After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 34

Flora and Sadie followed Louisa's gaze toward Julian, immediately noticing where his attention had fixed—on their hands still resting possessively on Louisa's body. 

Though he said nothing, his cold, sweeping glance sent ice through their veins, and they yanked their hands away in perfect unison. His glare had promised retribution, as if those four offending hands might not remain attached to their wrists much longer.

Only Louisa seemed oblivious to the silent threat. "Mr. Tudor, my friends are here. You should go now."

Ignoring her dismissal, Julian addressed Flora directly, his voice cool as winter rain. "Take care of her."

"Yes, sir!" Flora instinctively stood ramrod straight, practically vibrating with tension, just short of offering him a military salute.

With a curt nod and one final, lingering glance at Louisa, Julian departed without another word. Sadie released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

She turned to question Louisa about the day's events when she noticed Flora—still frozen in her rigid posture, expression deadly serious as she stared at the empty doorway where Julian had disappeared. Sadie and Louisa exchanged puzzled glances.

"Hey, Flora, you okay?" Sadie tugged at her sleeve.

Flora blinked back to reality, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Mr. Tudor just... spoke to me."

"Haven't you known him since childhood?" Sadie asked, confusion creasing her brow. "Is him talking to you really that strange?"

"You don't understand." Flora's voice held genuine awe. "Wallace and I have been trailing behind him like devoted shadows for over twenty years, and he's never said a single word to me. Today was the first time."

"Is he really that standoffish?" Sadie questioned.

Louisa frowned. "I wouldn't think so." Wasn't Julian rather gentle in his own way?

"How is that hard to believe?" Flora huffed, indignation coloring her cheeks.

"He's never spoken to you? Not once in all those years?" Sadie pressed, curiosity piqued.

Flora considered this. "Well, saying he never spoke isn't entirely accurate. He did say one thing..."

Louisa and Sadie nodded simultaneously. "See? We knew it couldn't be possible."

"He said Wallace and I standing together in our underwear looked like Dora and Diego from Dora the Explorer."

A beat of stunned silence passed before Louisa and Sadie erupted into peals of laughter, the sound spilling through the hospital room.

Outside at the elevator, Julian's head turned at the musical sound of Louisa's laughter echoing from her room.

Teddy shook his head in amazement. "Ms. Forbes must have nerves of steel. Nearly dies today and she's still laughing? I'm shocked she actually set fire to her own home—that's extreme! Mr. Tudor, are you certain you want someone like her at our Tudor Group?"

Julian's gaze cut to him, sharp as a blade. "If it weren't for her refuse-to-surrender spirit, do you think the Capulet Group would have risen from nowhere in just a few years to become an industry leader?"

Teddy froze, studying his boss's face. Was it his imagination, or did something tender flicker in those usually impenetrable eyes when they spoke of her?

---

Meanwhile, Bob arrived with a feast fit for royalty: steaming oatmeal porridge, chicken soup rich with herbs, artisanal sandwiches, and various delicate side dishes arranged with care. The spread was overwhelming—far too much even for the three women to finish.

"Bob, you shouldn't have gone to such trouble," Louisa said, her eyes widening at the display. "Why so much food?"

Bob's weathered face crinkled with a smile. Julian had personally commanded it—how could he possibly deliver anything less than perfection?

"I wasn't sure what might tempt your appetite, Ms. Forbes," he explained warmly. "Everything's from the Tudor Group's finest restaurants—healthy, nutritious, and prepared with care. Please, ladies, enjoy."

"Thank you, Bob," Flora beamed at him with genuine gratitude.

Bob, with the paternal air of a man who'd seen five decades of life, waited patiently until they'd eaten their fill before efficiently clearing away the dishes, leaving the three women alone once more.

The moment the door closed, Sadie pounced. "Spill everything! What's going on between you and Mr. Tudor? He's treating you like you're precious to him. Is he—"

"Stop right there!" Louisa cut her off, knowing exactly where that dangerous train of thought was heading.

Seeing her friends' eager expressions wouldn't be denied, Louisa reluctantly recounted everything since the previous night. As her tale unfolded, her friends' curiosity morphed into righteous fury, both women leaping to their feet.

"Has George completely lost his mind?" Flora seethed, hands clenched into fists. "What gives him the right to imprison you like some fairy-tale villain?"

Sadie's face flushed with anger. "Let's not even mention his cheating. Just consider your professional contribution—if it weren't for you repeatedly risking everything seven years ago, would his precious Capulet Group have risen from bankruptcy to industry dominance in just three years?

"He witnessed all your sacrifices, and what was your reward? When success came, everyone else celebrated with promotions and bonuses while you were demoted to glorified servant, catering to his every whim.

"Now you've finally broken free, and he won't even let you find new work? What the hell does he think you are—his property?"

Louisa's lips curved in a bitter smile. "That's just how the world works. A good horse is sold after plowing; a loyal dog is cooked after hunting—history has always shown us this outcome."

"But you're not just an employee—you're his wife!" Sadie protested, her voice breaking with indignation.

"Not for much longer," Louisa replied, her voice like silk over steel.

This was precisely why she hadn't wanted to create a scene. She saw through George completely now and harbored no illusions about the man she'd married. In just over ten days, their contract would end.

She only needed to endure a little while longer before claiming her freedom.

Sadie nodded, determination hardening her features. "You're right. In less than two weeks, we'll be celebrating your liberation. Then we'll tell him to get lost—permanently!"

But Flora couldn't contain her fury. With a growl of frustration, she kicked over a chair and stormed toward the door, her entire body vibrating with rage.

"Where are you going?" Louisa called after her, alarm flashing in her eyes.