Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Confess

Ruby watched Stefan carefully. His expression was unreadable, but she could feel the way his fingers drummed faintly on the desk’s edge—his silent tell that he was analyzing, weighing, dissecting. .com

"I appreciate the candor," Stefan said finally. "But I don’t make alliances based on flattery or convenience."

"I wouldn’t expect you to," Ashford replied. "Which is why I came with proof."

He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a thin folder, sliding it across the desk.

Stefan didn’t move, so Ruby opened it instead. Her eyes skimmed the pages—and her stomach dropped.

"These are... internal communications," she said. "From Richard’s office."

"Stolen?" Stefan asked dryly.

"Leaked," Ashford corrected. "By someone who no longer believes in his vision."

Ruby read quickly, her fingers tightening on the page. "Richard’s planning to move funds from the employee benefits reserve into a dummy offshore account. If this went public..."

"...he’d be done," Stefan finished. "So would the company’s reputation."

Ashford nodded. "You’ve been trying to rebuild this company’s name. This will help you do that."

Stefan was quiet for a long moment. Then he leaned back in his chair. "You want a stake in our global expansion in exchange for handing over a man who once called you a brother."

Ashford gave a cool smile. "I want to be on the winning team. And you, Stefan, are the only one who can carry Winters Corp forward."

Ruby felt a chill run down her spine. Ashford’s words were smooth, his posture relaxed—but it was all calculated. He doesn’t care who leads. He just wants to attach himself to power.

Still, there was no denying the value of what he offered.

"I’ll consider it," Stefan said at last. "But I won’t be rushed."

"You have forty-eight hours," Asfford said, standing. "After that, I’ll assume you’re not interested."

He turned to leave, pausing only to glance at Ruby once more. "You’re a lucky man," he said to Stefan. "She’s sharper than most of your advisors."

Then he walked out, Naomi following behind. Silence filled the office again.

turned to Stefan.

said immediately. "But I trust

hand over the folder she still held. "This is bigger than just Richard’s greed. If we play this right,

"Then let’s play it

Without you, I wouldn’t be standing right now," he said after

find a way. You

What’s the plan?" Ruby asked after sometime, the weight of the folder in

turned slowly

sense

I want to know. Do you believe

hand, she still couldn’t help but wonder

his voice calm but cold. "And I believe he’s willing to throw Richard under the bus to

folder down on the desk. "Still, you don’t trust

think we

be. But as she watched him reach for the folder, his fingers brushed hers, and something

how do you plan to use him? You’re not seriously considering giving him what he asked

said with a chuckle.

with me. We need

shoulders brushing, and tried to

Stefan said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Highlight anything that connects to board

asked. "Wouldn’t it help to

lose leverage. But

eyes widened

war," Stefan said simply. "A war I didn’t start—but

was rebuilding—but part of her still felt

she said softly. "What if Ashford is still working with Richard? What if this is truly a

and though his eyes didn’t see her the way others did, they still found her—like he could sense

don’t doubt it’s a trap," he said. "But that’s the difference between Richard and me. He walks into traps blindly. I walk in knowing they’re there—and make sure I’m the one holding

small, reluctant smile tugged at Ruby’s lips. He was infuriatingly confident. And yet, with every move, he proved that he had a

start reviewing everything tonight," she

but firmly. "We’ll do it

breath caught. "You trust

never let me fall, babe. Even when everything

flickering across her features. He doesn’t even know the worst of it. That I’m not who

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255