My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Thought You Could Escape?

Finn Summers was frightened by the viciousness in her eyes.

"Roya, please don’t do anything reckless. It’s just an endorsement deal. You have so many other resources, why bother fighting with her over this..."

"You of all people should know how valuable this endorsement is!" Roya Winters cut her off sharply, gripping her by the shoulders. "Finn, you’re going to help me, right?"

"What are you planning to do?"

Roya Winters stepped forward and whispered a few words in her ear.

"No way. If President Rivers finds out, I’ll have no future in Northolme."

She couldn’t possibly risk her own future to go along with Roya’s crazy scheme.

"Didn’t you start working for the money? If I remember correctly, your younger brother is drowning in gambling debt. As long as you help me, I’ll take care of it for you!"

Finn Summers’s face was a mask of conflict.

Roya Winters wasn’t in a hurry. She knew Finn would agree.

’After all,’ Roya thought, ’Finn’s parents favor their son over their daughter, and she’s a complete Voldemort for her brother. For the sake of her darling little brother, she’ll definitely give in.’

Sure enough, Finn said, "Fine. But you have to remember what you promised me."

...

In the second-floor guest room.

Jared Hawthorne was sipping tea on the sofa while Zane Rivers lit a cigarette and glanced at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Not going downstairs to make an appearance?"

"It’s not the right time."

Today was Grayson Corporation’s banquet, and most of the guests were women. It wouldn’t be appropriate for him to appear, and he didn’t want to steal the spotlight.

Zane Rivers blew a smoke ring. "So when will be the right time?"

"On the day of our engagement."

"You’re planning to get engaged to Miss Grayson?"

"Mhm."

"You proposed it?"

"Is there a problem?"

"No," Zane Rivers chuckled. "It’s just rare to see you be so proactive about anything. I’m happy for you."

The door was pushed open from the outside, and Elena walked in.

"Yance, Vesper said you were up here hiding out. I hope I’m not interrupting?"

Jared Hawthorne gestured for her to sit. "You know I don’t like crowds, Elena."

"I get it. The fact that you’re here at all is a miracle in itself!"

She walked over, sat down, and turned to greet the other man with a smile.

"President Rivers, long time no see."

Zane Rivers narrowed his eyes, a hint of amusement coloring his smile. "Two months and six days, to be precise."

Elena froze for a moment, then gave a slight smile. "President Rivers certainly has a good memory. Just what I’d expect from a renowned playboy."

"Why, thank you for the compliment. But I can’t compare to you—loving them and leaving them, so heartless and cruel!"

"..."

Jared Hawthorne’s long, narrow eyes narrowed slightly. His gaze flickered between them as he chuckled. "What’s the situation with you two?"

’Sounds like there’s a story there,’ he thought.

"There’s no situation," Elena said, coolly averting her gaze. "You know I’m not interested in men."

Back in college, Elena had started a business with her first love, but the man stole her credit for their work and kicked her to the curb.

Ever since, she’d despised the very concept of men down to her bones.

She didn’t expose him right away. Instead, she waited until he was at the peak of his success, then presented the evidence, viciously and publicly humiliating him, tearing him down from his pedestal.

The man could no longer make a living in New York and had to slink back to his home country in disgrace.

After that, she became ruthless, dedicating herself entirely to her career. At thirty-two, she was still single.

If nothing unexpected happened, she planned to remain unmarried for life!

But, as fate would have it, she had been set up two months ago and ended up sleeping with Zane Rivers by accident.

She despised Zane Rivers’s playboy antics and, disgusted by the thought that he might be "dirty," she went to the hospital for a gynecological exam the very next day.

Jared Hawthorne’s lips curved. "Elena, don’t be so hard on yourself. Not all men are despicable."

"I’m working around the clock every day. I don’t have the energy to waste on men. With that kind of time, I’d rather take a spur-of-the-moment trip."

