Chapter 232

Lauren finally lifted her head and locked eyes with him. "I like someone else." Her tone was calm but serious, and she repeated it once more. Oliver froze. Every word he had wanted to say got stuck in his throat. It all just... stopped. He didn't speak. The effort he'd just made to be kind and open faded instantly, replaced with a chill in the air—colder than the wind off the river. "Really?" After what felt like forever, he finally asked, voice low and raspy. Lauren looked just as pale. "Yeah." She forced the words out through clenched teeth, tugging a small smile onto her lips. "Why would I lie about something like this? I mean, let's be real—anyone would jump at the chance to be with you, right? If I didn't already have someone I liked, how could I possibly turn you down?" The eldest son of Jadewick's richest family. CEO of MRC. No longer just the heir—he was the one calling the shots now. His father barely showed up to work anymore, preferring to spend time at home. Who says no to