Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 818

When Emmy’s phone rang and she saw the nursing home’s number, she figured her grandmother just wanted to see her again. Maybe she missed her, maybe she just wanted to chat. But as soon as she answered, a broken, shaky voice spilled through the line, thick with grief.

“Ma’am, the matriarch… she’s gone.”

For a moment, Emmy’s mind went completely blank, just a heavy ringing in her ears. She struggled to find her voice. “What… what did you say?”

The caregiver repeated herself, voice trembling. “Ma’am, she passed away four hours ago. It was peaceful. James… he asked me to let you know. He also wanted me to confirm if you’ll be able to come to the memorial, the day after tomorrow.”

Emmy swallowed hard, her throat painfully tight and dry. “Is… is he okay?” Her voice was hardly more than a whisper.

There was a pause, like the caregiver was glancing around before answering. “James is calm. He’s already making the arrangements, double-checking the guest list himself.”

Emmy took a deep breath, trying to steady her swirling emotions. “I’ll be there.”

The caregiver went over a few more details then finally hung up. Emmy just sat there, phone still in her hand, staring out the window at the deepening dusk. She didn’t move, didn’t say a word. The whole world felt heavy.

A knock sounded at the study door. Teresa peeked inside, worry etched across her face. “Emmy, is everything okay? You haven’t come out for dinner.”

She walked closer and saw Emmy’s empty stare, the way her shoulders slumped. Teresa’s heart clenched. “Didn’t you go receive your award today? What happened? Was it not a good day?”

Teresa had checked the news that morning. She knew her daughter’s achievement had wowed even the most respected folks in her field. Now, she started to worry if Emmy wasn’t feeling well.

—

Mrs. Nelson’s passing hit the Capital like a stone thrown into still water. In just a few hours, it set off waves that shook everything.

For the massive Nelson Corporation, it was like an earthquake. In a single night, every stock connected to the company turned red, the prices dropping fast. Nelson family members—close and distant, from across the country and even overseas—started booking flights and trains, all heading back to the Capital.

Everyone knew the core shares had already been quietly transferred, but Mrs. Nelson’s personal fortune—her businesses, funds, antiques, and properties—was enough to make anyone’s head spin. And more than that, with the matriarch gone, the balance of power in the Nelson family was about to shift. Everyone wanted to get back in the game, to have a say, to grab their share while they could.

The whole city felt it. Rumors were swirling that the matriarch’s will would be read at the memorial, right in front of everyone. The Nelson family hadn’t gathered like this in years. Now they were all returning, each with their own secret plans, each one wondering what the future would hold.