Chapter 498
Chapter 497:
“I’ll handle this personally,” she said. “Book me on the next flight to Philadelphia. Davis, I want everything you have on this owner — name, history, connections, vulnerabilities. I want it in my inbox before I land p>
“Ms. Wolfe,” her CFO began carefully, “with respect, this is a local issue. We have regional managers, legal teams, crisis consultants p>
“Who have accomplished nothing,” Jocelyn finished. “This requires a different approach. A surgical approach.” She smiled, and it was not a pleasant expression. “I used to be very good at getting what I wanted from men who thought they were untouchable. I think it’s time I remembered how p>
She ended the conference, walked to her closet, and began packing with the efficient speed of someone who had spent years traveling on short notice.
Gaston appeared in the doorway. He wore sweatpants and a T-shirt, his hair still mussed from sleep, but his eyes were sharp.
“What’s happening p>
“Work,” Jocelyn said, not breaking her rhythm. “Philadelphia. A problem with a neighboring property. I’ll be back tomorrow, maybe the day after p>
“You’re not going alone.” It wasn’t a question.
“I’ll take security.” She zipped the suitcase and turned to face him. “Gaston, it’s fine. It’s a noise complaint. A zoning issue. It’s not p>
“It’s never just a noise complaint when you’re involved.” He crossed the room and took her face in his hands, his thumbs tracing her cheekbones, his eyes searching hers. “Someone is threatening something you built. That means they’re threatening you. And that means I should be there p>
“You are involved,” Jocelyn said. She kissed him — quick, reassuring. “You’re always involved. But this is my company. My problem. My solution.” She held his gaze. “Let me handle it. Let me show you that I can. And if I can’t—” she smiled “—then I’ll call in the cavalry. The very wealthy, very intimidating cavalry p>
𝖱е𝘢d 𝗼𝗻 𝘢𝘯y 𝖽е𝘃𝗂𝗰e 𝗼n
Gaston’s jaw tightened. She could see him fighting the instinct to take over, to solve it himself, to place her inside the protective bubble where nothing could ever reach her.
“Security detail,” he said at last. “Four men. Armed. And you call me every two hours. If you don’t call, I’m coming. If you sound stressed, I’m coming. If p>
“I’ll call,” she promised. “I’ll be fine. I’m always fine p>
She kissed him again, picked up her bag, and walked out the door before he could find another reason to keep her.
Behind her, Gaston stood in the center of their bedroom, surrounded by the evidence of their shared life — the data charts, the wellness plans, the future that suddenly felt a little fragile. He picked up his phone and dialed.
“Follow her,” he said when the call connected. “Stay invisible. But if she needs you, be visible immediately. And find out everything about this Philadelphia situation. Everything p>
He hung up. He walked to the window and watched her car pull away from the curb, his eyes tracking it through the morning traffic until it disappeared entirely.
She wanted to handle it herself. He understood that. He even respected it.
But respect had never stopped him from protecting what was his.