Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1027

“Hah.”

The cold laugh cut right through Tyler’s act. James’s mouth twisted into a cruel smile. “That story might fool the old man, but you really think I don’t know what you’re up to? After your accident, your courtyard was crawling with the most bodyguards on the entire estate. Guns everywhere. If you were really alone during the incident, that would be even weirder. Why would someone as careful as you, Tyler, send everyone away that day? Or maybe you were just busy giving them other orders.”

James’s eyes were sharp and unflinching, slicing straight through Tyler’s lies.

He didn’t wait for a reply. He didn’t need one.

“Jamie’s death… you’re tied to it, whether you admit it or not. Nelson Corporation belonged to him. I’d rather watch it burn to the ground than let your dirty hands touch a single piece of it.” James’s patience snapped. “Kicking you out is the most mercy you’ll ever get from me. Take care of yourself.”

He didn’t bother looking back. Grabbing Emmy’s hand, he led her away from the pavilion.

“Come on.”

Emmy followed, her steps firm beside James. Penny threw Tyler a frosty glare and hurried to catch up. The sound of their footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving the pavilion silent again, just the cold wind whistling through the air.

Tyler’s hand slipped off the table. He collapsed onto the stone bench, stunned. For a long moment, he just sat there, breathing hard.

Finally, he let out a shaky breath. That was close. James was way too sharp. Trying to fool him had almost backfired, and he’d barely kept his secret. Still… as long as James didn’t know what really happened when Jamie was taken, there was still a chance for a comeback.

But the thought of tomorrow’s board meeting made Tyler’s face darken. He couldn’t stop James’s self-destructive plan now. He’d have to find another way, maybe work on some of the other senior board members.

***

On the other side of the estate, James led Emmy around a corner. Before they could go far, a group appeared from the other corridor, heading straight toward them.

Emmy glanced up automatically. The moment she saw the man in front, her breath caught in her throat.

He looked a little older, but his eyes were sharp, cold, predatory.

Mr. Nelson. Brian.

He was wearing a traditional suit, quietly rolling two walnuts in his palm.

In that instant, a flood of dark, desperate memories crashed through Emmy’s mind, making her dizzy.

“He’s Dean’s adoptive father. I saw him a few times… back when I was locked up.”

Her hands twisted together in her lap as old memories clawed at her. In her mind, Dean lounged with a gun in his hand, spinning it carelessly while Brian watched. They smoked cigars, thick smoke curling in the air, talking about things that should never see the light of day.

Just seeing Brian’s face again dragged her right back to those suffocating, hopeless days. She could almost hear Dean’s twisted, obsessive whispers in her ear. Their ugly laughter when they talked about how to get rid of James.

The memory made her squeeze James’s hand even tighter.

He felt her trembling and pulled her into his arms.

“Don’t be scared. You’re free now.”

Emmy shook her head against his chest.

“That’s not it.”

She looked up, worry clouding her eyes. “I remembered something they said. Mr. Nelson… he’s always wanted you dead. He’s hired mercenaries from overseas, even put together a hit squad. These are people with nothing to lose.”