Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: He Said Yes

It was time to get some answers. He thought as he headed to the company’s control room, wanting to see where Emma had gone.

When he got there, he simply told the staff he needed to check something. Since everyone knew him to be the Late CEO’s grandson, the security control room operator didn’t stop him.

He quickly rewound the footage till Emma’s figure appeared in the footage. He watched as she walked confidently through the lobby, her head held high.

Jake felt a surge of anger in his chest as she moved toward the elevator. His heart raced, but he didn’t stop the video. She entered the elevator, and for a moment, Jake wondered where she was headed since he didn’t hear her conversation with the receptionist.

The camera cut to the top floors, and there, on the fifth floor, Emma stepped out of the elevator. Jake’s stomach dropped. That floor housed the CEO’s office—Alex’s office.

The realization hit him like a slap across the face.

“What the hell does she want with him?” Jake muttered under his breath.

He could feel his temper boiling again, the heat rising in his chest. He needed to know what was going on. He couldn’t just sit here, stewing in his anger.

He grabbed his phone from the table and stormed out of the room, with one destination in mind. He wasn’t about to let this go.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and Jake stepped inside, pressing the button for the fifth floor. As the elevator ascended, he felt his pulse quicken. His thoughts raced. Emma had a reason for coming here, and Alex was that reason.

What did she have with Alex? What business did Alex have with his unfaithful ex-wife? He had to know.

The doors slid open, and Jake stepped out into the lobby on the fifth floor. He strode toward the secretary’s desk, his face a mask of calm determination.

He stopped in front of George, the secretary who had been with the company for years. George looked up from his work, his face lighting up with a smile.

“Hey, George,” Jake greeted him, trying to sound casual.

“Hello, sir! How’s your day been?” George responded genuine warmth in his voice.

“Busy,” Jake muttered, glancing around the office. “Listen, did you happen to see Emma earlier? My ex-wife?”

George’s smile faltered for just a second, and Jake caught the shift in his demeanor.

“Your ex-wife?” George asked, confused.

Jake looked at him, ready to snap, when he remembered that George didn’t exactly know Emma since he had never brought her here. Instead, he described what she wore.

“That was your ex-wife?” George asked, wondering what business Jake’s ex-wife had with Alex.

“Was she here?” Jake asked without answering George’s question, and he nodded.

“She was here. She came to visit the CEO.”

Jake’s heart skipped a beat. “Do you know why?”

George hesitated, clearly unsure whether he should divulge anymore. “I wasn’t in the office with them, sir, so I couldn’t say for sure. Sorry.”

Jake’s frustration bubbled to the surface, but he forced himself to stay calm. “It’s fine,” he said with a tight smile. “Is Alex in?”

George nodded quickly. “Yes, sir. He’s in his office.”

Without another word, Jake turned on his heel and made his way toward Alex’s office. He knocked twice on the door before entering, not waiting for a response. Inside, Alex sat at his desk, his face illuminated by the glow of his laptop screen.

Jake didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “Hey, Alex. I saw Emma today, and from what I gathered, it seems she came to see you. What for?”

Alex glanced up from his screen, his expression unreadable. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.

Although he wanted to ask what right Jake had to ask him that sort of a question, he decided to let him be.

“She came by to pitch some designs to me,” he said instead, knowing that was the perfect lie.

Jake blinked, the words not immediately registering. “Designs? What designs? Emma stopped designing after we got married. She hasn’t even picked up a pencil since then.”

Alex shrugged, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Apparently, she’s resumed. She’s serious about it now, I guess.”

Jake’s frown deepened. “Is she actually trying to sell them to you?”

“Sell them?” Alex chuckled, his gaze shifting back to the laptop. “I’m not sure. Not after everything that’s happened with her and you.”

Jake’s stomach twisted. “So you’re not buying them?” he asked to be sure.

Alex met Jake’s eyes, his gaze steady. “I’m not sure. I’m not exactly in the market for designs right now.”

Relief washed over Jake, the tension in his chest loosening. At least he didn’t have to worry about Alex getting too involved with Emma since that might bring the truth to light. That was one less thing for him to worry about.

Jake’s voice softened as he leaned back in the chair. “Okay, good. That’s all I needed to know.”

“Anything else?” Alex asked, returning his attention to his laptop.

Jake shook his head, standing up to leave. “No, that’s it. Thanks, Uncle.”

“Anytime, Jake,” Alex said with a small wave.

Jake left Alex’s office, the weight on his shoulders feeling a little lighter. As he stepped back into the elevator and descended to his floor, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and smiled when he saw the caller ID.

“Hey, babe,” he said, answering the call as soon as it connected.

“Hello, love,” Vanessa’s voice came through, bubbly with excitement. “I have good news for you.”

Jake grinned. “What’s the news? You’re making me wait, babe.”

Vanessa chuckled. “Well, our plan is finally falling into place! I mean, it’s really happening now.”

Jake’s curiosity piqued. “Did Alex agree to go on the date with you?”

“Yes!” Vanessa replied, her voice practically sparkling with joy. “He said yes. It’s our chance to do everything we planned.”

A grin spread across Jake’s face. “That’s amazing, babe. He won’t know what hit him.”

“I’m telling you, Jake,” Vanessa said confidently. “Tonight, Alex won’t be able to escape me. I’ve got it all planned out. He won’t see it coming.”

“Perfect,” Jake said, practically vibrating with excitement. “This is it. This is our moment. Make sure you put in everything tonight, babe. We can’t afford to mess this up.”

“I will, love. I’ll talk to you after the date. Take care,” Vanessa said before ending the call.

Jake hung up, his heart racing with anticipation. He stood up from his desk and began pacing, a wide grin spreading across his face. He couldn’t help himself. The victory felt sweet already. All the pieces were falling into place. Tonight, Alex was going to fall into that trap he had been trying to avoid for the past month.

“I’ve already won,” Jake whispered to himself, his voice full of quiet triumph.