The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 192

192 A Rival’s Return and a Shocking Proposition

Both women stared at me in disbelief.

An image of Sebastian flashed unbidden through my mind—his gentle smile, his protective nature. What would our child look like? The thought stunned me with its clarity and immediacy. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the absurd notion.

“Are you blind?” Charlotte asked. “The man gave you his coat. Men don’t just give away expensive overcoats to women they’re not interested in.”

My former university rival looked dramatically different-plastic surgery had sharpened her features, and her previously mousy brown hair was now platinum

blonde.

## Hazel’s POV

“Trust me, living through it was worse than any soap opera,” I said.

“Are you?” Fiona’s eyes raked over me, assessing. “Word is you’ve gone from heiress to struggling designer pretty quickly. Must be humbling.”

Cora and Charlotte exchanged knowing glances.

Cora beamed with pride. “The Stellaris has been my life’s work. Though now I’m enjoying this fashion venture with our talented designer here.”

A familiar voice called my name, and I looked up to see Cora Cadwell approaching our table. Her sleek black pantsuit and confident stride turned several heads in the

restaurant.

It took me a moment to recognize her. “Fiona Xu.”

“We ran into each other there. Complete coincidence.”

The sneering voice cut through our conversation like a knife. I looked up to see a woman standing beside our table, her face perfectly made up, her body draped in designer clothing that screamed new money.

Cora started to rise, but I placed a hand on her arm.

12:22

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192 A Rival’s Return and a Shocking Proposition

“Leave me for my dying stepsister and then try to win me back when he realized he’d been played?” I supplied dryly, taking a sip of water.

“I’ve always been a designer first, Fiona,” I replied evenly. “My circumstances have changed, but I haven’t.”

“A child,” Cora repeated calmly, spearing a piece of her salad. “You’re thirty-one, successful, and single. Your toxic family would inherit everything if something happened to you.”

“Well, well, well. Hazel Shaw eating in a restaurant she can actually afford. Times have changed.”

“I’m not,” I lied.

“Jesus,” Charlotte whispered. “That’s beyond soap opera drama.”

“I haven’t had time to update my will,” I admitted. The thought of Harold and Tanya getting their hands on anything of mine made me feel physically ill.

“She’s thinking about Sebastian,” Cora declared triumphantly.

Charlotte studied me with shrewd eyes. “You’re thinking about someone specific as a potential father, aren’t you?”

The restaurant had grown quieter, neighboring tables subtly listening to our exchange. This was a calculated public humiliation.

The waiter appeared, taking our drink orders-sparkling water for me, wine for Cora

and Charlotte.

I choked on my water. “Excuse me?”

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “Yes.”

“Sorry I’m late,” she said, sliding into the booth beside me. She extended her hand to Charlotte. “Cora Cadwell, Hazel’s new business partner and old friend.”

Charlotte nodded slowly. “She’s not wrong. Your father and stepmother are still legally your next of kin, right?”

“That’s so generous of you, Fiona. We’ll take you up on that offer.”

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Return and a Shocking Proposition

Instead, I smiled serenely and looked directly into her eyes.

“It’s impossible anyway,” I said firmly. “Someone like Sebastian wouldn’t want—

08

She smirked. “Just saying hello to an old classmate. I heard about your divorce and your family’s… financial adjustments.”

“The divorce, yes. The Sebastian situation, not yet.”

Our drinks arrived, providing a welcome distraction from my embarrassment. We ordered our meals, and I steered the conversation toward Charlotte’s life in Paris.

I stiffened. News of my father’s company collapse had made business headlines last month.

Fiona laughed. “Always so dignified. That’s why it was so delicious watching you fall.” She gestured to our table. “Let me pick up your check tonight. Consider it my treat to an old… friend in need.”

Charlotte’s eyes were still wide with disbelief. “But you and Alistair were together for six years! How does someone just…” She waved her hands, searching for words.

“That’s… not something I’ve considered,” I said carefully.

“Divorced after three months,” I confirmed as Charlotte and I settled into a corner booth at Cora’s favorite upscale restaurant. “The marriage was a mistake from the start.”

“Surprised I clean up so well?” she asked, noting my stare. “Not all of us were born with your natural beauty, but money fixes everything”

Charlotte leaned forward eagerly. “Sebastian situation? Is that whose coat you were wearing?”

“Airport?” Cora asked.

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