Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 282

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The lounge by the giant windows was filled with the city’s most glamorous socialites, all perfectly styled and dressed to impress. Emmy knew every single one of them. She’d run into them countless times at her mother’s tea parties and evening galas—the same circle of elite daughters, always at the center of attention.

And right in the middle sat Isabel, the one everyone called the queen of the scene.

Isabel wore a pale champagne designer dress that made her skin glow. Her long hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and everything about her—her smile, her eyes—radiated a gentle, effortless grace.

Back when Emmy was younger, she’d been iced out by this group because of Dean’s favoritism. But Isabel had been different. She’d always found a way to say something kind, to encourage Emmy when she was left out. Isabel was six years older, and for a while, Emmy had secretly looked up to her—she was the big sister Emmy always wished she had.

So Emmy walked over, her smile warm and genuine. “Isabel, when did you get back?”

Isabel looked up, surprise flashing across her face before she broke into a gentle smile. “Emmy? I’ve been home for a bit now. Work’s kept me so busy I haven’t had a chance to catch up with anyone yet.”

Before Emmy could say more, Mandy—decked out in Chanel—jumped in, her voice practically bursting with pride and a hint of smugness.

“Isabel is doing her master’s at Capital College, and she just got a full-ride offer for a PhD at Harvard! She’s already working with a top-tier research team on a national project.” Mandy sent Emmy a quick, pointed look. “Not exactly what the rest of us are up to, huh?”

Emmy felt a tiny jolt. She’d always known Isabel was amazing, but she hadn’t realized just how far she’d gone.

“You’re still as incredible as ever, Isabel,” she said honestly.

Right then, another girl shot Emmy a suspicious look. “So, Emmy, what are you doing at Fantasy? And why’re you carrying a man’s suit?”

Emmy glanced down at the suit bag in her hand, then came up with a calm lie. “It’s Mr. Nelson’s. His assistant asked me to drop it off.”

She knew the truth: every single woman here—including Isabel—was crushing on Mr. Nelson. They hadn’t come here by accident. If they found out she’d gotten the suit dirty and was returning it after a dry-cleaning run, she’d instantly become their public enemy number one.

Even so, trouble found her anyway.