After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 49

George tossed the phone to Jared. "I understand. You can go."

He descended to the parking garage and slid into his car, immediately reaching for his phone to call Louisa.

The mere thought that Julian was doing this for her left him unsettled.

But as he began dialing, the video flashed through his mind again.

He couldn't make the call.

Instead, he threw his phone onto the passenger seat and started the engine, heading for the Capulet Manor.

At that moment, Hazel was enjoying tea in the living room.

Vivian was there too, presenting an elegantly packaged set of skincare products to Hazel with practiced sweetness. "Mrs. Capulet, I had these specially formulated for your skin type by an overseas research studio. Please try them—if you like them, I'll have them make more."

Hazel was naturally pleased, patting her hand. "You're always so thoughtful."

Indeed she was.

Vivian had perfected the art of charming elders—without it, her willful personality would never have earned her such favor in the Price family all these years.

She felt smug inside but maintained her innocent facade. "You're too kind, Mrs. Capulet. Isn't respecting one's elders simply expected? Haven't Ms. Forbes given you gifts like these? That seems impossible to imagine."

She feigned surprise.

Hazel snorted. "Her? She doesn't compare to you at all. I truly don't understand what George sees in her."

"Well, she—"

Vivian was about to probe further when she spotted a tall figure approaching from outside.

Her face lit up as she scurried toward him. "George! Why are you here now? Did you finish at the office? Did you come to pick me up?"

George glanced at her without responding, his face dark as he strode directly to Hazel.

Startled by his expression, Hazel asked, "George, what's wrong? What happened?"

George threw his phone beside her. "Why did you release all that nonsense without my consent? Don't you understand what's between Louisa and me? Those things you said..."

How could he possibly explain this to Louisa?

Hazel hadn't expected that her son's rare visit would be about Louisa.

She grew angry too. "What's wrong with what I said? With Louisa's background, how could she possibly be worthy of you? Vivian is your true equal—she's the one you should marry."

"Who I choose to be with is my decision, not your concern!"

"Not my concern? I'm your mother!" Hazel trembled with rage.

Seeing her reaction, George softened his tone slightly, though his stance remained firm. "I will issue my own statement clarifying that the Capulet family has no plans to ally with the Price family through marriage. Please stop interfering—both in my personal life and company matters."

Without waiting for her response, he turned to leave.

As he did, he came face to face with Vivian.

Her eyes were red, on the verge of tears as she looked at him. "George, what do you mean? You're not planning to marry me?"

"We'll discuss this later. You should go home now."

He wasn't in the mood to comfort her and strode away.

Vivian turned and collapsed into Hazel's arms, her body shaking with sobs. "Mrs. Capulet, why is George treating me this way? Why won't he marry me?"

"What else could it be but Louisa!"

Hazel, still fuming—especially thinking about how her son repeatedly sided with Louisa against her—blurted out, "What else could it be but Louisa!"

These words landed in Vivian's ears, making her seethe with hatred. Louisa. Always Louisa.

She looked up at Hazel. "Didn't you already give that tramp $3 billion in compensation? Why can't she leave George alone? How can she be so greedy—wanting both the money and the man?"

"Exactly! Such a greedy face. I can't stand the sight of her. There's nothing about her worthy of my son. I truly don't understand what George sees in her."

Hazel grew increasingly agitated.

Watching her, Vivian suddenly calmed down. A malicious gleam flashed in her mind.

"Mrs. Capulet, would you like to save that $3 billion and not give her a penny?"

Did she even need to ask? Of course Hazel wanted that.

She met Vivian's gaze. "You have a plan?"

Vivian nodded, a vicious scheme forming in her mind.

---

Meanwhile, George, now driving away from home, had no idea about their conspiracy.

Sitting in his car, he pressed his throbbing temples.

He couldn't believe how much had happened in just a few days.

His thoughts were a jumble, unclear on how to untangle this mess. As he pondered, Louisa's face appeared in his mind. She was smiling, talking to him with tenderness that could melt one's heart.

He took out his phone and opened their WhatsApp chat, wondering if she had messaged him.

To his surprise, their last conversation had been two months ago.

For the past two months, she hadn't initiated a single conversation.

Even with everything that had happened recently—Owen and Lily berating her in her hospital room, his mother's absurd press conference—she hadn't reached out to him.

Had they grown that distant?

In that moment, he truly didn't know what she was thinking.

With slightly trembling fingers, he called her.

At that moment, Louisa was at home having afternoon tea with Flora.

Seeing his call, she didn't want to answer.

But his calls kept coming, as if he would continue until she picked up.

Reluctantly, she answered. "What is it?"

"Where are you?" His voice was hoarse, sounding exhausted.

Louisa paused, surprised. Hadn't he been full of vigor recently? How could he sound so tired?

But whatever his state, it no longer stirred any emotion in her heart.

She replied coolly, "At Flora's place. Do you need something?"

"Come home."

It was a command.

Louisa frowned. "I told you already, Flora and I are planning to—"

"I don't care what you're planning. Come home immediately, or I'll come get you myself," he coldly demanded.