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Chapter 97
Cecelia’s expression hardened.
Arthur hesitated, knowing he couldn’t dodge this anymore. With a resigned smile, he guided her toward the garden. “Look, let’s cut to the chase–If Zarek has feelings for Ms. Whitmore, would that be a problem for you?
Cecelia went quiet.
She couldn’t honestly say it wouldn’t be.
For other families, she could easily say divorce wasn’t a big deal these days, but when it came to her own son? She wasn’t nearly that progressive.
While she didn’t micromanage her son’s love life–she’d accept anyone with good character and a decent background whom he genuinely loved–she couldn’t pretend equal social standing wasn’t preferable.
“I thought your exact words were ‘female, breathing, any condition works,” Arthur teased, watching her squirm.
Cecelia swatted his arm. “Show me a parent who doesn’t want the best for their kid.
Catching herself, she backpedaled, “I’m not saying Ms. Whitmore isn’t wonderful. I’ve heard her story. Liam speaks highly of her. She’s clearly accomplished but got tangled up with the wrong man. I sincerely hope she finds happiness next time around.”
Arthur cut through it. “Just not with our son, right?”
Cecelia sighed. “Tine, I’m being a hypocrite. Happy now? You’re acting all enlightened, but you’d be just as concerned. Zarek isn’t just any guy–he’s our firstborn, the Weasley heir. Every move he makes is scrutinized. Even minor missteps become media feeding frenzies. And let’s say we got over ourselves and approved–what about his grandmother? That woman makes me look like a hippie. We can’t just ignore reality.”
Arthur nodded soberly. “You’re right. He represents the family name. Personal happiness isn’t always the priority.”
Then, squeezing her shoulder, “But we might be jumping the gun here. This could be nothing. Didn’t you line up those new introductions? Let him meet them all before we panic.”
Cecelia nodded, though her expression said she wasn’t buying his optimism.
Issac had Zarek’s number and followed his Instagram.
Zarek hadn’t bothered to block him.
So when Issac finally shook off his hangover and checked his phone that morning, he saw the post immediately.
Strawberry mousse…
His eyes practically ignited.
The Hamayla Le Ducle sing the Forbidden Past
That specific brand, that exact flavor–it was Charlotte’s absolute favorite!
The word “Charlotte triggered the painful reminder that they’d signed divorce papers yesterday. She wasn’t his anymore. It was over. He had lost her for good….
The emptiness in his chest yawned wider.
And now this goddamn strawberry cake was twisting the knife.
Their divorce wasn’t even cold, and she was already running to Zarek?
What happened to everything she’d said yesterday? All lies!
Bitter rage flooded his system. He grabbed a burner phone and called her–since she’d blocked his regular number and WhatsApp, he had to get creative,
Charlotte sat in the passenger seat as Zarek’s car entered Dominex’s underground garage.
Feeling her phone vibrate, she checked the screen.
Unknown number.
Not Issac again, surely? They were officially divorced now, and he’d seemed somewhat composed about it. He should have accepted reality and moved on. No reason to keep harassing her.
Maybe it was the police with case updates?
She answered, “Hello?”
“So this is how you keep your word? You’re one hell of an actress, Charlotte! Since you’re so good at pretending, why not keep the act going a little longer instead of immediately jumping into bed with the next guy the minute our
divorce is final-”
His fury blasted through the speaker.
Charlotte hung up mid–rant.
She rubbed her temples, fighting off a headache. Well, she’d given Issac too much credit. His intermittent insanity was clearly back in full swing.
Both Zarek and Rex had overheard Issac’s outburst.
Especially that loaded word: “divorce.”
Rex looked surprised–they’d actually gone through with it?
Zarek remained unruffled. He’d already known about their divorce proceedings yesterday.
Take The Trusta Tazenima ika Gorbidden Past.
The car filled with awkward silence.
Charlotte turned to stare out the window, pretending intense interest in the concrete walls.
Thankfully, they were already parked. Everyone exited the car a bit too quickly.
Charlotte followed Zarek into his private elevator up to the executive floor.
Afterward, Rex walked her through onboarding, got her security clearance, and gave her the office tour, pointing out different departments and the executive floors she’d need to know,
As they made their rounds, word spread like wildfire that Charlotte Whitmore had officially joined the company.
The office grapevine had been buzzing for days about the CEO’s perfect executive assistant. According to rumors, she’d been scouted by headhunters–formerly a project manager at Harmonex and their CEO’s girlfriend. After their messy breakup, she’d quit, and the headhunters had pounced.
Then the internet had exploded with her public confrontation with the Granthams and Woods.
Throughout the drama, their normally aloof CEO had frozen Ansonic’s project loan, then publicly taken sides… Even the most oblivious employee could connect these dots.
How impressive.
What a power move.
Capturing their CEO’s attention in record time.
The entire company now viewed Charlotte as some kind of corporate seductress.
But seeing her in person, they couldn’t deny her striking beauty. Her features were both delicate and commanding. her skin practically luminous, her tall slender figure with perfect proportions making standard business attire look runway–ready.
Who could possibly resist?
When she smiled, those fox–like eyes could probably make men sign away their fortunes.
It confirmed the age–old truth: in the face of genuine beauty and elegance, cuteness never stood a chance.
“So much for the CEO liking men. His taste seems pretty traditionally male to me.”
“How could her husband dump a knockout like that for some basic side piece? If she were mine, I’d be racing home
after work!”
Two male employees whispered as they watched Charlotte and Rex walk by.
Two female employees nearby exchanged disgusted looks
“God, men are such pigs,” one muttered.
Chapter 97
“Please. It’s literally their nature to get bored no matter how gorgeous their wife is. They’re biologically programmed to chase anything new.”
“Just walking hormones with paychecks!”
Their assessment was brutal but delivered with clinical precision.
The men bristled. One shot back, “If you hate men so much, what’s with your obsession with the CEO? Last I checked. he qualifies.”
The women scoffed in unison.
“Who said anything about crushing on him? I’m fully invested in him and Lowell. They’re endgame.”
“Exactly. He and Lowell are perfect together. His interest in Whitmore is purely professional sympathy. He’s definitely not into women.”
They practically vibrated with excitement discussing their theory.
The two men exchanged baffled looks.
What planet were these women living
ton?
Ever since that time the Los Angeles executive had shown up with that ridiculously extravagant bouquet, half the female employees had lost their grip on reality.
Charlotte and Rex returned to the executive floor.
Rex Rex opened a door with a flourish. “Your office, madam. The secretarial department used to be on this floor, but the CEO likes his peace and quiet, so they got relocated. You’ve met them already–you’ll be managing that department going forward.”
“Got it. Looks nice.” Charlotte glanced around her spacious new office.
The décor was
The décor was elegant and tasteful.
Rex gestured across the hall. “My office is opposite the CEO’s. Just holler if you need anything.”
Charlotte nodded appreciatively.
Rex turned to leave, then pivoted back. “Oh, right–there are only three of us on this floor: you, me, and himself. Fair warning–the boss can be… a bit much sometimes. He’s weird about people entering his office uninvited, so we end up handling a lot of the little stuff ourselves. It gets… intense.”
Charlotte’s smile tightened. “Please don’t tell me vacuuming his office is part of my job description.”
Ch
