One Night Stand With My Exs Billionaire Enemy - Chapter 203

Chapter 203 The SUV sped past the border sign for Skyline City. The rear tyres kicked up dust as the car veered onto the gravel shoulder, then corrected course and rejoined the lane. Ashton pressed his thumb into his palm until it left a dent. He hadn't looked back after the police arrived at The Corner Table. One phone call had been enough to get the paparazzo thrown into the back of a cruiser. At first, he told himself her phone had died. Then every call went to voicemail.

By the fifth attempt, he'd told Gino to drive straight to Sunset City-there were no flights at this hour, and he didn't want to wait. Dominic had called to say the event organisers weren't picking up, probably asleep by now. Their PR line forwarded every call straight to voicemail. He'd tried the hotel next. It turned out LGH owned the property, and Dominic had managed to get the manager's number. Ashton was reaching for the hotel phone when his own lit up. Yvaine's name appeared on screen. [Mira said her phone got nicked. She'll text when she can.

Don't panic.] He replied: [Noted, thanks.] He leaned back into the leather seat and let his head fall against the headrest. The pressure in his temples started to ease. His spine relaxed. His breathing slowed, though not fully. The view outside had changed. Tower blocks gave way to low-rise buildings and shuttered shopfronts. Now that he knew she was safe, he let himself relax-but only slightly. He could have asked Yvaine for Mirabelle's hotel room number and called her room phone. But it was late. And some things were better said in person. So he didn't tell Gino to turn back.

He opened the X app, freshly installed. Each scroll brought more posts, more comments. His name kept appearing next to Rowan Hale's. He tightened his grip on the phone and created a new account under his real name: Ashton_Laurent_LGH. Within five minutes, someone messaged: [Is this actually you? When's the wedding with Rowan?] He almost threw the phone out the window. His finger hovered over the tag bar. He typed: [I'm married to @MVanceJewels]-then deleted it. He stared at the screen. More notifications. More tags.

The same two photos with Rowan Hale, reposted again and again under different accounts. Her announcement hadn't settled the rumours. It had only stirred them up again. He closed the app. Reopened it five seconds later. Typed the message again. Deleted it again. His finger paused over the keyboard. He wanted to make it clear. Wanted to shut the door behind Mirabelle and leave no room for questions. But if she wasn't ready, if she hadn't agreed, that kind of move would only push her further away. He backed out of the post.