Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 290

A subtle smile tugged at the corner of James’s mouth as he scanned the room. His voice was low and commanding, making it clear there was no room for debate. “We’re pushing back the launch of Letter from the Other Side by one week.”

“In the meantime, everyone here will be following her plan for system optimization. Work with her and do it her way.”

The room went silent. Frustration flickered on a few faces, but nobody dared say a word.

The CTO was the first to break the tension. “Understood, Mr. Nelson. We’ll support Ms. Lincoln and make sure we get it done.”

James’s gaze swept across the team, finally landing on a workstation near the wall that hadn’t been claimed.

“You’ll sit over there,” he said, chin tilting toward the spot.

Emmy followed his line of sight and nodded.

Honestly, she hadn’t expected to be thrown into the thick of it herself, stuck here day after day. But what could she do? The only way out was through, and the faster she finished, the better.

She turned to the team. “Let’s get started. I’ll draft an optimization plan and share it for your input.”

She headed straight for the workstation, sat down, powered up, and dove right in. Everything else melted away. Right now, all that mattered was getting the core architecture nailed down. As for the actual coding, that could be left to the others—they were more than capable.

James didn’t leave.

He lingered, quietly watching Emmy as she worked, her side profile lit by the glow of the screen. Her lips were pressed together in focus, dimples hidden, her whole expression serious—almost like she was in prayer.

For just a second, something gentle and unguarded flickered in his usually sharp eyes.

“James, is there anything I can help with?”

He hadn’t even noticed Isabel come in. She was standing at his side, looking up at him with hope shining in her eyes.

The softness in James’s gaze disappeared instantly.

He frowned and turned to her, voice cool and distant. “Come with me.”

Isabel’s whole face lit up. She lifted her skirt and hurried after him.

The moment the office door closed behind them, James’s voice turned ice cold.

“When did you get back?”

The smile vanished from Isabel’s face, her cheeks draining of color.

She hadn’t expected that. She’d snuck back into the country quietly, only coming to see him after everything was settled. But so many people knew she was back—if he’d cared, even a little, how could he not know?

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