Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 513 That Sense of Acting as a Mistress for Someone Else

Upon returning to Ashbourne Manor, Selena resolved to dedicate the ensuing week to her convalescence.

The Fair family's agricultural holdings were under the vigilant supervision of a steward, who was tasked with reporting any anomalies directly to her. Her investment in Alex's television series also demanded her attention, providing her with ample opportunity to concentrate on her recuperation.

Within the dimly lit confines of the Sky Club, Alex was engrossed in a hushed conversation with Baxter Barnes. "Raymond won't be joining us tonight," he announced, his voice laced with intrigue.

Baxter was taken aback. He had made it known a month earlier that he would be returning to the States, and he had assumed that any significant news would have been shared amongst their circle of friends by now. "What's happened to him?" Baxter queried, a note of concern creeping into his voice.

Alex's eyes sparkled with the prospect of sharing the latest scandal.

"You may not be aware, given your recent time abroad. Raymond has developed an affection for a married woman and has proposed to become her lover. However, she's not inclined to leave her husband."

Baxter arched an eyebrow, casting a skeptical glance at Alex. It was common knowledge that Alex, a screenwriter by trade, had a flair for the dramatic.

"Alex, are you referring to Raymond? Our long-standing friend?"

The gossip Alex had just divulged seemed incongruous with the Raymond he knew.

Alex pressed his lips together, signaling for Paul to interject.

Paul, who had been observing in silence, shot him a look that suggested it was time for Alex to cease his tale.

But Alex paid it no heed.

believe it? Raymond, in a grand display of affection, gifted her 150 million dollars to secure her favored actor as the lead in my script. That's the behavior of a man accustomed to grand gestures." Baxter stared blankly at his

story was so outlandish, it seemed more akin to

"Paul,

been quietly nursing his drink, finally broke his silence, "There's a degree

during his sojourn

him. When the search party finally located Raymond, they found him with a bleeding arm, while the woman

he hadn't laid a finger on

to the hospital, where tests revealed traces of a potent drug, one of the most powerful on

influence, an ordinary man would

taken aback by

to question if something was amiss

Wall Street insiders harbored the same suspicions, their doubts fueled by Raymond's conspicuous silence. The woman at the center of the scandal was a highly sought-after legal powerhouse, which only added to the intrigue. In the midst of this, Alex was regaling him with tales of Raymond's romantic

responded with a light chuckle, setting his

States," he mused. Could it be that Raymond had been nursing a

by now," Alex continued. "He was all over that young designer, practically imposing himself on her. She fled the hotel in

he heard, the more bizarre the situation seemed. He decided to take matters into his own hands, pulling out his phone and dialing

family business, glanced at the flashing caller ID and answered the

"Baxter."

don't make an appearance soon, Alex is going to pen an entire novel about your alleged affair

with fury. He wanted to fire back, but the mere act of opening his mouth was a painful endeavor. The executives who had visited him that day had all kept their heads low, fearful

he could only imagine the tales Alex, with his knack