The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 129

129 A Confession and a Gentleman’s Care

Hazel’s POV 1

“What do you mean?” I stared at Sebastian, my appetite suddenly diminished despite my earlier hunger.

Sebastian’s dark eyes held mine. “Your father’s company isn’t just evading taxes, Hazel. It’s a front for something much bigger.”

I set down my chopsticks with a soft click against the porcelain. “Tell me.”

He leaned forward. “Not yet. First, I need to understand what you know. This trap your father set-it wasn’t random.”

I took a deep breath, realizing I needed to open up completely. The wall I’d built around my family’s ugly truth was crumbling anyway.

“My father has always been…” I searched for the right word, “calculating. Everything he does serves a purpose.”

Sebastian nodded, encouraging me to continue.

“It started when I was sixteen,” I began, my voice steadier than I expected. “My father cheated on my mother with Tanya, my stepmother now. When my mother found out, he didn’t even try to hide it.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent.

“My mother was destroyed. She came from old money-her parents owned Shaw Designs, a respected fashion house.” I took a sip of water. “My father married her for connections, nothing more. Once he got what he wanted, he discarded her.”

“And your grandparents?” Sebastian asked quietly.

“They died in a car accident when I was seventeen. My mother was already sick with grief by then, barely functioning.” My fingers curled into fists on my lap. “My father swooped in, took over the company through my mother, and pushed out all the loyal

executives.”

Sebastian’s expression darkened. “And your mother?”

“Died six months later. Cancer, officially. But really, she died of a broken heart.”

The private booth felt suddenly smaller, more intimate. Sebastian reached across the table, his warm hand covering mine.

“I’m sorry, Hazel.”

His touch anchored me, kept the old pain from washing me away completely.

“After my mother died, my father married Tanya right away. She already had twins-Ivy

and Ivan. My home became a battlefield.” I laughed without humor. “They made Cinderella’s stepfamily look kind.”

“And now your father has transferred company shares to you,” Sebastian connected the dots. “Making you responsible for his tax evasion.”

I nodded. “Classic Harold Shaw move. He’s always ten steps ahead, always has an escape plan.”

“Not this time,” Sebastian said, his voice low and certain. “This time, he’s made a

critical error.”

“What’s that?”

“He underestimated who’s in your corner now.”

The conviction in his voice made my heart race. For a moment, we just looked at each other, something unspoken passing between us.

“Will you let me help you, Hazel?” he asked.

Pride warred with practicality inside me. “I appreciate everything you’ve done today, Sebastian. Truly. But this is my battle to fight.”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

“It does,” I insisted gently. “My whole life, people have taken from me-my father, Tanya, Ivy, even Alistair. I need to win this on my own terms.”

Sebastian studied me, seeming to weigh my determination. Finally, he nodded. “I respect that. But know that I’m here, whatever you need.”

L

A waiter approached with fresh tea, temporarily halting our conversation. When we were alone again, I noticed Sebastian hadn’t touched his food.

“You’re not eating,” I pointed out.

His lips curved in a slight smile. “I had lunch earlier. This was for you.”

“You waited all this time just to make sure I ate?” The realization warmed me from

within.

“You were detained for hours. It seemed like a reasonable assumption you might be hungry.”

Such a simple act of consideration, yet it affected me deeply. When was the last time someone had thought about my needs like this?

“Thank you,” I said softly. “For everything today.”

He dismissed my gratitude with a slight shake of his head. “What are your plans now? Will you go back to the office?”

“I should. There’s a mountain of work waiting, especially with the Cadwell project.”

Sebastian checked his watch. “I can drive you.”

“Don’t you have work to get back to? You already sacrificed a board meeting for me.”

“It can wait.”

I finished my meal while Sebastian made a few calls, his voice a low murmur as he rescheduled meetings. Despite his casual tone, I could tell he was rearranging important obligations.

Outside, the afternoon sun bathed the city in golden light as we slid into the back of his Bentley. The luxury car moved smoothly through traffic, a cocoon of quiet in the busy city.

“Cora mentioned she’s interested in commissioning pieces for her charity gala, Sebastian said, breaking the comfortable silence.

“Yes, we discussed it briefly. It would be an amazing opportunity for Evening Gala.”

“Her events are legendary. Half the country’s elite attend.”

I turned to him, curiosity piqued. “Will you be there?”

A smile played on his lips. “I rarely miss Cora’s galas. Though I might have more reason

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