Chapter 148: Dangerous Proximity
Angela Pov
The past week had been misually quiet. Christopher Blake had seemingly vanished from my life no calls, no messages, no unexpected appearances at my door of office.
Even Sean Shaw had maintained his distance since our car shopping excursion.
I should have felt relieved. This was exactly what I wanted, wasn’t it Peace and quiet to focus on my children and growing my company without emotional complications.
Yet the sudden silence felt more like the calm before a storm than genuine respite.
My instincts proved correct when my phone lit up that morning with Sean’s name on the screen.
1 deliberately silenced it, setting the device face–down on my desk. Whatever he wanted could wait–indefinitely, if I had my way.
Minutes later, a knock on my office door broke my concentration. Marcus entered, extending his phone toward me with an apologetic grimace.
“It’s Sean Shaw,” he whispered. “He says it’s urgent.”
With a deep sigh, I accepted the phone. “Sean, do you find this amusing?”
“What would you like me to say?” His voice carried that familiar cool detachment that always managed to infuriate me.
“Why are you calling my company when I didn’t answer my phone?”
“Why didn’t you answer your phone in the first place?” he countered smoothly.
“That’s funny. Why would I need to answer your calls at all?”
A brief pause filled the line before he replied, “Have you forgotten our relationship, Angela? I’m your company’s primary investor.”
My irritation instantly transformed into professional concern. “I apologize. I assumed it was a personal call. Is there something we need to discuss?”
“Investment strategy proposals. We need to review them tonight.”
As I returned Marcus’s phone, I mentally calculated how this would impact my evening with the twins. “Send me the details,” I said curtly before ending the call.
That evening, I stood before my closet, deliberating longer than necessary over my outfit.
I finally selected a black pantsuit–professional, conservative, and distinctly non–provocative. The perfect armor for whatever game Sean was playing.
“You and Aria need to go to bed early tonight, aunt Olivia Will take care of you.” I said, kneeling to straighten Ethan’s collar as he nodded solemnly
‘Where are you going, Mama?” Aria asked, her small fingers tugging at my sleeve.
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Chapter 148: Dangerous Proximity
“Just a business meeting, sweetheart. Til be back before
you know l
My phone chimed with a text message from Thomas Smith:
Ms. Wilson, Mr. Shaw expects you at the Four Seasons Hotel, Suite 201, at 8 PM to discuss investment proposals.
I stared at the screen in disbelief. A hotel suite? Was he serious?
“Why a hotel?” 1 muttered to myself, pacing the living room. “We could meet at his office, or a restaurant, or literally anywhere
else.”
Deep down, I knew exactly what Sean was doing–establishing control over the situation, creating an environment where he held all
the power.
The Four Seasons lobby exuded luxury as I walked toward the elevats, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, reminding myself
that this was strictly business. Nothing more.
The elevator chimed softly as it reached the 28th floor. Thomas Smith opened the door before I could knock, offering a polite nod before excusing himself and disappearing down the hallway, leaving me alone in the suite with Sean.
He stood by the window. I was struck by how much healthier and more handsome he looked than when I’d seen him just a week ago. It seemed his stomach condition had improved.
Instead of his usual impeccable suit, he wore dark slacks and a white button–down shirt with several buttons undone at the neck. I could faintly make out the defined muscle lines beneath the fabric.
The casual attire immediately put me on edge–this didn’t look like someone prepared for a business meeting.
“You’re here,” he observed, turning to face me. “Would you like a drink?”
“Let’s get straight to work,” I replied, deliberately maintaining my distance.
A slight smile played at the corner of his mouth. “Don’t be so tense, Angela. This is business, not personal.”
Something in his tone suggested otherwise.
“This proposal is completely unworkable,” Sean declared, tossing the document onto the coffee table between us. “Do you genuinely believe this risk assessment is reasonable?”
I straightened, meeting his gaze directly. “The data supports my conclusions, Sean.”
“Five years, and this is all you’ve learned?” His words cut deeper than they should have.
“Please don’t bring personal emotions into a business discussion.”
“You’re the one injecting personal feelings into this proposal, Angela He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Your projections are clouded by emotion, not reality.”
I fought to keep my voice level. “I disagree. My analysis is sound.”
“Is it?” Sean stood abruptly, moving around the table to my side. “Look here,” he said, pointing to a specific section of the document. “This forecast completely contradicts current market trends.”
He stood directly behind me now, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. I tried to step away, only to find myself backed against the desk.
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Chapter 148: Dangerous Proximity
You’re too close, Sean, I worked, my voice quieter than intended.
He placed one hand on the desk, effectively trapping me. Does this make you uncomfortable? I’m simply showing you where the problems are.
I can see perfectly fine without you hovering over me.”
His proximity was disorienting the familiar scent, the steady rhythm of his breathing My body remembered him oven as my mind rebelled against the memories.
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