THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.-Chapter 78

At that moment, Malisa couldn’t bring herself to say another word for a few seconds. She simply looked at Cora, really looked at her. The expression on Cora’s face wasn’t just one of focus; it was steel. It was the kind of look Melissa had only seen once before, years ago, when Cora was standing in front of a boardroom full of men trying to push her out of her own mother’s legacy. That day, Cora didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t flinch either. And yet, she walked out of that room with the company still in her control.

This was the same face.

Then instead of teasing or pressing, Melissa sighed softly and said with a gentle tone, "Alright, I’ll stop here. I can see you’re serious, and I respect that." She leaned slightly toward her, her hand brushing against Cora’s arm. "But I really want you to think about what I just said—about Robert."

Cora glanced at her briefly, but said nothing.

Malisa continued, "You don’t have to admit it now, but just think about it. Think deeper than the surface. Something might actually happen between you and him. Sometimes things we think are business can turn into something much more... important."

She smiled faintly and leaned back in her seat.

"I’ll rest here now. I’ve said my part."

And with that, Malisa closed her eyes for a moment of silence, as if giving Cora space to process everything.

The car continued gliding down the road, the quiet hum of the engine the only sound between them. Cora, still leaning slightly toward the window, didn’t say a single word. Her fingers were folded neatly in her lap, her eyes scanning the streetlights passing by. Her mind, however, was racing, but not about Robert, at least not for now. Her focus had shifted entirely to the next meeting, the one she felt could turn everything around.

Not long after, the car slowed down in front of an elegant, mid-sized restaurant. It wasn’t overly flashy, but there was something quiet and exclusive about it, the kind of place where secrets were shared in whispers behind thick curtains and well-trained waiters disappeared at just the right time.

As soon as the car parked, the driver stepped out and opened the door for them.

Without wasting any more time, Cora and Malisa stepped out, adjusting themselves slightly. The air outside was cool, but the atmosphere around them was heavy with anticipation. The time had come.

Without exchanging another word, they both walked toward the entrance, their heels clicking softly against the stone path, heading straight into the restaurant where Lovi was already waiting.

Not long after, they arrived at the restaurant’s top floor, where the VIP room was neatly tucked away behind double glass doors etched with gold detailing. A quiet waiter bowed and opened the doors for them without a word, and Cora walked in first, followed closely by Malisa. The room was elegant dim lighting, a long glass table, plush seats, and just one man seated at the far end with a wine glass resting in his palm.

It was Lovi, immediately he looked up the moment they stepped in.

Cora’s presence, as always, drew the atmosphere to her. Her calm, poised walk, the way her eyes didn’t shift or flutter. But what Lovie wasn’t expecting, and what made something in his chest twist in irritation, was Melissa walking in right behind her, calm and confident.

His expression nearly faltered, why is she here? he thought, biting back his immediate reaction. He had clearly stated in the message that this meeting was between him and Cora alone. Seeing Malisa made his blood itch, but he quickly swallowed the bitter taste rising in his throat.

He adjusted his cufflinks under the table and immediately plastered a smile on his face, the kind that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Oh wow," Lovi said smoothly, rising from his seat. "You both came earlier than expected. I must say I’m pleasantly surprised."

His voice was as charming as ever, but the underlying tension wasn’t lost on either woman, especially Melissa, who caught the flicker of unease in his eyes before he looked away.

Cora didn’t bother responding with pleasantries. She remained standing, one hand resting on the back of the chair across from him. Her eyes, sharp and unyielding, met his with cold precision.

Without bothering to sit down, she said flatly, "I don’t have time to waste, Lovie. So go straight to the point. What is the essence of this meeting?"

At that moment, Lovi just let out a quiet scoff, leaning back slightly into his chair as his lips curled into a sly smirk.

"Why are you in such a hurry, Miss Cora?" he said, his voice carrying a trace of playful sarcasm. "You just got here. At least order a drink, loosen up a little before we get into business."

He waved his hand slightly, gesturing toward the elegant wine selection already on the table.

"This is a five-star restaurant. Let’s not waste the ambiance."

But Cora didn’t budge.

She remained standing, her eyes never leaving his. Her expression didn’t even flinch at his attempt to be suave. Malisa, who stood beside her, shifted slightly but remained quiet, sensing Cora’s tension growing by the second.

"I’m not that kind of lady, Lovi," Cora said coldly, her voice as firm as marble.

"A deal is a deal. An agreement is an agreement. You were paid to do a job. That job didn’t require you to invite me to a restaurant."

Lovi raised his brow, amused but also slightly rattled by how unmoved she was.

"You were supposed to take the money and deliver the result. Now, here we are, meeting in person because you insisted. I don’t enjoy these little performances, Lovie. And because of that, I have every right to be strict with you."

She crossed her arms. "So for the last time, what is the essence of this meeting?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

There was a pause.

Lovi smile slowly dropped, his amusement fading as his tone turned slightly more serious. He straightened his posture, folded his hands in front of him, and with a quieter voice, finally said,

"Well... it’s all about your ex-husband, James. I found something."

Lovi didn’t know what to say at that moment.

For the first time in a long while, he found himself stuck between two blazing fires and both were burning with promises he couldn’t ignore. He stared at Cora sitting across from him, her face serious, her eyes cold and unflinching. She was a woman who didn’t take nonsense, and from the way she had spoken earlier, he knew he had to tread carefully. But deep inside him, his thoughts were not calm. His stomach twisted as he remembered what had happened just minutes before they arrived.

It was a call, from no one else but James, Cora’s ex-husband.