After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 280

Waldo sat stiffly, his fists clenched tight. At the press conference today, he had seen it all too clearly. Catherine looked at Lawrence like he was the center of her universe, her eyes full of admiration and longing. Whatever they’d had before, it was gone. She’d moved on, leaving nothing behind for him—not even a trace of nostalgia.

A woman like that really wasn’t worth his time anymore.

But if he married Shirley, he’d have her on his side. That meant he’d have Resonance AI too, and with that, he’d finally have the leverage he needed against Nexus Dynamics.

Waldo stared at the floor for a few seconds, Catherine’s cool and stubborn face flickering through his mind. Then he finally nodded. “I get it, Dad. I’ll talk to Shirley about the engagement.”

“That’s my boy. We always have to hold on to the people who are most useful to us,” Grover said, before hanging up.

Waldo wandered over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and tossed it back. One glass turned into a few, and with every swallow, the frustration and bitterness inside him only burned hotter.

At six, Shirley arrived, perfectly put together. When she saw Waldo brooding on the sofa, a drink in his hand, she walked over and sat down beside him, her voice soft. “Waldo, don’t drink so much. It hurts me to see you like this.”

Waldo studied her, his gaze sharp. Shirley was beautiful, that much was obvious, but she didn’t have the spark Catherine had. She was too ambitious, too calculating.

But for the James family, a woman like this was exactly what he needed. He reached out, cupping her chin in his hand. “Shirley, after tonight, you’ll be mine. If you want to marry me, I’ll give you everything you want.”

For a few seconds, Shirley just stared at him, stunned. Then her face lit up, her eyes wide and shining.

Was he… proposing to her?

“Yes, Waldo! I do!” Shirley blurted, her voice trembling with excitement.

Waldo smiled, satisfied, and kissed her.

They spent the night together, tangled up in each other.

The next morning, Shirley woke up in Waldo’s arms. She watched him sleeping beside her, her heart full of sweetness and pride. Her dream had finally come true. She was going to be Waldo’s wife.

“It’s Shirley and Waldo.”

Nestor’s brow shot up in surprise. Waldo? Here?

He walked to his office and opened the door. Shirley greeted him right away, her voice cheerful. “Dad.”

“Nestor,” Waldo added, smiling politely.

Nestor kept his tone friendly. He couldn’t afford to upset the James Group. “Waldo, what brings you here today?”

Shirley bit her lip, looking a little shy, but then she spoke up. “Dad, we have something important to talk about.” She glanced at Waldo, then back at Nestor. “Waldo and I are together now. We’re going to get engaged.”

Nestor stared at her in disbelief, then looked at Waldo, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he’d just heard. “What did you say? You’re getting engaged?”