He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 524

"What a coincidence," Helena replied coolly. "But there are plenty of look-alikes in the world."

"Your personalities are completely different, though," Sebastian continued.

Helena simply listened.

Years ago, she had been agonizingly aware of his disgust and hatred toward her.

Their relationship had ended in such a catastrophic wreck that there was absolutely no turning back.

She found it impossible to believe that he would spend any time reminiscing about what kind of person she used to be.

"She had a wonderful temper. She was gentle and never pushed back against anything. She lived her life walking on eggshells," Sebastian murmured. "You're different. You're confident, radiant, and commanding. You carry yourself like someone in charge."

Helena listened patiently, but internally, she was scoffing.

She knew the woman she was today was her true self.

The old Helena—the one who had been Mrs. Hayes—had twisted herself into knots, desperately trying to become the woman Sebastian wanted, all because she had loved him.

During those years, she had been playing a part.

But she had no intention of explaining that now.

That version of Helena was dead and buried.

She offered a faint, polite smile. "So, are you telling me I'm difficult to get along with, Mr. Hayes? Am I causing you trouble?"

Her response was graceful and direct, devoid of any real anger.

"Not at all," Sebastian replied, taking a slow sip of his soup. "You're actually quite pleasant company, Ms. Wallace."

Helena smiled but stayed silent.

Sebastian set his spoon down as his phone buzzed.

It was a message from Carter Miles.

Carter: [Mr. Hayes, the IGM team refuses to yield an inch.]

"So, you've decided to negotiate with me over dinner?" she asked with a knowing half-smile.

Sebastian neither confirmed nor denied it.

He was intrigued by her.

But that interest stemmed from the ghost of his ex-wife, not the woman sitting across from him.

He had no intention of wasting time dragging this out in Coralia.

If his son hadn't suddenly fallen ill, he would have signed the contract and flown back to Riverton today.

After a brief pause, he nodded.

"You're a smart woman, so let's put our cards on the table. The Hayes Corporation absolutely needs IGM's technology. I'm willing to agree to your demands, but I have a condition of my own," his tone shifted, turning distinctly authoritative.

"I'm listening," Helena replied cheerfully, unfazed by his sudden intensity.

"IGM must take equity in the project rather than just licensing the tech. Since you want creative control, it leaves us vulnerable. If IGM decides to pull the plug, my company takes the fall. As the CEO, I have to protect my corporation. Given the sheer scale of the capital involved, I have a fiduciary duty to my shareholders, don't I?" he stated logically.