Chapter 6

"Mr. Graham." Tricia rushed into the office,clutching a thick stack of documents. Her eyes flicked toward Kayla with a smug glint.

Liam,barely keeping his temper in check,lowered his voice."What is it?"

"North Investment turned us down. They sent back the invitation letter and all the project documents."

"UJseless!" he snapped.

Perennia Group was in a bind-deep in financial trouble and fast running out of options. North Investment, the powerhouse of Trark's investment scene, had the means to turn things around in a heartbeat if they got involved.

The head of North Investment was his uncle, and Liam had assumed that being family would be enough to secure their support.

Tricia paused for a mnoment, then asked, "Mr. Graham,what now? If we don't get the funds soon, Perennia Group is done for." Liam turned to look at Kayla. Back in the early days,she'd been the one to bring in most of the company's big deals. Calm, sharp, relentless-she made things happen.

He snatched the documents from Tricia and flung them toward Kayla. "Didn't you want a divorce? If you can get North Investment on our side,I'll think about it."

Kayla snatched the documents and shot him a firm look. "You'd better mean it. Don't you dare go back on your word."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and left with the documents.

As the door clicked shut, Tricia stepped closer,clutching Liam's arm. "How can you count on her? If you couldn't convince them, what makes you think she can?"

Liam shoved her off and barked, "Don't cling to me at work. If Kayla finds out what's going on between us,I'll make sure you regret it."

Tricia froze, her face turning pale. Her expression turned brittle as shepouted."Why would you say that?She's already done with you. If she loved you,she wouldn't be walking away."

Liam's jaw tightened. He gave her a sharp look. "I don't care what you think. Kayla is the only woman I've ever loved. And if it weren't for your games, I'd never have gotten invoved with you in the first place."

Tears gathered in Tricia's eyes as she gripped the documents tightly, her knuckles white from the strain

Liam loosened his tie, exhaling sharply. "Leave.I don't want to see you right now."

Tricia bit her lower lip, fighting the sting behind her eyes. "Yes, Mr. Graham."

She backed out and closed the door behind her, then stood just outside, her face twisting with bitterness.

What did Kayla have that she didn't? Why did he still look at her like that?

At a quiet cafe down the street, Kayla sat with the project files spread out in front of her.Her brows were furrowed in thought.

Jeremy,the CEO of North Investment, wasn't going to be easy. He was smart, guarded, and far from sentimental.

But with the way things stood, she didn't have the luxury of backing off. She had to try As she stared at the pages, wondering where to begin,the low rumble of an engine caught her attention.Across the road, a black Rolls-Royce glided to a stop.

The door opened. Jeremy stepped out, flanked by a few associates, and headed into the bar across the street.

Kayla pursed her lips, grabbed her bag, and went after him.

The bar was buzzing. Music thumped, people laughed loudly, and drinks flowed without pause.

The noise and smell turned her stomach, but she pushed through them. As she made her way toward the private rooms upstairs, security stepped in and blocked her path.

"You can't go up there. Turn around,please."

"I'm here to see someone," she replied quickly

Without another word, the guards grabbed her shoulders,already steering her back toward the door

Then, from the corner of her eye, Kayla noticed a tall figure standing in the hallway. Taking a deep breath,she gathered her courage and called out,"Jeremy!"

Jeremy stopped in his tracks and glanced back at her, his face calm and unreadable

The guards froze, clearly caught off guard. She knew Jeremy?

They let go of her instantly

Kayla didn't waste a second. She hurried over with a bright, overly sweet smile.

Jeremy didn't move, hands tucked in his pockets,eyeing her with quiet suspicion. Last time they crossed paths, she had seemed to be walking on eggshells.Now she was suddenly all smiles? It didn't add up.

"Jeremy! What a surprise! I was just passing by and spotted you."

Jeremy didn't respond. He simply turned and walked into one of the private rooms withouta word.

Kayla faltered at the doorway. Was she supposed to go in? After a second of uncertainty, se followed.

Inside the room, the first thing she noticed was the man in the red shirt.

"Buddy, who's this beauty? Don't tell me she's your new flame." Dewitt Nicolson smirked, mischief lacing his voice as he threw a glance Jeremy's way.

Jeremy said nothing, sinking into the seat at the center of the room and ignoring Kayla's presence

Dewitt kept staring His eyes narrowed slightly, as though something had clicked in his mind. "Wait a second..I know that face Where have I have seen it before?"

After a while, he smacked his thigh as it clicked "That's it! I saw you at some banquet-you're Liam's wife. So what brings you here with Jeremy tonight?"

He laughed out loud, but Jeremy shot him a sharp look that shut him up immediately

"Hello, I'm Kayla," Kayla said, introducing herself with calm composure

She didn't care about the teasing or the assumptions This meeting mattered too much. She needed Jeremy's help if she was ever going to end things cleanly with Liam.

"Mind if I sit here?" she asked, gesturing to a seat near Jeremy

"Leave," Jeremy said, flat and cold

Dewitt raised his hands in mock protest. "Aw, don't be so heartless. She's family, isn't she? Let her stay. She's not hurting anyone."

Trying to steady herself,Kayla sat down-nervous,but determined

Jeremy didn't even glance her way, acting like she wasn't there at all.

But Dewitt? He was watching her closely, grinning to himself

The situation was full of irony and entertainment.Jeremy had never hidden his disdain for Liam,and now here he was, in a room with Liam's wife.

Kayla was just about to say something when Edwin walked into the room

He gave a small nod. "Mr. Graham, we've found information about the woman from that night."

Kayla's heart dropped. Her fingers curled tightly around the hem of her dress. Suddenly,the room felt too small, the air too heavy. Her instinct screamed at her to run.