Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 542

Abriella’s face was on fire. Humiliation hit her so hard she could barely stand it, and all she wanted was to get out of there as fast as possible.

“Hey!” Steve called, chasing after her. “Starting to realize how good you had it interning for me?”

She hated to admit it, but working with Steve had been hectic but not horrible—the clients were nice, and she’d never had to deal with a mess like this before.

But so what?

She picked up the pace, but Steve was faster. He caught up and grabbed her wrist.

“Come back and be my assistant,” he said, sounding more serious than usual. “Didn’t you always want to visit your foster parents? Take your vacation this year—I’ll go with you.”

Abriella froze, caught off guard. Then she yanked her hand away.

“No, thanks. When I open my own studio, I’ll visit them on my own.”

If her biological parents weren’t so strict—if she even tried to leave the province alone, they’d drag her right back for a full-blown interrogation—she would’ve gone ages ago.

Steve just laughed like she’d said something ridiculous.

“You really think opening a studio in our field is that easy? By the time you pull it off, you’ll be ancient!”

His words made her blood boil. She spun around, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Congrats on being so impressive! But I’m younger than you. By the time I’m thirty, my studio might even be better than yours.”

Steve’s smile faded, his eyes turning hard.

“Abriella, are you really going to be this stubborn with me?”

“You’re the one who won’t let it go,” she fired back. “Tell me, do you chase down every ex-employee like this, or am I just special?”

Steve’s eyes narrowed, and his mouth twisted into a cold, mocking smile.

“Of course. There’s nothing more satisfying than watching people who leave me struggle.”

He shoved the phone away, irritation simmering inside him.

He’d planned to wait until his grandfather passed before dealing with this ridiculous marriage, but at this rate, if he didn’t get himself single soon, that feisty little wildcat was going to end up with someone else.

—

Applewood Estate.

The morning had been bright and sunny, but by afternoon, rain was falling in cold, steady sheets. The whole place felt chilly and damp.

Emmy headed straight for the couch as soon as she got home, curling up and wishing she could disappear.

James actually got home earlier than usual, arms full of fresh groceries. He glanced at Emmy but didn’t say a word, just walked straight into the kitchen.

Ivy, ever thoughtful, brought Emmy a mug of hot milk, then slipped away to the housekeeper’s room. She closed the door and started watching her favorite mini-dramas, leaving the house quiet and private for just the two of them.