Vengeful Billionaire and His Lovers (Jerome Howard) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15 Lies Over Dinner 

After saying that, Rosalie recorded her fingerprint into the door lock system, then left the apartment. 

Henry sat in the living room, staring into space. 

Suddenly, his phone rang sharply. 

“Hello?” 

“Mr. Zeigler, I got the info on William like you asked. I’ll send it to you on WhatsApp,” said Selena on the other end. 

He had asked her earlier that morning, and she’d already gotten it done by the afternoon. 

“Great, thank you! One more thing-heard there’s a construction company competing with yours for a project?” Henry asked. 

“You already know about that?” Selena sounded a little surprised. “The firm I acquired is called Horizon Architects. The other one’s around the same size-Thompson Architects. Word is they’ve got connections. There are a few public projects open for bids right now. We haven’t gotten a final decision yet, but chances are good we’ll win it.” 

“Just so you know, Thompson Architects-my wife has shares in that company.” 

Henry didn’t plan to hide anything. He preferred putting everything on the table. 

“Oh, I see. So, Mr. Zeigler, do you want me to give the project to Mrs. Zeigler?” Selena asked without hesitation. Her tone was calm, as if it was a given. 

Henry laughed. “What are you even thinking? What kind of person do you take me for? I’m just letting you know the connections. If she reaches out to you, you don’t need to do me any favors. But if you can, send me whatever info you’ve got on both Horizon and Thompson Architects. And any project details too. Right now, your biggest leverage is still the Southward Nursing Home, make sure you keep the focus on finishing that well.” 

Selena lit up. “So I don’t need to give Mrs. Zeigler any special treatment? Mr. Zeigler, does that mean your relationship with her is falling apart? When’s the divorce?” 

Henry’s face darkened. “Can you stick to the point?” 

“Oh, right. Got it. I’ll send it to your WhatsApp in a bit.” 

Not long after, Rosalie came back, holding a bag of groceries in one hand and dragging a huge suitcase with the other. 

“You must be starving. Hang in there a little longer, I’ll make something now,” she said, setting the suitcase down and heading straight to the kitchen. 

Henry felt a wave of emotion, but said nothing. Between the two of them-like brother and sister-words weren’t always necessary. 

The sky gradually darkened. 

Luciana called, “Honey, something came up tonight. I’ll be home late, can’t have dinner with you. Take care of yourself, okay?” 

“Whatever,” Henry replied calmly and hung up. 

“She’s not coming home for dinner?” Rosalie asked as she brought a dish out from the kitchen. 

“Forget about her,” Henry said flatly. 

Rosalie frowned. She thought Luciana was being too much. Henry had just been discharged, and she didn’t even bother to be there for his first meal at home. 

Rosalie saw it too. Her jaw tightened as she muttered through gritted teeth, “What a two-faced slut.” 

Henry took a deep breath, then immediately dialed Luciana’s number. She picked up quickly. “Where are you? You really can’t make it home for dinner tonight?” he asked coldly. 

Luciana hesitated. Her voice faltered, “I’m… at the office…” 

“Bullshit! You lying bitch!” 

Henry exploded, shouting before slamming the call shut. His hands trembled as he sent the photo to her. 

His breathing grew rapid and shallow. Rosalie rushed over, gently patting his back, her voice filled with worry. “Henry, please don’t let this get to you. She’s not worth it. None of this is worth your pain.” 

Just then, his phone started ringing again-Luciana calling back. 

Without a second thought, Henry declined the call. 

It rang again. He declined it again and again. She called ten times in a row before Henry finally lost it and turned his phone off entirely. “I need to be alone, Rosalie,” he said, his voice hoarse. 

Rosalie nodded quietly and pushed him into the master bedroom. As they reached the door, Henry added, “I’ll sleep in the room next to yours tonight.” 

Later, lying in bed, Henry was breathing heavily, blood pounding in his ears. His head was spinning, and everything felt like too much. 

So much had happened in such a short time, it was breaking him from the inside out.