Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

When business gets personal

(ARIELLE'S POV.)

The air around grew awkwardly thin and very silent.

Neither of us knew how best to react to the situation. I looked around the parking lot for no reason in particular, marking the time until it was okay for me to leave without looking any silly than I felt for walking up to their car to begin with. Tiana looked even more flustered

than I imagined I'd appeared before them. Jared's lips were drawn in a stiff line.

"Arielle.. we umm.. I.. Good morning," he managed to find his voice with a terrible stutter.

"I guess we'll just continue this conversation when you return," Tiana shrugged with a placating smile.

Jared ignored her comment and climbed down from the car. He had a stern face when he spoke up again. "I've just ordered you a ride, Tiana. Go back home."

I took the hint and excused myself from the side of the car. Jared fell into stride beside me as we walked across the parking lot to the entrance of my restaurant.

"...Hi," Jared tried to start a conversation. But I grunted an inaudible reply as I doubled my pace.

"Woah. Slow down," he said with a cheesy smile.

I only slowed down at the entrance to the restaurant and he caught up with me.

"What's up with you though? You're acting funny," he tried teasing.

I couldn't help myself. "I don't know... Am I in some sort of trouble now that your fiancée knows where you've been for the last couple of days?" I shot back, layering as much sarcasm into my words as I could manage.

I didn't need to look at him to know I'd hit a sore spot. His frown was practically visible without me turning around. But did I care? Not at this moment.

His voice softened, turning serious. "I

I nodded in response to their greetings and ignored Jared completely, as I made small talk with one of them even though I

"I'm not interested in hearing it, Jared. Let's keep our conversations strictly

hurt on his face as I turned around to let myself

in the room. They both sprang up from their seats the moment I walked in with Jared and

had my head wrapped up

money, and I don't like to waste it."

and flipped through his notes before answering. "Sure. Since we started, we've covered two

expression remained serious. "And what do

but he held his ground. "Well, um... financial health involves understanding profit margins, cash flow, and making projections using financial metrics," he began. "And branding... well, it's about building a consistent image and identity

head. "Not bad. But you were clearly reading off your notes," he teased. "Try not to rely on them so much, Stephen. It's a good habit

comment further, I interjected smoothly, "In more detail, we've been focusing on understanding profit margins, analyzing cash flow, and making projections based on financial metrics, among other things." "Arielle? I didn't say you could answer," Jared said as he turned

big deal? You're the one who said your time is valuable, so why don't we just get

smile, but the atmosphere shifted slightly. He leaned

out one

silence. It was clear neither of them

get back to it then." He paused, clearly weighing his next words. "You know, Arielle... I think you've been running your business a bit inefficiently lately,"

at your financial books," he said. "What have you done with your money over the last couple of

he was doing from this

records are in the last

I smiled gratefully

a look of triumph. I scrolled

the balance sheet

about to let Jared get away with pointing

report.

the

we here? Just one look at this and I could tell