Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36 She’s Different Now

Owen figured he had Nerissa right where he wanted her, and his voice dripped with satisfaction as he finished talking. He didn’t even wait for her response before hanging up.

Yale immediately leaned forward as Owen lowered his phone. “So? Did she agree to meet you tomorrow?”

Nerissa had been acting weird lately, and she was nothing like the pathetic girl who used to chase after Owen.

Yale worried she might actually be done with Owen for good and ready to move on with her life.

Owen’s eyes filled with mockery. “I’m doing her a huge favor by asking to meet her. She’d have to be insane to say no.”

After all, Nerissa had been waiting for him to come crawling back to her.

He could practically picture her right now, clutching her phone and crying happy tears, probably already pulling out the Kinsbeat Game contracts.

If it wasn’t for getting intel on Kinsbeat Game, Owen would never make such a huge sacrifice and lower himself to meet with Nerissa.

It was beneath someone of his status.

Yale relaxed a bit when he heard that Nerissa had agreed. “So are you really gonna give her another chance?”

“It’s just temporary,” Owen said, narrowing his eyes.

‘Audrey’s the only woman I love. Nerissa’s nothing, he thought. ‘Once I get all the information about Kinsbeat Game and successfully acquire it, I’ll crush her pathetic little dreams myself. She needs to face reality.’

He smirked to himself. ‘A nobody like Nerissa should just find some country bumpkin to marry, not waste fer time dreaming about someone like me-someone who’s actually worth something.’

“Oh, and you’re coming with me tomorrow. I don’t want Audrey getting the wrong idea about me meeting Nerissa alone,” Owen added.

“Sure thing, Owen,” Yale said and nodded.

Nerissa’s expression turned sour while she was on the phone, and once she hung up, Faye asked curiously, “Who was that?”

“Just a couple of psychos,” Nerissa said casually.

Faye turned to look at her, her tone growing serious. “Nerissa, if you ever run into trouble you can’t handle on your own, you need to tell me. I’m not from Aosthorne originally, but my parents have money, and I can get them to help sort things out.” “Okay,” Nerissa said, touched by her sincerity. “Thanks, Fifi.”

Faye said, “Don’t mention it. You saved my life, and I’m my parents’ precious baby, so saving me basically means you saved my whole family. They’re really grateful to you, and from now on, you’re like my little sister.”

Faye stood on her tiptoes and threw her arm around Nerissa’s shoulders like they were old buddies.

Faye genuinely treated Nerissa like family.

They hadn’t known each other that long, but Faye could tell Nerissa was a really good person. Whenever she saw her, she couldn’t help wanting to get closer and talk more.

Nerissa’s eyes were so clear and genuine-no scheming, no calculating. Being friends with her just felt comfortable and easy.

Nerissa smiled softly, and two pretty dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth. “Yeah, we’re sisters now.”

When Faye found out Nerissa was taking the subway home, she said, “My place is in that direction too. I’ll ride with you.” “Sounds good.”

After a thirty-minute subway ride, they finally reached the station. Nerissa stepped out of the exit and turned to say goodbye to Faye. “Fifi, I’m heading home now.”

“Wait!” Faye grabbed Nerissa’s sleeve.

“What’s up?” Nerissa looked back at her, confused.

Faye pulled out her phone. “Nerissa, we haven’ Successfully unlocked! pp yet.”

Nerissa suddenly realized they’d been talking ali tins une pui aunt exchanged contacts, so she quickly pulled out her phone. “Oh, let me scan your code.”

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Chapter 36 She’s Different Now

“Sure.” Faye opened her QR code.

Nerissa scanned it.

The phone beeped, and the screen showed they were now connected.

Faye immediately saved Nerissa’s contact as “Aosthorne’s #1 Beauty,” and Nerissa saved hers as “Fifi.”

After adding each other, they agreed to meet up tomorrow morning at six to take the subway together.

*****

Ten minutes later, Nerissa arrived home.

Hunter immediately took her backpack from her hands. “Thanks for working so hard today, Nerissa. How’d the test go?”

“It went pretty well,” Nerissa replied.

Kennedy walked out of the house. “I heard Yiorlian School’s cutoff score is really high. The test is out of 1500 points, and transfer students need at least 1200 to get in.

“Nerissa, you should have a backup plan. If you can’t get into Yiorlian School, you’ll need to go to another high school.”

Nerissa smiled, “I can’t promise anything else, but 1200 should be no problem.”

Kennedy didn’t say anything and just looked at her. ‘This kid’s personality has changed a lot, but she still has one bad habit, he thought.

He sighed inwardly, ‘She likes to brag. 1200 sounds easy when you say it, but how many students actually score that high on the SAT every year? She hasn’t been to school in a year, so how much can she really remember?’

Kennedy immediately turned around. “Nerissa, if you can score 1200, I’ll give you three thousand dollars as a reward.”

“Sure,” Nerissa said with a bright smile. “And if I don’t score at least 1200, I’ll give you three thousand dollars.”

Kennedy nodded. “Alright then, we have an agreement.”

Hunter didn’t take Nerissa and Kennedy’s bet seriously and brought the food out from the kitchen to the table. “Nerissa, go wash your hands and eat. Grandpa made your favorite soup today.”

“Okay, Grandpa.” Nerissa went to the bathroom to wash her hands.

Riley was sitting on the couch painting her nails when Luke came home.

She immediately put down the nail polish and walked over with a warm smile, taking his suit jacket as he shrugged it off.” Welcome home. You must be exhausted after work.”

Luke looked at her suspiciously. “Madam, please don’t act like this. You’re scaring me.”

