The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 84

Chapter 75: Caleb’s Support

Caleb POV

+25 Points

I watched Bella leave Richard’s office building and knew she was about to crash hard. She always did after a big victory, the adrenaline wearing off and leaving her hollow.

I’d seen it happen during the expansion, during her acquisition, during every triumph she’d had. She’d win brilliantly, then retreat into herself like she didn’t deserve success.

My phone buzzed with a message from my assistant: “Ms. Hart requested full financial analysis of Hart Industries by EOD. Should I prepare it?”

“Already done,” I typed back. “Send it to her directly.”

I’d had my team analyzing Hart Industries for weeks, since the moment I realized Richard might make a move. I knew every debt, every asset, every weakness. When Bella was ready to rebuild what she’d taken, she’d have everything she needed.

Because that was what you did for the people you loved. You prepared for battles they didn’t even know were coming.

I arrived back at the penthouse to find Tom and Maya in the living room, building what appeared to be a penguin palace out of every pillow in the house.

“Daddy!” Tom scrambled over the pillows to reach me. “Look what we made! It’s where the emperor lives!”

“Very impressive.” I lifted him up. “Did you save the emperor from the leopard seals?”

“Always! Leopard seals are mean.” Tom wrapped his arms around my neck. “When is Mommy coming home?”

“Soon, buddy. She had some important work to finish.”

“Is she sad?” Tom’s grey eyes, so much like mine, looked worried. “She looked sad this morning.”

This kid was too perceptive. “She’s not sad, just busy. But I bet when she gets home, she’d love to see your penguin palace.”

Maya stood, brushing off her jeans. “How did it go with Richard?”

“Bella destroyed him.” I couldn’t keep the pride out of my voice. “Took his company, his position,

everything. He won’t be a problem anymore.”

“Good,” Maya said fiercely. “He deserves worse for what he did to her.”

“Agreed, but Bella doesn’t need worse. She needs him gone, and now he is.”

After Maya left, Tom and I made tried making dinner together. Well, I made microwaved the food made by the housekeeper while Tom narrated the process and added helpful suggestions like putting

dinosaur-shaped nuggets in the pasta.

“Dinosaurs don’t go in pasta, buddy.”

3

Chapter 75 entelys Support

“Why not? Penguins probably eat pasta if they could.”

*Penguins eat fish.”

“Fish-flavored pasta then. Tom looked very pleased with this compromise.

I was plating our creation when Bella walked in, still in her power suit but looking exhausted.

“Mommy!” Tom ran to her. “We made dinner! With maybe dinosaurs!”

“Maybe dinosaurs?” Bella smiled, the first real smile I’d seen from her all day.

“Daddy said no but I’m still thinking about it.” Tom grabbed her hand. “Come see!”

We ate together, Tom chattering about his day while Bella slowly relaxed. I caught her watching me a few times, something thoughtful in her expression, but she looked away when our eyes met.

After dinner, I convinced Bella to let me handle Tom’s bedtime so she could shower and decompress. Tom requested three books, two songs, and a full rundown of tomorrow’s penguin documentary schedule before finally falling asleep.

I found Bella in the guest wing sitting room, laptop open, still working despite the late hour.

“You should rest,” I said from the doorway.

“I need to review the Hart Industries restructuring plan.” She didn’t look up. “The board wants my recommendations by Wednesday.”

“Can I help?” I moved into the room. “I have some experience with corporate restructuring.”

She finally looked at me, considering. “You’ve already helped enough. The lawyers, the financial analysis, the resources to track Richard’s scheme, I can’t keep taking from you.”

“You’re not taking, I’m offering.” I sat in the chair across from her. “And Bella, I don’t keep score. Helping you isn’t a transaction.”

“Then what is it?” She closed her laptop. “Why do you keep doing this?”

“Because I love you,” I said simply. “Because watching you succeed makes me happy. Because I want to be here for the victories and the crashes and everything in between.”

୮

“Caleb’

“I know, you don’t feel the same. But that doesn’t change what I want to give you.” I leaned forward. “Let me help with the restructuring plan. You’re brilliant at acquisitions but rebuilding a legacy company is different. Between your strategic vision and my experience, we could make Hart Industries into something your grandfather would be proud of.”

She studied me for a long moment. “Okay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” A small smile. “But we’re equals in this. I’m not your charity case.”

“Never thought you were.” I grabbed my own laptop. “Now, let’s see what we’re working with.”

Chapter 75 emel & Support

+25 Points

We spent the next four hours demolishing and rebuilding Hart Industries on paper. Bella’s vision for the company was bold and compassionate, focused on sustainable growth and employee welfare instead of pure profit. I helped with the financial modeling and risk assessment, mapping out how to execute her plans without tanking the stock price.

“What if we spun off the failing divisions instead of shutting them down? Bella suggested around midnight. “Find buyers who specialize in turnarounds, protect the employees, free up capital.”

“Smart.” I updated the spreadsheet. “That would actually increase overall value while reducing your exposure to those assets.”

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