Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 279

Rebecca kept her eyes glued to the giant screen at the front of the room, pretending she didn’t notice anything else. Caleb’s presentation had already started.

Five minutes later, a message lit up on her screen.

[You really set me up this time.]

Rebecca shot a quick glance at Shawn, then typed back with total calm.

[What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything.]

Shawn saw her message and just shook his head, clearly out of patience. He tapped out another message.

[So, who do you like?]

[What? *curious*]

She wasn’t going to admit anything, and Shawn could see it. He decided to just drop it. Sunlight poured through the windows, and for a moment Shawn let his mind wander. It didn’t really matter who she liked, anyway. It would never be him. He was already too messed up.

The presentation ended smoothly, wrapping up in less than an hour. The investors listened, nodded, threw out a couple of encouraging comments, and left. The rest of the team went back to coding and research, but Rebecca just sat there for a moment, feeling lost. Her patent’s code and all the data were gone. She’d tried everything to get them back, but nothing worked.

That thought weighed on her as she said goodbye to Caleb, grabbed her bag, and walked out. She’d finally decided to go to the police.

She didn’t expect to see Paul outside, leaning against his car, smoke curling up from his cigarette. When he spotted her, he quickly stubbed it out and took a deep breath.

“I was out of town for work. Just got back today,” he said, almost like he was reporting in.

Rebecca didn’t get it. He could go wherever he wanted. Why was he briefing her? It’s not like she was his girlfriend.

She just said, “Oh.”

Paul’s chest tightened, his heart sinking. Everything tasted sour, like biting into fruit that wasn’t ready. She didn’t care where he’d been or why he hadn’t been around. He forced a smile.

Rebecca frowned. “I don’t really know Shawn. We don’t talk.”

“That’s good.”

They both got in their cars and drove off. Not long after, Paul’s phone rang. It was the owner of their regular bar, sounding frantic. Apparently, Bruce was drunk, losing it in a private room, demanding more drinks. The owner was worried something might happen and wanted Paul to come get him.

When Paul got there, Bruce was just finishing some water, starting to come around. Paul sat next to him, frowning.

“Why are you out here drinking like this again? Shouldn’t you be busy planning your engagement?”

Bruce’s eyes looked sharp, almost wild. He leaned in close and sniffed Paul’s jacket. Suddenly, his eyes turned red and he grabbed Paul by the collar.

“That’s Rebecca’s scent. Why do you smell like Rebecca?”