Five Years Wasted Now They Beg Her Back novel Chapter 46

He even made a subtle mention under the “Family Background” section.

"Formerly married to Ethan Ward, CEO of the Ward Group."

Watching the glint in Simon Brooks’s eyes, Cassian knew the fish had taken the bait.

He delivered the final, perfectly timed blow.

"To be honest, Mr. Brooks."

"My sister has always admired successful, self-made entrepreneurs like you—men of vision and courage."

"She says you’re the kind of man who actually gets things done."

That piece of flattery was music to Simon Brooks’s ears.

He gazed at the pure, captivating face in the photograph, thought about her stellar resume, and any lingering sentiment for his late wife was instantly tossed to the wind.

A woman with top-tier beauty, world-class talent, and the potential to bring him valuable connections.

This was practically a gift from the heavens!

Simon Brooks set the photo down, a confident, possessive smile spreading across his face.

A confident, possessive smile appeared on Simon Brooks's face.

"Mr. Hart, your sister is truly one of a kind."

He raised his glass in a toast to Cassian, his murky eyes gleaming with greed and calculation.

"Don’t you worry. Once this marriage is settled, we’ll be family."

He took a sip of his drink and added slowly.

"And family helps family."

"Consider the Hart Group’s IPO handled. It's on me."

A flicker of satisfaction glinted behind Cassian’s glasses.

Done.

He raised his glass and clinked it firmly against Simon Brooks’s.

The crisp sound of glass against glass was like the fall of a gavel, sealing a dirty deal.

"Then let me be the first to toast to our successful collaboration, and to my future brother-in-law... on his new marriage."

Simon Brooks burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the private room, greasy and grating.

Cassian watched him, smug and satisfied, the curve of his own lips deepening.

"I haven’t been feeling well these past few days, Dad’s been thinking a lot about your mother..."

"The doctor says it’s all stress-related, that I can’t get worked up anymore."

"Your brother and the others, they realize their mistakes now. We... want to sit down like a family, have a nice meal, and clear the air."

"Just... for me, please?"

Grace gripped her phone, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.

She didn’t believe a single word.

This was the man who had moved Sabrina into their home less than two months after her mother’s death, the man whose new wife gave birth to Lilian three months later.

When Lucian had beaten and berated her, he had turned a blind eye.

When she donated bone marrow to Ethan and nearly died on the operating table, his only concern was how it would affect the Hart family’s reputation.

Could such a cold-blooded, selfish man suddenly grow a conscience?

It was utterly absurd.

But... he had mentioned her mother.

An image of her mother’s gentle smile from the photograph flashed before Grace’s eyes.