Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 657

That night, Emmy curled up in James’s arms, her voice turning gentle. “Hey, there’s something I need to tell you. In three days, I have to go on a business trip to Rochefield. Do you think you’ll have time to come with me?”

She gave him the basics about the ribbon cutting ceremony.

James looked a little surprised. “Rochefield? Isn’t that the poorest town around here?”

Emmy tilted her head back to look at him. “That’s right. That’s exactly why we’re putting the factory there.”

“Sylvia already checked it out. The government’s offering the biggest support there, plus the land and labor are cheap. And more than anything, once the factory starts up, it’ll create jobs for over a thousand people.”

“Young people won’t have to move away to the city anymore. They can make a living right at home, take care of their parents and kids. It’s not just about business. It actually means something.”

The pride and warmth in her voice made James pause.

He just listened, absentmindedly playing with her fingers, and murmured an approving sound.

But James knew something else too. Lately, Rochefield was probably the safest place she could possibly be.

Someone important was working there on a poverty relief project, and before that person even showed up, James’s own people had already swept through Rochefield, clearing out any trouble.

He had no worries about Emmy being there. Still, he said, “I might be busy in three days. You should bring a few extra bodyguards.”

Emmy’s heart sank a little.

“Alright,” she agreed, trying to sound casual, but she couldn’t help her nerves. “With the trip there and back, I’ll be gone for three days. Do you think Claudia or Isabel will try anything while I’m away?”

“This project matters so much. Not just to me, but to a lot of people. I just don’t want anything to go wrong because of me.”

James picked up on the tension in her voice and made his own voice steady and calm.

“Evelina’s been sentenced. The mess online has already wrecked Ben’s career. He’s been called back to headquarters to face the music, so he’s got his own problems.”

Emmy frowned. “How do you know?”

“There’s someone important in Rochefield right now. Someone she’s crossed before.”

“Who?” Emmy’s curiosity was obvious.

James just hugged her tighter. “Still, don’t let your guard down. Keep your bodyguards close, and don’t go off on your own.”

“As long as those two stay out of trouble, I should be fine.” Emmy finally let herself relax, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

Then she remembered something else. “Oh, by the way, while I’m away, can you go back to Applewood Estate and deal with that bug in the bedroom? I got what I needed, so we don’t need it anymore.”

“When I get back, let’s move back in. It’s getting weird for my mom with Mr. Aldridge visiting all the time. She never feels comfortable.”

James let out a quiet laugh. “Alright, I’ll take care of it.”