A potential shareholder.

(JARED'S POV)

My phone rang, breaking the silence in my office. I glanced at the screen to see my investigator's name flashing. "Talk to me," I answered. "Do you have an update?"

"Yes, I do," he replied and hesitated.

"Go on," I urged.

"Unfortunately, I was unable to trail her to her house. She noticed I was following her and she made me lose her."

My jaw clenched and my grip on the phone tightened. "Is all you do is give excuses?" I snapped.

"Calm down, Sir. Please, hear me out," he pleaded.

I exhaled, forcing myself to remain silent and let him continue.

"I was unable to follow her to her house as planned yesterday, but I managed to get the address of her restaurant."

"Her restaurant?" I repeated, my interest piqued.

"Yes, she's building her restaurant, and it's opening next week."

I sat up straight on the chair now. "Send me the address."

After the call ended, I reclined back on my chair, lost in thought. Arielle was not just back; she was setting up her own restaurant? Wow, this woman was just so full of surprises.

a message. It was from

suddenly developed a cold feeling. Now

the desk, with the address staring at me like a dare I wasn't sure I had the courage to accept. Arielle's new restaurant, a symbol of her

without me, stirred something complicated

the familiar fear gnawed

want

we signed the papers, the way she asked me to leave without a second thought. My heart clenched at the thought. I could already imagine her reaction if I showed up at her

slam the door in my

waited too long, and I was nothing more than a distant memory, buried beneath the layers of her new life? Sighing in resignation, I tried to put my phone away.

I was hesitating, something caught my

in bold letters. Below it, a call for potential

What if I invested?

investment wouldn't bring me closer to her. It wouldn't give me the answers I needed.

different name,

I picked up my phone and dialed the number listed for potential investors.

new restaurant," I said, keeping my tone steady, rehearsing my

course," the voice on the other end responded. "We can set up a meeting

Gray," I said

the receptionist continued. "We'll

face as I returned to work afterward, waiting for the D-day to

was finally the long anticipated day. I paid extra attention to my look. I wanted to make a good impression and it had to start with my physical appearance. I wore a well tailored suit, adjusted my tie, and ensured my hair

sophisticated and modern, with an elegant gold plated

the surrounding was impeccably manicured

the interior design. It was tastefully designed, with soft luminous lighting, expensive furnishings, and culinary artwork adorning the walls, but that wasn't what caught

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