Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 644

Scarlett gave a slow nod. "Yeah, I understand," she replied quietly.

Violet rolled onto her side, propping her head up with one hand. "So since you turned Nolan down... does that mean you're choosing Damian?"

Scarlett stayed silent for a moment. Instead of answering, she simply shut her eyes and murmured, "Let's just get some sleep."

Truth was, she was wondering the same thing.

Nolan wasn't an option—not because she didn't admire him, but because she'd never seriously considered the possibility.

He was accomplished, principled, untouched by past heartbreaks... while she came with baggage: a previous marriage and a child.

Then there was Damian. She knew there were real feelings there.

But what if things ended up the same way all over again?

Once the newness wore off, would what they had actually last?

*****

The next morning, Vincent arrived at Stewart Group headquarters well before most. Word had reached him—through hushed conversations in the break room—that payroll had been delayed by two days this month.

That kind of thing didn't happen at Stewart Group. Ever. If rumors were circulating, something was definitely off.

Pinpointing the issue wouldn't be hard; a few calls would do it.

He'd sent Abbott to look into it first thing.

After about half an hour waiting in his office, Abbott returned.

"Well?" Vincent cut straight to the point the moment the door closed.

Abbott nodded. "It's Mr. Monroe's finance division. They held up the transfer."

Vincent's brow tightened slightly.

He could push further, but that was Sabrina's brother's operation. And in the end, the salaries had gone out.

He hesitated.

Abbott noticed and spoke up carefully, "Mr. Stewart, that's a substantial amount flowing into Mr. Monroe's accounts each month. An extra day sitting there earns considerable interest. Normally, given your approval, we'd let it pass. But delaying employee paychecks... that's a serious matter. What if word spreads and—"

Vincent lifted a hand, rubbing his temples. "That's enough."

"But Mr. Stewart—"

"Get out."

Abbott lingered for a second, then released a quiet, resigned sigh.

He pulled a sealed envelope from his briefcase and laid it on the desk. "Security forwarded this for you earlier. You may want to take a look when you have a moment."

Vincent didn't glance up. "Noted. Close the door on your way out."

Hearing his tone, she didn't press. Instead, she shifted gears. "How are things progressing with the divorce from Scarlett?"

"It's moving along," he said vaguely.

Amanda didn't sound pleased. "Well, your grandfather has been talking to the Thompsons. Their daughter is around your age—good family, well-mannered, very lovely. You should come by sometime and meet her."

"Not interested," Vincent replied flatly.

"Oh, come now," Amanda continued, undeterred. "She's from a good background, well-spoken, presentable. I really think you two would—"

"Mom, I have to go," he cut in, ending the call before she could finish.

He set the phone down and pressed his fingers to his forehead.

He hadn't even finalized one divorce, and already they were arranging the next.

The whole situation left him distracted for the rest of the day.

That evening, he left the office just after five. By the time he pulled into the driveway at Ravenshade Villa, it wasn't yet six.

But as he stepped out of the car, a figure emerged from the shaded area near the gate. Amanda.

Vincent's frown deepened. "Mom? What are you doing here?"

Her expression was cool and resolved. "We need to talk."