Betrayed and Dumped: She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 319

Maggie’s hands were clenched tight under the table, but she kept her smile steady. “Just a client,” she said.

The man sitting across from her seemed to buy it. He looked down and started scanning the menu. Maggie let herself breathe again.

Once they finished ordering, Stephen fired off a few questions, all about the upcoming board meeting. Maggie answered each one, her nerves fading with every reply. Maybe she really had been overthinking things. Mr. Duncan just wanted to talk business after all.

Lunch wrapped up quickly. Maggie had to see Mrs. Duncan later, so she excused herself and got ready to leave.

Stephen didn’t say anything at first. He just sipped his tea, slow and measured. “I heard you bought a new place, Maggie. And that you’re getting married soon. Congratulations on both.”

Her mind blanked out for a second. So he had checked up on her.

She forced a polite smile. “Thank you, Mr. Duncan.”

Right then, a message from Chelsey popped up. Maggie held out her phone so he could see. “Mrs. Duncan’s been trying to reach me. I really have to go.”

She was almost out the door when Stephen spoke up again, voice calm but carrying. “I hear my mother’s planning to nominate me as chairman at this board meeting. In a couple of years, I’ll probably be taking her place.”

He looked at her, his tone cool. “You’re smart, Maggie. I’m sure you already know whose company this will be in the future.”

He set his mug on the table. The sound echoed sharply in the quiet room.

Maggie froze, her back stiff. She turned, her voice shaky. “Mr. Duncan, I…”

“For the next few questions, just answer yes or no.”

“…Mr. Duncan…”

“Did my mother ask you to look into Rebecca?”

“…Yes.”

“And did she say some… unpleasant things to her?”

Maggie shook her head, then changed her mind and nodded. “…Yes.”

“She wasn’t too harsh, though. She just wanted Ms. Harper to face reality.”

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