Chapter 14

At the Michelin restaurant. As we were dining, William suddenly set down his cutlery, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and glanced at me before speaking slowly. “Arabella, actually, there’s something I need to tell you.” “You can tell me,” I replied after swallowing the food in my mouth. “We’ll be going on a business trip to Sundarica in a couple of days to negotiate a collaboration with Mason,” William said, studying my expression. “I know it might seem a bit impersonal, but you know this project is confidential, and only the two of us are responsible for it. So it’s necessary…” “I want to wrap up this project quickly and expand into the Sundarica market,” William continued. I smiled slightly. “So that’s why you asked me to dinner. Looks like this is a business trip after all.” William looked a bit embarrassed and cleared his throat. “Well, it’s not exactly like that…” I chuckled softly at his awkwardness, showing my white teeth between my rosy lips in a warm, inviting smile. “I understand. I’ll get ready.” William stared at my lips, at my face, momentarily distracted. “William? William? CEO Caldwell?” I asked, noticing he had zoned out. He snapped back to attention. “Huh? Oh… right. I’ll arrange the details.” “William, thank you. I’ll head upstairs now,” I said, closing the car door and bending down to wave goodbye. William tilted his head, smiling, and nodded. “No need to thank me. Good night.” I walked up the stairs, the sound of my heels clicking against the floor. Gradually, I heard the sound of a lighter flicking open and closed. Click. Click. A chill ran through me, and I instinctively wanted to turn and run back downstairs. “Where do you think you’re going?” The sound of leather shoes tapping on the floor was accompanied by a deep, cold voice that drew nearer. Hearing Jasper’s voice, I immediately spun around to run downstairs, but with my high heels on, I couldn’t move fast enough. After just a few steps, Jasper caught up to me. In a few strides, Jasper was right behind me, his hands gripping my shoulders and forcing me to face him. In the narrow stairway, we were face-to-face, as if even our breaths were tangled. “What are you doing?! Let go of me!” I struggled desperately. “We’re divorced!” “Divorced?” Jasper sneered. “As long as I haven’t signed it, that divorce agreement doesn’t count! Even if we are divorced, don’t forget, you still owe me fifty million.” I glared up at him, my chin raised defiantly. “I told you I’ll pay you back!” Jasper studied my defiant little face, my big eyes blinking innocently. They were clear and pure, with a hint of hurt, as if I’d been wounded by him. Clear? Pure? Jasper was shocked by his own thoughts. A woman so filthy could look so innocent—this wasn’t supposed to be happening. Jasper reached out and tapped my forehead. “How do you plan to pay me back, hmm? My little slave?” The tap hurt, and I instinctively reached up to cover my forehead. “It’s none of your business! I’ll pay you back! And stop calling me your slave! I’m not!” Jasper didn’t argue further. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “At least you still have some conscience left, not inviting that guy inside. I thought for sure you’d bring him over to your place. Maybe… to do other things too?” I felt like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. I snapped. “What are you talking about?! Get away from me!” With all my strength, I pushed him away and ran up the stairs. I fumbled for my keys, unlocking the door and quickly locking it behind me, finally exhaling in relief. “Psycho!” I muttered, glaring at the door. Jasper stood at my doorstep, scratching his nose. Unconcerned, he took out his lighter and began playing with it before striding down the stairs. Back in his car, he put on his Bluetooth headset and dialed a number, giving orders. “Hey, Declan, keep an eye on Arabella… Yeah, all the time.” He already had her home address, and there was no way she could escape his grasp. I inhaled deeply as I walked down the street in Sundarica, turning to William with a bright smile. “William, this place is truly beautiful!” William looked at my radiant smile and gently replied, “Yes, it is beautiful. But you’re even more beautiful.” I blushed, shaking my head. “Stop joking. Let’s check into the hotel.” Titan Global Holdings. President’s Office. “Mr. Jasper, I’ve just received news. Arabella and William Caldwell have arrived in Sundarica,” Declan reported, standing tall in front of the desk. “Sundarica?” Jasper raised an eyebrow. “It’s just the two of them?” Declan nodded respectfully. “Yes, they’re currently at the S Hotel. They’ve just checked in.” “One room?” Jasper leaned back in his leather chair, his tone calm as his fingers played with a lighter. The sound of the lighter flicking open and shut was faint, but it made Declan break into a cold sweat. “No, no, not one room. Two rooms. But they are adjacent,” Declan stammered, struggling to suppress his trembling voice. “Why are you only telling me this now?” Jasper’s eyes turned cold, like sharp blades aimed at Declan. Declan felt the weight of Jasper’s gaze and struggled to speak. “They’re working on a confidential project, just the two of them. Mrs. Hawthorne’s routine had been normal until she left home for the airport, and that’s when I noticed something was off.” Declan continued, “I’m sorry, BOSS, I’ve done my best to gather the information and report it to you.” “I understand. Go now. Book the fastest flight to Sundarica for me and reserve the room next to Arabella’s at the hotel,” Jasper said, slamming the lighter shut with a sharp click that made Declan flinch. “Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it right away,” Declan responded, quickly turning to leave. “Two people, traveling alone on a business trip... Arabella, you really are something!” Jasper sneered, his eyes closing in thought.