After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 35

"To pee!" Flora called back without turning around.

Sadie and Louisa genuinely believed she'd gone to the restroom and thought nothing more of it.

But ten minutes passed, and Flora still hadn't returned.

A sense of foreboding washed over Louisa. "Call her," she urged Sadie. "Now."

Sadie immediately dialed, only for Flora's ringtone to chime from somewhere in the hospital room.

"What the hell?" Sadie frowned. "She left without her phone?"

Realization dawned on Louisa's face. "She's gone to confront George. We need to find her before she does something reckless." Without hesitation, she yanked the IV needle from the back of her hand.

Sadie's eyes widened in alarm. "You're still injured! Let me go after her while you rest."

"That won't work," Louisa insisted, wincing as she stood. "Flora and George are both hotheads. They'll just escalate each other. You won't be able to stop her alone."

"Fine, but take it slow. Don't push yourself."

---

Louisa's instincts were right. Flora had indeed stormed off to find George, her protective fury carrying her straight to the Capulet Group headquarters.

At that moment, George and Caden were in the middle of their signing ceremony.

They sat facing each other across George's desk, twin contracts laid out before them. Vivian perched between them, her face cradled in her hands in a practiced pose of adorable contentment. "It's wonderful," she cooed. "We're finally going to be one big family."

George and Caden exchanged satisfied smiles, each reaching out to affectionately ruffle her hair.

Caden gestured graciously. "After you, Mr. Capulet."

George nodded, uncapping his pen and leaning forward to sign.

Just then, Jared's voice erupted from outside. "Ms. Young, you can't just barge in! Let me announce you—"

"Announce what?" Flora's voice thundered as she shoved the office door open.

Her gaze swept the room like a searchlight before landing on Vivian with undisguised contempt. "So this is the celestial beauty I've heard so much about? I was thinking of someone more impressive."

"Flora Young, how dare you!" Vivian lunged forward, hands curled into claws.

Flora shoved her aside with contemptuous ease. Before anyone could react, she snatched the contracts from the desk.

"Flora, what do you think you're doing?" George's voice cracked like a whip.

She waved the papers dismissively. "This one project, George? This single, solitary project is why you've repeatedly crushed Louisa's heart? 

"Do you have any idea what she's sacrificed for you over the years? How many deals she's secured? And for what? So you could cheat on her, hurt her, and now imprison her like some medieval tyrant? Do you even have a conscience anymore?"

"My relationship with Louisa is none of your business. Put those contracts down. Now." George's eyes blazed with fury.

"I don't think I will."

With defiant satisfaction, Flora tore the contracts to shreds, flinging the pieces into the air like confetti.

Caden gaped in shock. "Mr. Capulet, are you going to let this madwoman destroy our partnership?"

George didn't respond. A dangerous chill had settled over him, his rage barely contained beneath a thin veneer of control.

"Out of respect for Louisa," he managed through clenched teeth, "I'll overlook this. Now get out of my office."

"You'll overlook this?" Flora's laugh was brittle. "Who gave you the right?" She jabbed a finger toward Vivian. "Open your eyes, George! What does this tramp have that Louisa doesn't? If you're going to cheat, at least trade up!"

"Flora, who are you calling a tramp?" Vivian launched herself forward again, face contorted with rage.

Flora's palm connected with Vivian's cheek in a resounding slap. "I'm calling YOU a tramp. Playing mistress with such smug superiority—where did you get such audacity?"

The force sent Vivian staggering backward, her shriek piercing the air. "I'll destroy you for this!"

"Come try!" Flora grabbed a fistful of Vivian's perfectly styled hair. "Let's see what talents you have outside the bedroom!"

George and Caden rushed forward.

Caden pulled his sister protectively against his chest while George seized Flora's wrist, flinging her aside. "Enough! Get out!"

Vivian collapsed into dramatic sobs against her brother's shoulder.

Caden's eyes burned with fury. "You dare assault my sister in front of me? Does the Young Group want to be blacklisted throughout Silverlight City?"

"Your pathetic little Price Group doesn't scare me," Flora scoffed, rubbing her wrist.

"What about my Capulet Group?" George's voice dropped to a dangerous register.

Before the threat could land, an icy voice cut through the tension. "George, touch Flora again and you'll regret it."

Louisa stood in the doorway, Sadie supporting her trembling frame.

She looked ghostly pale, barely able to stand, yet she held herself with quiet dignity.

The chaos in the room instantly stilled, punctuated only by Vivian's theatrical sobs.

Flora hurried to Louisa's side. "What are you doing here?"

Louisa's gaze slid past her, focusing on George.

His brow furrowed in surprise. "How did you get out?"

Before Louisa could answer, Sadie erupted. "You absolute monster! Locking your own wife away like some fairytale villain—were you planning to starve her to death or drive her to suicide? If she hadn't set that fire to escape, what would have happened to her?"

George's eyes widened. "You started a fire?"

Louisa remained silent, her composure unshaken.

Caden appraised her with new interest. Despite her disheveled appearance—clothes smudged with soot, face drained of color—she radiated a quiet strength. Just standing there, she seemed to glow with inner light.

His sister couldn't match that kind of presence.

Still, family loyalty demanded he defend Vivian's honor.

"Ms. Forbes," he said coldly, "did you send this lunatic to do your dirty work?"