The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 241

Chapter 169: A Coffee arid Vanessa

Clara

It wasn’t impulsive, that’s the first thing I have to admit.

I didn’t wake up that morning intending to look for her… but I didn’t do anything to avoid it either

Since I got back from my trip, since that night… since that necklace… there’s something in my head that hasn’t been silenced. It’s not anger, it’s not jealousy. It’s… clarity.

An uncomfortable, insistent, and piercing clarity.

As I walk, my footsteps sound firm against the polished floor of the place. I chose well. It’s not just any place. It’s an elegant, discreet café… one of those where important conversations aren’t overheard, but

felt.

Yes, I extended an invitation. One to “say hello.” I know she would come; Vanessa is that kind of woman. The kind who never turns down an opportunity, the kind who never misses a chance to test her strength…

even when she pretends she’s not playing games.

I see her before she sees me, sitting by the window. Legs crossed, back straight, a cup in front of her that

she’s barely touched. Impeccable, as always.

I take a deep breath. Not to calm myself down… but to focus, and then I walk toward her.

“Vanessa.” My voice comes out firmer than I expected, she looks up.

And she smiles, that smile of hers… perfect, rehearsed, measured down to the millimeter.

“Clara…” she says, as if she’s genuinely surprised to see me. “It’s so nice.”

I don’t believe her, but that’s not why I came here.

I sit down across from her without waiting for an invitation. And that small gesture… is enough to change something in the air. I notice it, in how her gaze narrows slightly. In how she sets the cup down more carefully than necessary.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you,” she adds.

“I was,” I reply.

Silence… a short one. But enough.

I didn’t come here to beat around the bush.

“I wanted to talk to you.”

She tilts her head slightly, studying me.

୮

“About what exactly?” There it is, the first move. The feigned innocence, I hold her gaze. I don’t rush, I don’t get flustered.

Chapter 169 #elfer and Yans

“About the necklace.”

And then… I see it. It’s tiny, almost imperceptible. But it’s there. That fraction of a second where her expression freezes… before it reassembles.

Vanessa smiles. “The necklace?”

She pretends not to notice, as I expected

I lower my gaze for a second, take my bag, and let the chair fall rightly onto the table.

The pendant gleams in the light, silence again. But now… heavier.

“That necklace,” I say calmly.

Claim

She examines it, not with surprise, not with curiosity. She examines it like someone who already knows it

all too well.

“It’s beautiful,” she says. Of course it is.

“It is,” I reply.

I look up. Straight into her eyes.

“And it wasn’t a coincidence.”

It’s not a question, it’s not an accusation. It’s a statement… And that… changes everything.

Vanessa doesn’t respond immediately; her fingers circle the cup, but she doesn’t lift it.

“Clara…” she begins. “I think you’re interpreting things that aren’t…”

“I didn’t come here to confront you about anything.” I interrupt her.

Her brow furrows slightly; she wasn’t expecting that.

“I came because I understood perfectly what you did.”

Silence. And this time… she doesn’t try to fill it immediately. She observes me, more attentive, more… real.

“And what do you think I did?” she finally asks.

I smile, but it’s not a friendly smile. It’s a srnall… knowing one.

r

“I don’t need to ‘believe’ anything.” I tilt my head slightly. “I’m a woman, Vanessa.” That’s enough. No further explanation is needed, no need to say it out loud. We both know.

And for the first time… Her smile doesn’t fully return.

“I didn’t know that would affect you so much,” she says then. There it is, the subtle, elegant, yet obvious

attempt.

I shake my head gently.

“The necklace didn’t affect me.” I pause. Long enough for her to hear me clearly. “It showed me who you

Chapter 169 Rolfes and Van:

are.” And there… That’s when I strike. Not hard, But precise.

Vanessa remains silent. Not offended, not upset. But yes… fouched.

Claim

I see it in her eyes, in the way she looks at me now. Not as someone inferior, not as someone naive. But as someone who… has already understood the game.

“Interesting,” she murmurs.

She leans back slightly in her chair. “And what do you think I am?”

I don’t fall for it, I don’t define it. And much less, I don’t give it that power.

“I didn’t come to label you.” I look at her calmly. “I came so you know I’m not stupid.”

Her lips curve slightly. “I never thought you were.”

“But you acted like I was.”

Silence… Again. But this… is different. More honest, and more, much more dangerous. I lean slightly

forward, not aggressively. But still… present.

“I’m not here for Ethan.” That makes her react, I notice. “I’m here because I’m not going to play those kinds of games.”

Her eyes narrow slightly. “Games?”

“Yes.” I hold her gaze. “The ones you play.”

Vanessa takes a deep breath. For the first time… she loses a little control of the conversation. But not for

long, never for long.

“You think I’m the problem…” she says softly. She tilts her head. “But you have no idea what Ethan was like before you.” And there… Therein lies the poison. Not direct, not obvious, but enough. Enough to plant a

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