After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 108

Hatty was surprised her boss would ask for her opinion. "You're the CEO's sister—the precious daughter treasured by the entire Tudor family. The CEO still cares deeply for you. 

"Remember when you first took over investment? Many people didn't respect you, but he always protected and supported you."

"Yes, that's true," Teresa's eyes brightened before quickly dimming again. "But now he has someone else in his heart. He's not protecting me anymore."

"Even if the CEO has some... outside interests, they're just people who can't be brought into the light. The Tudor family isn't open to just any woman." Hatty leaned forward. 

"Your status remains unchanged. The most important thing now is to reclaim your director position. Show the CEO your capabilities, and he'll change his mind."

"You make a good point."

"This Louisa person only got promoted because of the Aurora Media Group situation, right? That matter isn't completely resolved—someone needs to handle the aftermath. 

"If you secure the rights to manage this project and handle it beautifully, Mr. Tudor will definitely promote you again."

"You're right!" Teresa finally came to her senses. "I'll go see him right now."

---

Back at Cozy Community, Louisa had managed to shower with difficulty. Now she sat on the sofa wearing just a white camisole and pearlescent shorts, staring into space. 

With her injured leg making walking painful, she couldn't go upstairs to rest.

Her phone rang. Julian.

She answered without hesitation. "Mr. Tudor."

"What are you doing?"

"Sitting. Staring into space." She couldn't do much else.

Julian chuckled softly, his deep voice penetrating her eardrum—soothing and enticing at once.

"You're not angry anymore?" Louisa asked instinctively.

"Talk nonsense like that again, and you'll see if I get angry."

Louisa fell silent. He was the one who had said those words originally—why was he angry when she repeated them?

"Come over," Julian said.

"Now?"

"Yes."

This was the consequence of living on the same floor as your boss—you had to be available at a moment's notice. 

Resignedly, Louisa stood up, put on a shirt, and headed out.

Julian opened the door himself. Seeing her struggling to walk, he frowned. "Why has it suddenly gotten so much worse?"

"It's nothing." Louisa didn't want to mention George.

Without pressing further, Julian simply picked her up and carried her to the living room. 

Louisa wasn't surprised—every time he saw her, she was injured. She'd grown accustomed to it.

When they reached the living room, she realized they weren't alone. Teddy and Teresa were also there. 

Teresa, having heard Julian's indulgent tone on the phone and now watching him carry Louisa, looked utterly displeased.

Julian set Louisa down on the sofa. Fresh from her shower, she wore a mermaid-style shirt ensemble. 

The buttons of her blouse were open, and the pearlescent fabric shimmered with dreamlike iridescence under the lights—sometimes rippling with pink-purple hues, sometimes with icy blue tones, like mermaid scales capturing the heart. 

The high-waisted shorts elongated her legs, and the thin, slightly transparent material of her shirt moved gracefully with her movements, creating an effect both relaxed and enticing.

Teresa watched with teeth nearly grinding in jealousy. "Ms. Forbes, is it appropriate to dress like this when visiting your boss's home?"

Louisa couldn't believe this. With a half-smile, she replied, "Thanks for your concern, Ms. Hughes, but maybe you should focus more on your work."

Teresa felt provoked and immediately lost her temper. "I'm your direct superior. Can't I say something? Besides, dressed like that—aren't you just trying to seduce men?"

"Enough!" Julian's sharp command cut through the air as he gave Teresa a warning look. "If you have business, state it quickly. If not, leave. This isn't a place for your temper tantrums."

Teresa felt deeply wronged while Louisa finally understood—Teresa was jealous of her? 

She and Julian had no relationship, so why were both George and Teresa acting this way? She couldn't be bothered to explain.

Teresa looked at Julian with resentful eyes. "You haven't responded to what I said earlier. Now you've called her over—what does that mean? Are you planning to give her the authority to handle the aftermath of this situation?"

"Why shouldn't I?" His cold response wounded Teresa again. She didn't know when he had stopped speaking kindly to her.

Suppressing her anger, Teresa tried to reason with him. "I know you blame me for not handling the Aurora Media Group situation well. I accept that, and I accept the demotion. 

"But I'm still the deputy director of the investment department, and I'm trying my best to make amends..."

Listening from the side, Louisa was surprised to learn that Teresa had been demoted because of the Aurora Media Group project. 

Now she understood—Teresa wanted to perform well in front of Julian, so she'd come here hoping to regain control over the aftermath of the situation.

Teddy had placed a cup of coffee beside her, and the aroma wafted into her nostrils. 

Louisa picked it up and sipped it leisurely, much more interested in her coffee than in the farce. 

Teresa grew increasingly agitated as she spoke. Her point boiled down to one thing: Julian should give her the authority to handle the project's aftermath, and only her. As for Louisa, she wasn't qualified.

Julian listened without speaking. Finally, he looked at Louisa. "Do you have anything to say?"

With that single question, Teresa's face turned pale. After all her arguments, he still wanted to give the project to Louisa? 

She clenched her fists tightly, looking at Louisa with poisonous eyes, as if warning her: "Dare to compete with me, and you'll see what happens."