After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 391

His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex–Wife

Chapter 391 Drunk Mistake

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He was never much of a drinker. More often than not, he’d come home after having one too

many.

Cayden would just shrug and say, “Keep at it—you’ll build a tolerance eventually.”

But Brandon was the one who ended up paying the price.

Another upscale networking event. His assistant halfwalked, halfsupported him through the front door.

It was late–most of the household had already turned in.

Only Yvette remained in the living room, scrolling through stories on her phone.

Or maybe she wasn’t really reading, just waiting up for Brandon.

The moment she heard the car pull in, she set her phone down and hurried outside.

She met the assistant in the entryway, guiding an unsteady Brandon inside. “Did he have too much again?” she asked, moving closer.

“Not much, Ms. Jensen,” the assistant replied quietly. “But the drinks tonight were pretty strong.”

Yvette didn’t press further. Together, they got Brandon to his room.

The assistant helped him out of his jacket, shoes, and socks, then pulled the comforter over him.

Yvette dampened a washcloth with warm water and gently wiped his face and hands.

Once he was settled, the assistant gave a polite nod and took his leave.

As Yvette finished tidying up and turned to rinse the cloth in the bathroom, Brandon’s hand shot out and closed around her wrist.

She stilled, glancing back at him.

His

gaze was clouded but intense, fixed solely on her.

That look–so heated, so direct–sent her heart racing and set her nerves on edge. She swallowed. “Brandon… do you need some water?”

Instead of answering, he pulled her toward him, hard.

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Before she could catch her balance, Yvette tumbled against his chest.

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His other arm came around, cradling the back of her head. His breath, warm and tinged with alcohol, brushed her cheek. Their faces were now just inches apart, eyes locked.

In Brandon’s hazy stare, Yvette saw a kind of heat and softness she’d never witnessed before–a raw, aching blend of restraint and longing.

Slowly, his lips began to move toward hers.

Her heart fluttered wildly. Pressing a hand against his chest, she turned her face away, a sharp twist of hurt tightening in her ribs. “Brandon… I’m not Zoe. I’m Yvette.”

Brandon’s eyes shut. He released her, sinking back into the pillow. His voice came out rough, thick with regret. “Sorry, Yvette.”

The ache inside her deepened, but her mind stayed clear.

He had been honest from the beginning–there was someone else he loved.

He was drunk, he’d mistaken her for someone else, and he’d stopped himself before crossing that line. He didn’t owe her an apology.

“Do

you want that water now?” Yvette asked quietly.

Brandon lifted a hand to cover his eyes and shook his head.

“Then get some rest.” Clutching the damp cloth, she rose from the edge of the bed. “I’ll head back to my room.”

She stepped out, closing the door behind her, and almost immediately her strength wavered. A heavy, twisting pain settled in her chest.

Brandon had loved Zoe for years. A person’s heart only has so much room–it couldn’t hold two people.

If she kept going down this path, she’d only fall deeper, and it would hurt more in the end.

She’d told a lie she shouldn’t have. She’d let herself step into a place she didn’t belong.

*****

Over at the pharmaceutical company’s R&D lab…

“Ms. Ellison, Mr. Sterling would like to see you.”

Zoe swiveled her chair away from the computer screen.

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“Which Mr. Sterling?” Since when did R&D deal directly with someone by that name?

“The CEO, Griffin Sterling,” the colleague clarified, looking just as puzzled. “He asked for you to come up to the twelfth floor–the executive office.”

Zoe stood quickly, slipping off her lab coat.

She was just a regular team lead in R&D. Why would the company’s president ask to see her personally? It didn’t add up.

If it were about a promotion or layoffs, HR would handle it.

If it were about recognition, her direct supervisor would pass it along.

A faint sense of unease settling in, she made her way to the executive suite.

Inside, she found her department head and the lead from Team Two already standing there— heads slightly bowed, visibly nervous, shifting on their feet.

Zoe’s instincts tingled. “You asked to see me, Griffin?”

Griffin looked her over, his demeanor unexpectedly friendly. “You’re Zoe, lead of R&D Team One?”

Zoe nodded. “That’s right.”

“Do you know Iris?”

“Yes, she’s my closest friend.”

“And Cayden?”

“He’s my best friend’s father.”

Griffin slapped his knee, a spark of excitement in his eyes, and stood up. He rounded his desk, a folder in hand, and approached Zoe, offering it to her with both hands. “Zoe, you’re our only shot at fixing this.”

“Fixing what?” She took the folder, curiosity getting the better of her.

Inside was a formal ceaseanddesist letter from a law firm.

Their company had reproduced a patented drug formula belonging to Aurelium Group, and now they were facing a lawsuit.

Zoe skimmed the details. Wasn’t this the new drug Team Two had been boasting about not long

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ago?

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Back then, they’d been practically strutting around the lab, eager to shove their “breakthrough” in everyone’s faces.

Turned out they’d copied someone else’s patented formula. And the people who greenlit it must have been asleep at the wheel.

Zoe handed the folder back. “Mr. Sterling, with all due respect, why should I clean up Team Two’s mess?”

He offered a pained, diplomatic smile. “You’ve got a sharp tongue for someone so bright. We’re all on the same team here–helping each other out is part of the job.”

“Team Two’s lead doesn’t sign my paycheck.”

“Solve this,” Griffin said, leaning in slightly, “and I’ll make sure your next check reflects it.”

“Copying a patented formula is a clearcut violation,” Zoe replied evenly. “The evidence is right there. There’s no room to maneuver—not even if I were friends with the CEO of Aurelium Group, or if the chairman was my father.”

Griffin nodded slowly, his expression grim. “I understand. But Zoe, we’re a publicly traded company. If this gets out, our stock will plummet. The losses would be massive.”

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