No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 226

**TITLE: He Chased 226**
**CHAPTER 0226**

**ELIZABETH’S POV**

Lauren had already sent me the address, and to my surprise, it wasn’t far from my hotel at all. I was still engaged in a video call with Jessica, my phone perched precariously on a tripod as I maneuvered around my room. Jessica was a whirlwind of chatter, her voice filling the space as she paced back and forth in her own room, as if she were the one preparing for something monumental instead of me.

“Have you called your parents yet?” Jessica asked out of the blue, as if the thought had just struck her.

“My mom called me this morning,” I replied, reaching for a tiny brush to add the finishing touches to my nails. “But it was the same old song of apologies, so I didn’t really care. I just pretended to forgive them so I could squeeze out as much information as I could.”

Jessica rolled her eyes dramatically, her expression one of exaggerated disbelief. “Typical.”

She paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes at me through the screen. “Did you wear the dress I told you to wear?”

“Of course I did,” I said, almost scoffing at the question. “This whole plan hinges on him drooling over me.”

To make my point, I straightened my posture and stepped back from the tripod, giving her a full view of the dress. She gasped audibly, her reaction instant.

The dress was one of my favorites—short and snug, accentuating my curves in all the right places. It was the kind of attire that had men stopping me in shops and restaurants, their jaws nearly unhinged from staring too intently. Earlier that morning, Jessica had insisted I wear something that would be impossible for him to ignore, and she was spot on; this dress had that effect down to an art. I didn’t even need convincing; I knew this dress was a weapon of seduction.

“Just like always, you look amazing,” Jessica said, pressing a hand dramatically to her chest as if she were witnessing a grand performance.

“Thanks, babe,” I murmured, leaning forward to start gathering my things. The small table before me was a chaotic mix of makeup—foundation tubes, brushes, nail polish bottles, and lip glosses scattered everywhere. I began shoving items into my bag one by one, trying to maintain some semblance of order.

“What if he’s the shy type?” Jessica asked, her voice tinged with concern. “What if he picks up on all the signals you’re throwing at him but acts clueless or… I don’t know… doesn’t know how to make a move?”

A smirk danced on my lips. “Then I’ll make the first move. I’ll take the lead.”

“In his own home?” Jessica raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched across her face.

“Absolutely. Just the thought of it is making me feel all kinds of excited.” I bit my lower lip, unable to mask my thrill.

“What if your sister catches you? You know that would drive her absolutely crazy.”

“We’ve discussed this, and honestly… maybe I do want her to catch us,” I said casually, applying the final layer of gloss to my lips. “Because if she does—let’s be real, she’s got at least 20% of my dramatic flair—I’m pretty sure she’d bolt from that relationship faster than you can say ‘awkward.’ And that would be a bonus for me, as I’d get to keep him all to myself until I tire of him.”

Jessica blinked at me, clearly taken aback. “It seems like you’ve already mapped everything out without me. Every question I throw your way, you’re already steps ahead.”

“Jess, you know we’re always in this together,” I said, giving her a small, playful pout. “You’re my best friend. I had to strategize without you because I’m literally in another country. If we were together, we would’ve tackled this step by step, you know that.”

Jessica smiled proudly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Speaking of together, if your plan goes off without a hitch, you’re going to have to set me up with one of his billionaire friends too. I can’t let you have all the fun.”

I laughed softly, the sound bubbling out of me. “Alright, alright, I’ll make it happen. But I really have to go now, or I’ll be late.”

‘Hey, the guards say I need permission from Roman before I can enter.’

A few minutes ticked by before she replied.

“Don’t worry, I’ll send a driver to come get you.”

“Great,” I muttered under my breath, feeling a mix of impatience and anticipation.

I paid my Uber driver, stepped out of the car, and watched as he drove off. I lingered near the gate, tapping my heels lightly against the concrete while I waited. The rhythmic sound echoed softly in the stillness around me.

My gaze wandered over the estate’s entrance, and I couldn’t help but feel a rush of admiration. The interior of the estate appeared impossibly pristine and exquisitely designed, as if it belonged to an entirely different realm. Everything exuded luxury; everything seemed meticulously curated.

It made the entire street outside look like a mere afterthought.

For a fleeting moment, my thoughts drifted to my parents. They were wealthy millionaires, and we owned penthouses in various cities, but this? This was something else entirely. This wasn’t just wealth; it was power, status, influence—a sprawling estate, a villa, guards, drivers, and full service.

A slow smile crept onto my face, a sense of determination igniting within me.

This only fueled my desire to see my plan through.

I craved this lifestyle. I yearned for the attention, the prestige, the access—everything that came with a man like Roman. He was precisely the type of man who could cater to my every need without me having to ask twice.