Wife You Discarded is a Billionaire's Crush novel Chapter 29

Liliana was frantic, a storm of shame and anger raging inside her.

Cedric remained impassive, a slight arch of his eyebrow betraying his condescending amusement. Could she really threaten him? Perhaps for a moment, but could she withstand the inevitable backlash?

She bit her lip, which trembled uncontrollably. "Cedric, I… I'm begging you—"

Before she could finish, her phone rang from inside her purse. It was an unknown number. With everything happening, she couldn't be bothered and silenced the call immediately.

She looked back at Cedric, her voice cracking. "As long as you save Hale, I'll do anything you ask."

"And what do you think you can do?" Cedric's tone was laced with undisguised contempt. He didn't need anything from her, other than for her to be the meek, obedient woman she used to be. This new, prickly version of her was an irritation. It wasn't as if he'd done anything to deserve this rebellion.

Liliana was at a loss for words. What could she possibly offer that would please him? In two years, the only time his chiseled features had ever shown a loss of control was in bed. Nothing else she did had ever earned a second glance.

She lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting a shadow on her cheeks.

Cedric leaned back against the desk and tilted her chin up with his hand, inspecting her pale, smooth face as if she were a piece of merchandise.

"Have you learned your lesson?" His voice was a low growl, his gaze piercing and cold, systematically grinding her newfound pride to dust.

This was his way of offering an olive branch. All she had to do was admit she was wrong, and everything could go back to the way it was. The frigid air around him seemed to thicken, pressing in on her. He didn't care that his olive branch was offered at the expense of her dignity.

Her wide, clear eyes met his, dark and unyielding. She didn't know what admitting fault would mean, but it was the only hope she had of him saving Hale. She had no other choice.

"I…" Before she could speak, another sharp ring shattered the tension in the office.

Timothy quickly turned to answer his phone. "Hello—one moment, please."

A deathly silence fell over the expansive office.

Liliana swallowed hard, her eyes darting between Timothy and Cedric. "I… have to go."

She didn't know what had just happened, but she couldn't afford to stick around and find out. She turned to flee.

"Stop," Cedric's voice was laced with ice.

An arm shot out and snaked around her waist, yanking her back. She stumbled, finding herself flush against him again. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of pleading and fear.

Cedric's gaze remained fixed on Timothy. "Who gave you the authority to contact a lawyer for her?"

Timothy's face was ashen. He lowered his head, silent but feeling deeply wronged.