Fake Mating To My Ex's Powerful Enemy

Chapter 66: Chapter 66 When To Tell Her

Third Person POV

While Christina sat in the bistro with Finn, ten miles away and sixty-eight floors above Highrise City, Hudson Laurent received unwelcome news about Niall Granger.

The moment the glass doors to his office closed, Hudson hurled a thick contract folder straight at Cassian Langford’s chest.

"Why the hell didn’t you tell me earlier?" Hudson demanded.

Cassian stumbled back, one hand catching the papers, the other pressed against his ribs. "Jesus, trying to crack my sternum or what?"

Hudson’s jaw tightened dangerously.

Lycaon growled deep in his head.

Cassian straightened, rubbing his side dramatically. "Look, I didn’t know either. It’s not like Niall and I exchange friendship bracelets. How was I supposed to know he was trashing her reputation?"

"Then how do you know now?"

"Ysolde’s birthday party. Christina confronted him. Niall and Beatrice were both there. Things got ugly. I just forgot to mention it."

Hudson’s eyes darkened to midnight blue.

"When was the party?"

"Three days ago. You told me to attend, remember?"

Another folder crashed into Cassian’s shoulder.

"I told you to watch Christina. That asshole was dragging her name through the mud and you didn’t think to tell me?"

Cassian raised his hands defensively. "It wasn’t that bad. Ysolde backed her up, and Niall slunk away with his girlfriend. Plus, Christina has a lawyer. She’s already suing him. What more can the mighty Alpha do?"

Hudson punched the intercom. "Get Legal up here. Now."

While Hudson fired off instructions to his legal team, Cassian observed his friend with growing amusement. When the lawyer left, he clicked his tongue.

"What?" Hudson snapped.

"Never seen you like this." Cassian grinned. "You’re completely gone for her, aren’t you?"

Hudson’s voice was flat. "Didn’t I tell you this already?" freёwebnovel.com

"Yeah, about meeting her years ago in Florence during that jewelry competition. But she doesn’t seem to be on the same page."

Hudson’s eyes narrowed. "Meaning?"

"The way you light up whenever someone mentions her name. You need a mirror, man. Your eyes are practically sparkling like some teenager’s Instagram filter."

"If you’ve got time to sit there channeling gossip columnists, you’ve got time to leave," Hudson replied coldly.

Cassian smirked. "What, embarrassed? We’ve been through hell building Titanova together in Europe. I thought I’d seen every version of you. Turns out I missed the lovesick puppy version."

Hudson glanced at him. "Not all of us treated relationships like sport."

"I prefer to think of myself as selective. Anyway, I talked with her at Ysolde’s party. Tried to get some intel. For your sake, obviously."

"I told you to watch her. Not interrogate her."

Cassian raised both hands. "If being a concerned friend is criminal, arrest me now. I asked normal questions. She was polite but guarded. Gave me nothing useful."

Before Hudson could respond, Cassian added quickly, "Not that I was looking for dirt. But in our world, people backstab for entertainment. Due diligence isn’t a crime."

Hudson nodded for him to continue.

"Everyone knows about her and Niall. Four years engaged? That’s practically marriage in our circles. Then she dumps him and marries you faster than I change tailors. You can’t pretend that’s not suspicious."

"I’ve told you," Hudson said sharply, "I pursued the marriage. She didn’t want it initially."

"Fine, fine. Don’t bite my head off. But if this isn’t just another strategic move for your Alpha King campaign and she’s actually your fated mate, I should get to know her. She’ll be part of your life, which means she’s in mine too."

Hudson said nothing, giving Cassian room to continue.

"So I asked around. And honestly, I don’t think she feels the same about you."

Hudson went still.

"She didn’t remember Florence. Or Eindhoven. Not the way you described them."

The silence stretched uncomfortably.

Cassian had known Hudson long enough to notice the slight drop in his shoulders.

"You haven’t told her, have you?" Cassian asked, gentler now. frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Told her what?"

"That you love her."

Hudson turned toward the window without answering.

The Highrise City spread beneath him, the city he’d sworn never to return to after his grandfather had banished him to Europe. Yet here he was, back to take over Laurent Global Holdings, cleaning house of his stepmother’s cronies, managing his father’s constant financial demands, and preparing for the Alpha King campaign.

He’d returned for her.

"I haven’t," he finally admitted.

"Why not? When I like someone, I just say it. ’Be my girlfriend.’ Simple. If I’m crazy enough to want marriage, I’d just ask. But you? You’re circling her like she’s made of glass. You, the same guy who fires people before they finish pouring your coffee. Now you’re tiptoeing around?"

Hudson turned to face him. "If you were holding a priceless, one-of-a-kind treasure that could shatter with one wrong move, would you handle it carelessly?"

Cassian groaned. "Christ, Christina isn’t some fragile antique, Hudson. She’s a woman. A tough one at that. You’re acting like she’ll break if you speak your mind."

"She’s not ready," Hudson’s voice dropped lower, almost a growl. "Not yet."

Not until he’d erased every trace of Niall Granger from her life.

His fingers curled against the desk.

The same fingers that had explored her body that first night. That had memorized every curve, every soft patch of skin, the precise moment when she’d stopped pulling away and started pulling him closer.

Now they itched to destroy something.

Preferably Niall’s face.

Cassian studied him critically. "So what’s your timeline here? Are you planning to wait forever?"

Hudson picked up his phone. "I’ve waited seven years. I can be patient."

"Patient? You practically kidnapped her into a marriage!"

"I didn’t force her."

"No, you just manipulated circumstances until she had no better option." Cassian rolled his eyes. "Classic Hudson Laurent problem-solving. When you want something, you create a situation where it’s the only logical outcome."

Hudson’s lip curled slightly. "You make it sound malicious."

"Not malicious. Just... typical Alpha behavior. " Cassian sighed. "Look,you’re used to getting what you want through strategy. But women aren’t corporate takeovers."

"I’m aware," Hudson replied dryly. "Which is why I haven’t pushed."

"Haven’t pushed?" Cassian laughed. "You married her!"

Hudson shrugged. "A legal formality. Our relationship is developing organically."

"By ’organically’ you mean you’re showering her with jewelry and designer clothes while keeping your distance?" Cassian’s tone was incredulous. "That’s not organic. That’s tactical."

"It’s giving her space."

"It’s manipulation through luxury. Don’t get me wrong, I admire the strategy. But if you actually want her to love you back, maybe try something revolutionary like, I don’t know, telling her how you feel?"