The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

ARIA

The clock was ticking. A week had already gone. I made myself shut the feelings off and dove straight back into work. The Nouvelle Retail

Group’s grand opening was about to begin, and my nerves were frayed. Every detail had to be perfect-there was no room for error. Staff

rushed around making final preparations while media crews took their positions. VIP guests would arrive any moment. This wasn’t just

another corporate launch-it was my declaration of independence.

Suddenly, the crowd noise shifted like someone had flipped a switch. People started nudging each other and pointing toward the entrance.

Crap. I knew that reaction.

Victoria strutted in wearing what had to be this season’s Chanel, with enough diamonds to fund a small country. Behind her, Emma floated in wearing a flowy white dress with a delicate mask covering her face-going for that whole “too pure for this world” vibe that

made me want to gag.

“Jessica, I muttered. “Security. Code yellow.”

“On it,” she whispered back, already texting.

Emma spotted me and made a beeline over, dragging her storm cloud Victoria behind her.

“Arya!” Emma’s voice dripped fake sweetness. “What a cute little event you’ve put together! We just had to stop by and wish you luck.”

I kept my retail smile firmly in place. “How thoughtful. Though I wasn’t expecting guests who’d rather see me crash and burn than

succeed.

Emma’s eyes widened just a fraction. Bullseye.

Jessica snorted, then covered it with a fake cough.

Victoria stepped forward, ditching the pretense. “Cut the crap. I’m here to watch you fail spectacularly. By tonight, nobody in this town will take you seriously!”

“Security’s pretty tight today,” I said casually. “Be a shame if the Morgan princess got tossed out on her ass in front of all these cameras.”

Victoria’s face turned an impressive shade of red. “You wouldn’t dare-

A commotion at the entrance cut her off. A fleet of black luxury cars pulled up outside. The crowd parted like the Red Sea as security guys in identical black suits formed a human corridor.

“Holy shit,” Jessica whispered. “Is that-

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14:25 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 179

Morgan Enterprise,’ someone nearby gasped.

Jack emerged carrying flowers and a wrapped gift box. I watched with grim amusement as half my guests suddenly developed an interest

in gravitating toward Jack, abandoning me faster than rats from a sinking ship.

Jack ignored them all, walking straight to me. “Ms. Arya,” he said formally. “Mr. Morgan sends his congratulations and these gifts. His

exact words were tremendous success and making your name known everywhere.”

The silence that followed was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Everyone had expected a corporate war, not a peace offering.

Those same guests who’d ditched me seconds ago now awkwardly shuffled back, looking anywhere but at my face.

Victoria looked like she’d been slapped. “This is bullshit! Jack, you’re just my brother’s lapdog.”

Jack turned to her with ice in his eyes. “Miss Morgan, I assume you’re also here to say congrats to Ms. Arya? No? Then maybe keep those

thoughts to yourself.”

Victoria sputtered incoherently.

Emma swooped in, all damage control. “Victoria, honey, not here,” she murmured, then flashed me a practiced smile. “We’re all just supporting female entrepreneurs, right?”

But her eyes told a different story. She was relieved Blake hadn’t shown up himself. Interesting.

I took the flowers and gift, inhaling deeply. Blue orchids and white lilies-my favorites. Wait a minute.

“Thanks, Jack. Tell Mr. Morgan I appreciate it.” I kept my voice neutral, but my brain was racing.

Blake wouldn’t send Jack with my favorite flowers. That wasn’t his style. Unless-

My eyes scanned the plaza automatically, focusing on the shadowy spots. There-by the concrete pillar-stood a tall figure in dark clothes and a baseball cap.

Blake.

Our eyes locked for a split second. His expression froze like a deer in headlights. I quickly looked away, pretending I hadn’t seen him, but my heart hammered against my ribs.

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