Free Web NovelChapter 10: Chapter 10
Riley’s POV
I clenched my fists at his words and smiled.
"I’ve heard you, Ethan. And congratulations on your mate," I said calmly.
I didn’t wait for his reaction. I walked past both of them and went straight to the wardrobe. I pulled out a medium-sized suitcase and opened it on the bed. My movements were precise. I packed a few dresses, underwear, shoes—only what I needed for now.
"What are you doing, Riley?" Ethan asked behind me.
I didn’t turn around immediately. I zipped the suitcase halfway, then finally faced him.
"Oh, I’m taking my belongings so you can have a very good time with Wendy, of course," I said evenly. "Henceforth, I’ll be staying in the guest room. You can enjoy your new wife."
His gaze lifted, something like surprise flickering across his face, as if he’d assumed I was leaving the house entirely. As if he’d won.
I didn’t give him that satisfaction.
I dragged the suitcase past them and walked out of the bedroom.
This was my house. The house I built with him. The house I paid for just as much as he did. I wasn’t leaving it because of another woman. Not now. Not ever.
If Ethan wanted to play this game, then we would play it properly.
Right now, I had a company to run. Since I lost my baby, that company was the only thing Ethan and I still truly possessed together. And I would not let him believe for one second that he could take it all for himself.
Never.
I entered the guest room, dropped my luggage by the bed, and closed the door behind me. I peeled off my clothes, stepped into the bathroom, and turned the water as hot as it would go.
The bath burned my skin, but I welcomed it. The heat grounded me. It gave me something physical to focus on instead of the chaos in my head. I stayed there until my muscles loosened and my breathing steadied. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
When I came out, wrapped in a towel, I made a decision.
Today, I wasn’t wearing my usual corporate armor. No power suit. No stiff blazer.
I chose a straight, tight gown that stopped at my knee and layered a shirt over it, styled neatly but confidently. I’d seen the look on an African TV show recently and liked it immediately. Africans had an effortless sense of fashion—clean lines, strong presence. I’d been following several African fashion pages lately, and for once, I let myself try something different.
I combed my hair, applied light makeup, and looked at myself in the mirror.
I actually looked... good.
"Riley Grayson," I said quietly to my reflection, "you’re done being dumb. You’re done being dumb for Ethan Forlorn."
I picked up my Dior bag—the one I bought earlier this year after seeing Jimin model for the brand and stepped out.
As I walked down the stairs, I ran into them.
They were dressed now. Done, clearly.
Ethan’s eyes swept over me, and for a brief second, something unreadable crossed his face.
"Where are you going?" he asked with a frown.
I stopped and turned slightly.
"Where I’m going shouldn’t be any of your business now, should it?" I replied.
He arched a brow as I walked past him, then stopped again.
"If you must know," I added calmly, "I’m going to work. And by the way, I’ll be sending the family lawyer over today for a legally written agreement regarding our open marriage."
He opened his mouth to respond.
I didn’t wait to hear it. I walked out.
Outside, I breathed out slowly, relief washing through me as the door closed behind me. Just then, my phone rang.
"Hi, ma’am. Your car has been brought back," the voice said, then ended the call.
I walked further down the driveway and there it was, parked neatly.
I let out a sharp breath. Whoever brought it back knew exactly what I’d been thinking this morning.
I got in and drove off.
Thirty minutes later, I arrived at work.
The moment I stepped inside, something felt off.
People were staring. Whispering. Moving faster than usual. The atmosphere was tense, charged. Employees rushed past me with files clutched tight, their faces strained.
I headed toward the elevator, but someone hurried toward me.
"Ma’am," my secretary, Anna, said breathlessly.
"What is it?" I asked.
She hesitated, then said, "We have new investors waiting in the boardroom."
"Oh," I said, nodding. "That’s good."
I moved to continue walking but she grabbed my hand gently.
"Ma’am," she said again, lowering her voice, "they’re not just any investors."
I turned to look at her properly now.
"Rumors say they don’t invest in companies," she continued. "They buy them out completely. And I think that’s what they’re here to do."
I arched a brow.
"Well, I’m not selling my company," I said firmly. "They can find another one."
"Riley," she said quietly, using my name—the signal that this was serious.
I stopped.
"Who are they?" I asked.
She swallowed. "They’re people who don’t take no for an answer."
My jaw tightened.
"And?" I prompted.
"They own Crescent Hollow, Riley."
That stopped me cold.
I stared at her.
"Own it how?" I asked.
"Industries. Properties. Infrastructure. Security contracts. Clubs. Logistics. Most of the major trade routes," she said carefully. "If something big happens in Crescent Hollow, it happens because they allow it."
I exhaled slowly.
"Names?" I asked.
She shook her head. "They didn’t give names. Just said they were here to see you. Personally."
I closed my eyes briefly, then straightened my shoulders.
"Alright," I said. "Let’s not keep them waiting." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
The boardroom doors were already closed when we arrived.
I pushed them open and stepped inside.
Three men stood by the windows, backs turned.
My pulse jumped. I knew those shoulders. That height. That presence.
One of them turned first, then the second, then the third.
My stomach dropped.
Of course.
Of course it was them.
The CCG brothers from the club last night. Now Clean now. In sharp suits and stern expressions.
Cane smiled slowly.
"Good morning, Riley Grayson CEO," he said.
