CHAPTER 243: CHAPTER 244 BONUS CHAPTER 4: CRAZY ABOUT YOU

Before the next brand took the mic, the host stepped forward again.

‘Good news: we’ve got a special guest joining us later today.’

‘Who is it?’ someone in the back asked.

‘Monsieur Ashton Laurent,’ the host announced. ‘He’s a high-level investor from Skyline City, with significant stakes in France as well. It’s a privilege to have him here. He only confirmed a few minutes ago that he’d be joining us.’

Backs straightened.

Even the ones who’d been dozing off perked up.

The presentations resumed.

Fabrizio caught my eye from across the row and mouthed, ‘Mr Laurent’s coming?’

I shrugged. ‘No idea.’

I reached for my phone and typed quickly.

Me: [Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to the event?]

He replied in under a minute.

Ashton: [Last-minute decision. Wanted to see you.]

Me: [Where are you now?]

Ashton: [Outside.]

I glanced at the doors.

They hadn’t opened.

Jean-Baptiste opened his mouth again. ‘Didn’t they say no phones during the presentations?’

Fabrizio answered before I could. ‘There’s no such rule. Stop reaching.’

Jean-Baptiste let out a sharp snort. ‘Maybe not officially, but it’s basic manners. Messaging someone while a colleague’s presenting? It’s disrespectful.’

His eyes flicked to me pointedly.

My phone was still in my hand.

Everyone caught the implication.

I turned my screen off and set the phone face-down on the table.

‘My phone’s on silent and I didn’t disturb anyone. You, on the other hand, just derailed the entire presentation.’

Jean-Baptiste opened his mouth—

‘Excuse me!’ the host said abruptly, eyes fixed on the rear doors. ‘Our honoured guest is here.’

Every head in the room turned.

Ashton was standing in the doorway.

He wore his customary dark suit and his even more customary inscrutable face.

The room went quiet.

Everyone sat straighter.

He strode in, passed Jean-Baptiste, paused.

‘I’m the one she was messaging,’ he said. His voice was smooth but carried. ‘Mirabelle Vance is my wife.’

Jean-Baptiste’s mouth dropped open.

He darted a panicked look at the man on his left, but his friend avoided his eyes.

He was still trying to come up with a way to talk himself out of it when Ashton walked straight past him.

He stopped next to me, reached for my wrist, and pulled me up.

The host approached, but Ashton shook his head.

He glanced around the room.

‘I’ve heard good things about this panel. But now I see the claims have been exaggerated. My wife came here to learn, to pick the brains of what are, reportedly, some of the best designers in the industry. She didn’t come here to get lectured on meeting etiquette.’

He took my hand and started walking.

The host’s voice rose behind us. ‘Mr Laurent, I apologise for—’

The rest of his words were cut off by the door swinging shut.

Fabrizio caught up at the lift lobby, a little breathless. ‘Mr Laurent, wait, please.’

Ashton turned, nodded politely. ‘Yes, Mr Marchetti?’

‘Why don’t I take you both to lunch? To welcome you to Paris, and to make up for that little unpleasantness back there.’

‘That’s kind of you, but no, thank you. I just landed and I’m feeling jetlagged. If possible, I’d like to ask for the rest of the day off for my wife.’

Fabrizio hesitated. ‘Sure.’

‘Good.’ Ashton’s mouth quirked. ‘I’ll sleep better with her by my side.’

I pinched his palm warningly.

He squeezed my hand tighter in response.

Then he pulled something from his jacket and handed it over. ‘Our wedding’s on the sixth of June. We’d love for you to attend.’

Fabrizio took the invitation, brushed his thumb along the edge. ‘I’ll be there. Congratulations.’

Once we were out of earshot, I turned to him. ‘What was that?’

‘What was what?’

‘That whole “I’ll sleep better with my wife there” speech.’

‘It’s the truth.’

‘It’s also embarrassing.’

Ashton glanced down at me. ‘So I embarrassed you?’

‘That’s not what I said. But, yeah, sort of. He’s my boss and colleague. It’s weird talking about sleeping with my husband in front of him.’

He made a low sound in his throat. ‘I don’t like him. Something about him’s off.’

I frowned. ‘And where did you get that invite?’

‘I had it made just for him.’ He sounded smug about it.

‘You’re crazy.’

‘Crazy about you.’

‘And you are getting cheesier by the day.’ I shook my head. ‘Has Dominic been downloading you mushy teen romcoms again?’

We stepped out of the Valmont & Cie building.

A cherry-red convertible was parked right in front of the steps.

I blinked. ‘That yours?’

‘It’s a vacation. I’m allowed to show off a little overseas.’

He opened the passenger door and nudged me in.

As soon as we hit the road, Ashton gave me the news.

‘Your dad got seven years. Embezzlement, tax fraud, forged records. It’s official.’

I twisted round in my seat. ‘Seriously?’

He nodded. ‘Now the Vances are scrambling to sell the house so they can afford a decent lawyer.’

I didn’t know how I felt.

Relieved? Maybe.

Glad? Not quite.

Ashton caught my expression. ‘They’re done. Vance Omnia’s tanking. I heard Caroline is planning to move to another city. They won’t come after you again.’

‘Good.’ I turned my head towards him. ‘Thank you.’

I used to feel weird about leaning on him.

Now I didn’t see the point in holding back.

He was my husband.

Wasn’t that what husbands were for?

I glanced out the window.

The street signs didn’t match my neighbourhood.

‘This isn’t the way to my house.’

‘LGH’s got a hotel here. I’m not staying in that sad little house Fabrizio set up.’

I opened my mouth to needle him for it, but he cut in first. ‘I just prefer my own place. That’s all.’

I rolled my eyes and let it go.

We pulled up to a tall limestone building with iron balconies and a black awning.

Ashton handed off the keys to the valet and took my hand.

We stepped into the lift, rose all the way to the eighteenth floor.

Only one room up here.

As soon as the door shut behind us, Ashton pushed me against it.

His mouth hit mine before I even caught my breath.

His teeth sank into my lower lip.

‘Told you I’d come to France to get you.’