Chapter 5 His Compensation
1121 Words
Osborne frowned. He had never said he wanted to abandon Stella. Why would she think that?
Confused, he was about to chase after her to clarify when his suit pants were tightly grasped from behind.
"Osborne... I was just being stupid."
Nina, on the ground, looked up with a pitiful face, weakly sniffling as she explained, "I was just scared... scared that in the three years I was away, you might actually fall for Stella. I was afraid you would leave me..."
Osborne's frown deepened. Looking down at her slightly swollen cheek, the coldness in his eyes softened a bit. He reached out to help her up, his tone gentler.
"I told you things would work out. My divorce with her was inevitable. You really shouldn't have done that."
Nina clung to his sleeve, pouting with grievance. "It's all my fault, but I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I just used the wrong method, Osborne... Please forgive me!"
Seeing he wasn't saying anything, she leaned weakly into his arms, tentatively revealing her shoulder.
Osborne frowned and almost instinctively pushed her away.
"Osborne?"
Nina's eyes reddened further, staring at him with a resentful look. Was he really so repulsed by her now?
She was so unwilling to accept it.
Why could Stella have s*x with him the previous night, but she couldn't even get close or try to seduce him?
"Stop."
Osborne grabbed her hand, his cold eyes narrowing as he looked at her with a strange expression.
"Nina, I never thought you would resort to these low tactics and say such mean things. You used to be so innocent."
Nina was stunned, realizing she had truly angered him.
Osborne had very clear principles and boundaries. Once crossed, it only made him loathe her more.
"No, no... It's not like that! I'm sorry. I really know I was wrong. I was just confused for a moment. I won't do it again, Osborne. Please, give me another chance. I saved your life years ago. Remember?"
Osborne's eyes flashed with the memory of her resolute, bright eyes back then. Despite being so petite, she stood up to protect him.
How did she become so different from her childhood self now?
Maybe she just grew up?
Anyway, his eyes gradually softened. "I'll pretend this never happened. Just don't do it again."
Nina breathed a sigh of relief and was about to act coy with him when he extended his hand towards her.
"Give me the keys."
Her face stiffened. Just as she was about to argue, Osborne continued, "I know Dylan gave you the keys without my permission. Hand them over."
Dylan was Osborne's assistant and had been working for him for many years.
Being busted, Nina reluctantly handed over the keys.
"Don't come to this villa anymore. I'll arrange a new place for you soon. You must be really tired today. Go back to the hotel and rest."
Before Nina could say anything, Osborne called his driver to take her to the hotel.
After Nina left, Dylan, who had been standing cautiously in the garden, entered the living room and stood in front of Osborne, waiting for a reprimand.
Osborne glared at him, his tone icy. "I handle my own affairs. I don't need you to intervene. This better not happen again. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Feeling agitated, Osborne tugged at his tie and took a drag from his cigarette. He couldn't shake the image of Stella's eyes before she left.
They were cold and piercing.
Was it because he wronged her that she was so determined to get a divorce?
She acted tough, not asking for a penny of his money. Did she really think she could survive without it?
He didn't want to care about her at all, yet he felt a frustrating tightness in his chest, an inexplicable anger that wouldn't go away. "Send someone to find Stella. Report to me as soon as she's found. Also, transfer the ownership of this villa to her. Consider it my compensation for the divorce."
"Understood."
*****
Stella quickly looked up the address for Nova Group online. With her luggage in tow, she hailed a cab and headed straight there.
Since she had agreed to take on the company, she figured she might as well get a head start and gauge the situation.
Upon arriving at the company's building, Stella walked straight to the front desk. "Miss, I want the CEO of Nova Group to know that I need to see him," she said.
Amelia, the receptionist, hesitated, ready to refuse. But the icy, piercing look in Stella's eyes made her swallow her words.
"Um, ma'am, the CEO is quite busy today. He might not have time to see anyone without an appointment," Amelia said casually, dialing the CEO's assistant, Liam, with a dismissive smile.
However...
Amelia's smile gradually froze as she listened to the reply. She looked at Stella with utter disbelief.
Seeing Amelia's expression, Stella could guess what was being said on the other end of the line.
She smirked. "Which floor?"
"The top floor... 27th..."
With the exact number, Stella headed to the elevator, pulling her suitcase behind her without a backward glance.
Amelia stared at her retreating figure, stunned.
Who was that woman?
Liam had responded with such caution and respect.
Could she be... the CEO's lover?
Thinking this, Amelia decided she had to share this juicy gossip with the office group chat immediately!
*****
On the top floor, Stella encountered no obstacles.
She pushed open the door to the CEO's office. The man sitting on the sofa stood up and walked towards her.
Dressed in a striking blue suit, he exuded elegance and confidence. His eyes sparkled with a smile when he saw her.
"Long time no see. And congrats on the divorce," he said in a deep, affectionate voice.
"Nicholas?!"
Stella's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She was overwhelmed with joy to discover that the current CEO of Nova Group was her third brother, Nicholas Rosenberg!
In an instant, she dropped her luggage and ran to hug him.
"Did you miss me?" she asked, burying her head in Nicholas' chest.
It had been six years since they last saw each other, but in Nicholas' presence, she was still his baby sister.
Nicholas laughed, pinching her cheek gently. "Since you're here, I guess it's time for this interim CEO to step down."
"Maybe not." Stella stopped him.
Nicholas looked puzzled. "Why not?"
Stella rubbed her chin, looking thoughtful.
After a moment, she gave Nicholas a playful wink. "I have an amazing proposal for you. Wanna hear it?"
An hour later, all employees at Nova Group received an urgent notification.
The company was about to welcome a new, mysterious director!
- Writer
