Betrayed and Dumped: She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 16

There’s a mall not far from Sunforge Tech, just a quick bike ride away. Once Rebecca decided to go, she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed straight for the elevator.

She didn’t expect to bump into Stephen there.

She gave him a polite nod. “Hi, Mr. Duncan.”

Stephen reached out to hold the elevator door, then leaned back with one hand in his pocket. He smiled at her. “How did your mother’s surgery go? Was everything alright?”

“It went well. I’m actually on my way to the mall now to pick up some things for her.”

Stephen said, “That works out. I’ll be driving past that mall, I can give you a ride.”

Rebecca shook her head. “It’s okay, I’m just going to bike over. It’s quick.”

He had already done enough for her at work. She really didn’t want to trouble her boss with stuff from her personal life too.

Stephen just smiled. “Don’t be so formal with me. Come on, let’s head down together.”

Since he insisted, Rebecca couldn’t turn him down again and just nodded.

The underground garage was dim, and the parking spots were all over the place.

Stephen slowed his pace so Rebecca wouldn’t get lost.

When they reached his Rolls-Royce, he walked over and opened the front passenger door for her.

Rebecca stopped, surprised. She’d planned to sit in the back.

Stephen noticed her hesitation. “What’s up?” He raised an eyebrow.

Rebecca bit her lip. “Mr. Duncan, do you have a girlfriend?”

She knew he wasn’t married. As the president of Duncan Corporation and a major shareholder, all that information was public, just a quick search away. But she didn’t know if he was dating anyone. If he had a girlfriend, sitting in the front seat might be awkward.

“I thought the company had promise, so I took over. Now she just handles some old clients as a manager.”

“But she’s always been spoiled. I don’t expect much from her. As long as she doesn’t upset our clients, I’m happy enough.”

He looked genuinely exasperated.

Rebecca smiled softly. That explained why Sunforge Tech hadn’t really taken off, even with Duncan Corporation backing it.

Outside, city lights flickered past, brightening then fading through the window. Rebecca’s dark hair brushed her shoulders as she smiled, so different from the calm, collected persona she had at work.

Stephen watched her profile for a moment, feeling something soft and unfamiliar flutter through his heart.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and looked away.

When the car pulled up at the mall’s back entrance, Rebecca thanked him and got out.