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Chapter 102
102 She Loves Me!
(Jayden)
I clench my fists. Now I just have one other problem to deal with. Winona and Phillip saying they're engaged again.
T
Lance sticks his head in the office. He's my CFO again. He's the best, and I know I can trust him with the job.
"You busy?"
I throw my hands up in the air, frustration bubbling over. "Not with work stuff but come in anyway."
"Winona? Ashlyn?" he asks, concern etched on his face.
"It's a damn mess. In court yesterday, who should be there being all fucking loved up with Winona?"
"Phillip?" His eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
I nod, gritting my teeth.
"Maybe it's just for show," he offers, trying to sound hopeful.
"Not for Phillip. He's a man in love. I can tell. Winona looked comfortable in his arms."
"Damn," Lance mutters, shaking his head.
"I was very harsh with Winona when I told her I believed Ashlyn. I had to be. But that's proving harder than I thought it would be. I'm fearing for my own life every night," I say, my voice trembling with barely contained anger. "Have you and her..?" Lance hesitates, looking uncomfortable.This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.
"If you're asking about sex, no. Not that Ashlyn hasn't tried. It makes my skin crawl. I just want to get away from her. I'm glad Abby is with her mother, but I never imagined Phillip would be back."
"He is the legal father on her birth certificate. I guess that's why," Lance says thoughtfully.
"I can't believe she brought Phillip back into her life," I mutter, my voice filled with bitterness. "After everything he did, she's just going to forgive him?"
Lance shrugs, being sympathetic. "No judgment here. It's a complicated situation Winona has forgiven. you for much worse. But you need to focus on what you can control."
I nod, the anger still simmering beneath the surface. "Fine. But I'm not letting Winona get away with settling with him. I'll do whatever it takes to get her back. She loves me!"
"That sounds like a lot of trouble coming your way again," Lance warns, concern in his eyes.
"I don't care. It's worth it to have my family back with me. I swear I'll get him off that birth certificate and out of Winona's house if it's the last thing I do." I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. "You just be careful alone with Ashlyn," Lance advises, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "I think we all
know now how low she will go to get what she wants."
000
e Loves Mel
her is moving in," I say.
e," Lance replies, but I don't miss the sarcasm.
low. I know. But it's someone who can keep an eye on Ashlyn. I might be able to sleep a little." my desk.
re's some nighttime reading for you." Lance places a thick stack of papers on my
continues after I flick through the top few pages. "Financials to get Brennan Industries back. I know
don't want to talk about Phillip, but damn we need him in marketing right now. Without Winona, hing else is coming close."
lanks for the information. I'll be sure to send them both a memo to start work tomorrow," I say, more in a hint of sarcasm in my voice.
wish," Lance sighs, standing up to leave.
› Lance leaves the room, I sit down and put my head in my hands. The thought of Winona with Phillip akes my blood boil. I can't let this happen. I need to find a way to expose Ashlyn and get Winona back. here she belongs. ly phone buzzes with a message from Ashlyn. I hesitate before opening it, already dreading what she night say.
A: What the fuck? Judy is here with suitcases. So many suitcases.
grin, feeling a small sense of satisfaction, Mother is a consummate professional. I'll give her that.
J: She needs a place to stay for a few weeks. Plumbing issues.
A: She can afford any hotel.
J: I invited her.
A: You could have asked me.
J: I don't need your permission to have my mother visit
A: I don't like it.
J: It's temporary. Our family needs to stick together. Let's just do the right thing and help her out. A: Fine.
My texting is interrupted by a knock on the door. It's Daniel again sticking his head in.
J: g2g, work meeting
"What now?" I ask Daniel as I put my cell on my desk, my voice edged with frustration.
He walks back in, his expression serious. "I've been doing some digging online of the day it happened, and I think I might have something."
I leaned forward, my interest piqued. "What?"
Daniel glances around, making sure we're alone. "There's a lot of bystanders who got video footage, which looks damning for Winona." The Loves Mel
1. ay.
1 wondering if we don't look a little harder and see if anyone was close enough to get clear audio."
rely they would have come forward by now if they did," I say, doubt creeping into my voice.
aybe. But it's worth a shot. Not everyone uploads to socials," Daniel replies, determination in his eyes.
od, feeling a spark of hope. "Sure can't hurt to try."
other thought jumps into my head. "Gus had people on Winona and me. Maybe he had some long-nge hearing devices set up or something."
aniel nods, his expression determined. "Do you want me to talk to him?"
1. lo. I'll talk to Gus. Even if he has something, it doesn't mean he'll give it up without a catch," I say, ustration lacing my words.
aniel frowns. "What would his angle be?"
Gus Brennan doesn't do anything without a reason. If he has something, he'll want something in return. But I'm willing to negotiate if it means getting Winona back and proving Ashlyn's lies," I say, resolve iardening my voice. Just be careful. Gus is a wildcard," Daniel warns, his voice filled with concern. "And you can't go to Winona with any of this."
I look at him as if he's read my mind.
"If you get caught talking to her and things don't go according to our plan, Winona could be jailed. This is no joke."
He's right. This is Winona's life. I have to stick on Ashlyn's side until we have something solid. "I won't try and contact her. You have my word."
"If her bail gets revoked it means she's in jail with other inmates and Abby is back under the roof with Ashlyn."
"I won't let that happen."
Protecting Winona and Abby is my top priority. I picked up the phone again to call Gus. He better not try to jerk me around.
103 Dangerous Game