spend a single penny to rid yourself of Louisa, and she’ll never dare to extort you again.”

Hazel felt a wave of relief wash over her. “You’re so clever. I’m counting on you.”

“No problem,” Vivian replied, her tone confident.

As the call ended, Hazel let out a sigh, the tension in her shoulders easing. The thought of resolving the Louisa situation without financial repercussions while simultaneously announcing the Capulet-Price marriage alliance tomorrow filled her with a sense of triumph. She lifted her cup and savored a sip of her coffee, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.

The server’s expression morphed into one of fury at the unexpected action. “Hoping someone will come to your rescue? Forget it. This entire floor has been booked. You won’t find another soul here besides me.”

Those chilling words froze Louisa’s blood, a sense of dread washing over her. Was this how her story would end?

At that very moment, in the Tudor Group building, Julian was deep in a meeting with his executives, discussing pressing matters.

Suddenly, Teddy burst into the room, leaning close to Julian to whisper something urgent. The transformation in Julian’s expression was immediate; his face hardened, a dangerous glint igniting in his eyes.

The executives exchanged nervous glances, none of them having ever witnessed this fierce side of Julian. The atmosphere thickened with tension as they held their breath, fearing the worst.

Without warning, Julian stood up, his voice commanding. “Meeting adjourned!” He strode out of the meeting room, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.

He bypassed his office entirely, heading straight for the elevator as he dialed Louisa’s number, urgency lacing his tone. “Teddy, tell Bob to get the car ready.”

Teddy scrambled to comply, but as Julian tried calling Louisa, the line rang unanswered.

A chill crept into Julian’s demeanor as he instructed Teddy, “Contact the manager of Dawnlight Club. We need to check the security footage to see which room Louisa went to. Stop anyone suspicious.”

The Dawnlight Club was one of the properties under the Tudor Group’s expansive portfolio.

Teddy wasted no time making the call, but silence echoed back for what felt like an eternity.