Chapter 19 Look Into Mariana
Cristofer’s piercing eyes glinted with a dangerous mix of amusement and disdain. “Your father spent tens of millions overseas on antiques that turned out to be counterfeits. Shouldn’t you be questioning him about that, rather than seeking out Maryanne here?”
“Think I’d want to? She spotted that fake blue and white porcelain vase instantly. Didn’t you know your ex–wife has a keen eye for antiques?”
His father had asked him to check in on–Maryanne, but Esteban couldn’t reach her. He had no choice but to come to Cristofer for her phone number.
Then, he just happened to cross paths with her.
Cristofer was oblivious to this, his deep eyes filled with contemplation. The Maryanne he knew post–divorce was truly unrecognizable to him
now.
He had only just learned of her newfound interest in antiques.
His eyes locked onto Esteban, radiating a clear warning. “Esteban, stay away from Maryanne.”
Esteban recalled that stunning smile from earlier, his heart racing.
He knew he clearly disliked Maryanne.
But why did his pulse quicken just now?
He reasoned internally, that a fleeting infatuation meant nothing.
“You two are already divorced, and she’s undeniably beautiful. What
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Chapter 19 Look Into Mariana
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man wouldn’t be tempted to pursue her?
“Besides, aren’t you smitten with Latoya? If you’re not, I might just take a chance with her.”
Esteban’s nonchalant attitude grated on Cristofer’s nerves.
Cristofer shot him a cold glare. “Have you turned up any information on the Nebula Group’s heiress?”
Esteban shook his head, his expression hardening. “Not a clue. Word is, the Nebula Group’s heiress has been abroad for four years and is now back to take the helm at the Nebula Group. She supposedly holds all the power in Belavig.
“Rumors have it that the heiress is a prodigy, earning her doctorate at eighteen and allegedly holding multiple doctoral degrees across various fields.
“People are talking about this heiress as if she’s some kind of legend. I’m also dying to know who she is, but I heard she’s quite aloof and doesn’t socialize easily. Even if she’s back to run the company, not many get the chance to meet her.”
Cristofer frowned, lost in thought as if a fleeting idea had just escaped his grasp.
Seeing him silent, Esteban raised an eyebrow, and his lips curled into a knowing smirk. “What’s wrong? Are you thinking of pursuing this heiress now that you’ve heard all the buzz about her?”
Honestly, none of their friends were ever genuine with women.
Cristofer was the exception, sticking with Maryanne for four years.
Cristofer shot him a cold glare, a dangerous glint flickering in his captivating eyes. He warned, his voice low and icy, “Shut up.
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Remember what I said. Stay away from Maryanne.”
Esteban fell silent, momentarily taken aback. He didn’t want her, and yet he forbade others from approaching her. What was Cristofer’s problem?
A shiver traced its way down his spine as he recalled Cristofer’s dangerous gaze.
Damn it, he’d just felt a distinct undercurrent of murderous intent from Cristofer.
“By the way, I saw the news earlier. Apparently, your company’s secrets were stolen by your ex–wife. Is that true?”
Cristofer’s gaze turned frigid and distant, his silence radiating an icy
aura.
So, it wasn’t her.
Esteban grew frustrated at his silence.
Cristofer always pulled this crap, shutting down just when things got crucial.
He pulled out his phone and saw the online news had shifted again.
The culprit wasn’t Maryanne, but Mariana from the same department, who had framed Maryanne.
Talk about public opinion turning on a dime!
the
“Uh… you didn’t call your ex–wife over to humiliate her, only to realize you were barking up wrong tree, did you? Cristofer, being domineering isn’t scary. What’s truly frightening is being a jumped–up clown.”
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Cristofer pinned him with a frigid stare. “Get lost.”
Esteban wisely beat a hasty retreat. An irate Cristofer was someone he knew better than to provoke.
***
Back in the car, Maryanne let her composure settle back into place.
Mariana seemed far too timid to orchestrate something as bold as stealing confidential documents and framing her. While she could be arrogant and opportunistic, Maryanne didn’t believe she possessed the nerve for such an act.
Suspicion prickled at Maryanne’s thoughts. “Maggie, when you drop me off at home, look into Mariana for me.
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