Chapter 282

Chapter 281-1
Gemma’s POV
The sight of Mikhail’s smug grin, he sheer childish audacity of that billboard, suddenly makes an old saying click into place with perfect clarity: a man remains young until his death.
It’s not a compliment, it’s an indictment of their perpetual, infuriating immaturity. Mikhail, or all his dangerous allure, can be just as juvenile as Cassian.
“I think I did well with that picture,” he preens, utterly pleased with himself.
“Yes! Indeed.”
I offer him a thin, calculated smile. “If you can successfully help me divorce Cassian, I’ll thank you and buy you a nice dinner!”
The smile on his face freezes, then shatters while confusion clouds his features, and I watch with a sense of dark satisfaction. I narrow my eyes, leaning in slightly.
“Cheer up. You can display it at the entrance to the Blackwell Manor, preferably for all of the Blackwell family to see!”
I turn on my heel and walk away, leaving him alone.
I’m almost at the elevator when I hear his hurried footsteps
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< Chapter 281-1 +2 Bonus behind me. His hand shoots out, blocking my path. “How about I make you a deal? ” “That’s not a good idea!” I retort, swatting his arm away as I press the elevator button. “If you want a divorce so badly, I can help you!” He blurts out. My finger pauses just before the button. I turn my head, my gaze sharp. “What?” “I can pretend to be your lover!” he says, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You can even say the baby in your belly is mine.” The audacity is so profound it steals my breath for a second. “Are you crazy?” I hiss. 66 I want a divorce, but not at the cost of my own integrity. It was Cassian’s public indiscretions with Reyna that broke our marriage. If I sink to that level, fabricating an affair, what difference is there between us? I will not have my name dragged through the mud. I will not have my child’s parentage become a lie to be used against it. Mikhail takes a step forward, crowding me against the cold metal of the elevator door. He’s so tall he blocks the fluorescent light from above, casting his face in shadow. “Am I no match for Cassian?” 2/5 15:24 < Chapter 281-1 He demands, his pride clearly wounded. +2 Bonus I frown, the pressure of his proximity making my skin crawl. I want to tell him he and Cassian aren’t even in the same universe, that there is no comparison between them at all. But before I can form the words, a familiar voice slices between “Honey, I’m here to pick you up from work!” Cassian is standing at the open doors of the adjacent elevator, his expression a carefully controlled mask that doesn’t quite hide the storm in his eyes. He’s been waiting here, which means he must have followed me. He strides over and lifts his hand to shove Mikhail’s arm away from me with a force that is anything but gentle. “Cassian! Why did you come here-‘ He steps between us, shielding me behind himself. “If I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have known your boss had a tendency to sexually harass his employees!” A headache begins to pound behind my temples. This is a disaster. “Stop it. It’s a misunderstanding!” 3/5 15:24 < Chapter 281-1 +2 Bonus I insist, pulling at Cassian’s arm, trying to diffuse the situation. “Misunderstanding?” Cassian scoffs, not taking his eyes off Mikhail. “I clearly saw it. If I hadn’t come in time, he would have harassed you!” I open my mouth to explain, but the words die. What can I say? He wasn’t harassing me, he was just proposing a fake affair to help me divorce you? The truth is somehow worse. “I told you it was a misunderstanding. Cassian. You’re the president of Blackwell Industries, you clearly have a lot on your plate. Will you stop messing around where you’re not needed?” I snap, my frustration and panic making my voice shrill. I can’t think, I can’t breathe with the two of them like this. I duck under his arm and practically throw myself into the waiting elevator. Cassian stands frozen for a second, processing my words. I spot the sting of it on his face before he quickly follows me in. As the elevator doors slide shut, Mikhail stands outside, a smirk back on his face. He gives a little wave. “Consider what I just proposed!” The doors close, and I suddenly feel like God sent both of these men to test my sanity. The question comes instantly, his voice tight. “What’s the 4/5 15:24 < Chapter 281-1 proposal? ” +2 Bonus My mind races, scrambling for a plausible lie. “Oh, nothing much. He wants me to work for the entertainment division too.” The lie comes out surprisingly smooth. Cassian is taken aback. “Because of that billboard you had with him? ” Now it’s my turn to be surprised. He actually saw that billboard already? And more importantly, why hasn’t he picked a fight with me about it? X Coin Package: get more free bonus get it B Write your comment ir Gifts 5/5 admin