swagen straight through the gates

wrist. "You're seriously here to submit the application? What's going on, Stella? You didn't reply to my messages. You can't j

Stella's chest, but

e, scrolled to a WhatsApp conv

mages stared back-sent more than once. One phot

at bastard! If it weren't for your patents back then, his company wouldn't have even made it past launch. And n

t her arm. "No. That

what he's done? You're just going to s

ing, but Stella's

coat pocket. "Facing him head-on would be far too eas

. She knew exactly the k

her beyond her limits, she'd never let it go quietly. She'd bou

rm submission went smoothly. A few steps, a couple of stamps, and

nd an academic seminar on behalf of the ins

lder against her chest, Stella stepped out of the lobby, making her way

n now,

she slowly turned around. A wave of betrayal crashed over h

st, guiding her through the entrance of the hotel. The woman chirpe

ips trailing from his earlobe down his neck

g her even closer, his palm firmly

red for a second, he

owed him-to this very hotel-and they

pinning glass of the revol

ire, while Stella's eyes were calm a

n them suddenl

she simply smiled smugly, then turned and kissed Marc again-t

tomach churned with nausea. She turned away,

ed her from behind. Marc had chased after her, a little breathless, and the smell

to shake him off, but t

t, sliding in right after. His sharp features looked tense, and his eyes flickere

d spoke in a frozen tone. "Wipe that lipsti

trouble. I've been stressing over the funding and reached out to Nova Holdings. Haley Smith-she's the daughter of a board membe

arm her. "She's from Achury. People in her country are pretty relaxed, you know

d. "So... is that how you secure investments

o shouting,

to be angry. Her quiet words stripped every excu

d, he pulled at his tie, trying to breathe. "Stella, come o

almost

even raised

the photos in his face to

ll these years now burned

st be honest. I won't hold on-I'l

ve to play ga

left her mouth, Marc gra

omised-no matter what, we'd work through it. D

it

ith someone else. What

n a web of thorns. Every breat

ng. He checked it, frowne

name on the screen. "S

up again-this time, WhatsApp messages popp

I'm i

you. C

g... am I go

l in Achure, on