Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29 Hannah’s Dream Daughter

‘The passenger seat? Why would he go to the passenger seat?’ Luke’s mind raced with confusion.

Lennox frowned slightly when Luke didn’t move. “Are you deaf?”

Luke immediately pulled open the right car door. “Oh, right away.”

Lennox opened the door beside him and leaned out of the car. “Ms. Jamison.”

‘Ms. Jamison?’ Luke thought. He froze mid-step and immediately turned around. Sure enough, he spotted Nerissa’s retreating figure.

“Ms. Jamison!” The words burst out before he could stop them.

Nerissa glanced back over her shoulder, and the brim of her hat lifted to reveal her delicate features. “Mr. Stratford, Mr. Merritt. What a coincidence.”

Lennox’s lips curved slightly. “It really is. Where are you headed, Ms. Jamison?”

“Home.”

Lennox nodded. “The sun’s brutal today. If you don’t mind, I can have my driver take you. We’re going the same way.” Luke’s eyes widened. He thought, ‘Drop Nerissa off at home? Has Lennox forgotten his own rules? And what does he mean “the same way”? Nerissa’s place and the Stratfordland are in completely opposite directions!’

He thought, ‘Plus, Anya was practically in tears just now, and he didn’t offer to drive her home either!’ What’s more, the Lascelles place is actually on the way to Stratfordland. But Lennox didn’t even spare Anya a second glance. If Anya saw this, she’d lose her mind.’

Nerissa glanced up at the harsh sunlight overhead. “Is this a good time?”

“Sure,” Lennox said. “We’re not in a rush.”

“Thanks for this.” Nerissa’s voice was soft.

Lennox pulled open the back door. “After you.”

Luke’s eyes landed on Lennox’s hand resting on the door, and his expression turned complicated. ‘Wait, Lennox just kicked me out of shotgun to make room for Ms. Jamison? Holy shit. Is Lennox actually making a move?’ he thought.

His eyes widened. ‘Did hell freeze over? No wonder he suddenly decided this detour was the same way. No wonder he threw his own rules out the window the second he saw Nerissa. So he doesn’t hate riding with women-he just never met the right one.’

The realization hit Luke like a truck, and his face went through about five different emotions in the span of two seconds.

Inside the car, Nerissa sat next to Lennox.

They weren’t too close, but they weren’t exactly far apart either. The subtle scent of bamboo drifted from her, filling the small space between them.

It smelled good.

Way better than any synthetic perfume he’d ever smelled.

Lennox probably didn’t want Nerissa to feel uncomfortable, so he opened the car fridge. “There’s water and coffee in here. Help yourself to whatever you want, Ms. Jamison.”

The fridge was quite large, but it only offered water and black coffee. Just as rigid and no-nonsense as Lennox himself. “Thanks,” Nerissa said politely, “but I’m not thirsty.”

Lennox closed the fridge door.

About twenty minutes later, the car pulled up to Nerissa’s apartment complex. She pushed the door open and stepped out. Nerissa said, “Thanks for the ride home today, Mr. Stratford.”

“Don’t mention it. You saved my life, Ms. Jamison,” Lennox smiled.

Nerissa smiled faintly, “You paid me and I treated you-it’s just business. I wouldn’t call that saving your life. But I’ll buy you dinner sometime to thank you.”

“Sounds good.” Lennox nodded slightly, and then he nulled out his phone and opened his WhatsApp QR code. “Let’s add each other then. I’m free anytime.”

Successfully unlocked!

Nerissa blinked. ‘What? I was just being polite, she thought, caught uni yuard. ‘And he actually took me seriously? This guy has zero boundaries.’

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Chapter 29 Hannah’s Dream Daughter

Luke’s jaw practically hit the floor. He’d had his suspicions that Lennox was interested in Nerissa, but now he was sure of it. He thought, ‘Damn. When the Ice king finally thaws, it’s something else’

Just a few days ago, Lennox had said he didn’t care that Luke had added Nerissa on WhatsApp, but now he did. Now his untouchable uncle was actually asking Nerissa for her WhatsApp number himself.

