Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 159

Evelina’s face had turned pale long ago. At those words, she jerked her hand out of Dean’s grip and bolted for the balcony, covering her mouth like she was about to burst into tears.

“Eve!” Dean shot Emmy a glare that could kill before chasing after her.

His voice echoed in the hallway, desperate. “Don’t get the wrong idea, Eve! I just can’t stand how fake she acts. You know it’s always been you I love!”

Claudia folded her arms and looked at Emmy with a cold, judgmental stare. “You’ve got a sharp tongue, but that’s all it is—just bravado. You have your husband now, Dean has my daughter. Maybe it’s time for you to back off and stop clinging to him.”

Emmy’s jaw clenched, her anger boiling over. She was ready to snap back, but James just let out a quiet laugh.

He wrapped her cold hand in both of his, his warmth steady and calming. He looked Claudia straight in the eye.

“You’re pretty good at talking yourself, but it’s funny how blind you are. Can’t you see who’s actually chasing who?”

Claudia’s eyes narrowed, her glare sharp as knives.

But James just leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed, radiating a calm confidence that seemed unshakeable. Even Claudia, who’d seen just about everything, looked a little unsettled.

Cooper suddenly jabbed a finger at James, his voice rising. “You freeloading pretty boy, who do you think you are, talking to Mrs. White like that?”

He whirled on Emmy, face twisted in disgust. “Control your little troublemaker! Not everyone gets to talk back to Mrs. White!”

Then, just as fast, Cooper plastered on a fake smile and turned to Claudia. “Mrs. White, I’m sorry for the wait. Who knows how long we’ll be stuck here. Why don’t we head down to the lounge? I’d love to discuss the details of our partnership with you.”

Claudia shot Emmy one last icy look, gave a snort, and marched off in her heels with Cooper right behind.

Emmy glared at their retreating backs, her hands balled so tight her nails dug into her palms.

She muttered, almost too quiet to hear, “Mom’s still in surgery… How can he… how can he be with another woman right now…”

There’s no way they’re just business partners. No way.

Suddenly, James’s hand closed gently over her fist, prying her fingers open one by one.

He glanced down at the angry red marks left by her nails. “Your nails are getting too long. Don’t squeeze so hard next time, you’ll hurt yourself.”

He rubbed her palm, slow and gentle, his touch soothing away the pain.

Emmy couldn’t hold back anymore. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

She stared at the doors to the operating room, praying silently. Mom, please, please be okay…

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