Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Chapter 86

When Luke saw Lennox’s reply, he was left completely speechless.

At this point, he was done even trying to comment on Lennox.

[Come on, Ms. Jamison saved your life! Are you seriously not going to do anything for her birthday?]

This time, Lennox didn’t reply right away.

Here was why.

He was on his way to see her.

At 11:30 PM,

he parked right under the building, engine off, hands gripping the steering wheel.

This was the first time he’d ever given a girl a gift.

He was so nervous.

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He’d googled it and they said that the best time to give a birthday present was exactly at midnight the day before.

So…

he just sat there, taking his time.

He sat in the driver’s seat, waiting patiently.

Every couple of minutes, he’d glance at his phone to check the time.

Strangely enough,

time was passing so slowly.

For the first time, he understood what it meant for seconds to fel like years.

Beep!

It was 11:45 PM.

Lennox pulled out his phone right away and shot Nerissa a message on WhatsApp.

‘She’s probably asleep by now, Lennox thought.

‘She’ll need a minute to change,’ he figured.

‘And there’s the elevator wait, too, he reminded himself.

By the time she was done and came down, it’d be just about midnight.

Meanwhile, Nerissa had just wrapped up her work and was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the city lights. when her phone suddenly buzzed.

She grabbed her phone.

A message from Lennox popped up.

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[Nerissa, come downstairs.]

‘Downstairs?’ Nerissa wondered, a bit confused.

She texted back. [What’s up? Why?]

[I’m downstairs at your place.]

“What?” Evelyn’s eyes widened in shock.

She looked out the window at the street below.

The street was completely empty.

[Are you sure you’re downstairs at my place?]

[Absolutely.]

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Nerissa was even more puzzled, but then it clicked. She quickly #eplied. [Oh, I moved. I’m at Building 8 in Winton Villas now.]

‘Wait, she moved?!’ Lennox stared at his phone, totally floored.

Lennox was dumbfounded.

‘So I just wasted all that time waiting for nothing?’ he was speechless.

[Wait for me. I’ll be right there.]

[Okay.]

Lennox put his phone down, fired up the engine, and made a U-turn, heading straight for Winton Villas.

Lennox was no stranger to Winton Villas.

He had property there too.

It was over 12 miles from Eastview Gardens. Even though it was late at night and the roads were clear, there was just no way he could make it by midnight.

So…

when Lennox finally pulled up to Winton Villas, it was already 1208 AM.

He glanced at his watch, feeling a pang of disappointment.

He’d spent all that time waiting, but still missed the midnight mark.

He shot Nerissa a message on WhatsApp.

[Nerissa, I’ve arrived. Come downstairs.]

Nerissa had no idea why Lennox was seeing her so late at night,ut she still went downstairs to meet him.

With Lennox’s personality, he wouldn’t show up at this hour unless it was something important.

Lennox’s car was parked outside the villa’s iron gates.

He was leaning against the car door.

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The moonlight washed over his face, making him look cool and listant, almost as if he’d stepped straight out of the moonlight, more like a figure from a dream than a real person.

Nerissa pushed open the door and called his name softly, “Lennox.”

Seeing him standing there, she couldn’t help but be captivated. Beauty was hard to resist, and Nerissa was no exception.

For a moment, she found herself a little mesmerized.

Hearing Nerissa’s voice, Lennox immediately looked up.

Nerissa had already washed up for the night. Her hair, usually tied up in a bun, now fell loosely around her shoulders, giving her a kind of messy, lazy beauty. Her eyes, bright and enchanting, were impossible to ignore. Even in a simple sweatshirt, her extraordinary aura shone through.

Their eyes met, and Lennox was momentarily stunned too.

After a few seconds, he said softly, “Nerissa.”

Nerissa walked over. “Did you need something?”

Turn around,” Lennox said, following the advice he’d found online.

Turn around?’ Nerissa thought, totally confused.

Even though she was puzzled, she still turned around.

About a minute later, Lennox said, “Nerissa, you can turn back now.”

When Nerissa turned around, she saw Lennox standing there, holding a bouquet of sunflowers.

“Nerissa, happy birthday! I hope you like the flowers.” Lennox said softly.

