The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 313

Chapter 272: Hart Worldwide Goes Public-1

Bella POV

I walked out of that courtroom with Caleb’s hand locked in mine and Nadina Volkova’s screaming still echoing off the walls behind me. I felt something I had not felt in a very long time. Peace.

“She’s still shouting,” Caleb murmured as we reached the quiet marble hallway outside.

“Let her shout,” I replied, my voice steady. “The room is empty now. No one is listening.”

Maya met us by the glass doors, holding two bottles of water. “I thought you were going to jump across that table and grab her by the hair, Bella.”

“I thought about it,” I admitted, taking a bottle. “For about three seconds. Then I realized my suit was far too expensive for a fistfight.”

Caleb let out a low laugh, wrapping his arm around my waist. “You were terrifying back there. I almost felt sorry for her.”

“Don’t,” I said, looking up at him. “She brought this on herself. She and Rafe both.”

“So, what happens now?” Maya asked, squeezing my shoulder. “Are we going home to celebrate, or are you going straight back to work?”

“I have six weeks,” I said, checking my watch. “Six weeks until the IPO. The legal fight is over. Now, we finish what we started.”

“You’re sure you don’t want to push the date back?” Maya asked, her eyes filled with concern. “You’ve been through hell the last month.”

“I’m sure,” I said firmly. “I’ve been pushing things back my entire life. Not this time. We move forward.”

Caleb pulled me closer, his grey eyes searching mine. “Whatever you need, Bella. We do it together.”

“I know,” I said, smiling softly at him. “We do it together.”

The morning of the IPO, the kitchen was in full motion. I stood by the counter, adjusting the cuffs of my crisp white blazer, while Caleb checked his watch for the third time.

Suddenly, heavy, awkward footsteps sounded in the hallway.

Tom walked into the kitchen. He was wearing his dark blue school uniform, but clipped to his collar was a oversized blue tie that hung crookedly down his chest.

Caleb paused, staring at the tie. He looked at me, then back at our son.

“Tom,” Caleb said gently, bending down to eye level. “Why do you have your tie on? School doesn’t start for

another hour.”

“I’m not going to school today,” Tom announced, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m coming with you.”

12

Chapter 22 Mm Worldwitte Goes Public-1

set my coffee cup down. “Tom, sweetie, you have school today. Dad and I have a big work meeting in the city

“It’s not just a meeting, Tom said, stepping closer and looking up at me with dead-serious grey eyes. “I heard you and Dad talking last night. You said the word IPO. I asked Uncle Enzo what it means on the phone.”

Caleb raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what did Enzo tell you?”

“He said IPO means Initial Public Offering,” Tom said, pronouncing the words slowly and carefully. “It means the company belongs to more people now. It’s a really big deal.” He paused, puffing out his small chest. “Also, I want to ring the big bell.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You are not ringing the bell, Tom.”

“Can I stand right next to the bell?” Tom bargained, holding up one finger.

“No,” Caleb said, suppressing a smile. “The bell is for Mom. She built the company.”

“Please?” Tom whined, his lip poking out slightly. “I dressed up! Look at my tie! I put it on all by myself!”

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