No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 178

178 /200

ROMAN’S POV

It wasn’t long before a deliberate, soft knock sounded at the door. I didn’t even have to glance up to know exactly who it was. “Come in,” I said right away, my voice steady but edged with a sharpness that demanded attention.

The solid wooden doors creaked open, revealing the manager stepping inside. She was impeccably dressed, as always—her skirt perfectly tailored, her hair neatly pinned back, and a faint trace of perfume that spoke more of professionalism than flirtation. She approached my desk with careful, measured steps, then gave a subtle bow before addressing me.

“Sir, you asked to see me,” she said, her tone cautious, almost guarded.

“Yes, I did,” I replied, reaching out for the pen lying on my desk. I began to roll it slowly between my fingers—a habit that helped me focus, though it often made whoever stood before me visibly uneasy. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the turmoil at Black Corporation.”

A small, almost smug smile tugged at the corners of her lips, one she didn’t bother to hide. “Yes, sir. Everyone’s talking about it.”

Of course she had. Everyone in the business world was buzzing about Black Corporation’s downfall this week. From that smile, it was clear she was enjoying the news. And why wouldn’t she? Black Corporation had been Hale Industries’ fiercest adversary for years. Their collapse meant less competition, more room for us to maneuver.

Still, her smile grated on me—not because she was pleased, but because she seemed too pleased, too eager to delight in another’s misfortune. It made me wonder what else she might be capable of.

I leaned back slightly in my chair, eyes locked on her. “Do you remember when I asked you to find out where Lauren was staying?” I said, my voice calm but firm.

“Yes, sir,” she answered promptly.

“I requested her file,” I continued, still rolling the pen between my fingers, the faint metallic click echoing in the quiet room. “After you handed it to me, I kept it locked inside this very drawer.” I gestured toward the wooden drawer beside me.

“Yes, sir,” she repeated, this time more slowly.

I paused, letting the weight of my words settle between us. “Since then, I haven’t taken that file out of this office. Yet somehow, Ethan Black—Lauren’s ex-husband—managed to track down where she was living.”

Silence fell, broken only by the steady hum of the air conditioner.

“At first,” I said, my expression unreadable, “I didn’t think much of it. Maybe Ethan did some digging, got lucky, or maybe it was just a coincidence. Perhaps I was overreacting.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “But…” I raised a finger, drawing her full attention. “A few days ago, we attended the Black Market auction. I’m sure you’re aware of that.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied, her earlier confidence starting to waver.

“And you also know that Black Corporation wasn’t invited,” I continued, my voice growing colder. “They didn’t even know the auction was happening. Yet Ethan Black somehow showed up at an event he wasn’t supposed to know about.”

Slowly, I rose from my chair, the pen still twirling between my fingers. My footsteps echoed softly on the polished floor as I circled the desk.

“Now,” I said, stopping beside her, “the list of everything I intended to acquire at that auction—the confidential details—were also locked inside this very drawer.” I tapped the wood lightly with the back of my hand, the dull sound resonating in the room. “That alone proves it’s not a coincidence.”

I began to pace around her, like a predator stalking its prey. “It shows that someone inside this company has been feeding information to Black Corporation behind my back, thinking they could get away with it.”