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.

to Stefan. "Do

Stefan said immediately. "But

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

slowly. "Then let’s play

be standing right now,"

find a way.

plan?" Ruby asked after sometime, the weight of the

pressed against her skin. She turned slowly to Stefan, who

could sense it—he was thinking.

I want to know. Do you believe any of that?"

hand, she still couldn’t help but wonder if truly all

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

folder down on the desk.

But I think we use him—before he

Precise. Cold when it needed to be. But as she watched him reach for the folder, his fingers

and how do you plan to use him? You’re not seriously considering giving

course not, babe," Stefan said with a chuckle. "But I’ll

with me. We need to map

shoulders brushing, and tried

said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Highlight anything that connects to board members, or anyone who could

she asked. "Wouldn’t it help to expose

them all down in one move, we lose leverage. But

eyes widened

war I didn’t start—but one

looked down at the documents again, her thoughts tangled. She wanted to help him win, protect what he was rebuilding—but part of her still felt like an imposter. Like a fraud sitting

working with Richard? What if this is truly a

eyes didn’t see her the way others did, they

I said earlier, I don’t doubt it’s a trap," he said. "But that’s the difference between Richard and me.

confident. And yet, with every move, he proved that he

start reviewing everything tonight," she

gently, but firmly.

breath caught. "You trust me

never let me fall, babe. Even

worst of it. That I’m not who he thinks I

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