Out Of Her Ex-Husband's Shadow, Into The Tycoon's Embrace

Simon clutched his gut, staggering upright with a contorted grimace. "Who the hell dares lay a hand on me?" he barked. "I'll make you wish you'd never been born, you piece of shit..." The words caught in his throat the instant he saw who had hit him. Color drained from his face, his earlier fury melting into terror. Recognition snapped his posture straight. His expression flipped as fast as a switch, a servile grin replacing his rage. "Mr. Fuller! What an honor—what brings you here today?" Chris didn't so much as glance at Simon. His cool, detached gaze stayed on Hailey as he snapped, his voice carrying a cold, dangerous undercurrent, "Get lost!" Simon bobbed his head in panic. "Of course, Mr. Fuller, right away!" He practically stumbled for the door, eager to vanish. Once the door clicked shut, silence filled the room. The tension was so thick it felt tangible, the kind that made every breath sound too loud as Chris and Hailey faced each other, neither daring to speak first. Unable to read Chris's intentions, she finally ventured, her voice soft but steady, "Thank you, Mr. Fuller, for stepping in earlier." Chris pulled out a chair without hurry and sat down, his gaze flicking over the neatly arranged documents she had prepared. "You're welcome," he replied coolly, flipping through the pages with unhurried ease. Hailey's confusion deepened with every turn of a page. Everyone in their circle knew—unspoken though it was—that she was Kieran's wife. Given that Chris was Kieran's fiercest rival, wasn't this situation supposed to be unbearably awkward for him? Clearing her throat, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Fuller, I just remembered I have something to take care of. I'll find a way to thank you properly another time." She stepped forward to retrieve her documents, but his sharply defined hand pinned them in place, stopping her cold. Her gaze drifted to the glint of a gold ring on his left hand, its tiny diamonds catching the light like fragments of glass. A small engraved letter shimmered faintly on its surface—too subtle for her to decipher. Chris finally looked up, his eyes steady and unreadable. "Ms. Bennett," he said in a low, even tone. "You've got the kind of raw talent for photography that people chase for years. I'd like to invite you to join my company." The offer caught her off guard. Her lashes flickered as she studied his face. "But you're aware of… my situation—with Kieran and you…" "My interest lies in your skill, not your private affairs," Chris replied, his fingertips drumming lightly against the stack of papers between them. "If you're willing, come to my office tomorrow to sign the contract. I'll make sure the welcome gift exceeds your expectations." Her thoughts spun wildly, confusion and caution warring inside her. Why on earth would Chris make her such an offer? After a long pause, she finally murmured, "Mr. Fuller, I appreciate the opportunity, but… I'm afraid I'll have to decline." Chris's voice cut through the stillness. "Is this about Kieran?" Her gaze drifted back to the gold ring, its diamond-studded band catching the light. The tiny engraving looked like an "H." "It's not about him," she replied. At the mere mention of Kieran's name, her eyes hardened, stripped of warmth. Across from her, Chris remained composed, his expression unreadable, his quiet dominance born of long-honed authority. Even without a word, he radiated a steady command that made the air feel heavier. Hailey finally confessed, her tone restrained, "I'm just a photographer. It's been years since I worked in any corporate setting. I doubt I'd fit in anymore." Chris's mouth curved slightly, a faint, knowing smile ghosting across his lips. He didn't seem offended—if anything, he looked faintly amused. "You wouldn't need to adapt," he said in a smooth, even voice. "Just keep doing what you're good at. The Fuller Group plans to produce a series of public service announcements, and I've seen how your camera captures emotion in ways others can't." Hailey's fingers tightened around her folder as she thought it over. For years, she had been running her own studio, enjoying the freedom despite the unstable monthly income. Signing a corporate contract meant surrendering that freedom. Yet with Kieran's relentless suppression tightening around her business, keeping it afloat had become an uphill battle. Worse, her mother's hospital bills loomed larger each month, mocking her dwindling earnings. Kieran's empire only grew, and the one man capable of eclipsing him sat calmly across from her—Chris. Sensing her hesitation, Chris leaned back, his tone measured but firm. "There's another option. I could invest in your studio as a silent partner. You'd still call the shots, keep your freedom—nothing about your creative process would change." The proposal struck deeper than Hailey had expected. Her gaze flickered to him, her thoughts tangled between disbelief and intrigue. It was an offer almost impossible to reject. "Mr. Fuller, why me?" she queried after a pause, her voice steady but edged with curiosity. "Fuller Group could have its pick of photographers. Why choose to work with me?" Her next words came more quietly, laced with a weary resolve. "If your decision has anything to do with my marriage to Kieran, you should know we're already preparing for divorce."