Chapter 15–A Trip To China
I tried to pull away from Ryder’s arms–but instead, I leaned in.
My lips brushed his, soft at first, like testing forbidden fire… until it ignited. Two days after Gwen arrived, I had already started making plans about our trip to China. “Progress?” I asked my assistant, John.
I was sitting in my office, staring at my laptop and trying to come up with a compelling proposal to convince the man we were going to see.
I’ve barely been at home ever since Gwen told me her plans.
I’ve been so used to doing things the mafia way that I found it difficult to have a civil conversation with someone who could help Jack.
“You know we could go in there, guns blazing,” John stated.
I shook my head, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. The man appears to be a legitimate business man. There has to be something we can do in order to buy his company.”
John stared at me and frowned, “But Boss, do you intend to give full control of the company to Gwen when you purchase it?”
I nodded, “Yeah. We’ll just push the headquarters back here and she can expand.”
“Aren’t you
threatened that she might turn against you?” John asked.
I smiled, “I understand you’re looking out for me but there’s something about Gwen. I know it’s been years since she saved me but I’ve been unable to get over her. She’s been hurt so badly and all I want to do is help her heal, love her, and show her what’s possible if she will let me.”
Before John could reply my intercom buzzed. I pressed it and my secretary’s voice
sounded.
“Boss, there’s a woman here to see you. Her name is Gwen.”
I smiled, “Let her in.‘
Gwen entered shortly after as John left. She was dressed in a soft pink flower dress and she smelt like roses and vanilla.
“Missing me already, Darling?” I asked her.
She shrugged and brought out a flask, “I was bored. I made lunch and decided to bring it for you. Why haven’t you returned home for a while?”
“I’ve been busy trying to make arrangements for our trip and also the fact that we have to convince him to sell,” I answered her.
She set the food on my table and served me. It was a delicious meal of porridge, one of my favorite meals.
I took a bite and moaned in delight, “This is amazing.”
Gwen smiled, “It’s nice to see that my cooking skills aren’t rusty.”
I frowned, “What do you mean? This is nice.”
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Gwen shrugged, “When I used to cook for Jack and his family they never for once agreed that the food was nice.”
“They are regretting their actions now, Darling, and we’ll make them beg for mercy,” I said.
A flash of anger crossed her eyes as she spoke again, “I want to make Jack suffer, I want to make him wish he had killed me when he pushed me out of that plane.”
I shuddered at the mention of ‘pushing her out of a plane.‘ I needed to know the details of what she went through in that house and I wasn’t going to force her to open up until she’s ready.
“I’m sorry you went through such, nobody deserves that, Darling. I’ll do my best to help you get your revenge,” I said to her.
After I finished eating, the news on the television caught my attention and I turned volume.
up the
It was showing the live wedding of Jack and Cara that was happening now in New York.
I turned to Gwen, wanting to see a reaction but all I saw was a cruel smirk on her lips as she stared at the television.
“Are you alright?” I asked her concerned.
She grinned, “Of course, these two deserve each other. Besides, they’ve just given you the ammunition you need to buy the company from the new investor.”
It suddenly dawned on me as I realised what she was saying and I burst into laughter.
“I can’t believe they made it easy for us,” I chuckled.
Gwen shrugged, “Yes, well, everything is now going to fall into place.”
I stood up and extended my hand toward her when the couple’s song started playing on the television.
“Dance with me, Darling,” I coaxed.
She took my hand and nodded, “With pleasure.”
As we slowly danced to the song she smiled happily.
“It makes me happy to know that I attended their wedding and they ruined their lives at this very moment,” she said.
Just as she raised her head, she inhaled sharply. I was staring intently at her and our lips were just inches apart.
Gwen’s Pov
He responded instantly, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me closer, deepening the kiss.
A small moan escaped me–sharp and shocking–until the door swung open.
We broke apart.
John froze in the doorway, blinking like he’d just witnessed a crime scene.
“Uh… I’ll come back-‘
“No need,” Ryder said casually. “What is it, John?”
I didn’t wait to hear more. I gathered the flask, avoided Ryder’s eyes, and fled the office.
–
Back in my room, the silence was louder than any words.
