The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 154

Chapter 154

BLAKE

Two days later

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The black Bentley pulled up outside Le Bernardin, one of New York’s most exclusive restaurants. Jack sat silently in the driver’s seat while I checked my phone one last time. Aurora’s ballet shoes photo filled my screen – tiny pink satin slippers perfectly positioned on her small feet. Three years old and already showing natural grace.

Something twisted in my gut. There was something captivating about this child, something that drew me to her videos again and again.

“We’ve arrived, sir,” Jack announced, interrupting my thoughts.

I tucked my phone away, annoyed at being pulled from Aurora’s image. “Any progress on Matthew’s girlfriend situation?”

“Almost there, sir. Should have solid information by tomorrow.” Jack adjusted the rearview mirror to meet my eyes.

Victoria had called about this after the Scott party incident. Matthew apparently admitted to having a girlfriend. Victoria called her “classless and graceless.” She also wanted me to handle those compromising videos. I was furious but still cleaned up her mess and gave her a stern warning-there wouldn’t be a next time.

Jack nodded. “One more thing you should know, sir. The Scott family just transferred the art exhibition hosting rights to Nouvelle Retail Group. Their female CEO, Arya, secured the deal yesterday.”

“Arya?” That name hit me like a punch to the chest. “What do we know about her?”

“Not much, sir. She’s mysterious. Always wears a gold mask at public events. No one’s seen her actual face.”

A gold mask. I remembered seeing a flash of gold in that business partner’s video. My heart rate picked up. Something about this whole situation nagged at me, but I couldn’t place why.

‘Keep your focus on Matthew’s girlfriend for now,” I instructed, pushing the thought aside even as it clung to me. “My mother’s waiting.”

The restaurant manager rushed forward as I stepped out. “Mr. Morgan! What an honor having you with us tonight.”

“My mother made the reservation,” I said, checking my watch, already feeling the familiar tension headache starting.

His smile widened. “Yes, sir. Your family has reserved the entire second floor. Right this way.”

I followed him up the curved staircase. Mother rarely called for private dinners, so this must be important. When the door to the private dining room opened, anger surged through me. I’d been played.

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Chapter 154

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Instead of my mother, Emma sat at the table with Victoria beside her. My sister’s shoulders tensed when she saw my expression, and she shrank back slightly. Good. She should be afraid.

“Blake!” Emma rose gracefully, her dress flowing around her. ‘I’m so happy you could join us.”

“Where’s my mother?” My voice came out glacial. The old Blake would have turned around and left immediately. Part of me wanted to.

Victoria cleared her throat. “Blake, don’t be mad. Mom went to see her friend and forgot her phone. I just borrowed her name to–

“To manipulate me into coming,” I finished, walking to the table but remaining standing. My jaw clenched so tight it hurt. ‘Who set this

up?

Victoria fidgeted with her napkin. “It was my idea. I just wanted to help clear things up between you and Emma.

Emma stepped forward, picking up a bottle of champagne. “Victoria was just trying to help. Please stay, Blake. I got your favorite.”

She reached for the Krug Clos du Mesnil 1995, preparing to pour me a glass. Victoria nodded encouragingly. “It’s your favorite vintage,

right?”

I moved my glass away, disgusted by their transparent attempt. “I don’t drink when I have work later. Don’t waste your time.”

Emma’s expression faltered, her eyes instantly filling with perfectly timed tears. “Blake, I know you’re upset about the dance competition judging. It was my fault, and I take full responsibility.”

I sat down, not because I wanted to stay but because I was curious about their angle. Plus, standing there made me look affected by their games. I wasn’t. Or at least I didn’t want them to think I was.

Emma continued, “I’ll face whatever industry criticism comes my way. I just can’t stand you thinking I’m some scheming person.”

Victoria jumped in, touching Emma’s arm sympathetically. “Blake, Emma has totally humbled herself for you. You have no idea what she’s going through. That Arya woman from Nouvelle is such a bitch.”

Emma gently pushed Victoria’s hand away. “Victoria, stop. I don’t want to dump this on Blake.”

I raised an eyebrow, a cold feeling spreading through my chest. “Dump what on me?”

“It’s nothing,” Emma said softly. “Arya’s targeting me just because I’m the face of Morgan Retail. I don’t want my personal stuff messing with your business.”

Victoria couldn’t contain herself. “That Arya is toxic and mean! She gets off on kicking people when they’re down. And now she’s got her claws in Matthew too! She’s the second person I’ve hated this much in three years, right after Aria.”

My heart skipped a beat. “This Arya-is she the same person as Matthew’s current girlfriend?”

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Chapter 154

Victoria nodded eagerly, completely misreading my sudden interest. ‘Yes! She’s absolutely awful to me whenever we’re in the same room.

Emma’s eyes darted between us, suddenly alert. “Victoria! Blake is a serious businessman. We shouldn’t drag him into our petty social

drama. She turned to me with a practiced smile. ‘That Arya gets off on looking down on people from her high horse.”

“You’re saying Arya… enjoys belittling others?” I asked carefully, my pulse quickening. Something about this wasn’t adding up.

Emma nodded hard. “God, yes. Biggest bully I’ve ever met. You know what she did? She got workers to harass me during a photo shoot.

They yelled at me and threw stuff until I had to leave.”

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Victoria gasped. She did that? That’s even worse than Aria! How does she get away with it?”

I gripped my water glass tighter. Something felt off about this whole thing. This didn’t sound like the Arya I’d heard about. And hearing Aria’s name again… it brought back memories I’d tried to forget. Her laugh. How badly I’d screwed things up between us.

Why was I even thinking about Aria? That was years ago. I’d made sure she was out of my life for good. But something about this

conversation, about this mysterious CEO, was messing with my head.

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“Blake? Hello? Earth to Blake?” Emma’s voice cut through my thoughts. She reached for the wine bottle again. “Since you’re here, why don’t we have a drink? You look super tense.”

The hollow feeling in my chest expanded until it was hard to breathe. I needed to get out. I needed space to think.

I put down my glass and stood up abruptly. “The room feels stuffy. I need some air.”

Emma’s smile cracked. ‘But we haven’t even ordered yet.”

I didn’t respond. Didn’t care. I longed to meet Aurora in person, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that it would be unfair to the child-using her as some kind of substitute for Aria, a way to fill the void she’d left behind.

I stood in the hallway, trying to calm myself, when a figure flashed by in my peripheral vision. I turned quickly, but the corner was empty. “Blake, you’re really losing it, I muttered to myself, disturbed by how much I wanted those hallucinations to show me Aria.

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