’Men, love... at my age, I’ve long since seen through it all.’

Zane Rivers frowned. "Say something I can understand."

Elena stood up. "It’s about time. I should head downstairs."

Watching her leave, her graceful figure—the full bust, slender waist, and rounded hips forming an exquisite curve—made him recall the soul-stealing ecstasy of that night, and a tightness coiled in his lower abdomen.

Zane Rivers’s eyes darkened. He stood up. "I should get going too. I’ll come find you later."

With that, he strode out after her.

He caught up to her at the staircase, blocking her way.

"Jane Winters, let’s talk."

"President Rivers, just call me Elena. Besides, we have nothing to talk about."

Zane Rivers raised an eyebrow. "You slept with me. Aren’t you going to give me an explanation?"

"It was consensual. What kind of explanation does President Rivers want?" Elena crossed her arms, her chin tilted up. "It’s not like it was our first time. Are you trying to play innocent here? Or are you just looking to pin this on me?"

"Heh!" Zane Rivers let out a short laugh. "The experience that night was quite good. How about you consider a long-term arrangement with me?"

"Not interested. That little body of yours, President Rivers..." Her gaze slowly drifted downward, and her lips curled. "I’m really not impressed."

Zane Rivers’s face darkened. The woman was saying he wasn’t good enough.

He reached out abruptly and yanked her forward. Caught off guard, Elena stumbled right into his arms.

When she came to her senses, she hurriedly raised her hands to push him away, but his powerful arms held her fast, and she couldn’t break free an inch.

"Zane Rivers, what are you doing!?"

His eyes held a mix of aggression and mockery. A low, dangerous, and husky laugh rumbled in his throat.

"You’re the first person who’s ever dared to say that to me. Why don’t we find a place and try again?"

"The experience was terrible. I have no interest in a second time!"

Having his prowess questioned repeatedly, Zane Rivers grew even more displeased.

He grabbed her and started dragging her toward a nearby room. Realizing his intention, Elena panicked inwardly but forced herself to remain calm as she grabbed his arm.

"Are you just thinking with your dick!?"

He chuckled, raising his eyebrows with pure malice. "You guessed it."

His posture screamed, ’What are you going to do about it?’

Elena feinted, swinging her hand as if to slap him. Zane Rivers instinctively raised his arm to block, and his hold on her loosened.

She seized the opportunity to lift her foot and kick him hard in the back of the knee. As he cried out in pain and staggered, she hurried down the stairs.

He let out a muffled grunt of pain, his leg gave way, and he stumbled half a step, his brow furrowing deeply. The mocking smile on his face instantly froze, replaced by a mix of pain, anger, and a sense of absurdity.

He glanced down at his leg, and when he looked up again, his eyes were filled with a dark, wild interest. Watching her hastily retreat down the stairs, he pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek.

He sneered. ’Provoke me and think you can just run away?’

...

At that moment, the banquet officially began, and the spotlight settled firmly on Vesper Grayson.

Lifting the hem of her dress, she walked gracefully onto the stage, took the microphone, and offered a polite, faint smile.

"Thank you all for gracing us with your presence tonight to celebrate this grand occasion."

"Next, let us welcome the spokesperson for Vaudin Asia-Pacific, Miss Yvonne Lowell."

As her voice faded, music began to swell gently through the venue.

The crowd followed the sound and saw Yvonne Lowell, clad in a slim-fitting, haute couture gown, descending slowly from the spiral staircase.

Around her neck, she wore a piece from the newly launched Aquamarine high jewelry collection. The clear blue sapphires, interwoven with pavé diamonds, gleamed with a cool, sophisticated luster under the lights, enhancing her noble aura.

Her steps were elegant, her posture full of grace. But as she reached the middle of the staircase, her foot suddenly caught on something, and she lost her balance. Unable to stop herself, she plunged headlong down the stairs.

The crowd instantly erupted in gasps of alarm!

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