She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

At east side of the city, there was Haley’s high-rise apartment.

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It felt nothing like the Stein Mansion’s grandeur or the cold, oppressive Lucero offices. The space was open and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the vibrant city. Soft music drifted through the room, and the air carried a faint hint of coffee and books.

Celia had just finished a hot shower. Dressed in the loungewear Haley prepared, she sat on the spacious couch with a slim laptop on her knees. Haley had already cleaned and rebandaged her leg as if she’d done it a hundred times.

Her face was still pale, but her eyes were clear and steady. It was as if everything from last night and the clash at the Lucero house that morning had been sealed away.

Right now, she looked less like someone recovering and more like someone quietly mapping out her next

move.

“The police just updated us. Aiyana’s been brought in,” Haley said, walking over with two cups of freshly brewed coffee. She set one down in front of Celia and took a seat nearby, tablet in hand.

“Louis cracked faster than we expected,” she continued. “With the call logs and transfer records against him, he gave in quickly.

“He named Aiyana as the one behind it, pointed us to the source of the drug, and admitted he planned to assault you. As for Laylah,” she paused, glancing at Celia.

Celia lifted her coffee and took a small sip, the bitterness settling on her tongue. “Did he mention her?”

“Not directly,” Haley said. “He claimed Aiyana handled everything, but said she told him Laylah knew and agreed. The problem is, there’s nothing concrete linking Laylah to it. And that glass of water, it’s only your word for now. No physical evidence. No witnesses.”

Her tone remained calm and analytical. “It won’t be easy to pin this on her. She can deny everything or say she didn’t know what she was handing you.”

Celia nodded, unsurprised. “That’s expected. Aiyana is the blade. Laylah is the hand holding it. If we want that hand to loosen its grip, we need the right timing.”

She set down her cup and brushed her fingers across the touchpad. “Any progress on Laylah and Ricardo’s background?”

“I found something interesting,” Haley said, turning the tablet toward her. “Ricardo’s birth certificate shows he was born overseas. Laylah is listed as his mother, but the father’s name is blank.

“I had someone look into her travel history and social circle during those years. She frequented an exclusive private club around the time she got pregnant.

“One of its backers was an Eldranorian Cyrenthian businessman named Mr. Holloway. He moved overseas years ago and has a questionable past. He’s old enough to be Laylah’s father.

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Chapter 44

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“They were seen together multiple times. Nothing overt, but clearly more than casual. More importantly, around the time Ricardo was born, his company transferred several large sums to an offshore account linked to Laylah.”

Celia studied the photo on the screen, which showed a heavyset middle-aged man with sharp, calculating eyes. Then she looked at the older photo beside it, where Laylah held Ricardo with a gentle smile.

A chill flickered through her. “Father and son?”

“There’s no direct proof, but the suspicion is strong,” Haley said.

“The Stein family was struggling back then. Laylah suddenly went overseas to study dance, came back with a child, and somehow the family’s financial problems disappeared.” She didn’t say more. The meaning is clear.

“That’s enough to keep her busy for a while,” Celia said, closing the file. “Send everything out anonymously. Pick outlets that thrive on high society scandals.

“Don’t spell it out. Just give them enough to dig. And leak the news about Aiyana’s arrest too. Make sure the headlines grab attention.”

“Got it,” Haley said, noting it down. “You’re hitting them from both sides. They won’t have time to react.” “Public opinion moves faster than the law,” Celia said softly, her tone calm but firm. “And it cuts deeper.”

She wasn’t just after legal consequences. She wanted Laylah’s carefully built image torn apart, along with her dream of breaking into high society, under the harsh glare of public scrutiny.

“Oh, one more thing,” Haley said, recalling something. “Elliott’s assistant reached out this afternoon. He asked how you were doing and whether you needed anything. He also hinted they have some dirt on the Stein family they’re willing to share.”

Celia’s fingers paused over the keyboard. ‘Elliott…’

Just hearing his name brought back fragments of last night she couldn’t ignore. She lowered her gaze and fell silent for a few seconds.

“Not for now,” she said at last. “One favor is already more than enough.”

What happened last night was complicated enough. She had no intention of getting pulled any deeper into whatever this was with him, not until she sorted out her thoughts and could stand on her own again.

Haley looked at her as if she wanted to say more, but in the end, she only nodded. “Alright. Stay here and focus on recovering. I’ll handle everything outside.”

Celia gave a soft hum and looked back at the laptop screen. A rough outline of her future filled the display.

Once she left the Lucero Residence, she would need something of her own, a career, a place to stand. It was time to bring those long-buried skills and resources back into play.

Outside, dusk settled over the city. One by one, distant stars.

the lights came on, spreading across the skyline like a field of

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Chapter 44

The storm had already arrived. Yet at its center, Celia felt clearer and more certain than ever.

*****

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Night fell. The city lights came alive below.

On the top floor of the Perry Group building, Elliott’s office was still lit.

Neil placed a freshly printed report on the desk. “Mr. Perry, here’s what you asked for. We’ve got a preliminary report on Ricardo’s biological father, along with a summary of Laylah’s finances during her years

overseas.

“The information we fed to the media about Aiyana is already spreading. A few outlets have picked it up.”

Elliott skimmed the report, flipping through the pages. His expression didn’t change.

“And one more thing,” Neil added after a brief pause. “Beckham seems to have caught wind of Aiyana’s arrest. He’s reacting strongly. He’s also been quietly looking into the hotel surveillance from last night, especially the top floor.”

Elliott set the report down and tapped his fingertips lightly against the desk. Then he looked out at the city, his gaze passing over the skyline as if fixed on something far beyond it.

“Let him look,” he said, his voice low and steady. “If he’s meant to find something, he will. If not…” He didn’t go on. He didn’t have to. A sharp glint flickered in his eyes.

“As for Ms. Ross, Haley said she doesn’t need any extra help for now,” Neil reported.

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