Chapter 45: DEADLY CHALLENGE
"What are you talking about, Ava?" Elena’s brows furrowed in confusion as she broke the silence. Ava’s words didn’t make sense. They should be thanking Harlow for accommodating them for the night, not the other way around. By morning, they’d be gone.
"I’m talking about the owner of the villa who allowed Miss Harlow and me to stay," Ava explained, rising from her seat. Her voice trembled slightly. "I shouldn’t be sitting here with you. Thank you for showing mercy on us, b-but please... help us stay longer. We promise not to inconvenience you and will find our own place soon."
The room fell silent for a moment, before all three onlookers burst into laughter. Ava blinked, her confusion deepening.
"We’re not the owners of this villa Ava," Edward said, a smirk on his face.
"Boss is," Richie added, earning a pointed look from Harlow.
"What he means," Elena clarified, amusement still evident in her tone, "is that this villa, and everything in it, belongs to Harlow."
Ava’s jaw dropped, her eyes going wide. Her gaze flicked to Harlow, who looked thoroughly unimpressed.
---
Later that morning, Harlow adjusted her twilight fog coat, grabbed a nondescript bag, and left the villa without a word. The drive to the jewelry company, her father’s empire, was smooth and steady.
She hadn’t expected much fanfare after her short leave for the ill-fated marriage, but she also didn’t expect this.
The security guard at the gate, a man who once greeted her warmly every morning, was now cold and distant.