The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 340

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Devon disappeared into his study the moment we arrived, without even removing his coat. I stood alone in the vast living room, suddenly unsure of my place here. Was I a guest? A burden? Someone he felt obligated to protect?

I made myself a simple salad in his gourmet kitchen, eating alone at the counter while scrolling through increasingly vicious headlines about my family. My

appetite vanished after three bites.

Heavy footsteps announced Devon’s return. He stood in the kitchen doorway, watching me with those intense gray eyes. I noticed the slight tightening of his

lips as he took in my half–eaten salad.

‘I can make you some pasta,‘ I offered, gesturing to my abandoned meal. “I’m no hungry anymore.”

After a long moment of silence, he nodded once. I busied myself finding ingredients, grateful for the distraction. Devon leaned against the doorframe, his

gaze following my movements.

When I placed the plate of spaghetti in front of him, Devon twirled his fork expertly, taking a bite before pronouncing, “Passable. Yet he cleaned his plate completely.

Harper Group stock fell 27% today,” he stated abruptly, setting down his fork. “The board is discussing an emergency appointment for interim CEO.”

I froze. “That should be me. I have the most experience with-

“The board won’t choose the daughter of the man accused of murder,” he cut in, is voice clinical. “Not until the public relations disaster stabilizes.”

I felt heat rising in my cheeks. “So I’m supposed to just stand by and watch everything my mother built crumble?”

“You’re supposed to be careful, Devon said, his voice hardening. “Going against your father publicly was reckless enough. The paparazzi following you, people digging into your past–did you even consider the danger you’ve put yourself in?”

“What was I supposed to do? Let him get away with it?” I stood up, anger bubbling to the surface. “He killed my mother, Devon. Or have you forgotten that detail?”

Devon stood too, towering over me. “I haven’t forgotten anything. But you confronted him alone. You should have called me first.”

‘I don’t need your permission to seek justice for my family.”

“No, you just need me to pick up the pieces when your crusade falls apart.” His words were cold, but his eyes betrayed something else–fear. Not for himself, but for me.

‘I didn’t ask you to pick up anything,” I said, my voice lower now. I can handle this myself.”

Devon stepped closer, his expression softening fractionally. “Can you? You’re exhausted. You’re being followed. The media is tearing you apart. And you’re sitting alone in your office at nearly midnight trying to save a company that’s bleeding out.”

Before I could respond, my phone chimed with a notification. I glanced down to see TMZ’s headline flash across my screen: “HARPER SCANDAL DEEPENS: HEIRESS THE TRANSACTIONAL GIRLFRIEND OF TECH MOGUL?”

My blood ran cold as I opened the article. An anonymous ‘source close to both parties‘ claimed Devon and I had an arrangement–my companionship in exchange for financial backing and publicity. The accompanying photo showed Don’s hand on the small of my back as we entered a parking garage, the angle making our interaction seem furtive and illicit.

The article implied our relationship had begun before my father’s scandal broke uggesting I’d been disloyal to my family for personal gain all along.

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21:10 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 340

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Devon, I whispered, horror washing over me. They’re saying we… that I…”

His expression didn’t change. ‘I’ve seen it.”

Your reputation in Silicon Valley, with Wall Street–this could damage everything you’ve built. I stood up, suddenly decisive. I should go back to my Brooklyn apartment. I won’t have you dragged into my family’s mess.

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