When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Chiara slipped into the restroom, her fingers lightly tracing the edges of her lipstick as she refreshed it. Her mind replayed the intense, fiery kiss they had shared in the car, and a faint smile tugged at her lips. Yet beneath that warmth, a swirl of confusion churned.

What was Howard’s real intention? He had the divorce papers ready, yet he continued to act so tenderly, so sweetly. Did he ever truly take her seriously? The question gnawed at her, leaving her unsettled.

Just then, the quiet was broken by the entrance of two young women, their voices lively and animated as they chatted near the sinks.

“I was in Harborton a few days ago and caught Elaine’s show,” one said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “She’s absolutely stunning, and her dancing? Completely wild.”

The other nodded eagerly. “And get this—her boyfriend is supposedly from Halinston.”

“Really? Who is he? I haven’t heard anything about that,” the first asked, her curiosity piqued.

“A girl mentioned he looks just like her boss, Titus. You know him, right?”

“The CEO of Goodman Group? Are you serious?”

“That’s the gossip. But who knows if it’s true?”

“Secrets never stay hidden for long. Wow, they’d make such a gorgeous couple.”

“Definitely.”

Chiara kept her gaze fixed on the sink, her mind racing as she listened. Only after the girls left did she lift her head, blinking away the swirl of thoughts. She closed her eyes briefly and shook it off, unwilling to let rumors distract her.

Steeling herself, she approached a waiter and asked for the VIP room number. Once directed, she made her way inside.

To her surprise, the room was bustling—at least a dozen people mingled, a mix of men and women chatting and laughing under the dim, warm lighting.

Her eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on her target. With purposeful steps, she approached him.

“Hi, Mr. White. I’m Chiara, Heather’s secretary,” she introduced herself, her voice steady.

Howard White looked up, his eyes pausing on her for a moment before a smile spread across his face. “You’re Ms. Heather Lynch’s sister, right?”

“Yes,” Chiara confirmed, meeting his gaze.

Howard’s eyes held a playful glint, an unmistakable interest shining through. Chiara wasn’t naive—she felt the undercurrent of his intentions clearly. Still, knowing he was aware of her family background, she doubted he would dare make a bold move.

She had learned to face such situations head-on.

Determined to keep things professional and get what she came for, Chiara cut straight to the point. “Mr. White, here is the contract renewal.”

Howard took the papers from her hand but casually set them aside, flashing a charming smile. “No need to rush. Have you eaten yet? If not, why don’t you join us for some dinner?”

He motioned toward a woman seated nearby, who immediately stood and cleared a spot. “Please, have a seat, Ms. Lynch.”

Everyone in the room knew Howard’s obvious attraction to Chiara. Sensing an opportunity, one man eager to curry favor with Howard began pushing drinks toward her, hoping to loosen her up so Howard could make his move.

“Come on, beautiful. Business always flows better with a little alcohol, right? Bottoms up!” he urged, pressing a glass into her hand.

Chiara had never touched a drop of alcohol before. She’d always been protected, never pressured to drink. She stared at the glass, neither accepting nor refusing outright. In this crowd, refusal would only make things harder.

Turning to Howard, she decided to be bold. “If I finish this, will you sign the contract?”

Howard, experienced with many women, immediately recognized her inexperience. Once, he might have hesitated to openly challenge a Lynch, but now, with the White Group towering over the Lynch empire, he felt confident.

“That depends on how badly you want it,” he smirked.

Before she could respond, another man poured two more glasses, filling them to the brim.

Chiara eyed the three drinks nervously, wondering how this gamble might end.

Pulling out her phone with one hand, she raised a glass with the other. “This one’s for you, Mr. White.”

Howard laughed heartily. “Bold move! Just like a true Lynch heiress.”

She sipped slowly. The liquor burned fiercely, the sharp sting bringing tears to her eyes after just one swallow.

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