The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

A sudden memory surfaced: Mom fainting the night of Charlotte and Lucas's engagement

In my determination to appear strong, I had walked away without checking on her.

I remained ignorant of her condition. consumed by the war I'd declared against them.

Grayson entered the bedroom, carrying a plate of cookies, cheese, and other snacks. He sat on the bed and casually fed me a piece.

"Mom's in the hospital," I muttered, the words heavy in my throat. "And I don't even know how she's doing because no one's told me anything

"Would you like us to visit her?" Grayson asked, his tone steady. Mr. Prescott is swamped with the chaos at his office. Mr. Reed pulled the company's funding, and now Prescott's scrambling to form collaborations with other major players."noveldrama

That meant Mom was likely alone right now, but I had already decided.

"Charlotte's hearing is coming up," Grayson added, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I nodded and started to rise, but Grayson's hand caught my shoulder, gently guiding me back onto the bed.

This pervert!

"Grayson, my body needs a break," I groaned, shooting him a warning look. "I haven't done anything yet," he murmured, but his lips trailed to my shoulder. "W-we have work to do!" I stammered, trying to focus, though a deep, growing anticipation stirred within me. "I have a meeting tonight with an executive from a company willing to support Pulse Five. They're offering an endorsement, but Sophia said the executive insisted on meeting me in person. I'm handling the contract since she's touring in Paris for the music festival."

"What company?"

"Elevate

I didn't notice the way Grayson's eyes darkened at the name, but his lips remained pressed to my neck, and his hand continued its teasing path across my stomach.

"Grayson, stop it!" 1 protested, my voice laced with frustration.

But my complaints went unheard, swallowed by the tension thickening in the

room.

That afternoon...

Wincing as I eased myself out of the car, my hips and lower back protested from Grayson's earlier persistence. He only stopped when Eliot's repeated calls about urgent documents finally got his attention.

The neon signs of the bar lit up the hood of my Porsche as I double-checked the meeting address. I considered calling Sophia to verify the location, but with the time difference, I wasn't sure if she was already resting since she was in Paris. Ah, whatever!

Drawing from my years in the entertainment industry, I reminded myself that some executives did prefer these unconventional meeting spots

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The bodyguards' vehicle parked closely behind my Porsche, so I figured I wasn't in any danger.

"Hi!" I greeted the woman at the front desk. “I have a meeting scheduled with Mr. Weston."

"Yes, his team informed us She nodded, leading me to the VIP room. "He's waiting for you, Malam"

The door opened to reveal a corpulent man accompanied by his secretary. Their presence filled the private room with an unsettling energy I couldn't quite place.

I offered a polite smile to the receptionist before she departed

"Hello, Mr. Weston!" I introduced myself and extended my hand toward him.

"Of course I know who you are, Isabella." His grin was wide.

He gestured to a glass on the table. "Please, enjoy the drink. I had it specially prepared for you."

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to decline; I'm allergic to lemon." I replied casually. After so many years in the industry. I learned better than to drink anything when meeting executives

Before he could insist. I handed him the folder containing the documents.

"I've brought the contract my legal team prepared. You can review it."

But he held my hand, holding the document, sending waves of discomfort through

me.

He immediately apologized. Tm sorry" then grinned as if he were the one who had been burned.

He made a show of reviewing the contract, flipping through pages with feigned interest. My experience could tell when someone was genuinely engaged with a document, and this wasn't it.

"I need to use the restroom," his secretary muttered as she stepped away, leaving his boss busy' with the agreement

Mr. Weston tossed the document onto the table. "I think I've had a bit too much to drink. The words are starting to blur me You wouldn't mind if I rest my eyes for a moment, would you?"

My patience was running thin, but I reminded myself how crucial this endorsement was for PulseFive.

"Isabella.." His voice lingered, his hand Landing heavily on my leg

"What are you doing? Remove your hand!" I commanded; my voice sharp with warning.

His lips twisted into an ugly smule. "Come on Isn't this just how things go in the industry? We both know what women like you are after. One time, that's all and the endorsement is yours-"

His words cut off in a howl of pain as my fist connected with his jaw

"You hit me? You worthless whore!"

His hand rose, but before he could strike, the door slammed open. I expected the bodyguards, but my heart dropped as Grayson stepped in followed by Eliot and a shaking female secretary