The Ex-Wife He Can’t Have novel Chapter 27

Daniel met Sylvia's bubbly enthusiasm with a cold, dismissive hum, barely acknowledging her.

When Jillian saw Killian, her heart violently seized.

It had only been a few days, but he looked exactly the same—aloof, impossibly arrogant, projecting a terrifying authority with every step.

With his sharp, predatory jawline and striking features, he effortlessly dominated the room, casting every other wealthy heir into the shadows.

But what shocked Jillian was seeing Gibson there as well.

Terrified he might expose her depression, she shot him a brief, warning look.

Gibson understood instantly. As a physician, patient confidentiality was sacred.

He merely cast a brief, impersonal glance at Jillian before looking away.

However, Sylvia's radar locked onto that microscopic exchange.

She completely abandoned Killian and latched onto Gibson's arm, asking with fierce territoriality, "Gibson, do you know Jillian?"

"I don't."

"Oh, right. We went to the same university. We were super close back then, right, Jillian?"

They absolutely were not.

But Jillian kept the correction locked behind her teeth, merely scoffing internally.

"Killian. Small world," Daniel said, extending a hand.

"Indeed," Killian replied, taking it for a firm shake.

"I highly recommend the fine dining menu here. You should give it a try," Daniel offered.

"I appreciate it, but I find their cuisine incredibly bland."

"To each their own."

The two men shared a polite smile.

On the surface, it was a picture of corporate civility, but the air was thick with suffocating tension.

The Quincy and Langley empires overlapped in several sectors, and minor skirmishes were common.

But now, with both conglomerates sinking massive capital into automotive AI, the media was having a field day pitting them against each other.

"We were just leaving. Have a good evening, Killian," Daniel said.

"Goodnight."

Hans was deep in conversation with his assistant.

"It seems the dinner exceeded your expectations," the assistant noted.

"Before tonight, Langley's Project Astra wasn't even on my radar. But that Jillian woman was absolutely brilliant."

Sylvia had just reached out to tap his shoulder when she heard Jillian's name. She froze.

"You've met with Ms. Xavier from SwiftPath AI before. How does she compare to Jillian?"

Hans chuckled. "I thought Ms. Xavier was decent enough during our initial meeting. But after speaking with Jillian, it's glaringly obvious that Sylvia is all flash and zero substance."

Sylvia's face contorted into an ugly, rigid mask.

She spun around, puffing out her chest, and marched back to the private room like an enraged swan.

The appetizers were already on the table when she returned.

Sylvia collapsed into her chair, her eyes welling with calculated tears.

"What's wrong?" Killian frowned.

"Nothing."