Anya had been chasing Lennox for over ten years and had never managed to get his WhatsApp number, not once.

Nerissa pulled out her phone and scanned Lennox’s QR code.

Friend request accepted.

Lennox’s whole vibe screamed “stay away,” and his WhatsApp was no different. His usernarne was just his full name, and his profile picture was the Stratford Group logo. He was professional and cold as ice.

Nerissa didn’t bother saving a nickname for him. She closed her phone, put her cap back on, and said, “I should get going then.”

“Alright.” Lennox gave a slight nod and turned back toward the car.

Inside the car, Luke was still sitting in the passenger seat, fidgeting like he had ants in his pants. He kept twisting around to look at Lennox, clearly dying to say something but holding back.

Lennox ignored him and picked up the newspaper he’d been reading earlier.

After about ten minutes, Luke couldn’t hold back anymore. “Lennox, do you like Ms. Jamison?”

“No.” Lennox didn’t even look up, and his eyes stayed on the newspaper.

Luke asked, “Then why’d you offer to drive her home? What happened to your rules? You never let women ride in your car.”

With Anya, it was always about the rules.

But one look at Nerissa and those rules went out the window, and so did his principles.

He’d even asked for her WhatsApp.

Lennox said, “She’s different from other people.”

‘Different?’ Luke thought.

Luke grinned. “See? You just admitted Ms. Jamison’s different from everyone else. If she’s that different, how is that not liking her? Lennox, stop lying to yourself.”

“She saved my life.” Lennox’s expression stayed calm. “So yeah, she’s different from other people.”

Luke narrowed his eyes. “That’s it? That’s the only reason?”

“What else would it be?” Lennox flipped a page in his newspaper. “You think everyone’s got a romance-obsessed brain like you?”

Luke looked a bit offended. “Grandma says everyone in our family falls hard when they fall in love, guys and girls. When you finally fall for someone, you’ll probably be even worse than me.”

“Ridiculous.” Lennox let out a short laugh. “I’ve got a business brain, not a romance brain.”

Luke snorted, “You’re gonna regret saying that when it comes back to bite you.”

“Regret?” Lennox turned another page. “That word’s not in my vocabulary.”

Whether it was school or business, Lennox had never failed at anything.

Only people without self-control had to worry about things coming back to bite them.

Luke turned back to look at Lennox. “Well then, Lennox, I’ll just wait and watch you crash and burn.”

He finished speaking, and his eyes landed on the car fridge, and he couldn’t help himself.

Luke continued, “Lennox, you really need to update what’s in that fridge. Girls like drinks and smoothies and Coke, you know? Who’s gonna drink all that iced coffee that tastes worse than medicine? Let me tell you a secret. Ms. Jamison’s favorite is Coke.”

Luke had figured this out a while back by checking out her Instagram. She’d posted pictures of meals twice, and both times a Coke was sitting right next to her plate.

Lennox’s expression didn’t change. “What she likes to drink has nothing to do with me. I’m not trying to chase her.”

Luke shrugged. “Whatever you say. I’m just throwing it out there.”

*****

About thirty minutes later, the car pulled up in front of a grand, stately old building.

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Chapter 29 Hannah’s Dream Daughter

The plaque above the main gate read “Stratfordland” in elegant script.

They were right in the heart of Aosthorne’s downtown, where every inch of land cost a fortune, but Stratfordland sprawled across more than eighty acres.

Inside, there were pavilions and gardens, decorative rockeries and flowing water-a legitimnate private estate.

Hannah loved having people around, so nearly half of Stratfordland was open to the public.

But Lennox preferred peace and quiet, so after he turned eighteen, he moved out. He only came back for the holidays and maybe once a month to have dinner with Hannah.

Today was the day Hannah came home from the hospital.

*****

In the living room, Hannah grabbed Riley’s hand the moment she heard Lennox had just survived a life-threatening ordeal. Riley, why didn’t you tell me something this serious happened? Where’s Lennox now? Is he really okay?”

“He’s fine, Mom, I promise. I just messaged Luke on WhatsApp, and he said they’re already on their way back. You don’t need to worry.”

