Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Chapter 76

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The mighty Lennox, head of the Stratford family and a titan in the financial world, was actually crouched alone in the bathroom, washing the sheets himself.

If anyone else saw this, no one would ever believe their eyes.

Luckily, it was just him alone.

There was no washing machine or detergent in the room, but at least there was a dryer.

Otherwise,

it would’ve been a real headache.

Once he’d finished with the sheets,

he stood under the cold shower for half an hour, finally washing away the restless heat that had been simmering inside him.

Meanwhile, on the first floor,

Hannah was already at the dining table, having breakfast.

She glanced at the clock on the wall and asked, a bit confused, “Didn’t Lennox come back last night?”

The butler stepped forward respectfully. “Mrs. Stratford, Mr. Stratford did come back.”

“So where is he?” Hannah continued. “He’s usually down here for breakfast by now.”

But this morning, there was no sign of Lennox anywhere in the living room.

Hannah couldn’t help but feel confused.

She knew exactly what kind of person her son was.

Lennox was strict with himself, no exceptions.

Never late, never the type to sneak out early.

Even if he was dead tired, he’d be up before 8:30.

But now it was nine already.

The butler smiled. “Nancy said Mr. Stratford wanted to sleep in a bit today.”

‘Sleep in?’ she blinked, surprised.

“He just got over being sick not long ago. I hope he’s not feeling unwell again,” she said, worry creeping into her voice.

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Chapter 76

Thinking about it, Hannah grew anxious. She set down her fork. “I should go check on him.”

The butler followed her.

As they reached the elevator, the doors slid open.

Lennox stepped out.

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Hannah immediately grabbed his hand. “Lennox, are you alright? You’re not feeling sick, are you?” she asked, concern in her voice.

Lennox looked just like he always did.

Cold, aloof, and elegant.

No one would ever guess he’d been up at the crack of dawn, washing sheets.

“I’m fine,” Lennox said, curious. “Why are you asking?”

Hannah pressed, “If you’re fine, then why are you up so late?”

Her question made things a little awkward for Lennox.

As soon as she asked, Lennox couldn’t help but think of that dream from last night. He quickly pushed all those tangled thoughts aside and looked at his mother. “I’m fine, really. Just been a bit tired lately, so I slept in a little.”

“Really?” Hannah looked up at him. “Then why is your face so red? Are you sure you’re not running a fever?”

As she spoke, Hannah stood on her tiptoes, trying to reach his forehead.

But with Lennox towering at 6’4″ and Hannah only 5’4″, the height gap was ridiculous. Unable to reach his forehead, Hannah smacked his shoulder in frustration. “You brat, why do you have to be so tall?”

‘He just keeps getting taller, but his EQ never seems to grow at all,’ Hannah thought.

‘Who knows when he’ll finally bring home a wife?’ she wondered.

Lennox bent down a little to cooperate. “Mom, I’m really fine. It’s just a bit warm, that’s all.”

After making sure her son was really fine, Hannah finally let out a sigh of relief. She turned to the butler and asked him to lower the temperature on the AC a bit.

Lennox took a bite of his breakfast and said, “Mom, I’m flying abroad at 10 tonight. I’ll be back the night after

tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Hannah nodded. “Travel safe, and text me when you get there, okay?”

Lennox nodded, “Okay.”

“Do you have any time during the day?” Hannah asked, as if something had just occurred to her.

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Chapter 76

“What’s up,

Mom?” Lennox looked at her.

:

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Hannah picked up a gift box. “I got Nerissa a little present when she was here last time, but I forgot to give it to her. Can you take it to her for me? And I remember she really liked pineapples and strawberries, so bring her some of those too.”

At the mention of Nerissa’s name, Lennox couldn’t help but picture those R-rated moments from his dream last night.

“Mom, I… I might not have time during the day,” Lennox said, trying to sound casual.

“You’ll make time!” Hannah set down her fork. “Don’t make me give you a lecture again.”

Lennox was speechless.

After finishing breakfast, Lennox had barely stepped out the door when Anya appeared right in front of him.

“Morning, Lennox!” she called out, her voice sweet.

Lennox just gave a slight frown, pretending she wasn’t even there, and strode past her without saying a word.

But Anya wasn’t fazed at all. She quickly caught up to him, her voice all sweet and clingy. “Lennox, where are you headed? My car’s busted today. Could you give me a ride?”

“No!” Lennox stopped, his voice frosty. “Anya, have some self-awareness. I’ve told you before. Do me a favor and keep your distance.”

For a second, Anya’s eyes went red. She’d chased Lennox for years, but his heart was still ice cold.

‘Isn’t it supposed to be easy for a girl to chase a guy?’ she thought.

‘Why doesn’t it work for me?’ she wondered.

But!

She wasn’t about to back down now.

He just hadn’t figured it out yet.

It was not like he was only cold to her.

He was like this with every girl.

Once Lennox finally woke up to his feelings,

he’d be moved by how much she cared.

Watching Lennox drive off, Anya was filled with hope.

‘One day, Lennox will truly see me. He’ll fall head over heels for me,’ she told herself.

