After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 81

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

Louisa glanced at Julian, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes as she replied, “I wasn’t planning anything, you know. But don’t you think beautiful people make for a lovely view? They’d make an excellent wallpaper.”

Her words were playful, yet she felt a twinge of discomfort. Deep down, she loathed the players who thrived on superficial charm, but she couldn’t deny the allure of Julian and Teresa’s striking appearances. However, as she watched Julian’s expression harden into a frigid mask, her voice faltered, trailing off into silence.

Hadn’t she just complimented him? Why, then, did he seem so displeased?

Frustration flickered across Julian’s face, and in a swift motion, he deleted both photos right before her eyes, returning the phone to her with a clipped gesture. Louisa, sensing the shift in the air, dared not utter another word. Instead, she took a hefty bite of her sandwich, the flavors mingling in her mouth as she mulled over the sudden tension.

Julian had initially planned to leave, but as he observed the sad remnants of her lunch—a sandwich and a bottle of water—his frown deepened. “Why are you eating that? Didn’t you go to the cafeteria?” His tone held a mixture of concern and disbelief.

Louisa blinked at him, taken aback. “It’s actually quite good, you know. Mr. Tudor, you should give it a try sometime—experience how regular people live.” A smirk tugged at her lips as she added that last part. After all, maintaining that high-and-mighty facade must be exhausting.

Julian, however, seemed unfazed by her banter. He fixed her with a penetrating gaze that made her heart race. “Is someone at the company isolating you?”

Caught off guard, she raised an eyebrow. “Couldn’t I be isolating them instead?” she countered, her voice steady and indifferent.

Louisa had witnessed workplace bullying more times than she could count during her career. She was more than capable of handling it; she simply chose not to engage in the petty drama that often unfolded in office corridors.

To her surprise, Julian’s brow furrowed with genuine concern. “So it’s true? Who’s isolating you? Teresa?”

Louisa had never seen him like this before. His usual composure was replaced by an unsettling intensity that made her stomach twist. She felt a surge of anxiety at the thought of discussing her struggles with someone who clearly had a complicated relationship with Teresa.

“No, not at all,” she quickly denied, shaking her head. “I just wasn’t in the mood for cafeteria food, so I opted for something different.”

Julian, however, didn’t seem convinced. The Tudor Group employed highly skilled chefs—surely their creations were far superior to convenience store offerings. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed Teddy. “Replace all the chefs in the cafeteria,” he commanded, his voice cold and unyielding.

Louisa’s heart raced in alarm. Was Julian truly this responsive to employee feedback? She couldn’t bear the thought of an entire kitchen staff losing their jobs because of her offhand comment.

In a moment of impulse, she grasped his arm. “Mr. Tudor, please! I was just joking. Don’t do that!” The last thing she wanted was to become the target of resentment from her colleagues.

Julian looked down at her hand on his arm, then back up to her face. The pleading expression she wore was rare, a stunning contrast to the usual wariness that shadowed her features. In that instant, she appeared like a carefree girl, blissfully ignorant of the burdens life could impose.

“Think about it—Julian has no grudge against either of our families. Why does he keep coming after us? First blocking our loan, now preventing Vivian’s release. He’s doing all this for your so-called wife. Your wife is already cheating on you!”

The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, and the private room fell into a tense silence. George didn’t turn around. If Caden had been standing directly in front of him, he would have witnessed the terrifying coldness etched into George’s expression.

After a prolonged silence, George spoke, his voice laced with icy resolve. “Don’t try to provoke me. Whatever is happening with my wife is between us. It doesn’t erase what Vivian did.”

Without another word, he strode out of the restaurant, leaving Caden in the wake of his fury.

Instead of returning to the office, George headed straight home. The earlier conversation with Sadie echoed in his mind, prompting him to review the home security footage.

Of course, there were no cameras in the bedroom or any other private spaces—he had only installed them in the living room and garden for safety.

His affair with Vivian had begun six months prior, and he wasn’t certain when Louisa had discovered it. He scrolled back through the footage from three months ago, mentally bracing himself for what he might see.

Despite his preparations, the recordings revealed a shocking reality that left him reeling.