Riley smacked his arm. “Set up a dinner with Ms. Jamison and invite her over

Of course, Riley’s real reason for this dinner wasn’t just about the meal.

She wanted to play matchmaker between Nerissa and Lennox, but more than that, she wanted Hannah to see for herself just how exceptional the woman she’d personally chosen for Lennox truly was.

“Sounds great! Should we have Ms. Jamison come to our place, or should we meet at Stratfordland?” Luke asked.

“Let’s do Stratfordland. It’ll show her we’re taking this seriously,” Riley said.

“Got it.” Luke nodded and headed upstairs. “I’ll send Ms. Jamison a WhatsApp message right now.”

Riley pulled out her phone and started scrolling through outfit options, planning what she and Hannah should wear when Nerissa arrived.

Nerissa was an honored guest of the Stratford family, so they couldn’t afford to be casual about this.

The clothes had to be perfect, and they’d need to stock the finest wines and beverages. She’d even have the entire estate cleaned from top to bottom.

A few minutes later, Luke came back downstairs, and Riley couldn’t wait. “So what did Ms. Jamison say? When’s she coming?”

Luke’s face fell. “Mom, Ms. Jamison said she’s been really busy lately and probably won’t have time to come. She asked me to tell you she appreciates the invitation.”

Riley froze.

She’d never expected Nerissa to turn her down.

Countless people in the city would kill for an invitation to Stratfordland but had no way of getting one.

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Chapter 36 She’s Different Now

Yet, Nerissa had declined without a second thought.

And there was something else, too. If anyone else had saved Lennox’s life, they’d be broadcasting it everywhere by now, building up their reputation as some kind of miracle doctor.

But Nerissa hadn’t done any of that. She’d stayed completely quiet about it, so quiet that you’d never know she was the one who’d saved him that night.

‘This girl is really something special, Riley thought. ‘It’s like she doesn’t care about status or money at all. There’s no ambition, no angle. She’s different.’

Riley thought more about it, and she became more convinced that Nerissa was a rare gem of a girl.

She didn’t want Lennox to let this one slip away, so she turned to Luke and said, “Ask Ms. Jamison again in a few days if she’s finished with her busy schedule, and make sure you get her to come over for dinner.”

“Okay, I’ll try my best.” Luke paused, and something seemed to click in his mind. “Oh right, Mom, Ms. Jamison’s coming in a few days to do Lennox’s follow-up appointment. We could just have her go straight to Stratfordland then, couldn’t we?” “Really? Ms. Jamison’s coming to do Lennox’s follow-up?” Riley’s eyes lit up.

“Of course it’s real.” Luke nodded.

“That’s perfect! Make sure you pick up Ms. Jamison yourself and bring her to Stratfordland.” Riley’s face was full of excitement.

“Will do, Mom.”

The next afternoon, Owen and Yale arrived at the coffee shop ten minutes early

As soon as they got out of the car, Yale grinned and said, “Owen, I bet Nerissa’s already here waiting.”

Knowing Nerissa’s personality, she’d likely show up hours early to impress Owen

Owen’s expression twisted with disgust at the thought of facing that country bumpkin. “Yale, sit right next to me the whole time, and don’t give Nerissa any chance to get close to me.”

Given how obsessed Nerissa was with him, she’d definitely try every trick in the book to get near him.

The mere thought of Nerissa throwing herself at him made Owen feel sick.

“Got it, Owen. Don’t worry. I’ve got your back, Yale said.

Owen and Yale walked into the coffee shop, and the place was completely empty.

Diamond Cafe was owned by the Calloway family, and Owen had told the manager to close after two o’clock so they could handle the Kinsbeat Game acquisition in private.

Owen frowned and looked at the manager. “Where’s Nerissa?”

“Mr. Calloway, Ms. Jamison hasn’t arrived yet,” the manager said respectfully.

Owen froze for a second. ‘She’s not here yet?’ he thought. ‘What the hell is Nerissa doing? Is she playing hard to get again? Does she think showing up late is gonna get my attention?’

His face twisted with disgust, and he turned back to the manager. “When Nerissa gets here, send her upstairs to me.” “Yes, Mr. Calloway.” The manager nodded.

Owen and Wade headed upstairs, and a server immediately brought them two cups of the shop’s most expensive coffee.

It was three o’clock, but Nerissa still hadn’t shown up.

Yale couldn’t help himself. “Owen, what if Nerissa doesn’t come?”

“Doesn’t come?” Owen let out a cold laugh. “Unless she’s dead, there’s no way she won’t show up. She’s just playing hard to get.”

Time dragged on, and over an hour passed with still no sign of Nerissa.

Yale glanced out the window and spoke up again. “It’s almost four-thirty now, Owen. Maybe we got it wrong? Maybe she’s really not coming. Maybe she’s actually moved on from you.”

The old Nerissa would’ve arrived at the café early and waited for Owen like a fool. She never would’ve been late.

Yale thought, ‘Perhaps Nerissa had truly moved on from Owen.’

“Impossible. She’s just using this little stunt to pressure me into remarrying her. Does she really think I’ll fall for it?” Owen’s jaw tightened.

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Chapter 36 She’s Different Now

‘I’m the one she loves most, he thought. ‘There’s no way she’d actually let me go.”

With that thought, Owen stood up from his chair, his expression ice-cold as he looked at Yale. “Nerissa will definitely come today, but I’m done waiting for her.”

He continued, “You stay here. When she finally shows up, tell her to bring the Kinsbeat Garne acquisition contract to my office herself and give me a proper explanation. Otherwise, she can forget about ever stepping foot in Calloway Group again.”

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