I sat on the edge of the bed, touching my lips. They still tingled.
It wasn’t supposed to happen. That kiss wasn’t part of the plan.
But the way his mouth felt against mine… the way my body responded-
I bit my lip. It had been months since anyone touched me like that.
And years since I’d felt wanted. Jack had stopped touching me long before the betrayal.
I used to crave him.
Now, I just craved freedom. And maybe, Ryder too.
I must’ve dozed off, because when I stirred again, Ryder was there beside me.
“Darling…” his voice was low. “Why are you sleeping on the floor?”
I blinked up at him and tried to sit up, embarrassed. “I–I didn’t mean to. I guess I was just… thinking.”
“You’re always thinking,” he teased gently.
He lifted me effortlessly, placing me on the bed like I weighed nothing.
His eyes were soft but curious.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to kiss you.”
His lips quirked into a smile. “Don’t be. I’ve been waiting for that kiss for three years. Feel free to do it again. Anytime.”
I couldn’t help it–I laughed, hiding my face in the pillow.
“Stop saying things like that.”
“Why? You’re blushing like you used to.”
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He scooped me up again, bridal style. My laughter echoed off the walls.
“I booked us a honeymoon sulte In China,” he said.
I blinked, “You what?”
“You wanted war, didn’t you?” Ryder smirked. “Let’s go buy your ex–husband’s company and celebrate while we’re at it.”
That night, we took his private jet to China.
I wore silk and drank champagne, and for the first time in years, I felt powerful and wanted.
We landed in Shanghai just before dawn. The hotel Ryder chose had a rooftop dinner waiting, with champagne chilled and a candlelit view of the skyline.
“You’re ridiculous,” I said, laughing into my glass.
“Guilty,” he replied. “But you love it.”
After dinner, we returned to the honeymoon suite–lavish and blushing in rose gold.
His hands found my waist again, and this time, I didn’t stop him.
I let him kiss me. I let myself feel wanted.
For one night, I stopped being Gwen the Avenger. I was just a woman tasting freedom.
The next morning, sunlight poured across the marble floor as I stood on the balcony, sipping ginger tea.
“Today’s the day,” Ryder said behind me.
He’d already prepped the meeting with Lin–our ticket to seizing Jack’s company.
Lin was a legend in Asia. Rich, ruthless, and sentimental in a very specific way: he hated disloyal men.
Jack had no idea that the man he was trying to charm was once betrayed by his own wife.
And Lin never forgot betrayal.
Ryder walked in holding a gold–foiled package.
“He just confirmed. Lin wants to meet.”
“What’s the condition?” I asked.
“He wants to watch the video. The leak you sent. Said it was… poetic.”
I smirked. “Then let’s give him the show.”
Lin’s penthouse was a fortress of glass and gold. Statues lined the edges like trophies, and the man himself sat at the end of a black marble table, fingers drumming, eyes unreadable.
“You’re Velcro’s wife?” he asked.
“Ex,” I said coolly. “Legally, yes. Spiritually? I divorced him the day he killed my child/”
Chapter 15–A Trip To China
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“Ex,” I said coolly. “Legally, yes. Spiritually? I divorced him the day he killed my child.”
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He nodded and gestured to the seat. No warmth. Just curiosity.
“I watched the video,” he said. “Impressive. But Jack is married into a family I consider close allies.”
“Then maybe,” I said slowly, “you need better allies.”
He blinked. Ryder said nothing–he let me have the floor.
“Velcro Corp is bleeding. I’m not asking you to abandon ship. I’m offering you a faster one, better built, and run by someone who doesn’t discard people after using them.”
He was silent for a moment, and then… he nodded.
Lin smiled, folding his arm and sipping his tea.
“She is quite ruthless,” he said, glancing at Ryder. “And dangerously charming.”
“She’s just getting started,” Ryder replied with a grin.
Lin extended his hand to me. “Then allow me to be part of this empire you’re building, Ms. Lyndon.”
I shook his hand firmly. “Welcome aboard.”
“I’ll sign over the deal in the morning. I like you, Ms. Lyndon. You’re efficient.”
I leaned forward and smiled sweetly. “No, Mr. Lin. I’m dangerous.”
