The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 363

< Chapter 273: Facing the Enemy, Part 1.

+25 Points

Chapter 273: Facing the Enemy, Part 1.

Clara

Some people are very good at hiding who they really are, and Alexander was one of them. And perhaps that’s why I was having so much trouble accepting reality. Because part of me kept seeing the impeccable, elegant, and confident man he’d always been… while the other part couldn’t stop remembering the evidence, the emails, the altered signatures, and that conversation with the engineer about the elevator.

Two versions of him constantly clashed in my head: the brilliant partner who helped me grow … and the man capable of jeopardizing an entire project just to manipulate a situation to his advantage. The worst part was that both versions seemed real.

When he showed up at my office inviting me to lunch, I immediately felt that silent alarm bell go off inside me. There was something behind that invitation; it wasn’t a coincidence… Not after the meeting I requested, not after what I found in his office. But I accepted anyway… Because I needed answers too. And because if Alexander knew something… I wanted to look him in the eye when he spoke.

“Of course,” I replied, trying to sound calm. “Okay.”

He smiled slightly, too calmly.

“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at noon.”

I nodded, and when he left my office, I slowly released the breath I’d been holding. My hands were cold, very cold.

This meeting with Alexander was something I hadn’t planned, something I couldn’t tell my fiancé. Ethan wouldn’t accept it… and I didn’t like it, I really didn’t. The idea of lying to Ethan made me feel worse than I’d imagined.

I was finishing some documents when he called me close to lunchtime.

I smiled slightly when I saw his name on the screen.

“Hi, love.”

“Have you had lunch yet?”

I glanced at my office door, at the clock. And then I closed my eyes for just a moment.

“I’ll eat in a little while… I have a meeting with some clients.”

Chapter 273 Facing the Enemy, Part 1

+25 Points

I hated the lie the moment it left my mouth, because Ethan didn’t deserve that. Especially not after all the support he’d given me.

“Don’t overdo it,” he said gently. “You’ve been so stressed lately.”

I swallowed.

“I know… I’ll try.”

“I love you.”

I closed my eyes for another second.

“I love you too.”

The call ended. And for a few moments, I stared at my phone’s blank screen, feeling miserable, but I needed to do this… I needed to hear Alexander’s voice, I needed to understand the full extent of it all. Because a part of me still hoped I was wrong, still wanted someone to tell me it was all a misunderstanding. That Alexander hadn’t done anything, that I was putting the wrong pieces together. But deep down… I think I already knew the truth.

The restaurant was located in one of the most elegant areas of the city; it was discreet and private. Exactly the kind of place Alexander would choose.

When I arrived, he was already there. Sitting by the window, impeccably dressed, perfectly composed. As always. His eyes lifted as soon as he saw me enter, and for a moment I had that uncomfortable feeling that he was scrutinizing me too closely. As if he were trying to read something in me… then, I approached slowly.

“I’m late.”

“Only five minutes,” he replied calmly as he stood up. “It’s not a big deal.”

He pulled out his chair for me, a gesture that made me feel strange. Because he was the same Alexander as always… Attentive, polite, composed. And that almost made me doubt everything again.

I sat down across from him, the waiter appeared immediately, and Alexander ordered wine. I ordered water. I needed to be completely clear-headed for this conversation.

At first, everything seemed absurdly normal, almost harmless. We talked about traffic, some investors, the opening in Boston. He even mentioned a restaurant that had opened near our offices. And I kept watching him, every gesture

<Chapter 273: Facing the Enemy, Part 1.

+25 Points

The waiter placed our plates on the table, and the silence between us lasted a few seconds.

He was the one who spoke again.

“I’ve noticed you’ve been distant lately.”

I slowly raised my gaze to him; there he was. Getting to the real reason for lunch.

“I’ve been busy.”

He smiled slightly.

“No. It’s not just that.”

He calmly took a sip of his wine.

“I feel like you’re avoiding talking to me.”

My body tensed slightly.

“I’m not avoiding anything.”

Alexander tilted his head slightly. His eyes remained fixed on me, too intensely.

“Are you sure?”

I held his gaze, and then I felt it. The certainty was, he knew something. I don’t know exactly what, but I knew something was going on. And that could only have come from Hale.

My fingers slowly closed around the silverware.

“Why do you ask that?”

He smiled slightly, a small smile. Dangerous.

“Because I’ve been working with you for a while, Clara. I know when something’s not right.”

I swallowed… He wouldn’t intimidate me, not this time.

“And what do you think is wrong?”

Alexander didn’t answer right away. He just watched me, analyzing me. And then he said something that confirmed everything.

“Hale seems worried lately.”

There it was, direct. He didn’t mention the meeting, didn’t mention the board meeting. But he didn’t need to. Because we both understood perfectly what it meant.

<Chapter 273: Facing the Enemy, Part 1

I felt a mixture of anger and disappointment slowly rise in my chest.

So Hale did talk, of course he talked.

+25 Points

I sighed slowly and put my silverware down on the table. There was no point in pretending anymore. Not after everything I found out, not after Boston.

I held his gaze.

“Let’s get straight to the point, Alexander.”

I saw how something barely changed in his eyes. Very little… but enough.

“I know you had something to do with what happened in Boston.”

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