After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 48

At Vivian's words, all passion instantly drained from George.

His desire-clouded eyes cleared as he froze, looking down at her. "Didn't we agree not to discuss marriage?"

With that, he pulled away, removing himself from her completely.

Vivian stared at him, hurt filling her eyes. "Why not? George, we'll have to get married eventually. Why are you refusing?"

"There is no why. When I say no marriage, I mean no marriage."

He calmly straightened his clothes, composing himself as though nothing had happened between them.

Vivian couldn't understand how he could switch from passionate to cold so abruptly.

He was willing to do anything with her—except marry her?

"It's because of Louisa, isn't it?" she demanded, her voice rising sharply. "You don't want to marry me because of her!"

George frowned, but before he could respond, his phone rang.

It was Jared.

"What is it?" George answered.

"Mr. Capulet, we have a problem. Eagle Crest Bank has frozen the loan for our joint project with the Price Group. They're demanding a reassessment."

"On what grounds?" George's voice turned icy.

"They said it's a direct order from the Tudor Group's president. According to them, the recent controversies surrounding our companies might impact the project and create repayment risks. They need to reevaluate."

George's expression darkened to something frightening.

Without another word, he grabbed his jacket and car keys, heading for the office. Despite Vivian calling after him, he didn't look back once.

In his car, he was about to call Caden when Caden's call came through.

Twenty minutes later, they met at the Capulet Group headquarters.

In the presidential office, George and Caden sat facing each other.

"We had everything arranged for this loan," Caden said grimly. "Percy Adams, the Tudor Group's VP, personally guaranteed there wouldn't be any issues. Why this sudden reversal?

"What game is Julian playing here?"

George didn't answer immediately. Louisa's face appeared in his mind.

Her repeated interactions with Julian, and now Julian's sudden move against him and the Price Group—could it be for Louisa's sake?

Seeing George's silence, Caden grew agitated. "Mr. Capulet, we're in this together now. If this project stalls, both our companies face massive losses. What are you thinking?"

George remained silent, his face a mask of frost.

As Caden's frustration peaked, George finally spoke. "I'm wondering whether Julian's interference is business or personal."

"Business or personal?" Caden looked puzzled. "We haven't offended him professionally. Our project is guaranteed profit—he's a businessman, he wouldn't sabotage it without reason. Did you offend him personally?"

George slowly shook his head.

In truth, he already knew the answer when he'd asked the question. Julian was doing this for Louisa. He was retaliating on her behalf.

The realization made his expression darken further.

Louisa was his wife. What right did Julian have to defend her?

Caden seemed to reach a similar conclusion. "I heard Julian spent $200 million on Business Philosophy at the auction and gave it to Louisa. Is that true?"

George fixed him with a cold stare. "What are you implying?"

"With all the projects under the Price and Capulet Groups, he specifically targeted our joint venture," Caden pointed out. "He's clearly retaliating for Louisa. Mr. Capulet, isn't Louisa your woman?"

"Don't try to sow discord," George replied firmly. "Whatever Julian's motives, I trust Louisa. She would never betray me!"

His icy conviction made Caden pause.

Caden knew this wasn't the time for internal conflict.

Taking a steadying breath, he continued evenly, "Fine. Let's set aside Julian and Louisa. What do we do about our current situation?"

"Julian's justification is that our companies' recent controversies pose repayment risks. If that's the case, the only solution is for you and Vivian to marry—to show everyone our alliance is unbreakable—"

"That's impossible!" George cut him off sharply.

Caden stared at him in disbelief. "Why? You and Vivian have a great relationship. You're perfectly matched. Marriage was inevitable anyway, and now it could save our project. Why refuse? Give me one reason!"

George nodded. "You want a reason? Here it is: marriage is personal, business is business. I don't mix the two."

And more importantly, he wouldn't divorce Louisa—though he kept this to himself.

Without giving Caden a chance to argue, he grabbed his keys and left.

Passing his assistant's office, he called over his shoulder, "Jared, come with me!"

Jared hurried after him.

By the time they reached the elevator, George had regained some composure.

He turned to Jared. "Has anything else happened recently?"

Julian wouldn't have acted without provocation.

Jared hesitated before answering, "Yes, actually. Ms. Price's parents went to Mrs. Louisa Capulet's hospital room and berated her. Afterward, rumors spread calling Mrs. Capulet an adulteress.

"The next day, several prominent social media accounts posted videos defending Mrs. Capulet, as did many users. Public opinion shifted against Ms. Price.

"I believe the Price family then approached your mother, which is why yesterday she issued a statement through the Capulet Group's official account..."

He quickly pulled up the morning's video statement to show George.

By now, they had entered the elevator.

George opened the video.

It was lengthy—over twenty minutes.

As he watched, his expression grew increasingly grim.