The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 64

Thad just started reviewing our upcoming collection’s budget when Alistair sauntered through my office door unannounced Again

“You look tired, Hazel, he said, sliding into the chair across from me without waiting

for an invitation.

I glanced up from my laptop. “Is there something you need? I’m quite busy

His eyes moved from my face to the scattered papers on my desk. “I heard about your

family’s financial troubles. That’s a tough situation.

The false concern in his voice made my skin crawl. “How kind of you to notice. Now, if

you’ll excuse me-

“Have you thought about my offer?” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on my desk.

“The fifty million could solve everything.

“I told you yesterday, I’m not interested in your money or the strings attached to it. I kept typing, refusing to give him my full attention

Alistair sighed dramatically. Always so stubborn. That’s what I loved about you.

“Loved?” I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that escaped me. “Is that what you call abandoning me days before our wedding to marry my stepsister?”

His jaw tightened. “That’s not fair. You know Ivy is dying.”

And yet here you are, m my office, bothering me instead of being by your dying wife’s side! } finally looked directly at him. How devoted.”

A flash of irritation crossed his face before he smoothed it away with practiced ease.

Actually, I came to discuss something else. Something concerning

“And what might that be?”

“Sebastian Sinclair He practically spat the name. “What exactly is your relationships

with him

The question caught me off guard. I don’t see how that’s any of your business.

h becomes my business when my ex–fiancee starts parading around with my biggest

business rival

Eset down my pen, anger bubbling up inside me. “Parading around? Is that what you Fcall attending professional events together?

“Come on Hazel Everyone’s talking about how he can’t keep his eyes off you.” Alistair’s voice furned accusatory “How long has this been going on? Were you seeing him before our wedding was called off?

The audacity of his accusation struck me speechless for a moment.

“You’re unbelievable. I finally managed. “You left me for my stepsister, and you have

the nerve to accuse me of cheating?”

“I’m just trying to understand what’s happening between you two.”

“No, you’re trying to control a narrative that’s no longer yours to control.” I stood up. fury giving me strength. “My relationship with Sebastian–professional or otherwise-

is none of your concern.”

Alistair scoffed. “You think I’m jealous? I’m trying to protect you. Sinclair isn’t the knight in shining armor you think he is.”

“And what would you know about being a good man?” The words flew from my mouth before I could stop them. “A good man doesn’t abandon his fiancée days before their wedding. A good man doesn’t steal her wedding dress for another woman. A good man

doesn

This sort about me! Alistair’s voice rose to match mine. This is about you climbing the social ladder with a dangerous man who will discard you the moment you’re ne Jonger useful

Project much? laughed bitterly “That’s exactly what you did to me

Is that what this is about Revenge? His eyes narrowed. “You’re using Sinclair to get

back at me?

food you’re pathetic

I shook my head in disbelief Not everything is about you,

Alistain. I have a fe, a career, relationships that have nothing to do with you?

He’s using von to get to me. Our companies are competitors

“So this is about business? I threw up my hands. Of course it is. Your precious empire is threatened, so clearly I must be a pawn in someone else’s game.

“You’ve always been naïve about how the real world works, he said condescendingly

“Men like Sinclair don’t fall for women like you without an agenda

The msuit stung more than I wanted to admit. “Men like you, you mean. Not everyone sees relationships as transactions.

“Tm trying to help you!” Alistair stood up, his face flushing with anger.

Get out. My voice was quiet but deadly. “Get out of my office now,”

“Hazel-”

[GET OUT! I screamed, my control finally snapping. “You have no right to judge my life

for my choices! You lost that right when you chose Ivy!”

The silence that followed was deafening. Alistair stared at me, shock evident on his

face. I’d never raised my voice to him like that before.

After a moment, his expression changed. The anger melted away, replaced by something softer, more calculated.

“You’re right.” he said quietly. “I’m sorry. I had no right to say those things.”

I didn’t trust his sudden change in demeanor. “What do you want, Alistair? Why are

You really here?”

He ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, suddenly looking vulnerable, “I was gealous, okay? Seeing you with him it brought up feelings I thought I’d dealt with.”

Don’t I held up a hand. “Don’t try to manipulate me with fake emotions.

“They’re not fake” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper I miss you. Patel very day.

“You miss having me of your beck and call,” Feorrected him. You miss having someone

whe wichipped the gymsl you walked on

He didattery if stond, he changed tactics agin

need war helps, he admitted its by

Drevurse it was. It always came back to vy

What atstort her?

Alistan hesitated, seeming to choose his words carefully “She’s been asking about Your white kide bracelet

The bracelet. My most precious possession, a family heirloom passed down from my grandmother to my mother, and then to me. The last thing I had of my mother’s

“What about it asked, suddenly wary

“She remembers how much you loved it. She… she wants to see it before… His voice

trailed off meaningfully

Understanding dawned on me, cold and horrifying. “You want me to give my mother’s

bracelet to lvy?”

“Not give,” he quickly corrected. “Just lend. For a while.”

My laugh was hollow: “For a while. Until she dies, you mean? And then what? You keep

it as a memento of your beloved wife?”

would return it to you, I swear.”

Take you returned my wedding dress?” I shook my head in disbelief. “That bracelet is Fall I have left of my mother

“know” he said softly. “That’s why it would mean so much to Ivy:

“Because it would funt me to part with it? I couldn’t keep the disgust from my voice

Not Because it’s special. She knows how much you cherish it.”

“And that’s exactly why she wants it. I crossed my arms. “She’s always wanted everything that was mine?

Alistat looked desperate now. “She’s dying, Hazel. Can’t you find it in your heart to be

Polerous? Just this once?

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