Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 473

Isabel’s fingers curled tighter around her porcelain teacup, holding it like it was the only thing keeping her steady.

She looked Claudia straight in the eye, her voice steady, careful.

“So, is she?”

Claudia’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. “Ms. Summer, you really do worry too much.”

“Emmy’s husband—James—works as a firefighter at South Bay. But that’s just the surface.”

She let the words hang in the air for a beat, clearly enjoying the way Isabel seemed to stop breathing.

“He’s undercover. His real identity? He’s the top agent in the Dragon Squadron. Codename: Dragon King.”

Isabel’s whole face was written with disbelief.

Suddenly, she remembered—ten years ago, the first time she’d seen the name “James” on Jamie’s phone. She’d laughed and asked,

“Jamie, who’s James? Why is his name listed right next to mine?”

Jamie’s eyes had gone dark and complicated, in a way she’d never seen before.

He’d said, “He’s a genius. Someone I can only admire in secret, never talk about out loud.”

And now she realized—the mysterious person he spoke of was actually a legendary soldier.

No wonder Jamie respected him so much.

But with an identity like that, it should have been absolutely top secret.

Isabel’s heart was pounding. She shot a sharp look at the calm, collected woman across from her.

“Ms. White, how do you know all this?”

Claudia’s lips quirked with a hint of smugness.

“When I want to know something, there’s not much that can stay hidden from me.”

“And since you and I both aren’t exactly fans of Emmy, that makes us allies, doesn’t it? Whatever you want to know, I’ll help you dig it up.”

Isabel’s brow furrowed.

She really didn’t like the way Claudia acted—so sure of herself, always trying to pull people into her circle.

“Ms. White,” Isabel’s voice went cold, “as long as Emmy isn’t Mrs. Nelson, she’s still my friend.”

“I’m here to make a trade with you, nothing more. No need to try and recruit me to your side.”

Claudia lifted an eyebrow, looking honestly surprised for a second.

So this was the Capital’s most famous socialite—definitely not easy to manipulate.

Her smile deepened. “Ms. Summer, don’t forget. The second you agreed to trade information about her, you already betrayed her.”

“Ms. White, I’ll leave it to you.”

She picked up her purse and stood, heading for the door.

At the threshold, she paused, looking back, her voice cool and warning.

“But this is just a deal. I hope you understand that, Ms. White.”

“After all, I’d really hate to have to tell the Cabinet about your little interest in Emmy, wouldn’t you?”

With that, Isabel walked out of the tearoom without looking back.

The door closed softly behind her.

Claudia’s face darkened for a moment.

It was rare for anyone to flip the script on her.

But just as quickly, that darkness faded, replaced by a spark of real admiration.

Isabel really did have the guts and smarts of the Capital’s top socialite.

If she could truly be brought over, she’d be a powerful ally.

Thinking that, Claudia reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number.