Marry Ex's Billionaire Uncle After Divorce (Aurora and Jasper) novel Chapter 13

(Aurora’s POV)

When the man walked into the conference room, the air seemed to vanish. He possessed a profile carved like a Greek sculpture, cold and flawless. I recognized him immediately.

It was the man from the café, the one I had seen after meeting Gavin.

Phineas Everett strode straight to the head of the table. His presence was overwhelming, a gravitational pull that lowered the temperature in the room by several degrees. His gaze swept over the room, clear and sharp.

His eyes landed on me for a split second. There was no flicker of recognition. If he remembered our brief encounter, he didn’t care.

The silence was suffocating. The other interviewers looked like they were holding their breath.

He unbuttoned his suit jacket with elegant precision and sat down.

“Alright, Ms. Caldwell,” he said, his voice deep and detached. “Please begin your introduction.”

My hands tightened on my knees. I took a deep breath, forcing my heart rate to slow. I met his scrutinizing gaze head–on.

“My name is Aurora Caldwell,” I began, my voice steady. “I graduated top of my class…”

The interview went smoother than I expected. The panel questioned the gap in my resume, specifically the shift from a lead researcher at a top lab to an administrative secretary.

“That is a significant step down, Ms. Caldwell,” the HR director noted. “Why should we trust your technical skills are still sharp?”

I was prepared for this.

“Although I stepped away from the lab for personal reasons,” I explained calmly, “I never stopped my independent research. I currently hold three personal patents for core gene–editing technologies. These are the assets I bring to Everett Bio–Tech.”

I didn’t mention Jasper. I didn’t mention sacrificing my dreams for a man who never loved

1. me.

The Chief Scientist nodded, impressed. He turned to the head of the table. “Mr. Everett, do you have any questions?”

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Chapter 13: The Second Encounter

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Phineas looked up from my resume. He tapped his long fingers against the polished wood of the table. There was the ghost of a smile on his lips, though it didn’t reach his eyes.

“This position requires extreme focus,” he said. “Ms. Caldwell, does your current personal life allow for that kind of dedication?”

I looked him in the eye.

“I am twenty–seven years old,” I said clearly. “I am currently finalizing my divorce. For the foreseeable future, my only priority is my work.”

The other interviewers looked uncomfortable at my bluntness.

Phineas just held my gaze. “Good,” he said.

He stood up. “The interview is over.”

I walked out with damp palms. The legend of the Everett family patriarch was true; his mere presence was suffocating.

I just wanted to leave the building. I pressed the button for the elevator. As the doors were sliding shut, a large hand with distinct knuckles blocked them.

The doors bounced back. Phineas stepped in.

“Mr. Everett,” I said, my voice tight.

I retreated to the corner of the car, praying for a quick descent. But the elevator stopped at no other floors. The silence was thick enough to choke on.

My phone rang. The screen flashed: *Mom*.

I hesitated, but I had to answer. “Hello?”

“Aurora!” Martha’s voice shrieked through the speaker, echoing in the quiet metal box. “What the hell have you done? The hospital just notified us! They are stopping Leo’s VIP treatment! They want to transfer him to a public charity ward!”

My blood ran cold.

“What?”

“Are you trying to kill us?” she screamed. “Did you piss off Jasper? Is this why this is happening?”

I hung up, my face burning with humiliation. Phineas stood a few feet away. I knew he had heard every word.

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Chapter 13: The Second Encounter

He glanced at me sideways. His face remained completely expressionless.

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The elevator dinged. As soon as the doors opened, I rushed out like I was fleeing a disaster.

I arrived at the hospital in a rage. I stormed into the administration office.

“Why are you discharging him?” I demanded. “I can pay the bills!”

The administrator looked pained. “It’s not about money, Ms. Caldwell. It’s pressure from above. Someone wants him out of the VIP wing. Have you offended someone powerful recently?”

Jasper.

I ran to the stairwell, my hands trembling as I dialed his number.

“What?” Jasper’s voice answered, heavy with arrogance. “Finally decided to call?”

“Jasper, you are a bastard!” I shouted into the phone. “How can you use Leo’s life as a bargaining chip? If you hate me, come at me! Leave my brother out of it!”

There was a pause. “Aurora, are you crazy?”

“Don’t play dumb!”

“I own my shit, Aurora,” Jasper snapped, his voice angry. “If I wanted to punish you, I’d freeze your trust fund. I wouldn’t kick a dying boy out of a hospital bed. I’m not that low.”

I froze. Jasper was cruel, but he was proud. He wouldn’t lie about this.

If it wasn’t him, there was only one other person.

Sienna.

(Author’s POV)

On the terrace of the Rathbone Manor, Sienna stood in the sunlight. She held a pair of shears, snipping the heads off the roses that weren’t perfect.

She held her phone to her ear.

“It’s done,” Sebastian Rathbone said on the other end. “I used our connection with the medical board. Your little problem’s brother is being moved to the charity ward.”

Sienna smiled. She cut a red rose stem with a sharp *snip*.

“Thank you, Sebastian,” she purred.

Chapter 13: The Second Encounte

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