In that moment, Nerissa couldn’t really describe how she felt.

For the first time in her life, someone was actually celebrating her birthday, and he’d even timed it for midnight.

She walked over and took the flowers with both hands. “How did you know it’s my birthday today?”

Back in her last life, her birthday had always been July 8th.

Funny enough, in this life, her birthday was the same day.

Luke told me,” Lennox said, popping open the passenger door. And hey, these are for you too, birthday gifts.”

Lennox cleared his throat, a little embarrassed. ‘Don’t get me wing, Nerissa You’re my only girl friend I really treasure our friendship, that’s all

“Thank you, Lennox, Nerissa said, stepping forward and hugging him.

She was a good eight inches shorter than him.

It was the perfect height difference. If he just dipped his head, hachin would brush her hair.

Lennox froze, his hands awkwardly suspended, not sure what to lo

His heart raced, and he swallowed hard nervously.

Her scent was everywhere, invading his senses.

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It was that same familiar, comforting scent.

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Before Lennox could even react, Nerissa let go, her dimples showing as she smiled, “Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s just a friendship hug.

‘Friendship? Lennox echoed in his mind, feeling a sting he couldn’t quite shake.

Just a friendship hug? He repeated to himself, a little dazed. Was that all it was to her?

For some reason,

he felt upset hearing it.

Why was he so upset?

It was a feeling so unfamiliar, so weird, that he almost didn’t recognize himself.

‘What the hell is this?’ Lennox wondered, thrown off by the sudden wave of emotion.

“Let me help you get these into the yard, Lennox said, trying to shake off that weird emptiness inside.

He’d bought ten bags and the complete lipstick collection, all stuffed into one giant box. Seriously, it was packed to the brim.

“Thanks for the help,” Nerissa said.

“No problem.” Lennox replied, hefting the box and heading for the yard. He asked offhandedly, “Nerissa, when did you guys

move in?”

“Just a couple days ago,” Nerissa answered.

“What?” Evelyn’s eyes widened in shock.

‘Damn, they’ve already been here two days?”

Lennox gave a slight nod, his face calm.

Nerissa said, “Lennox, come in and have some coffee.”

“It’s really late. I should get going. I’ll come visit your grandpa another time,” Lennox replied. He wasn’t the type to overstep when it came to boundaries.

Nerissa thought for a moment. “How about I treat you to dinner tomorrow night?”

“Sounds good,” Lennox replied.

Nerissa walked Lennox to his car. “Let’s catch up on WhatsApp tomorrow. Drive safe, okay?”

“I will,” Lennox said.

As soon as Lennox got home, his phone rang, and it was Luke.

“Hello, Lennox answered, his voice still cool and distant.

Luke sounded curious. “Uncle Lennox, where did you go? I sent ou a ton of WhatsApp messages and you never replied.”

“Nowhere, just busy with work.” Lennox replied. his tone flat and to the point.

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He sounded so chill. One would think he really had just been busy working the whole time.

Luke didn’t question it for a second. After all, Lennox was not only a miser, but also a total workaholic.

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“Uncle Lennox, you done with work now? I know an amazing street food stall. Let’s go grab something to eat,” Luke suggested.

On a hot summer night, nothing beat sitting at a street stall, grilling barbecue and knocking back a cold beer.

Luke was the kind of rich kid who really knew how to enjoy life.

“I never eat that kind of greasy street food,” Lennox replied flatly

“But the barbecue at these stalls is seriously good! Lennox, just try it once. I promise you’ll love it. Life’s too short to be so strict with yourself,” Luke pleaded.

“Don’t waste your breath. Do I look like the type who’d just throw away my principles?” Lennox retorted.

Only people with no self-control would change their principles just because of others.

Lennox was definitely not one of them.

He’d never eaten at a street stall in his entire life.

Luke froze.

‘Yeah, he really wouldn’t, Luke thought, a bit helpless.

*****

At eight in the morning,

Ivy followed Alice to Alice’s place for a visit.

When Ivy found out Alice lived in Winton Villas, she was totally loored.

“Alice, you’re way too low-key! I’ve known you for ages and neve realized your family actually lives in Winton Villas!” Ivy exclaimed.

