The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 130

120 AQUITIESSIUTTallu a Genuenan S Care

The formality of his words contrasted with the warmth of his touch, leaving me confused and hoping for something I couldn’t quite name.

130 The Calculated Trap

130 The Calculated Trap

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Hazel’s POV

The heat of Sebastian’s touch lingered on my skin long after I stepped out of his car. My heart drummed an irregular beat as I waved goodbye, watching his Bentley merge back into traffic.

For a moment, I stood frozen on the sidewalk, processing what had just happened between us. That unexpected tenderness. The way his eyes had held mine. His promise to be in my corner.

“Pull yourself together,” I muttered, forcing my feet to move toward the Evening Gala building.

The security guard nodded respectfully as I entered. In the elevator, I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. The day had been a rollercoaster-from being detained at the police station to that charged moment with Sebastian. I needed to focus on what came

next.

Cherry was at her desk when I stepped out of the elevator. Her eyes widened as she jumped to her feet.

“Hazel! Thank God you’re back!” She rushed over, worry lines creasing her forehead. “Are you okay? What happened?”

“I’m fine,” I assured her, though ‘fine’ was a stretch. “Just a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?” Cherry’s voice rose an octave. “The police came to take you away! Everyone’s been talking about it!”

Great. Office gossip was the last thing I needed right now.

“It’s sorted now,” I said firmly, heading toward my office. “Has anything urgent come up while I was gone?”

Cherry followed close behind. “Several calls from the Cadwell team-I rescheduled for

tomorrow. And…” she hesitated. “Mr. Sinclair’s office called.”

I stopped walking. “Sebastian?”

“No, not Sebastian. Someone named Marcus. He said Mr. Sinclair wanted to inform you

that he personally spoke to the police commissioner about your case.”

So Sebastian had been working behind the scenes even before he showed up at the station. The realization warmed me.

“Thank you, Cherry,” I said, resuming my path to the office. “I need a few minutes alone. Could you hold my calls?”

“Of course.” She nodded and retreated to her desk.

Once inside my office, I sank into my chair and pulled out my phone. I needed answers, and I knew exactly where to start. I dialed my aunt Grace, my mother’s younger sister and one of the shareholders in Shaw Designs.

She answered on the third ring. “Hazel? What a surprise.”

“Hello, Aunt Grace. I need to talk to you about Shaw Designs.”

There was a pause. “What about it?”

“Has my father contacted you recently? About selling shares?”

Another pause, longer this time. “Yes, actually. Harold approached all the shareholders about a month ago. Offered to buy us out at a premium.”

My stomach clenched. “And did you sell?”

“We all did, Hazel. The offer was too good to refuse.” Her voice took on a defensive edge. “Business is business.”

“I see.” My fingernails dug into my palm. “Did he mention what he planned to do with the company?”

“He said he was restructuring. Preparing for expansion.” She cleared her throat. “Hazel, there’s something else you should know. Harold changed the legal representative of the company a month ago.”

“To whom?”

“To Ivy.”

I nearly dropped the phone. “Ivy? But she’s been dead for over six months.”

“I know.” Her voice dropped. “It was backdated. Harold had the paperwork processed

just before she died, but it only took effect last month.”

A cold realization washed over me. “And who’s the majority shareholder now?”

Her silence told me everything.

“It’s me, isn’t it?” My voice was steel. “He transferred everything to me, making me legally responsible for the company.”

“Hazel, I’m sorry. I didn’t know what he was planning.” She sounded genuinely distressed. “But now that the police are involved… you have to do something.”

“Me? Why should I clean up his mess?”

“Because you’re the legal owner now!” Her voice rose in panic. “Hazel, if you don’t pay those taxes, they’ll come after you, not Harold. You could go to prison!”

“And where exactly am I supposed to get millions of dollars, Aunt Grace?”

T

“I don’t know!” she cried. “But you’re the only one who can fix this. The rest of us sold our shares. We’re not liable anymore.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “So that’s why he bought everyone out. To isolate me completely.”

“Hazel, please. Can’t you use some of your money from Evening Gala? Or maybe that rich boyfriend of yours-”

“Don’t,” I cut her off, ice in my veins. “Don’t you dare suggest I solve this with someone else’s money.”

“I’m just trying to help!”

“No, you’re trying to save yourself from feeling guilty. There’s a difference.”

I ended the call before she could respond, tossing my phone onto the desk. The pieces were coming together now. My father’s sudden generosity in buying out all

shareholders. The backdated legal transfer to Ivy. It was all part of an elaborate trap- with me as the target.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. Growing up, I’d known my father was cruel. I’d experienced his cold indifference, his casual disregard for my feelings. But this level of calculated malice? This was something else entirely.

He hadn’t just abandoned me as a father. He had actively plotted my destruction.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called, straightening in my chair.

Cherry entered, concern etched on her face. “Are you okay? You look pale.”

I forced a smile. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

She didn’t look convinced. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

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