Chapter 43


    Chapter 43


    RAVEL


    (PRESENT TIME)


    As I stepped foot in Seattle, my heart couldn’t help but be consumed by thoughts of Hazel. With the


    uing exhibition in mind, I was inspired to find the perfect dress for her. Craftily, I decided to send it


    along with an invitation to the event, creating the perfect excuse to surprise her.


    Anxious to witness her reaction, I hurriedly made my way to her office upon arrival. However, a part of


    me was relieved to learn that she wasn’t there at that moment. I knew Hazel well enough to anticipate


    her potential rejection, and I didn’t want to risk experiencing it firsthand. I politely declined the


    suggestion to wait for her from her secretary, fearing the disappointment she might express.


    In the midst of my thoughts, both Raymond and Rose unexpectedly entered my hotel suite, almost in


    perfect unison. Raymond, being the first to break the silence. “Elenor is scheduled to arrive in Seattle


    on Thursday, just in time for the event on Saturday.”


    Raising an amused eyebrow, I couldn’t help but find it amusing that Raymond felt the need to update


    me about my own sister’s arrival. “Well, it’s good to know, but I’m more concerned about the security


    arrangements for the event,” I reminded him.


    He quickly acknowledged my point, settlingfortably on the sofa. “No worries, I’ve already arranged


    for twenty security personnel. You’ll be able to meet them on Thursday,” he assured me.


    Shifting my attention to Rose, I was eager to know why she was in my suite. Without hesitation, she


    responded to my unspoken question, “I just came back from the venue, and all the extra lighting has


    been taken care of.” Her reassuring words eased my mind, knowing that everything wasing


    together smoothly for the event.


    That’s good. “I want everything to be perfect.” I remarked, recalling the impact of the recent emergency


    conference on the – invitee response rate. “And please, make sure to number the seats for the event,” I


    reminded Rose. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    After she left, I was about to immerse myself in my work again when Raymond’s snickering caught my


    attention. Intrigued, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow inquisitively.


    Hisughter continued, and he finally looked up from his phone. “Mrs. Anne has been trying to reach


    you,” he said, and I blinked, realizing that I had intentionally ignored her calls. “She’s curious about the


    hotel you’re staying at so she can book a suite there too,” he exined.


    I stared at him with intense determination, a warning burning in my eyes. “Don’t you even think about


    it.” He merely chuckled, carelessly tossing his phone onto the sofa. “I’m sure she’s just staying here to


    make sure Hazel doesn’te over.”


    He tried to suppress a smile, biting his lower lip. “Knowing your mother, she’ll undoubtedly find out


    which hotel you’re staying at. Da mn, he was right. “So, did you meet her?”


    I yed innocent, feigning ignorance. “Meet who?”


    Raymond rolled his eyes, his confidence unwavering. “Come on, I’m your personal security. I always


    know where you are.” My lips remained tightly sealed. “I saw you pick up a dress from a Versace store,


    and I know you visited Hazel’s art gallery. All I want to know is if you met her.”


    “No, I didn’t,” I replied tly, my focus returning to theptop. “And for future reference, when I tell you


    not to follow me, make da mn sure your foolish self isn’t tailing me.”


    He argued, “I can’t guarantee that, sir. It’s my duty to keep you safe, and that’s what I’m trying to do.


    Besides, you have an enemy, in case you haven’t noticed.”


    The memory was hard to shake off. With a sigh, I eased back on the sofa, my gaze drifting to the


    glimmering chandelier. “Last week, I invited Hazel to dinner at a restaurant, and she actually showed


    up.”


    Chapter 43


    Raymond blinked rapidly, clearly surprised. “Hazel flew all the way from Seattle to New York just for a


    dinner date with you.”


    I interjected with a hint of pride, “Well, I sent the jet to make it happen.”


    Raymond shook his head in disbelief. “I turn away for a moment, and you pull off something as


    extravagant as sending a jet to fetch Hazel from Seattle.” He knew how I couldn’t resist doing things for


    her. “But have you considered the risk? What if that ba stard finds out? You took a significant gamble.”


    Running my fingers through my hair, I attempted to push away thoughts of the awkward attempted kiss


    from me. “Something did happen at the diner, right?” Raymond’s sudden question snapped my


    attention back to the present. I lifted my head from the sofa, blinking at him in response. “Of course,” he


    mumbled under his breath. “What did you do?”


    With a hint of embarrassment, I confessed, “I tried to kiss her, and she pped me.” Raymond burst


    intoughter, and I couldn’t help but admit, “Yeah, go ahead andugh, I deserve it.” The more I


    reyed the moment in my head, the more I realized just how foolish and impulsive my actions were.


    After our divorce, she offered an olive branch, and I foolishly tried to take it a step further with a kiss.


    “No offense, Ravel, but if I were in her shoes, I might have done more than just p you,” Raymond


    said, wiping tears from hisshes. “What were you even thinking, man?”


    “F uck if I know,” I admitted, feeling drained and unable to focus on work any longer. I shut down the


    laptop, kicked off my slippers, and sprawled out on the sofa.


    Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Raymond inquired, “Have you talked to her since then?”


    I lisped, “Nope.”


    “And you don’t think she’ll ept that invitation, do you?”


    “I’ll be surprised if she does.” I couldn’t continue like this, it was tearing me apart. “Raymond…”


    “Hmm?” he responded, attentive to my distress.


    “I’m considering going after Hazel,” I confessed, even without ncing at him, knowing his brows were


    probably reaching his hairline. “I want my wife back. I want my marriage back.”


    “You’ll get all of that back,” he reasoned, “but it’s not the right time for it now.”


    I couldn’t care less about the right time anymore. “She’s slipping away from me, Raymond,” I admitted,


    feeling the weight of the situation. “I saw how repulsed she was when I tried to kiss her. My Hazel is


    slowly slipping away, and if I don’t act quickly, I’ll lose her forever.”


    Raymond brought up an important point, “And what about the video? Have you forgotten about its


    existence? The very reason you divorced her in the first ce?”


    “When I married Hazel,” I began, my voice h oa rse with emotion, “I had dreams of building a life with


    her. I wanted to witness her carrying our children, to have a family together, but circumstances forced


    me to let her go after just two years of marriage.”


    Raymond let out a dejected sigh. “So, what’s your n?” he asked, but answered it himself. “To go


    after her without caring about the consequences.”


    “I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do,” I admitted, “but one thing is certain: I can’t stay away from


    her any longer.” As my phone chimed on the table, I reached for it and opened the message icon. After


    reading the text, my brows furrowed into a frown.


    Raymond asked, concerned, “What’s the problem?”


    My jaw clenched in frustration. “The ba stard wants me to bring June to Seattle for the exhibition.”


    Raymond cursed aloud, understanding the predicament. “So what are you going to do?”


    Chapter 43


    I sighed heavily, resigned to the decision. What else can I do? I’ll send the jet to get her?