Chapter 168
Finnian shrugged off his suit jacket, leaving him in a tailored vest and black dress shirt, an air of relaxed lethargy clinging to him. He lounged in the sitting area just outside the playroom doors w Elaine brought over a tray of fresh fruit and a cup of coffee.
Finnian grabbed the coffee and reached for a strawberry, tossing it to Brynlee. She caught it whil playing, tilting her little head back like an adorable bunny. Elaine watched the heartwarming scen between father and daughter, yet the anxiety etched into her face only deepened.
Once Brynlee had her fill, Finnian finally settled back into his armchair. Feigning a casual air, Elain nibbled on some fruit and asked, “I heard you recently adjusted Kaia’s equity. Not only did fina
er dividends, but you gave her an extra stake in the conglomerate?”
you
Finnian’s dark eyes sharpened on his mother. He had handled that transaction with absolute discretion. The equity increase hadn’t even been formally announced yet. How did she find out?
Annoyance flared in his chest, though he kept his expression perfectly smooth. That’s correct. Sh spearheads our core technology. Proper incentives are a necessity.”
Elaine scoffed outright. “Finnian, do you think I’m losing my mind in my old age? Sure, she contribu to the company, but over the last six years, has she walked away empty-handed? You’ve subsidize her entire pack of us ass, broke relatives year after year. What? Is she saying that’s still not enough?”
Working hers
table. “You’r
into some
just st
Fi
frenzy, Elaine began fiercely tapping her manicured fingers against the er a mountain of money! Be careful, or she’ll take every last dime and run of arms. By the time that happens, it’ll be too late. You giving her more shares and accelerates her exit strategy!”
slightly. Checking over her shoulder at Brynlee, she dropped her voice to a harsh fury boiling over. “Finnian, tell me the truth. Is she trying to divorce you? Are you this money at her, hoping a massive paycheck will convince her to keep up appearances
s breathing hitched. His mother’s instincts were terrifyingly sharp. She had hit the nail ely on the head.
m…”
Finnian, you’ve made a fal
done, you couldn’t de
submissive, but
compensati
Especially not Kaia. She looks sweet and
le thing you give her, she’ll just see as
Settling into the interview chair, she wore a warm, instantly likable smile.
The first half of the interview went off without a hitch. Noelle fielded every question beautifully, weaving in personal anecdotes that made her sound both highly relatable and remarkably profound Mr. Jensen nodded along enthusiastically, his eyes reflecting genuine admiration.
As they neared the conclusion, the host expertly pivoted toward more personal territory. “Ms. Lawrence, the public is well aware that you’ve navigated some incredibly tragic and unique circumstances. Do you feel these massive life transitions will influence your trajectory as an executive moving forward?”
Noelle’s smile faded softly, a delicate shadow of sorrow brushing her features. She allowed for a bea of silence before answering in a low, gentle voice. “Those experiences absolutely shaped who I am today. And for that, I will always remain grateful.”
A faint glisten of unshed tears gathered in her eyes, though she bravely fought them back. “My husband was an incredibly honorable and protective man. Losing him shattered me. When I’m alone, the isolation is suffocating. I’m not sure if you understand what it feels like when the whole sky just collapses on top of you.”
The host immediately projected deep sympathy and understanding.
Catching herself at the perfect moment, Noelle reeled her grief back in. Her voice grew steady, laced with newfound strength. “But life has to keep moving forward. My primary focus now is entirely on my work. The only way I can truly honor his memory is by elevating Aethelstan to entirely new heights.”
Mr. Jensen seized the narrative thread. “Having experienced such profound love and devastating loss do you hold out any hope for a new relationship in the future?”
16.41 @
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Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

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