He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 600

"And?" he shot back seamlessly, his expression entirely unreadable.

That single word completely derailed her.

It was as if the final shred of decency had been violently ripped away.

He didn't even bother hiding behind a mask of morality anymore.

The naked desire in his eyes became terrifyingly explicit.

"Do you have any idea what kind of fallout would happen if we got caught in an affair?" she demanded.

"So what?" he replied with arrogant dismissal. "It's no secret that Julian and I despise each other—everyone in Coralia and Riverton knows it. Even if it hits the tabloids, it'll just be written off as two powerful men fighting over territory. It makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"

Helena: "..."

"Besides..." his tone shifted, growing sharper and far more aggressive.

She instinctively tried to stand up.

But his hand clamped down heavily on her shoulder.

The grip wasn't bruising, but it was enough to completely immobilize her.

She was forced right back into her seat.

He leaned in close again, bracing his hands back on the edge of the table.

"Are you and Julian really madly in love?" he mocked, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "Didn't you only marry him so he could secure controlling stock in the Campbell family?"

Helena: "..."

"Let's be real. A woman as smart as you must know exactly who he's truly pining for, right?" he dropped the ultimate provocation right in her lap.

She had absolutely no comeback for that.

He seemed entirely unfazed by her silence.

His lips brushed tantalizingly close to her ear.

The searing heat radiating from him sent her pulse racing uncontrollably.

"My ex-wife also happened to share your name. Helena. Don't you find that a bit too coincidental?" he finally finished, his voice a slow, deliberate drawl.

Trapped by his words, she stared up at him in stunned silence.

"So, I'm just a pawn in your little pissing contest with him?" she asked quietly.

"I'm not a patient man," he warned quietly, delivering his final ultimatum.

He didn't press her for an immediate answer.

But the sheer weight of his absolute confidence suffocated her.

He was the one to abruptly change the subject.

"I'll take you back to your hotel. See you tomorrow," he announced, already rising from his chair.

The dangerous, predatory man who had just cornered her vanished in an instant.

In his place stood the flawlessly polished billionaire once again.

She steadied her breathing and stood up as well.

Since he had dropped the subject, she wasn't about to willingly step back into the trap.

He quickly settled the bill.

Guiding her toward the exit, they slipped out quietly.

They got into his car without drawing any attention.