The Day I Found Her Pregnancy Test, I Sold Everything to Her Rival

"A pleasure doing business!"

Melody's lips curved into a dazzling smile.

With the deal settled, I asked, "Any interest in watching a good show tonight, Ms. Gilbert?"

Her eyes lit up.

"A show starring Bella Simmons? I'm very interested."

That evening, Melody and I arrived together at Simmons Corp headquarters.

The moment Bella spotted us, her expression shifted. She strode over, latched onto my arm, and fixed Melody with a hard stare.

"What are you doing here? I don't recall sending you an invitation."

Melody glanced down at Bella's fingers digging into my arm, amusement playing across her face. "Your husband invited me. Why? Am I not welcome?"

Bella whipped her head toward me, eyes wide with disbelief. "Honey, is that true?"

Before I could respond, Daniel sauntered over with a grin. "Ms. Simmons, it doesn't matter who invited Ms. Gilbert. She's here, so she's a guest. Business rivalries are business rivalries. No need to make things personal."

He extended a hand toward Melody with a polished smile.

"Ms. Gilbert, a pleasure!"

Melody folded her arms across her chest and let out a derisive scoff.

Daniel's smile froze.

"Melody Gilbert, don't push it," Bella snapped.

I caught Melody's eye and gave her a subtle look. She nodded, then stretched lazily and stifled a yawn. "Boring. Owen, I'll wait for you inside. Don't take too long."

She hadn't made it ten steps before Bella seized my arm, her grip tight with anxiety. "Since when are you two so close?"

"You're reading into it," I said evenly. "We bumped into each other outside and walked in together. That's all."

"Really?"

"Really."

Bella exhaled, visibly relieved, then fixed me with a stern look. "Stay away from that woman. She's bad news."

I almost laughed.

Melody is bad news, but you're not?

Betrayal. Manipulation.

What right did you have to call anyone else bad news?

"Why aren't you wearing the suit I picked out for you?"

Only then did Bella notice I wasn't in the white suit she'd prepared. Her brow furrowed.

"Didn't fit," I said casually. "Too small."

Bella blinked, then pressed her lips together. "Honey, you..."

A secretary rushed over before she could finish. "Ms. Simmons, everything's ready. You can go on stage for the opening remarks."

"Got it. Do one final check. Nothing can go wrong tonight." Bella waved the secretary away, then turned back to me. "Honey, I need to head in. After this is over, there's something I want to talk to you about."

I smiled and nodded. "Go ahead."

The second Bella was out of earshot, Daniel sidled up and gave me a mocking thumbs-up. "Impressive. You already know Bella's going to toss you aside, so you've latched onto Melody Gilbert. I've got to hand it to you, Owen. That's resourceful."

"Say what you actually mean," I said coldly.

"You—" Daniel's face twisted with irritation, but it quickly melted into a sneer. "Owen, running your mouth is the only thing you're good at. Just watch. That fifteen percent was only the beginning. Bella, the rest of your shares, everything you have, I'm going to take it all. Piece by piece."

"Be my guest." I gave him a nod and walked toward the main hall.

The real show was about to begin.