Ivy had always thought Alice lived in a penthouse like the Holloway family. She’d never expected Alice’s family to actually live in Winton Villas.

And Ivy had never imagined she’d ever get to set foot in Winton Villas herself.

Winton Villas was a luxury neighborhood with strict security, an even delivery men and couriers couldn’t just walk in, let alone regular people.

Alice flashed a smug smile. “It’s no big deal. Winton Villas actually has a luxury section and a regular section. My family lives in the regular part. Our villa just costs $6.5 million. The priciest nes are by Buildings 8, 9, and 10. Those go for upwards of $16 million each!”

Ivy looked shocked. She’d never realized there were different levels of luxury when it came to villas.

“So the people living in Building 8 must be either super rich or per powerful, right?” Ivy asked.

“Yeah,” Alice nodded.

Ivy linked arms with Alice, her eyes brimming with envy. “Alice, you were born into money! You get to live in such luxury every single day.”

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Alice got to mingle with high-society people all the time.

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Even though the Holloway family was way better off than before Ivy’s ambitions were endless. She wanted to be one of the elite, not just live a comfortable life.

She was definitely going to visit Alice’s place more often.

Maybe one day she’d bump into some wealthy men in the villa community.

Ivy narrowed her eyes with ambition.

After all, even someone like Nerissa could get ahead of her and marry into money.

‘If she can do it, so can I!’ Ivy thought, her confidence swelling.

Other than looks, what did Nerissa have that she didn’t?

‘I’m going to outshine that country bumpkin Nerissa, marry rich and change my fate!’ Ivy vowed to herself.

Chatting as they walked, the they soon arrived at the front gates of Winton Villas.

Someone was standing at the entrance.

She looked like she’d forgotten her access card and was being stopped by the security guard, head down, digging through her bag for something.

She had a baseball cap on. From Ivy’s angle, all she could see was her fair-skinned, perfect profile.

Even with just that side view, Ivy recognized her instantly.

Ivy’s eyes widened.

Ivy blinked. ‘Wait, is that really Nerissa?’

Ivy had never expected to see Nerissa here.

‘What’s Nerissa doing here?’ Ivy wondered, suspicious.

“Trying to cozy up to some rich man?’ Ivy wondered.

She couldn’t help sneering.

“This little country bumpkin really has no shame, Ivy thought, disgusted.

‘Divorced, she’s dreaming of marrying into money again? What joke!’ Ivy scoffed to herself.

‘Delusional. Ivy snorted.

Ivy turned to Alice, deliberately raising her voice. “Alice, look atat loser. She’s got zero shame! No access card, but she’s still trying to pretend she belongs here and score herself a rich an in your villa community!”

Alice snorted, her eyes dripping with contempt as she fished outer access card. “People like her? I see them all the time.”

Seeing Alice flash her access card, Ivy smirked to herself, feeling otally superior.

I’ve got a friend living in Winton Villas!’ Ivy thought, her pride swelling.

‘Does Nerissa have that? Not a chance!’ she sneered.

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‘I can walk right in, no problem.”

‘But Nerissa? She’s stuck outside, getting blocked at the gate.

“That’s the difference between us, Ivy gloated.

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Alice handed her access card to the security guard, acting all high and mighty. “Zack, why bother talking to people like her? Just tell her to get lost. You really think she just ‘forgot’ her card?

In Alice’s eyes, letting a gold-digger like Nerissa into their villa community would just ruin the vibe for everyone.

The security guard looked hesitant. “Alice, you’re a resident here but this young lady might be one too. She probably just misplaced her access card. Sorry, but I don’t have the authority to kick her out.”

‘Nerissa actually lives here?’ Ivy stared in disbelief.

‘That’s just ridiculous!’ Ivy snorted to herself.

Hearing the guard, Ivy burst out laughing, her eyes dripping with sarcasm. “Honestly, being a security guard is probably the peak of your career! Look at her. She looks so broke, like she could never afford a place in Winton Villas! People like her are only fit for government-subsidized housing their whole lives! If were her, I’d just go jump in a river and save myself the embarrassment!”

“Found it,” Nerissa said calmly.

Just then,

巾

Nerissa fished out a sleek black card from her bag, and handed it to the security guard.

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