Even though Riley had assured her that Lennox was fine, Hannah couldn’t quite shake her anxiety.

Getting old didn’t scare her-what terrified her was something happening to her children.

The second Lennox appeared in front of her, Hannah finally let out a breath she’d been holding. She hurried over to him and grabbed his hand. “Lennox, Riley told me you weren’t feeling well a couple days ago and had to see a doctor. Are you feeling better now?”

Lennox said, “I’m fine, Mom. I feel great, really.”

Hannah held his hand and examined him carefully, looking him up and down, left and right. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m sure.”

“Then run a bit for me.”

“Run?” Lennox looked confused.

Hannah pressed on. “If you’re really fine, run a little so I can see.”

Lennox was speechless.

After repeatedly confirming that Lennox was truly okay, Hannah finally relaxed. She turned to Riley with a stern look. “Riley, if anything happens to your brother again, you better not keep it from me.”

“Sounds good,” Riley smiled warmly. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Ashford. Lennox survived something this serious, so good fortune’s bound to follow. Everything’s going to go smoothly from here on out.”

Hannah nodded and let out a sigh of relief. “You’re absolutely right. After surviving something like this, things can only get better. Our Sweetiepie is going to be just fine from now on.”

“Sweetiepie?” Luke’s face scrunched up in confusion. “Wait, who’s Sweetiepie?”

Lennox’s gaze slid toward Luke, cold and dismissive. “We have a video conference in twenty minutes. Come to the study with me.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed toward the study/

Luke immediately fell into step behind him. “Lennox, seriously though who’s Sweetiepie?”

Lennox’s lips barely moved. “How’s the development proposal for the south district coming along?”

The question hit its mark. Luke dropped the Sweetiepie topic instantly and switched into work mode, pulling out his phone. “It’s almost done. I’ll have my secretary send it over right now.”

“Good.” Lennox gave a slight nod, then continued. “Has Kinsbeat/Game submitted their bid proposal yet?”

“Not yet.” Luke shook his head, then added carefully, “Lennox, I really think you should stop waiting for Kinsbeat Game. Owen just poached their top guy Wade, and from what I’m hearing, they’re barely holding the company together right now. There’s no way they’ll submit a competitive proposal anytime soon.”

Lennox’s expression tightened slightly, but he said nothing.

Hannah watched the two men disappear down the hallway and let out a soft sigh. “That boy just recovered and he’s already diving back into work. He should be resting, not running himself into the ground again.”

Riley chuckled, “Mrs. Ashford, you know how he is. Lennox is a workaholic through and through-always has been.”

She paused for a moment, then her expression grew more serious. “Actually, Mom, speaking of Lennox’s recovery. We really

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Chapter 29 Hannah’s Dream Daughter.

owe Ms. Jamison for that. She might be young, but she’s even more skilled than Rhys Calderon. If it wasn’t for her, Lennox would still be in serious danger right now.”

“Then we absolutely need to thank her properly,” Hannah said firmly.

Riley nodded. “I already gave Ms. Jamison a card, but how can money ever repay someone for saving a life? Mom, I think Ms. Jamison is absolutely stunning and has amazing presence. Don’t you think Lennox should repay her with his devotion?”

Riley genuinely liked Nerissa, which was why she brought it up with Hannah.

In the past, Hannah would’ve been curious about Nerissa after hearing something like that, and she would’ve happily helped Riley play matchmaker between Lennox and Nerissa.

But now Hannah had someone better in mind, so she laughed and said, “Girls who study medicine tend to be a bit serious, and Lennox is already such a closed book. You can’t get a word out of him even with ten sticks.

“If you ask me, he needs someone lively and chatty. Actually, I met this young woman while I was in the hospital, and her looks, her figure, her intelligence, her vision-oh my goodness, she’s literally my dream son’s wife.”

“You met her at the hospital?” Riley frowned slightly. “There are too many gold diggers these days, Mom. You need to be careful she’s not scheming.”

Hannah stayed in a luxury VIP suite, and Riley suspected this girl had figured out Hannah came from money and was putting on an act.

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