Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 54

Smack.

Teresa slammed her ivory fork onto the table. The gentle warmth always on her face was gone, replaced by cold fury and red-rimmed eyes. “Cooper, my daughter is the best—no one even comes close!”

She stared him down, her voice so sharp it could cut glass. “You don’t deserve to be Emmy’s father.”

Cooper’s pride crumbled right then. He jumped to his feet, face twisted with anger and embarrassment. “You women—always so narrow-minded! All you care about are these little daily annoyances. Do you have any idea what real business strategy even means? Do you know what it’s like to think big, to plan for the future?”

He tugged at his tie, clearly irritated. “There’s no point talking to you!”

“This dinner is ruined anyway. I have clients to meet tonight.”

He grabbed his suit jacket and stormed out, slamming the door with enough force to rattle the walls.

Silence swallowed the dining room.

Teresa pressed a shaky hand to her forehead. She’d lost her appetite completely.

“Ivy, clear the table,” Emmy said quietly.

She got up and gently supported her mother, helping her out into the backyard. The night air was cool, carrying the scent of flowers.

Emmy didn’t ask anything. She just stayed close, knowing her mom needed space to think.

It was a long time before Teresa finally spoke.

“I found out… he moved a huge amount of money to an overseas account.”

Her voice was thin and shaky. “I only asked him about it, just to see his reaction, and he went off on me. Accused me of making things up, said it was for expanding business abroad. Told me I didn’t understand any of this and shouldn’t go poking around. That if I caused trouble, I’d be the one to blame…”

Teresa looked up, her eyes searching Emmy’s face for hope. “Emmy, is Starlight Corporation actually expanding overseas?”

Emmy met her mother’s bloodshot gaze and felt a stabbing pain in her heart.

Starlight Corporation had never done business outside the country. Not once.

She shook her head.

“I don’t know…”

Teresa’s voice was barely there, like smoke fading into the night.

After a pause, she suddenly squeezed Emmy’s hand tight. “Emmy, is Forward Technology really running out of money? I heard their cash flow is almost gone. Don’t worry, I listened to you. I’ve managed to take a fair amount from your dad lately—it should help you get by for a while.”

Emmy squeezed back. “Mom, you should keep that money for yourself. I’ll figure things out with Forward Technology.”

They sat quietly in the garden for a long time. Emmy hesitated, then finally spoke up.

“Mom, can I ask you something?”

She paused, then quietly continued, “The day Aunt Sally died… what were you doing?”

As soon as she said it, panic flashed in Teresa’s eyes. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Emmy.

“Why are you asking about that all of a sudden?”