25. My real boyfriend
Vanessa's Pov:
I was sitting on the couch in my apartment, my phone still lying beside me untouched since morning, when the doorbell rang.
I already knew who it was.
I opened the door.
And yeah-
Charles.
Charles Rowan.
My boyfriend.
My real boyfriend.
He walked in casually, removing his jacket before looking at me carefully.
"So?" he asked. "You broke up with Whitmore?"
I sighed tiredly and closed the door behind him.
"He's divorcing his wife."
Charles froze for a second.
Then his eyes widened.
"What?"
He let out a frustrated laugh.
"Oh no, Vanessa... now we'll have to find another target."
I instantly glared at him.
"What do you mean another target?" I snapped. "What type of boyfriend are you always trying to find new men for me to be with them!!!!"
He sighed dramatically before walking closer and holding my shoulders.
"Relax, baby," he said softly. "Isn't this good for us? Just a little more money and we're done. We pay off everything and disappear peacefully."
I sat down on the couch, pressing my palms against my forehead.
"But how?" I muttered. "Adrian knows almost every rich businessman in this city. Everyone knows I'm his girlfriend. Some even think I'm Lily's mother."
Charles stayed silent for a moment.
Then suddenly his eyes lit up.
"You shouldn't have fought with him yesterday."
I frowned.
"Oh come on!" I snapped. "He received the divorce notice from Sophia. Within six months they would've divorced anyway and then I would've had to marry him!"
Charles' expression slowly changed.
He looked thoughtful.
Then suddenly-
"Go back to him."
I stared at him.
"What?"
"Go back to Adrian," he repeated calmly. "We still have six months."
I frowned harder.
"What are you even saying?"
Charles sat beside me.
"You took four years to get two million out of him, right?"
I nodded slowly.
He smirked.
"Then get two million more."
I blinked at him in disbelief.
"In six months?" I almost laughed. "Are you crazy?"
"No," he replied coolly. "You just need to play smart."
He leaned back casually.
"Make him feel guilty. Emotional. Attached. Men like Adrian are easiest to manipulate when they feel guilty."
I stayed quiet.
Because somewhere...
He was right.
Charles continued,
"Ask him for expensive gifts. Jewelry. Investments. Maybe even a ring. Something worth millions."
I immediately shook my head.
"No. Impossible."
Charles frowned.
"Why?"
"Because yesterday I literally fought with him over his daughter!" I exclaimed. "I told him Lily was a burden!"
Charles looked annoyed.
"Well then we need to fix it."
I stared at him.
"It's not easy."
For the first time since yesterday, nervousness crept into me.
Because Adrian's expression yesterday...
It was different.
Cold.
Disappointed.
Especially when I spoke about Lily.
Charles tilted his head.
"Listen carefully, Vanessa," he said slowly. "You don't need Adrian Whitmore's love. You just need his guilt."
I looked down silently.
And suddenly...
For the first time-
I realized I might have made a mistake.
A very big one.
Because Adrian Whitmore was slipping out of my hands.
And now...
His wife Sophia Bennet was also in the picture.