HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 200

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 200**

A moment of silence hung in the air, thick with unspoken tension, before Harold broke it with a subtle cough, a sound that seemed almost rehearsed. “Before we proceed… I couldn’t help but notice the headlines. It appears that the Callister name has been making quite a splash in the news lately.”

Daven’s voice dropped an octave, calm yet laced with an edge that cut through the conversation. “That’s a personal matter, Mr. Harold. It has no bearing on our business dealings. Have you been keeping an eye on the Callister Group’s stock? If you have, you would have noticed that despite my name being all over the media, there hasn’t been a single dip in our shares.”

Harold’s laughter erupted again, this time louder and more boisterous, almost taunting in its nature. “All right, all right, forgive my curiosity, Mr. Daven. I was merely expressing concern. You’ve been so preoccupied lately, and we’ve had precious little time to converse.”

“Then we shall converse on Monday,” Daven replied, his tone flat and devoid of warmth. “I’ll address whatever you need then, Mr. Harold.”

“Yes, of course, of course. I can certainly wait until Monday,” Harold replied smoothly, his voice dripping with a feigned nonchalance. “I was simply… intrigued about how you’re managing all the coverage surrounding you, Mr. Daven. The public can be quite merciless, especially towards someone of your stature.”

A faint, humorless smile tugged at Daven’s lips, though Harold remained oblivious to it. “I’ve become accustomed to the public’s scrutiny. My focus remains steadfastly on my work. That will never waver.”

A low chuckle escaped Harold, reverberating with a sense of admiration. “That’s precisely what I respect about you. You are calm, calculated, and always maintain control.”

“Then, you have no objections to discussing this on Monday?” Daven inquired, his voice steady.

For a heartbeat, Harold hesitated, and when he finally spoke, his tone carried a weight that narrowed Daven’s eyes in suspicion. “I have no objections. However, could we possibly discuss this in SunCity? This isn’t a matter we can resolve over the phone. It would be far more prudent to meet face to face as soon as possible. There’s a serious issue in the financial report for the SunCity project. Certain details that, in my opinion, require alignment.”

“What exactly do you mean, Mr. Harold? Haven’t we already come to an agreement on those issues?” Daven asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“I can’t convey it all over the phone. Wouldn’t it be more effective to sit down together? To devise a solution before this escalates into something more significant?”

Kate chuckled softly, a sound that warmed the air between them. “Since when have you ever been the type to give up so easily?”

“You don’t mind if I don’t stay long, do you, Mom? I’ll have to leave tomorrow afternoon. I might even have to stay there for a while—at least until things settle down.”

“Mind? Since when have I ever minded?” she replied, her tone teasing yet affectionate. “I’m already accustomed to you being away more often than you’re home.”

Daven chuckled under his breath, a sound that felt like a balm to his weary spirit.

“Take good care of yourself, Daven,” Kate said more gently, her gaze unwavering as it locked onto his. “Don’t let your personal troubles cloud your focus in business. You’re as capable as your late father—I truly believe you’ll navigate through this.”