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Chapter 76

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It wasn’t until the car finally disappeared that Anya tore her gaze away. She fished a cat treat out of her bag and started scanning the area for Snowball.

‘If I can’t get Lennox, maybe I can at least win over his cat,’ Anya thought, determined.

Too bad,

Lennox wasn’t just icy himself, even his cat was a total snob. Anya had tried every flavor of canned food and every kind of treat she could find, but she still hadn’t managed to get Snowball to eat anything from her hand.

Every time Snowball spotted her, it bolted like she was the plague.

But this time, Anya was totally convinced she’d succeed.

These cat treats had been recommended by a friend who owned cats, and rumor had it no feline could ever resist their temptation.

Soon,

Anya spotted Snowball tucked away in the corner of some bushes.

“Snowball, come here!” Anya called out, quickly tearing open the treat’s wrapper.

Snowball’s nose was sharp, and it immediately caught a whiff of that tempting aroma.

“Meow!”

Instinctively, the cat started heading over toward Anya.

Seeing Snowball actually respond and walk her way, Anya was thrilled. “Come here, Snowball! I have some tasty treats for you!”

She was just about to finally touch Snowball, and her grin grew even bigger.

‘This is a good start, Anya thought to herself.

‘If I can get Snowball on my side,

then getting Lennox will be just around the corner,’ she told herself.

As Snowball was about to take the treat and she was finally close enough to touch him, Anya’s heart raced. She reached out carefully, not wanting to spook him.

“Meow!”

Right then, Snowball’s instincts kicked in. He ran away.

Clearly, Snowball’s mind was sharp and its legs were even quicker.

In just a few seconds,

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Chapter 76

Snowball had already bolted out of sight!

:

Anya stared at the untouched cat treat and let out a sigh.

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Meanwhile,

the weather was good. With the new semester just around the corner, Nerissa decided to catch a movie with Faye.

For a girls’ date, she decided to dress to impress.

So,

she picked out a white dress for the day.

Her hair was styled in a cute bun, showing off her elegant collarbones.

Nerissa rarely wore dresses, and today she looked just like a fairy come down to earth. In high spirits, she hummed a classic opera piece as she strolled out of her building, ready to flag down a cab.

With a screech of tires, a luxury car suddenly pulled up right in front of her.

The door swung open and Owen fixed Nerissa with a cold, commanding look.

“Nerissa, get in the car. I need to talk to you,” he ordered.

‘Seriously? Get in the car?’ Nerissa thought, her eyes rolling in disbelief.

‘Is Owen out of his mind?’ she wondered.

She’d already made herself perfectly clear.

‘What’s he doing here again?’ she thought, annoyed.

Nerissa took a few steps to the side, and didn’t even spare him a glance. “Sorry, I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

Owen’s brows furrowed in annoyance.

‘What’s Nerissa playing at?’ he thought.

‘Is she still trying to play hard to get?’

‘Is she done with these games yet?’

Owen gave a cold snort, sounding like he was doing her a favor. “Enough! Nerissa. Fine, I’ll remarry you!”

‘She’s probably ecstatic right now,’ Owen thought.

‘Isn’t this what she’s been dying for?’ he mused.

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Nerissa was speechless.

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“Owen, are you insane? How many times do I have to say it? I am not getting back together with you. I’m completely over you! Stop being so delusional, okay? If I didn’t make myself clear enough, I’m saying it out loud now!”

“Nerissa, I’m warning you, don’t push me! My patience is running out!” Owen snapped, storming out of the car and right up to her. “Don’t think you can get me to remarry you and actually make me fall for you. Let me spell it out, never gonna happen! Audrey is the only one I care about. Saying yes to a remarriage is already me going way out of my way for you. As for my heart? It’s Audrey’s, always has been, always will be.

“You’re coming back to Calloway Group with me right now, and you’d better win the Celestial Dome Awards this year. And listen up, Audrey is generous enough. She doesn’t mind you being around, but don’t you dare mess with her again.

“By the way, I heard you’re the biggest shareholder in Kinsbeat Game now. I’ve got the contract ready. If you want to get back together, you’ll come with me and sign it right now. And don’t even think about getting your hands on anything else that isn’t yours!”

Listening to Owen’s narcissistic, over-the-top rant left Nerissa totally numb, her brain fried.

She had never expected someone could be this self-obsessed. Owen was in a league of his own, with absolutely no boundaries.

Seriously, it was disgusting.

He was like a damn fly.

No matter what she did, she just couldn’t get rid of him!

With a screech of tires,

another car screeched to a stop.

The door swung open, and a tall, sharp-looking man stepped out from the back seat. He was dressed in a custom suit worth millions, his whole vibe icy, powerful, and so intense others couldn’t even look him in the

eye.

The tension in the air was almost suffocating, and even Owen had to back off a few steps. Next to this man’s overwhelming presence, Owen looked like a forgettable sidekick, totally invisible.

The man walked straight up to Nerissa, grabbed her wrist, and with a gentle tug, pulled her right into his arms. His chiseled jawline rested on top of her head, and his deep, magnetic voice rumbled above her, making it clear she was his.

“Sorry, Nerissa. I’m late,” Lennox said, his voice low and possessive.

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